Fort Lauderdale: how to shop and dine in style

In the second of his videos exploring this city in south-east Florida, Simon Calder discovers the smart shops and restaurants of Las Olas Boulevard

US Route 1 runs from the Canadian border to Key West at the southern tip of Florida, slicing through Fort Lauderdale, yet at the centre of the city it conveniently dives beneath the river. So the downtown area is on a human scale, with Las Olas Boulevard the axis of indulgence. The Sunshine State has many mega-malls, offering outstanding value. But for something smaller-scale and smarter, the boulevard whose name translates as “The Waves” delivers.

Also known as “Style Mile”, Las Olas Boulevard is now home to a familiar travel icon too with a brand-new shop window: National Geographic. Since 1888, National Geographic has been bringing the world to the world, reporting on new discoveries, telling astonishing stories and producing remarkable images. The organisation has opened a gallery in Fort Lauderdale to showcase some of those photographs as the works of art they really are.

Along the street, Ann’s Florist and Coffee Bar is where the aroma of freshly ground Arabica mingles with the fragrance of fresh flowers. The ambience of this carnations-to-cappuccino enterprise is the work of designer Kim Fuentes. She believes the frontier between baristas and floristry is a cheerful no man’s land.

“It’s a unique idea but it works really well for us,” she says.

Just across Las Olas Boulevard, Louie Bossi is the restaurant where South Florida meets South Italy and goes out for dinner - starting with some heavenly hors d’oeuvres as an overture to pitch-perfect pizza.

My America Holidays offers holidays to Fort Lauderdale from £599 per person*. Visit myamericaholiday.co.uk or call 020 8290 9751. Hertz car hire in Florida starts from just £21 per day. Visit Hertz.co.uk

Discover more at visitflorida.com @VisitFlorida #LoveFlorida

*Price includes flights and accommodation and is based on 2 adults and 2 children sharing on a room only basis with selected travel dates and departure airports. Prices may vary, are subject to availability and correct as of 15 January 2018. Book today with deposits from £59 per person (exclusions and terms and conditions apply)