7 keys to discovering the magic and luxury of Palm Beach

It's midday and the Brightline Miami Central Station boasts a calm and relaxed atmosphere. The high-speed train that connects Miami to Orlando departs from here. Passengers calmly and orderly board the yellow and green car that takes us to West Palm Beach in just 90 minutes. A short journey that offers views of the landscape, shopping centers, and residential developments of the towns of South Florida (United States).

In the blink of an eye, we arrive at the West Palm Beach station, which opens the doors to this city and from the first minute reveals its friendly, peaceful, and pleasant face. Just a few steps away are enough to appreciate the modernity and luxury of its buildings, feel the fresh air coming in from the Atlantic Ocean , and admire the streets lined with gardens and green parks that invite you to stroll.

This metropolis is the administrative headquarters of Palm Beach County, known in the travel industry as The Palm Beaches Collection, a group of 39 towns offering nature, gastronomy, beach, luxury resorts, water sports and shopping experiences .

Erick Garnica, vice president of global leisure sales at Discover The Palm Beaches, tells us that they offer “more than 170 hotels with 18,000 rooms, it is an original destination of sophistication and luxury , the first in North America to have a luxury resort (The Breakers), and it is an area where its development and infrastructure are well planned and calculated.”

Garnica says that 14 of the county's 39 towns offer experiences for travelers. For example, Jupiter is the place to connect with nature; Boca Raton is the place to explore art and culinary delights; Delray Beach offers a festive atmosphere; and Palm Beach Gardens is a golf paradise.

On this trip, we spent two days exploring West Palm Beach, the starting point for getting to know the county, and experienced its cultural, artistic, culinary, and nightlife offerings.

What better way to start this tour than on an electric bike? With Scotti Williams of Palm Beach Ebike Rentals , we embark on a one-and-a-half-hour tour of downtown West Palm Beach and Palm Beach.

This company is owned by sisters Robin and Scotti Williams, born and raised in the West Palm Beach area. So it goes without saying that they know the area like the back of their hand, along with the history of the place, which they share with us throughout the adventure.

We pass through City Place, a shopping and entertainment complex; Clematis Street with its shops, cafes, and galleries; and Flagler Drive, a coastal road that borders the Intracoastal Waterway. Our first stop is the Royal Park Bridge, which spans the Intracoastal Waterway and connects Palm Beach and West Palm Beach.

There Scotti tells us about the origins of the city: “Palm Beach County was created in 1909, and its name comes from the palm trees and beaches in the area.” He then tells us about the American businessman Henry Flagler, founder of the city, and the influence he had on development at the beginning of the 20th century by extending the Florida East Coast Railway with the line between Jacksonville and Key West.

We crossed the bridge over Lake Worth, separating the two cities, and arrived in elegant Palm Beach, one of the cities with the highest per capita income in the country, a haven for millionaires, artists, athletes, members of the nobility, and celebrities. It's home to the famous Mar-a-Lago Club, where the Trump family maintains their private residence.

The city offers museums, theaters, and recreation centers. A stroll down the sumptuous Worth Street, home to world-renowned fashion and art houses, is a must.

The sun accompanies us on this tour among mansions, yachts, and modern buildings that chronicle the development of a very wealthy region. We rest among parks and beaches with beautiful views, and in the distance we see The Breakers, the iconic luxury resort known for its impressive architecture and gardens.

Palm Beach Ebike Rentals offers private tours and excursions for up to 12 people. They take care of every detail, from bike delivery and route planning to logistics, ensuring a stress-free ride.

The Kravis Center is one of the most important performing arts venues in this region of the United States. With three venues offering theater productions, comedies, ballets, musical performances , and more, it's a great way to experience the city's cultural landscape.

We visited at night to see the Palm Beach Ballet performing Sleeping Beauty. It's a highly recommended experience on this trip. For an hour and a half, we enjoyed the company of this professional ballet company from The Palm Beaches, a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving the art of classical ballet. Founded in 2001, the company has become an iconic figure in Palm Beach County.

Reports: www.balletpalmbeach.org.

And to complete this art tour , we recommend the Norton Museum of Art, a large space that houses five art collections: European , American, Chinese, Contemporary, and Photography. The museum's docent guide, Cynthia Dillion, accompanied us on this interesting visit and told us that "it was founded in 1941 by Ralph Hubbard Norton and his wife, Elizabeth Calhoun Norton, and was created to display the family's growing collection of paintings and sculptures. Its garden is very important as it is an open-air sculpture gallery, surrounded by non-native tropical plants, which make this interesting space unique."

The museum is a gem in downtown West Palm Beach, and was expanded in 2019 to enhance the connection between the building and the landscape , offering visitors a complete experience that even integrates its highly regarded restaurant.

The permanent collection features more than 8,200 works, such as Stuart Davis's New York Mural (acquired in 1964) and Jackson Pollock's Night Mist (acquired in 1971). Led by our guide, we tour the galleries and the garden. Definitely worth a visit worth more than just a lunch break. We'll be back!

We recommend reaching this destination by train for its convenience, speed, and excellent service. This modern high-speed rail service began operating in 2018 between West Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale, and Miami, and launched new stations in Boca Raton and Aventura in late 2022. Today, it connects West Palm Beach to Fort Lauderdale in 30 minutes, to Miami in approximately 90 minutes, and to Orlando International Airport in three hours.

Tickets from Miami to West Palm Beach start at $30, depending on the class: Smart or Premium. Premium includes a VIP lounge, meals and drinks throughout the flight, and spacious, comfortable seats.

The train reaches speeds of 200 kilometers per hour. It is the first privately operated intercity passenger transportation service in the United States. It is recommended to purchase tickets in advance online.

Reports: https://www.gobrightline.com/

This city offers menus and culinary experiences for all tastes. Don't miss:

The city's accommodation offering is wide and diverse, from luxurious oceanfront resorts to boutique hotels in the historic district. Aka West Palm, which opened in December 2022 , stands out for its originality. It is a five-story building in the city center and offers 215 one- and two-bedroom suites, equipped with every amenity. It has a pleasant terrace with a pool, outdoor lounge, gym, and pet spa.

It's just a 15-minute walk from the West Palm Beach Boardwalk, Clematis Street, and City Place , and is close to the bridge leading to the spectacular beach and exclusive luxury options in Palm Beach. It's surrounded by a wide range of restaurants, nightlife, cultural destinations, and shops.

It features the cozy restaurant, The Blind Monk, an elegant tapas bar with a wide selection of wines and small plates and main courses on its menu. Another delicious option is a.market on Olive, with its freshly brewed coffee, artisanal snacks, delicious charcuterie , and exclusive drinks and products full of flavor.

Obviously, in the capital of the sun, you can't end a trip without shopping. We spent an afternoon at Tanger Outlets, a huge outdoor shopping center featuring top fashion stores and brands offering attractive discounts. Dining, fashion, sports, and lots of fun are all part of this outlet, which includes stores like Michael Kors, Coach, American Eagle Outfitters, and more.

ADRIANA GARZÓN - SPECIAL ENVOY FOR TRAVEL - PALM BEACH

* Invitation from Discover The Palm Beaches