Web Exclusive: Miami Travel
Before the FBI raided the Tim Durham’s Chase Tower office, the notorious Indy financier loved to playboy his way around Miami. He invited IM along in 2008 when we first profiled him. Here’s how to live the high life in South Beach without the spoils of an alleged Ponzi scheme.
Charter a Yacht
Finding a boat like Durham’s $7 million, 100-foot-long Obsidian is tough, but $4,500 buys you an overnight on the sleek Cantieri Navali (305-490-0049, yachtchartersinmiami.com), a 60-foot-long speed yacht that can whisk you and 11 guests to the Bahamas in two hours. Or you can cruise the coastline and soak up the envy.
Dine at Meat Market Steakhouse
Durham’s salacious Touch Restaurant may have closed, but he was also once co-owner of Meat Market (915 Lincoln Rd., 305-532-0088, meatmarketmiami.com), an eatery much classier than its name suggests. In addition to the pricey steaks, the tuna tartar and sea bass are favorites.
Hang at The Villa
The Versace Mansion—the site of the designer’s murder—lives on as The Villa (1116 Ocean Dr., 305-576-8003, thevillabybartong.com), a South Beach hotel/restaurant/bar that Durham frequented. The open-air, four-story courtyard and spectacular mosaics set this Italianate mansion apart from its Art Deco neighbors.
Photo via Greater Miami CVB; Durham photo by Tony Valainis
This article is a web exclusive to the June 2012 issue’s “Nonstop Fun” Travel cover package.
