Events
Rhythms, Flavors, and Warmth: A Symphony of Barranquilla’s Cultural Feast
Navigating Barranquilla’s Many Facets, Amid Carnival Festivities, Culinary Adventures, and the Inherent Warmth of its Locals.
February 9th – 11th, 2024
Experiencing the enchanting rhythms of Barranquilla, Colombia, began with a seamless flight from the lively city of Miami aboard Avianca Airlines. The journey was not just a mere transportation from point A to B; it was a prelude to the vibrant symphony of Colombian hospitality that awaited me.
Avianca’s gate agents and flight attendants performed their roles with an almost choreographed finesse, transforming a routine flight into an aerial ballet of service and friendliness. The warm welcome extended beyond the clouds, as I touched down in Barranquilla, greeted not just by the solid ground, but also by the fantastic taste of Aguila beer (my new favorite) and the pulsating beats of local music – an auditory embrace that set the tone for my Colombian adventure.
My accommodation at the Holiday Inn unfolded like a grand overture to my stay. This wasn’t your typical Holiday Inn; it was a majestic sanctuary where comfort and opulence danced together. The breakfast buffet was a symphony of flavors, and the rooftop pool, was the perfect stage for the sun to bid its daily adieu.
Lunch at Varadero was a culinary sanctuary, an exploration of seafood wonders that tantalized my taste buds and left my senses in awe. Each dish was a carefully composed sonnet of flavors, from the fall-off-the-bone braised beef to the other-worldly octopus (another new favorite) and the immaculately cooked salmon.
As the afternoon sun dipped below the horizon, I reclined by the rooftop pool, a witness to a visual sonnet painted in hues of orange and pink. The sky, a canvas, and Barranquilla’s skyline, the masterpiece.
The evening beckoned with an Arab-themed dinner, a poetic fusion of flavors. While the overall experience may have been a gentle serenade, the hearty kabobs and juicy vegetables were a welcomed spectacle. Wrapping up the day, the dessert, an almond sprinkled ice cream served as a sweet finale.
Day 2 heralded a new movement in the symphony of my Barranquilla escapade. An early-morning gym session was the prelude to a massive breakfast buffet that seemed to have everything from local favorites to classic breakfast foods. While the meal was a great start to the day, the journey to the Carnival venue really is where things were set in motion. The melodic expedition took me through several streets adorned with carnival revelers decked out in meticulously crafted costumes along with plenty of accessories.
After navigating through the crowd, we found our way to the Avianca Grandstand, securing front-row seats for the carnival parade. It truly was a spectacular composition. As it unfolded before my eyes, I realized this was not just a parade; it was a living, breathing melody of colors and sounds. Each float and each participant harmoniously united in an exuberant celebration of Colombian culture. To put it in American terms, imagine your local holiday parade, but taken to an extremely high level of seriousness, with triple the participants and impressive floats featuring stunning designs. As each float passed along with their own band or DJ, the excitement in the crowd escalated, reaching a fever pitch when the Queen made her grand entrance.
Amidst the carnival’s exuberance, a touching moment unfolded at a local grocery store. In my quest for relief from heartburn, a chance encounter with a fellow shopper named James turned into a generous act of kindness. Not speaking the native language, one would think it’d be too much of a struggle to get what you needed to get or where you needed to go, but as the gentleman showed me, there’s just an undeniable warmth from the Barranquillan people.
Next, was dinner at Manuel Restaurante, an Italian-themed restaurant where guests are taken on a culinary journey. Breads and butters, raw fish in light olive oil, fish tacos with a golden drizzle, and the pièce de résistance – ravioli in the transcendental Parmesan sauce were all featured. Considering I’ve been all around the world, having spent several weeks in Italy twice, Manuel’s Parmesan sauce is the absolute greatest sauce I’ve ever tasted in my life!!! Hands down, it’s not even a competition! Manuel’s is the best restaurant in Colombia.
