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TAKING LE TISS!

Southampton twinned with MIAMI in bizarre tale of two very different cities

SOUTHAMPTON has been twinned with MIAMI - but the two cities have more in common than you think.

Council chiefs in the Hampshire city announced the official partnership today.

The beautiful white sandy beaches of Lummus Beach in Miami, Florida
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The beautiful white sandy beaches of Lummus Beach in Miami, FloridaCredit: Getty - Contributor
The pebbles of Weston Shore, Southampton
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The pebbles of Weston Shore, SouthamptonCredit: Alamy
The azure sea and blue skies above Miami beach are an attractive prospect for millions of visitors
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The azure sea and blue skies above Miami beach are an attractive prospect for millions of visitorsCredit: Alamy
Southampton's less-inspiring skyline makes it only the 20th-most-visited city in Britain
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Southampton's less-inspiring skyline makes it only the 20th-most-visited city in BritainCredit: Alamy

Despite them being more than 4,300 miles apart, Sun Online looked at the similarities that bring the two port cities together.

Beaches

Miami is known for its beautiful white sandy beaches, full of scantily-clad holidaymakers sipping cocktails on sun loungers.

But what about Southampton? Well, it does have beaches, but you won’t see that many glamorous sun-worshippers flocking to the pebbles of Weston Shore to top up their tan.

While the brisk waters of the Solent can’t compete with the blue waters of the tropical Atlantic.

Sports

Southampton – home of the Saints – is synonymous with football. The city is fearlessly proud of its club and of heroes such as Matt Le Tissier.

Matt Le Tissier is a Southampton FC legend
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Matt Le Tissier is a Southampton FC legendCredit: Getty Images - Getty
David Beckham's MLS team Inter Miami FC is based in Miami
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David Beckham's MLS team Inter Miami FC is based in MiamiCredit: Instagram
Miami Dolphins cheerleaders entertain the crowd during an NFL game
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Miami Dolphins cheerleaders entertain the crowd during an NFL gameCredit: PA:Press Association

Miami has NBA team the Heat and the Dolphins in NFL – not to mention David Beckham’s Inter Miami FC soon to be in the MLS - but no one in Florida has witnessed the thrill of Le Tiss chipping Peter Schmeichel.

Food

Visitors to Miami are spoilt for choice when it comes to cuisine with strong Latin American and Caribbean culinary influences as well as delicious seafood.

But while locals chow down on delicious Cuban sandwiches – Southampton residents can tuck into some good old fashioned fish and chips with one local chippie voted in the UK's top 20 last year.

A Cuban sandwich is a popular dish in Miami
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A Cuban sandwich is a popular dish in MiamiCredit: Alamy
Visitors to Southampton can tuck into some good old fashioned fish and chips
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Visitors to Southampton can tuck into some good old fashioned fish and chipsCredit: Getty - Contributor

Music

The night life is so good in Miami Will Smith rapped about it and dancers pack the city's bars and clubs.

Gloria Estefan, DJ Khaled, Jason Derulo and Enrique Iglesias, to name but a few, all hail from the Magic City.

While Craig David is undoubtedly Southampton’s most renowned musical son - apart from Indie group, Delays.

But no one out of Miami has produced an album as iconic as Born to Do It.

Revellers have fun on Miami Beach as they celebrate Spring Break
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Revellers have fun on Miami Beach as they celebrate Spring BreakCredit: Alamy
Music fans refuse to let their spirits be dampened by the rain at a Southampton music festival
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Music fans refuse to let their spirits be dampened by the rain at a Southampton music festivalCredit: Alamy

Tourism

Last year, 23.3million tourists visited Miami - bringing in $18billion for the city's economy.

During their stay in the city people can check out the art deco buildings on Ocean Drive or Jungle Island theme-park.

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In 2017, Southampton was voted the UK's 20th most-visited city for foreign tourists staying for a night.

Trippers may not have art deco masterpieces to gaze upon but you can’t learn about Tudor House or check out the Peppa Pig rides in Paultons Park, in Miami.

Ocean Drive Art Deco buildings illuminated at dusk in Miami Beach
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Ocean Drive Art Deco buildings illuminated at dusk in Miami BeachCredit: Alamy
Above Bar Street in central Southampton where visitors can enjoy the city's 'premier shopping destination' Westquay
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Above Bar Street in central Southampton where visitors can enjoy the city's 'premier shopping destination' WestquayCredit: Alamy
Peppa Pig Land at Paulton's Park in Southampton
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Peppa Pig Land at Paulton's Park in SouthamptonCredit: Alamy

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