Style File: Vizcaya Moonlight

WSVN -- If you've lived in South Florida long enough, you've probably wandered through the gardens of Vizcaya. Now there's a chance to see them in a whole new light, the moonlight.

Joel Hoffman: "It's extraordinarily beautiful by day but just magical and special and romantic by night."

Vizcaya is taking advantage of our winter months by offering garden tours once a month on the night of a full moon, a special treat, since the gardens are usually only open during the day.

Kelly Thomas: "I have been here during the day, and it looks totally different. It's nice and refreshing than when coming during the summer, when it's beastly hot."

The tour starts at the main house where you can sit and listen to music, sip wine and snack on refreshments. Then volunteer guides armed with flashlights will take you on an adventure through the sculpted gardens.

Jo Mobley: "Vizcaya was the winter home of James Deering."

Many of the guides have been volunteers at Vizcaya for years, so they really know their stuff. They help you fantasize about what life was really like for Vizcaya's main man James Deering.

Jo Mobley: "You get an idea of what it was like to be in the gardens during Mr. Deering's time, also because this is the winter, and he was a winter visitor."

You'll roam through the casino, sneak through the Secret Garden and learn about everything that makes the gardens so unique.

Joel Hoffman: "Our gardens are lined with over 100 statues. They tell a story, and the statues represent different countries."

Joanne Seipp: "I think at night the light, the statues and water make it much more prettier."

Susan Scheffler: "I have never been to a garden at night. It's such a different perspective. It's gorgeous."

And if you're looking for romance, who knows what sparks will fly on the night of a full moon.

Joel Hoffman: "Who knows who you might meet at the Gardens of Vizcaya. Many unions have occurred here."

Belkys Nerey: "Just a heads up, the next moonlight tour is next Wednesday night. Gates open at 6 p.m. It's $15 for the public and $10 for members."

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Vizcaya Museum & Gardens
3251 S. Miami Ave.
Miami, FL 33129
(305) 856-8189

$15 per person; $10 for students, seniors and members
Reservations not required.