As I boarded my flight home on Avianca Airlines and said goodbye to Barranquilla, the echoes of this Colombian adventure continued to reverberate, leaving me eagerly anticipating the encore of my return.
Adding to the allure, Avianca proudly announces its status as the official airline of the Barranquilla Carnival, a UNESCO-declared Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity over two decades ago. In a concerted effort to facilitate attendance at this renowned event, Avianca offered an impressive 88,000 seats to and from the capital of Atlántico between February 5th and 17th. With 18 daily direct flights, the airline ensures convenient travel options for carnival enthusiasts, spanning from the pre-carnival days to the weekend following the grand finale.
“It is very important to participate in the Barranquilla Carnival, one of the largest celebrations in the Caribbean and the country. We are official sponsors of this festival that celebrates the traditions of Colombia, and it’s no coincidence: this was the city where we were born 104 years ago, and today, more than a century later, it continues to be a key location for our company, its employees, and, of course, for connectivity. From Barranquilla, we provide direct connections to Bogotá, Cali, Medellín, and Miami with an offering of more than 130 weekly frequencies”, commented María Carolina Cortés, Vice President of Corporate Communications at Avianca.
The glamour of the French Riviera arrived in Miami Beach as Melissa Odabash presented Riviera: La Côte d’Azur during PARAISO Miami Swim Week.
May 29, 2026
Before the runway began, guests explored sponsor activations throughout the venue, including cocktails from Empress 1908 Gin, pours from Maker’s Mark, refreshments from LaCroix, Australian Gold sun care products, and sweet treats from Tony’s Chocolonely. A crystal-covered MINI convertible featuring a sparkling pink palm tree quickly became one of the evening’s most photographed attractions.
As guests settled into their seats, the atmosphere shifted from Miami Beach to the Mediterranean coast.
Inspired by the timeless elegance and relaxed luxury of the French Riviera, the runway showcased the effortless resort style that has become synonymous with the Melissa Odabash brand. Models floated down the catwalk in sophisticated swimwear, airy coverups, crochet pieces, flowing dresses, and polished resort looks that felt equally at home in Saint-Tropez, Cannes, Monaco, or Miami Beach.
A palette of crisp whites, soft neutrals, shimmering metallics, and ocean-inspired blues reinforced the coastal aesthetic, while lightweight fabrics and elegant silhouettes captured the ease of luxury vacation dressing.
The presentation celebrated more than swimwear. It embraced an entire lifestyle centered around sunshine, travel, seaside glamour, and effortless sophistication. Each look reflected the idea that great resort fashion should feel both elevated and wearable, whether spent poolside at a beach club or dining waterfront at sunset.
By blending timeless resort pieces with the romantic spirit of the Côte d’Azur, Melissa Odabash delivered one of the week’s most transportive runway experiences. For a few moments inside the PARAISO Fashion Tent, guests were no longer on Collins Avenue. They were somewhere along the sun-soaked shores of the French Riviera.
Feeling inspired to plan your next getaway? The looks featured on the runway and additional resort wear styles can be purchased through MelissaOdabash.com, offering shoppers the opportunity to bring a touch of Côte d’Azur elegance to their own summer travels.
Events
Neutrogena’s Sunblock Model Casting Pool Party Brought SPF and Swim Week Energy to Strawberry Moon
The Miami Swim Week® The Shows event mixed model casting, poolside glamour, sunscreen touch-ups, and a very South Beach kind of scene.
May 26, 2026
Miami Swim Week® The Shows is known for runway lights, bold swimwear, and a little bit of beautiful chaos, but Neutrogena brought the action poolside with its Sunblock Model Casting Pool Party at Strawberry Moon.
Set against the hotel’s dreamy pastel pool deck, the event felt less like a traditional casting call and more like a sun-soaked Swim Week hangout with a purpose. Models moved around the pool in swimwear, guests mingled under turquoise umbrellas, and the whole scene had that perfect Miami mix of fashion, beauty, heat, and “wait, is this a casting or a party?” energy.
