A single gallery might exhibit new and established artists, but Art Basel is an art show exhibits the work of several galleries at once. Although it began as a humble show in Basel, Switzerland, it is now one of the largest events in the art world.

The art show was started in 1970 as a venture between 3 Swiss art dealers: Trudi Bruckner, Balz Hilt, and Ernst Beyeler. Over the next three years, Art Basel attracted 281 exhibitions and over 30 thousand visitors. It was unique for being one of the few independent art shows in Europe during the 1970s. The prestige of the show led to its premiere in other venues. In 2002, Art Basel was opened in Miami Beach, and in 2013, another show was begun in Hong Kong. To keep its exhibitions new and exciting, Art Basel draws upon the experience of several guest curators from world-famous museums like the Los Angeles County Museum of Art and the Serpentine Galleries in Kensington Gardens.

During the winter season, the art world is drawn to Art Basel in Miami Beach. Over 50,000 people come each year to see exhibits from more than 260 museums and galleries in this warmer part of the world. Exhibits are divided up between the official galleries, displays by new artists, major installations, film and video works, and outdoor sculptures and performances. Miami's largest art collections—like the Rubell Family Collection and the Marguiles Collection—are even made open to the public through this annual event.

If you would like to visit Art Basel in Miami Beach, here are some tips to remember.

* Tickets for admission cost around $40, with a discount after 4 pm.

* The show runs from noon to 8 pm daily, except for Sunday when it closes at 6 pm.

* Turon Travel is the official travel and accommodation agency for Art Basel, providing connections to 40 different hotels in Miami.

* The show takes place at the Miami Beach Convention Center, with public artworks on display at Collins Park, and film and video exhibits at SoundScape Park.

* Food and drinks are available at the two self-serve restaurants in the center of the exhibition area, along with five cafes on the show floor and the Garden Cafe across the street.

* Art critics provide guided tours, which require a reservation through Art Basel.

* South Beach not only features several hotels close to the convention center, but is also within walking distance of several other art fairs that run at the same time in Miami.

Art Basel in Miami Beach opens on the first Wednesday of December every year. For more information about the international art show, visit ArtBasel.com.

Image by Associated Fabrication on Flickr