It’s been fairly mild this winter — for Minnesota — give or take some frigid temperatures here, a few snowstorms there and some ice and sleet in between.

Mild or not, it’s about this time of year when I get the fever to go some place warm.

If I had my choice this weekend, I’d pass on Mexico, skip on The Bahamas, say thanks but no thanks to Palm Springs and head to Miami.

I’m not a big professional football fan, but being right in the middle of the Super Bowl hype, especially in a state known for its warmth and its palm trees, is the perfect combination.

Unfortunately, I have to write this column, have to wash my car tomorrow and have to work on Monday.

But I can take a virtual vacation, just like I did last year when I called three different newspaper reporters in three different warm climates and enjoyed talking about the sun and the sand.

This year’s trip is to Miami Gardens, a newly incorporated suburb of Miami. The town now has its own police force and it’s also the place of Sun Life Stadium, home to the Miami Dolphins and this year’s Super Bowl.

The first part of my trip doesn’t go so well.

I call the stadium, no answer. I call the Miami Herald’s sports department and leave a message. I call a restaurant on the beach, and I’m told, “It’s lunchtime; call back.”

I then call the El Palacio Sports Hotel, located about a half-mile from the stadium, and my luck improves.

Vincent Pla, one of the managers, answers the call.

“There will be tons of people walking around, checking out the pre and post parties,” he says, of what it will be like this weekend.

Pla says his hotel will offer a tailgate party in the front parking lot, as well as parties in both the ballroom and the sports bar.

He says last night alone, the sports bar was at full capacity, but remarkably there’s still vacancy at the hotel after a couple of cancellations.

“We’re at about 95 percent capacity,” Pla says.

So Mr. Pla, tell me, is Miami the place to be this weekend?

“Of course it is,” he says.

Next I call Tony’s Pizza Cafe, which sits about three miles from the stadium. Sports fans enjoy the pizza and the subs that are made on homemade rolls.

Brad Terry owns the restaurant and says that as of Saturday, business has already picked up a bit.

“We’re noticing a couple of extra orders here and there,” he says. “We’re definitely seeing people come in for lunch with Super Bowl credentials.”

And how’s the pizza?

“We offer very good New York style pizza,” he says and adds that a good pizza starts with a good oven. “You cook it almost to the point of being burnt.”

Terry is hoping to do more business through the weekend. His restaurant isn’t normally open on Sundays, but he’s made an exception for the Super Bowl.

“We’re going to be here, and we’re going to brace for it,” he says.

Before I let Mr. Terry go, I ask one more question.

Colts or Saints?

“I’ll take the Colts by 10,” he says.

And I’d take a trip to Miami right about now, one that would include a stop at both Mr. Pla’s tailgate party and lunch at Tony’s Pizza Cafe.