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Romantic Escapes in the Bahamas
Romantic Escapes in the Bahamas
Romantic Escapes in the Bahamas
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Romantic Escapes in the Bahamas

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Romance and the Caribbean go hand in hand. How could they not, with sunny days, sultry nights, perfect beaches, tropical splendor, and more fun than could be had in a lifetime? Grand Bahama, Eleuthera, Nassau and New Providence, Harbour Island are covered
LanguageEnglish
Release dateApr 24, 2010
ISBN9781588438539
Romantic Escapes in the Bahamas

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    Romantic Escapes in the Bahamas - Blair Howard

    Romantic Escapes in the Bahamas

    Paris Permenter & John Bigley

    Hunter Publishing, Inc.

    Introduction

    Geography

    Getting Started

    Vacation Options

    Budget Getaways

    Quick Getaways

    Mega Resorts

    Where to Stay

    Prices

    All-Inclusive Resorts

    Bed & Breakfasts and Small Inns

    Villas

    How Long to Stay?

    When to Go

    Seasonal Pricing

    Climate

    Festivals

    Caribbean Cuisine

    Unique Island Dishes

    Activities

    Tennis

    Windsurfing

    Sailing

    Shopping

    Beaches

    Adventures

    Get Set to Get Wet

    Sightseeing

    Nightlife

    Casinos

    Music

    Just Doing Nothing

    Travel Information

    What to Pack

    Getting to the Islands

    Caribbean Air Carriers

    Air-Land Packages

    Island-Hopping

    Cruises

    Travel Agents

    Entry Requirements

    Obtaining a Passport

    Vacation Options

    Budget Getaways

    Quick Getaways

    Mega Resorts

    Where to Stay

    Prices

    All-Inclusive Resorts

    Bed & Breakfasts and Small Inns

    Villas

    How Long to Stay?

    Caribbean Embassies & Consulates

    Customs

    Life

    Dress

    Patois

    Taxis

    Potential Problems

    Crime

    Drugs

    Food & Drink

    Sunburn

    Insects

    Manchineel Trees

    Marine Dangers

    Heat Dangers

    Time Zones

    Currency

    Island Romance

    Weddings

    Destination Weddings

    Two Top Wedding Packages

    Other Wedding Packages

    Wedding Requirements

    Romantic Sites intheCaribbean

    The Islands

    The Bahamas

    Geography

    Festivals

    Sweet Dreams

    Nassau-New Providence Island

    Grand Bahama Island

    Harbour Island

    Tables for Two

    Nassau-New Providence Island

    Romantic Activities

    Paradise Island

    Nightlife

    Just the Facts

    Appendix

    Caribbean Tourist Boards

    US Passport Offices

    Embassies & Consulates

    French Government Tourist Offices

    Introduction

    Before we start examining the individual islands of the Bahamas, lets look at the region as a whole. The Caribbean spans an area that stretches over 2,000 miles east to west and 1,000 miles north to south, starting just off the coast of Florida and reaching down to the coast of South America.

    This part of the world is blessed with year-round sunshine, with water warmed by Caribbean currents and shores cooled by gentle trade winds. Winter and summer temperatures differ by only a few degrees.

    Geography

    The islands arch out like a cracking whip, with the largest islands to the west and the small islands to the east, curving on down to South America and ending with a snap back to the west at the ABC islands: Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao.

    The whole formation of islands is referred to as the Antilles,usually divided into the Greater Antilles and the Lesser Antilles. The Greater Antilles, as the name suggests, are the Caribbeans largest islands: Cuba, Hispaniola (an island shared by the Dominican Republic and Haiti), Jamaica, and Puerto Rico. The term Lesser Antilles encompasses the other islands.

    Often, the area is just divided up into the Eastern and Western Caribbean. The Eastern islands are the same as the Lesser Antilles; the Western Caribbean is the Greater Antilles and the Cayman Islands.

