Audissey Guides announced today the official launch of Miami Beach Audissey, the newest addition to their audio walking tours available nationwide that invites visitors and residents to experience an insider's tour alternative while exploring their favorite cities. The 16-stop, hour-long tour is narrated by Miami local, Claudia Verela, a bikini model by day and bartender by night. Half El Salvadorian, half Haitian, and "totally crazy", Verela is the perfect companion and tour guide of all places fashionable and fabulous in the city known as the "Capital of Sexy".
"This tour is the sexiest way to see Miami Beach," said Verela. "I wanted people to see the real Miami Beach - my own personal Miami Beach - not just the typical tourist stuff. I want to speak into your mind, change your reality - so for the 60 minutes you're with me, you actually become a Miami Beach local. You see the place through my eyes."
Strolling down Ocean Drive, Verela takes you on her own personal tour, guiding you with her sultry voice and Latin flair matched to the beats of ambient tunes. She takes you for a drink at some of her favorite bars for a tasty mojito or perhaps a popsicle martini while stopping along the way to point out great people watching spots and art deco buildings. With the sound of Verela's stilettos hitting the pavement, she fills you in on some on and off the beaten track sites such as the film location spot from the famous chainsaw scene from Scarface, Al Capone's old local hangout (it's now a Crunch Fitness Club), the Gianni Versace Mansion and the American birthplace of Rumba.
Even a stranger to the city will feel a part of the sexy South Beach in-crowd, hitting the town of all things hip, with a Miami Beach model giving you a VIP tour and introducing you to some of her friends of bouncers, bartenders and dancers along the way who offer their own tips on South Beach nightlife.
"This is a new way to explore and feel the vibe of Miami Beach, with someone who knows it intimately," said Rob Pyles, the 29-year old Founder of Audissey Guides. "It's a chance to interact with the city in a way that's normally off limits to you as a tourist.
Tour Highlights include:
- Scarface Scene-The little-known filming location of one of the most grizzly scenes in Hollywood history: the chainsaw scene from Scarface. Ironically, it's now a modeling agency.
- The Clevelander-Welcome to the pastel paradise of swimming pools and bar stools. Hear Dina, the bartender welcome you to the biggest meat market in Miami Beach.
- Versace Mansion Stand at the gate where Gianni Versace - the god of fashion - was gunned down in cold blood.
- The Carlyle-This former hotel was where the world met Detective Sonny Crockett (Don Johnson) in the first episode of Miami Vice. Oh yes. A moment of silence, please.
- World Erotic Art Museum-Let Miss Naomi, owner of the WEAM, welcomes you to the sexiest place in town. Really.
- Clay Hotel-This youth hostel on swanky Espanola Way was where Desi Arnaz launched the rumba craze that took America by the hips (and gave it a shaking it wouldn't forget).
About the Narrator Claudia Verela
Say hola to Claudia Verela - your new tour guide through Miami Beach. Claudia is the ultimate Miami girl: a famous bikini model by day - and an infamous bartender by night. She's a member of the US National Bikini Team, a Maxim "Hometown Hottie", and a fixture on the Miami Beach social scene. She's the quintessential Miami girl: half El Salvadorian, half-Haitian, and 100% fun - and she lists tequila and champagne among her weaknesses. Miami Beach is her backyard... and her playground. Let her whisper in your ear - all the insider secrets about her hometown usually reserved for the rich and famous.
How It Works
The tour is as simple to use as an audio guide in a museum--except you are out walking the streets of the city. The hour long tour has 16 stops and is for visitors 21 years and older. You can do the tour at your pace (and best of all, you don't even look like a tourist). The price of each tour is $10.00. You can download an iPod/MP3 version of the tour as well as a printable map and get more information at www.AudisseyGuides.com. Miami Beach Audissey will also be available in Spanish beginning Fall 2007.
About Audissey Guides
Audissey Guides is pioneering a new form of travel - iPod audio tours that feature local narrators, original music, and creative sound design. Put in your earbuds and follow the voice of the narrators, from hip-hop poets to bikini models, who guide you off the tourist trail through their hometown. Audissey Guides offers audio tours through New Orleans, Miami Beach, Boston, Seattle, and Chicago - with more scheduled for late 2007. Check out http://www.audisseyguides.com/
Free download of the entire tour/map and full tour stop list with descriptions and hi-res JPEG images are all available upon press request.
Interviews with the narrator and Audissey Guides Founder is also available upon request.
