Miami

With its crystal clear waters and happening nightlife scene, Miami is a world-famous recreation destination on the very southern tip of the Florida peninsula. The city was claimed for Spain by Pedro Menéndez de Avilés, though the area was the traditional home of several Native American tribes, the Tequestas having controlled the area for about a thousand years before his arrival. After Florida was ceded to the US in 1821, Miami saw an influx of residents as numerous northerners moved down in pursuit of sunny weather over the next century. Many wealthy Cuban nationals also took refuge in the city after Castro's coup changed the country's political landscape. The art deco boom in the 1930s left its mark on the city, with buildings like the Celino South Beach Hotel and the Clevelander Hotel being gorgeous examples of the decorative style. A booming metropolis where beauty is at a premium, Miami sparkles with sheer energy. Here staying in shape is worth the effort for a sun-soaked beach is just a skip away.