Bahamas Honeymoon

‘Bahamas Information’ Category

Is the economy taking its toll on you? Are you now forced to do the work of many since your company has now downsized? Are you looking for a warm retreat that will not break the bank? This is the best time to visit the Bahamas in recent memory for a Caribbean Island vacation.

For you Bahamas vacation you will not require a passport at the Bahamas is a group of 700 islands located just 50 miles off the state of Florida – but a world away in terms of climate an culture. There’s nothing like the Caribbean islands of the Bahamas. In the Bahamas you will experience warm breezes and tropical beaches that will make your worries melt away. After a few days on one of the islands of the Bahamas you’ll come back refreshed and ready to go.

Air Carriers are now running promotions that offer deals at near historic lows, which is making now a great time to make your escape. In addition, there are many activity deals once you make your way to the Bahamas. Everything from Shark Diving with Stuart Core or enjoying an outer island excursion to Abaco can now be enjoyed at a rate that will be easy on your pocket book. When you make travel arrangements, check all the major travel sites which offer deals and all the carriers and activity providers.

Great deals can also be found on tropical vacations if you have the ability to leave home quickly when an opportunity arises. You can call any of the major cruise and hotels operators for last minute deals.Another great money saving idea is to try and get off the beaten path when traveling to the Caribbean. With more than 700 tropical islands in the Bahamas, you don’t have to go to Nassau with everyone on the plant. Research some of the smaller islands where you’ll find smaller boutique hotels that will be void of crowds. For more Bahama vacation ideas please visit the Bahama Vacation resource section of our website. There has never been a more economical time to start planning your Caribbean getaway so you best get started now. There may never be another time where travel to the Caribbean is so affordable.

Chris Johnson is one of the staff writers for http://www.warmislands.com and is considered to be one of the World’s leading authorities on Caribbean Vacations.

Holidaymakers not sure of exactly what constitutes their perfect getaway might want to hop on a cruise to the Bahamas. Home to 700 islands, the Bahamas is often touted as one of those archipelagos that offer a completely different holiday experience on each island.

The Caribbean destination lives up to this promise to a great degree, with islands providing holidays ranging from active breaks to those so relaxing you may never want to leave. Nassau, the capital city, is one example of a Bahamas location offering a break filled to the brim with history and culture.

Its colonial architecture, various museums, art galleries and other attractions can provide a fun and informative experience when it comes to soaking up this corner of the Caribbean’s rich heritage. You may also find yourself bartering for a bargain in the Straw Market, where haggling is a must if you want to pick up an item on the cheap.

Of course, you will also be able to laze on the beach and indulge in diving, golf and other sports – but if you really want to relax, you might want to head to the nearby Paradise Island. Don’t let this island’s small size fool you – it harbours the biggest open air aquarium in the world, a championship golf course and plenty of water sports opportunities.

If nature’s more your thing, a trip to Grand Bahama Island is a must on your Caribbean cruise holiday. Here you will find quaint fishing villages, a plethora of ecological attractions and some wonderful scenery.

Sailing enthusiasts will likely fall head over heels in love with the 120-mile stretch of islands that make up the Abacos, which also offers some superb fishing and diving. If you have a penchant for the sight of the sun setting over gorgeous beachscapes, the Berry Islands may well be more to your liking thanks to its beautiful Sugar Beach Caves.

All in all, there is much to see and do on a cruise to the Bahamas, whether you’re there for a two-week break or just a day or two. Just make sure you do your research beforehand or you’ll find yourself unable to decide where exactly you want to go when you get there!

Virgin Holidays Cruises is the place to book Caribbean cruises and to find cruises with a range of companies including Royal Caribbean. Virgin Holidays Cruises is here to bring the UK a fresh and exciting perspective to cruising. It’s about tailor making cruises to suit everyone. Whether you’ve cruised before and fancy yourself as a bit of a pro, or if you’re new to cruises and need a little advice, Virgin Holidays Cruises’ Cruise Specialists can help you to find the perfect cruise holiday.