    The multiple names given to this region is your first hint at the diversity the Caribbean boasts. In researching and writing this book, we traveled to the Caribbean every few weeks and many friends asked us, Are you getting bored visiting the same area again and again? Besides the fact that it would be pretty tough to tire of perfect weather, postcard-pretty scenes, and a sea as clear as glass, the Caribbean holds an endless fascination for us, and hopefully for you, because it offers so many different types of experiences.

    Although every one of these countries is an island surrounded by the Caribbean Sea, they differ in many ways. The political structures range from crown colonies to independent nations. Some islands span hundreds of square miles; others can be covered by bicycle in a single afternoon. Languages vary as well; English, Spanish, French, Dutch, and even a beautiful mélange of languages called Papiamento greet visitors, though youll find that English is spoken in just about every resort area.

    Although technically not part of the Caribbean, the Bahamas share its azure waters and perpetual summer. Bermuda is also beyond the Caribbeans reaches, though it, too, offers a romantic island atmosphere.


    How Do You Say....

    The Caribbean contains a few tongue twisters. So you can sound like a local, heres how to say some of the toughest:

    Anguilla  an-GWIL-a

    Antigua  an-TEE-ga

    Barbuda  bar-BOO-da

    Nevis  NEE-vis

    Saba  SAH-buh

    Statia  STAY-sha

    St. Barths  St. Barts

    St. Croix  St. Kroy

    St. Lucia  St. LOU-sha


    Getting Started


    Okay, its time tomake some decisions. Which island will you choose? Its a question that only the two of you can answer, based on your own personal tastes. Do you want high-rise luxury or Robinson Crusoe-type seclusion? Glitzy dinner shows or evening serenades from tiny tree frogs? Days spent shopping, snorkeling, scuba diving, or just sunning on a sandy beach?

    When friends ask us for help in selecting a destination, we advise them to first identify their preferences. We sometimes like the bustling atmosphere of busy islands like Jamaica, St. Thomas, or Puerto Rico; other times we long for the serenity of St. Kitts, Nevis, or Virgin Gorda.

    To help you make this major decision, begin by asking yourself these questions:

    Is our budget a major factor in our choice?

    Will this be a quick three- or four-day getaway or a leisurely vacation of a week or more?

    Do we enjoy casino gambling and shows?

    Are we looking for luxurious accommodations?

    Would we prefer the convenience of an all-inclusive resort?

    Do we want to rent a car and explore on our own?

    What activities are most important to us? Snorkeling? Scuba? Tennis? Windsurfing? Sailing? Hiking? Shopping?

    Do we want a lush, tropical environment?

    Do we want white sand beaches? Nude beaches?

    Do we want the simplicity of remaining on US turf or would we rather experience a different culture?

    Sit down together and consider your answers. Then take a look at your choices. 

    Vacation Options

    Budget Getaways

    Theres no good way to put this, but youll find out soon enough that a trip to the Caribbean isn't cheap. Even if you select a budget hotel, transportation to the islands is a big expense that you just can't avoid.

    However, some islands are less expensive than others. These destinations are high volume, bringing in commercial and charter flights on a daily basis. This may mean more crowds, but your airfare will probably be cheaper than flights to more secluded islands.

    Some destinations offer packages that include air, hotel, and ground transportation for one affordable price. Jamaica, Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands, the Bahamas, and the Dominican Republic offer these kinds of deals.

    Charter airline companies serve most of these islands as well. For more information on low-cost carriers, see Travel Information.

    Quick Getaways

    If you're planning a three- or four-day retreat, make the most of your visit by minimizing travel time. These islands are the easiest jumps from the US: the Bahamas, Turks and Caicos, Cayman Islands, Puerto Rico, and Jamaica (if you stay in the Montego Bay area; Negril and Ocho Rios are nearly two hours from the airport, Port Antonio is even farther). From the UK, youll find the best connections to Barbados, Antigua, and Bermuda.

    Mega Resorts

    Twenty-four-hour room service, full-treatment spas, and satellite TV arent commonplace throughout the Caribbean. However, the two

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