| This group of 700 islands, beginning sixty | | | | wharf side in the ships' shadows. Tiny pubs |
| miles east of the Florida coast, is dazzling | | | | and restaurants dot Nassau's narrow side |
| in its diversity. Activities like golfing | | | | streets. And a bustling straw market houses |
| with your family, world class bone fishing, | | | | hundreds of vendors ready to bargain with |
| or just hanging out and relaxing at the | | | | souvenir merchandise. You can even catch a |
| beach. For diving and snorkling the Bahamas | | | | ride on a horse drawn carriage. |
| boast the world's third longest barrier reef | | | | |
| and visibility of over 200 feet. You can also | | | | Cross the bridge to Paradise Island where |
| explore the world's longest underwater cave | | | | beaches are first- class and the resort |
| and cavern system at Lucayan National Park on | | | | selection is excellent -- from upscale chic |
| Grand Bahama. Great shopping, and the resorts | | | | on stately estate grounds, to a yoga retreat, |
| start at $33.00 dollars a day up to $300 a | | | | condo facilities (great for family |
| day. | | | | vacations), and large luxury properties (one |
| | | | with a glass tunnel for viewing marine life |
| The island of New Providence is divided into | | | | and a low-key water park). Activity abounds |
| three main tourist areas -- Nassau, Paradise | | | | at every turn. Paradise Island has an |
| Island and Cable Beach. | | | | excellent golf course and its own small |
| | | | airport. |
| Hotel complexes dominate expansive Cable | | | | |
| Beach, which underwent a recent facelift, | | | | Grand Bahama, with resort development at both |
| transforming it to a mecca for visitors who | | | | Freeport and Lucaya, has the same features on |
| prefer beachcombing with options for exercise | | | | a smaller scale. Golf, tennis, water sports |
| and lively entertainment nearby. Luxurious | | | | and duty-free shopping are popular and |
| accommodations are offered in resorts of all | | | | plentiful. And the island moves at a |
| sizes and types with gourmet food, | | | | leisurely pace. |
| world-class entertainment, sports facilities | | | | |
| (including a golf course) and some large | | | | Kick back further and visit the Out Islands, |
| casinos never more than a few steps away. | | | | favored by explorers who prefer their island |
| | | | life quaint, quiet, simple and barefoot. No |
| Nassau, the capital, adds a grand British | | | | rules here, just relaxation and recreation on |
| undertone to island life. Pink government | | | | land and sea when the spirit moves you. |
| buildings at Rawson Square (actually a | | | | Interesting and excellent small and mid-sized |
| circle) face cruise ships whose passengers | | | | hotels and family-run guest houses are |
| are drawn to a day of duty-free shopping | | | | interspersed with touches of history and |
| downtown. A new museum interpreting the | | | | hundreds of friendly faces. |
| colorful Junkanoo tradition is tucked at | | | | |