Bahamas, officially titled the “Commonwealth of the Bahamas”, is an archipelago lying off the south-east coast of Florida, USA and north of Cuba. The Bahamas consists of more than 700 islands and over 1000 cays and rocks covering an area of more than 5,000 sq. mi (nearly 14,000 sq. km.) and a population of over 300,000. Only about 30 islands are inhabited. The largest island is Andros but New Providence is the most populous. The capital Nassau is situated on this island. Eighty-five percent of the population is made up of Afro-Bahamians, the rest are Europeans with a slender minority being Asians. The main languages are English, Creole Spanish and Portuguese. The nation is predominantly Christian in religion with the largest denominations being the Baptist, Anglican and Roman Catholics. The literacy rate is one of the highest in the world at 95.6% while the life expectancy is put at 63.

History and Governance

The country’s history can be traced back to the first landing of Christopher Columbus, who is said to have landed on San Salvador, an island in the south of Bahamas. Many of the locals were enslaved and deported to Spain and the area was largely deserted until the arrival of the British who set up settlements in the region. The islands then came under the British Empire. Following the American Revolutionary War, the African slaves in the USA who had fought on the British side, in the conflict were expelled and were resettled here by the British. The country became internally self-governing in 1964 and fully independent in 1973. The government is a constitutional parliamentary democracy based on the lines of the Westminster model of the United Kingdom. The nominal head of state is Queen Elizabeth and the crown’s acting head is a Governor General. The head of the government is the Prime Minister. The Bahamas has been a peaceful nation and has not witnessed any violent coups or unrest.

Economy

Economically, tourism is the biggest money spinner for this island nation with nearly half of the GDP coming from this industry alone and employing most of the people in the islands. The sun kissed beaches of the islands and the friendly party atmosphere of the locals all tend to play a large part in the islands’ attraction. Further, the islands being close to the United States of America, have a large share of visitors from there who prefer the Bahamas as a destination for its “tropical paradise” allure. Many packages and tours exist for the Bahamas and the cost being relatively cheaper than mainland USA has boosted its appeal to everyone in North America. The economy of the country also relies on fishing, which is the main occupation next only to tourism. Vegetables and fruits are also grown in abundance. With a global free trade, the Bahamas has benefited the most with many banking and investment companies setting up shop in the islands. The country has a per capita income of more than $20,000 putting it in the top 50 list. Bahamas’ currency is the Bahamas Dollar.

Michael Russell
Your Independent guide to The Bahamas

Heavy rain on certain months doesn’t stop Caribbean vacationers from flocking to the Bahamas. The islands are the most popular tourist destination in the region – mainly because of the large number of cruise visits embarking from various U.S. ports along the Gulf of Mexico and the east coast.

The islands are close and convenient for anyone visiting from the U.S. because they lie just off the coast of Florida. Some vacationers reach the islands by boat from Florida. The Bahamas technically are not part of the Caribbean, but they often are listed as a Caribbean vacation spot because they have much in common with other destinations.

Average Weather

The Bahamas are cooler and receive more rain than most other places in the region.

The average monthly high temperature is about 84 degrees Fahrenheit, according to the World Meteorological Organization. The average monthly low temperature is 69.5 degrees. Temperatures are among the lowest in the region in part because the Bahamas lie north of all other Caribbean destinations.

The average monthly rainfall is among the highest at 4.6 inches a month. The average monthly rain days is nearly 12 per month, also among the highest.

Best and Worst Months

The average monthly high temperatures peak at about 89 degrees from July through September and bottom at less than 80 degrees from December through March.

Rain averages about 7.4 inches a month from June through October with a yearly high of 9.3 inches and 19 rain days in August. Rainfall is only 1.9 inches a month from December through March.

Anyone planning to visit the Bahamas who wants to enjoy ocean swimming will want to avoid December through March because of cool weather. Visitors also should avoid June through October – and especially June and August – because of rain. The best weather months to visit are April, May and November.

For more information, go to this Bahamas vacation guide for travel tips, weather forecasts and current conditions.

Scott Bateman is a professional journalist with 29 years of experience as a reporter, editor and online publisher. For vacation planning tips about the Bahamas, go to his Caribbean travel guide at http://www.Caribeez.com.