The pool became the runway for the afternoon, with models walking along the water in front of Miami Swim Week® The Shows signage. It was casual, but still camera-ready. Instead of a stiff casting room, Neutrogena created a setting that felt alive, social, and very on-brand for Miami. There were bikinis, heels, palm trees, pool reflections, and enough sunlight to make the SPF message feel extremely relevant.
At the center of the event was Neutrogena’s bright activation area, complete with Ultra Sheer sunscreen products, yellow-and-white towels, and the perfect pool party reminder: “Arrive. Apply. Unwind.” Guests could check out the sunscreen lineup while taking in the casting atmosphere around them. It gave the whole afternoon a smart beauty angle without taking away from the fun.
The best part was how naturally everything fit together. Miami Swim Week is all about swimwear, bodies, beach culture, and confidence, so a sunblock casting pool party made perfect sense. Neutrogena did not just set up a table and call it a day. The brand turned SPF into part of the event experience, making sunscreen feel like the accessory everyone actually needed.
The atmosphere was playful and relaxed, with guests moving between the pool, the Neutrogena station, and nearby brand activations. Liquid Youth also added to the beauty-meets-wellness vibe with colorful collagen drinks, giving attendees another reason to stop, sip, and stay a little longer.
By moving the casting call into a pool party setting, Neutrogena gave Miami Swim Week a daytime moment that felt fresh, social, and easy to enjoy. It had the structure of a fashion event, the vibe of a South Beach pool day, and just enough glam to remind everyone that this was still Swim Week.
In a city where the sun is basically a main character, Neutrogena’s Sunblock Model Casting Pool Party was a natural fit. It brought together models, beauty lovers, swimwear energy, and SPF in one bright, splashy afternoon.
At Strawberry Moon, the message was simple: show up, get seen, protect the glow, and maybe get cast while you’re at it.
Veggies Made Great helped fuel a family-friendly weekend of free workouts, paddleboarding, coffee, small bites, and feel-good fun at 96th Street Park.
May 18, 2026
Surfside brought the good vibes this weekend with Paddletopia 2026, a two-day wellness and outdoor lifestyle event that turned 96th Street Park into a sunny little hub for movement, community, and family-friendly fun.
Held on Saturday, May 16 and Sunday, May 17 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the event welcomed kids, adults, fitness lovers, coffee drinkers, paddleboarders, and anyone looking for a fresh-air weekend by the water. The best part? So many of the experiences were free, making it easy for families and locals to drop in, move around, and enjoy the day without overthinking it.
The workout classes were a highlight, bringing plenty of energy to the park with approachable, upbeat sessions that made wellness feel fun instead of intimidating. Between the fitness classes, paddleboarding, live music, wellness activations, and relaxed outdoor atmosphere, Paddletopia had that perfect South Florida mix of active and easygoing.
Of course, no great weekend event is complete without good bites. Veggies Made Great, an official event partner, kept guests fueled with complimentary samples of their veggie-packed favorites, including the Spinach Egg White Frittata and Lemon Blueberry Muffin. The samples were a smart fit for the day: light, wholesome, tasty, and easy to enjoy between activities. Paired with coffee and other small bites available throughout the event, it made for the kind of simple, satisfying spread that both kids and adults could get behind.
The event also had a thoughtful environmental angle through the “Paddle for Plastic” initiative with Plastic Fisherman, encouraging attendees to help clean Surfside canals in exchange for eco-friendly rewards. It added a meaningful layer to the weekend, blending wellness, community, and environmental care in a way that felt natural for a coastal town like Surfside.
Overall, Paddletopia 2026 felt like exactly what a South Florida weekend should be: outdoorsy, welcoming, active, delicious, and just a little bit sun-kissed. From free fitness classes to better-for-you snacks and community-focused fun, Surfside gave families a reason to get outside and enjoy the best of wellness by the water.
To bring a little of that Paddletopia feel-good energy home, check out more of the veggie-packed muffins, frittatas, and easy breakfast favorites from Veggies Made Great at https://www.veggiesmadegreat.com/
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