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It was the time of dry law, that between 1920 and 1933 erased alcoholic beverages from the United States map. Not only that: one could not bathe their penalties in bets either unless they were one mile from the coast. At that distance from Miami, south of the idyllic Bay of Biscay with turquoise waters, a crab fisherman, Eddie Walker , built a floating wooden house on stilts with one objective: to mock the authorities and mount bacchanalia where the bourbon, the Spree and the game are at ease.

Some crab fished occasionally, official occupation of the place. Hence the name of the palafito: Crawfish Eddie (Eddie, crayfish), in which politicians, intellectuals, judges and artists met. So much had to be celebrated secretly that soon more were built, giving rise to a real town: Stiltsville ("stilt village" translated from English). Each house of one color and all, with its own name: Jimmy Ellenburg, Calvert Club, Leshaw, Bay Chateau, Hicks House, Bikini Club ...

Another of the seven houseboats that remain standing.

The latter was called that because its owners offered free drinks to women in a bikini. Nor did they hit if they took it off, of course. "There was even a solarium for nudists," says Paul George, a professor at the Miami History Museum .

Solarium for nudists

He does it on one of the ships (the Recess ) in which he acts as a guide for the pleasant Island Queen Cruises tours that run through the bay, the first stop for those who want to taste the wildest and most authentic face of the second city of Florida . For the record, it is not the capital. Tallahassee occupies that position, located in the county of León.

Paul George, professor of the Museum of History and guide of the Bay of Biscay.

Not everything will be art deco hotels , Cuban salseo, musculitos in the sun and reggaeton to death until the many in the beams of Ocean Drive . That too ... For now, we return to Stiltsville, whose popularity was growing over the years in series like Corruption in Miami, CSI and Dexter. Fans of the most atypical serial killer of television: on these waters he threw his very broken victims.

FESTIVALS OF THE 'JET SET'

"The parties of the jet set in these houses were sounded. Even Ted Kennedy celebrated his graduation in one of them," adds Professor George as he points to how the seven that still stand still parade one after the other on their stilts. There were about 30, but the hurricanes and the wrangling of their owners with drug trafficking would end most.

View of the abandoned town of Siltsville.

To get to the "seven of Stiltsville" you need, in addition, an authorization from the Biscayne National Park , to which they now belong and which is responsible for its conservation to be listed as a site of historical interest.

And that in a country of biography as recent as the United States is enough. Things from Miami, which with its 420,000 inhabitants -5.4 million counting the entire metropolitan area, of which 58% are out of the way for much more. One pill: it has 800 parks; more millionaires than Paris, London or Sao Paulo; the most important cruise port in the world; the highest concentration of international banks in the United States; the second airport in the country ... What was said: Things of Miami.

PRACTICAL GUIDE

Drop down

How to get. Airlines like Iberia and Air Europa have direct flights from Spain to Miami from 500 euros.

Where to sleep East Miami Modern and original design hotel in Brickell with a relevant gastronomic offer thanks to its Quinto La Huella restaurants (with Uruguayan grill) or Tea Room (specialized in Asian cuisine). Its pools, its views of the 'skyline' and its sustainable interior design are unique. Do not miss the lively nights of its Sugar roof, one of the hot spots in Miami for the 'afterwork'. From 250 euros a night.

The Palms Hotel & Spa. Eco-friendly (it doesn't lack a garden next to the pool) and cozy, this beachfront hotel is an excellent option in South Beach. Your buffet breakfast does not disappoint, as does your Essentia restaurant, with a menu of international and healthy cuisine. From 170 euros a night.

Circa 39. Pleasant boutique hotel whose decoration is inspired by the world of travel. Do not miss the signature cocktails of the bar installed in the hall. Located in South Beach, it is two steps from the beach. From 95 euros a night.

Where to eat. Phuc Yea Vietnamese cuisine of level and artistic atmosphere in an avant-garde space run by the couple César Zapata and Anieve Meinhold. On Biscayne Boulevard From 40 euros.

Hello Miami. The best ceviches in Miami, as well as all kinds of seafood. Carnivorous dishes and signature cocktails are also very worthwhile. Located in South Beach, it is one of the city's trendy restaurants. From 45 euros.

More information On the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau (GMCVB) website: www.miamiandbeaches.com

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