Bahamas Honeymoon

Posts Tagged ‘nassau’

As the capital of the Bahamas, Nassau attracts tens of thousands of tourists annually. The city is located on the northern coast of New Providence Island, connected via several bridges to nearby Paradise Island where numerous luxury resorts offer elegant accommodations for visitors. Thousands of guests also arrive via cruise ship, and Nassau is one of the most frequently visited cruise ports in the Caribbean.

Tourism is a $2 billion industry in the Bahamas and there are dozens of historical attractions, museums, resorts, and novel sites to visit in Nassau alone. Because most visitors only have a short time to explore the city, however, it is best to know which sites are the most significant and offer the widest range of unique experiences so it is possible to gain insight into all aspects of Bahamian life.

Explore Bahamas History at Fort Fincastle

Built in 1793, Fort Fincastle is an excellent lookout offering panoramic views of Nassau and a glimpse of the city’s historic defenses. It is perched at the top of Elizabeth Avenue and can be reached by the Queen’s Staircase, a 65-step staircase carved by slaves out of a limestone cliff in the late 1700s. The adjacent Water Tower is one of the island’s most recognizable landmarks and at 216 feet above sea level, it is also the highest point on New Providence Island. After walking through Fort Fincastle, visitors can ascend an elevator to the top of the tower for a nominal fee and witness breathtaking views of the city, cruise ship docks, and nearby islands.

Find Bahamas Bargains at the Straw Market

The Straw Market on Bay Street just west of the cruise docks is one of the largest straw markets in the world, offering beaded jewelry, hand-woven bags, wood carvings, and other trinkets from hundreds of vendors. Interspersed with the unique crafts are more traditional souvenirs: t-shirts, key chains, picture frames, and shot glasses are plentiful. Shoppers are welcome to barter with merchants, and watching local artisans weave new merchandise on-site is a treat even for non-shoppers. The Market is open daily and is often augmented by small boats on the northern end where additional vendors display conch shells and other aquatic treasures.

Bahamian Natural Wonders at Ardastra Gardens

Visitors to the Bahamas will be struck by its natural beauty and exotic wildlife as they explore Ardastra Gardens, a set of extensive botanical gardens that house more than 300 species of mammals, reptiles, and birds native to Caribbean and Latin American nations. Pink flamingos are the national bird of the Bahamas, and a trained flock of the tropical birds performs three daily shows to delight young and old. Across from the Gardens is an additional botanical preserve with more than a dozen acres of carefully cultivated flowering trees and shrubs, including multiple orchid varieties that line winding pathways and decorative ponds.

Luxury Living at the Atlantis Resort

For tourists who crave a vacation of mystery and mythology, there is no better destination than the Atlantis Resort on Paradise Island, just minutes from downtown Nassau. With more than 2,300 rooms in various towers and luxurious suites, this is the one of the largest resorts in the Caribbean. The resort celebrates the Lost Continent of Atlantis with numerous waterfalls, marine habitats, lagoons, and aquariums that house more than 200 species of sharks, fish, and other marine life. Underwater grottos and viewing tunnels offer visitors a rare glimpse of the natural habitats of these exotic creatures, and pools and waterslides offer adventurous marine habitats for guests. Atlantis is also home to one of the largest casinos in the Caribbean, dozens of restaurants and lounges, and the Marina Village Bahamian marketplace with more than 20 distinctive shops. Non-hotel guests can purchase access passes to the resort’s many attractions for a modest fee.

Delve into Local Bahamas Color with a Surrey Ride

Despite the many organized attractions available in Nassau, one of the best options is one of the least commercialized: a quaint surrey ride in a horse-drawn cart. Knowledgeable local drivers offer 30 minute tours of downtown Nassau in private carriages, and along the circular route passengers are treated to colorful historical tidbits and local culture. Rides begin near Parliament Square with its distinctive pink buildings (in honor of the flamingo) that surround a statue of Queen Victoria. Other tour highlights include the shopping district, where drivers point out the best stores for different shopping needs, as well as several historic homes throughout the city. Drivers are independent dealers and prices can be negotiated, though the standard rate is $20-30 per ride (not per passenger).

From historical monuments to natural wonders to luxury resorts, Nassau is the political, cultural, and economical capital of the Bahamas. Though there are more than 700 islands in the nation, 29 of which are inhabited, a visit to this lively capital on New Providence Island provides tourists with insights into all areas of Bahamian culture and history, and every visitor leaves with just a little more Caribbean spirit in their soul.

written by: Melissa Mayntz

When it comes Nassau Bahamas snorkeling you’re going to find a very wide assortment of different types of adventure. You can find group tours that take you all out on a boat and allow you to snorkel in offshore areas, and you can also find on the beach snorkeling and private tours.

In fact there are so many different types of snorkeling tours that it can be difficult to decide. You can look for snorkeling with the sharks via Stuart Cove’s, Paradise Island snorkeling, try Clifton Peer, or perhaps go on one of the many boat tours and snorkel off the island aways.

Whether you’re coming in on a cruise liner or staying at one of the great resorts, you’ll find that all of the tour operators are very experienced about getting you to where it’s a beautiful underwater adventure.

And the best part about snorkeling is any child that knows how to swim can do it, and any adult can enjoy it whether they can swim or not. There are many areas where you do not go over your head so if you can’t swim, throw on a life jacket and learn to snorkel.

Your tour guide operator will give you all of the equipment as well as teach you how to snorkel. It only takes a few minutes of your time to understand exactly how to hold your breath, and how to breathe through snorkel tube. Often, your gear will include a set of fins, a snorkel, and a mask so that you can see.

Once you’re comfortable, you’ll be surprised how fast the time flies. You can actually have fish come right up to your mask, see sharks, see salt water fish that you usually only see in an aquarium, and of course, enjoy the habitat of these fish known as a reef.

It’s usually not that expensive to rent snorkel gear or go on a snorkel tour while you’re in the Bahamas, enjoy snorkeling, an adventure you will won’t ever forget.

Heading for Paradise Island in Nassau is one way to find a great resort. Riu Paradise Island all inclusive for honeymooners is a great option especially if you are watching your pennies.

You’ll find great honeymoon packages available that not only include your accommodations but also amenities such as a buffet for breakfast lunch and dinner. Nightly entertainment is also offered on a regular basis.

When you choose all inclusive that means that your hotel and food bill is paid before you leave. This means your extra money is for purely entertainment and shopping. It can’t get any better than that.

You’ll find fine sand beaches that offer you water sports galore such as snorkeling, scuba diving, sailing and boating. They of course also have pools if you’re not into the sand, sea, and sun.

They also offer regular restaurants if you’re looking for an extra special night out. They have a great a la carte grill and steak house, Japanese restaurant, and a gourmet restaurant as well.

The have meals and light fare that is prepared almost 24 hours a day, so if you go hungry here, it’s probably your own fault. The reviews are in, and the food is great.

Take a tour of the hotel and amenities via their website, you’ll find the accommodations just fine and the location fantastic. Not only are you on the beach, but also you’re just minutes a way from a major duty free shopping center in Nassau.

They also offer you a workout room, sauna and Jacuzzi, tennis court, beach volleyball court and introductory scuba diving lessons in the pool. This is all inclusive with your stay at the Riu Paradise Island.

This is one of the reasons all inclusive honeymoons are a great deal, you don’t get nickel and dimed to death with activity fees, or food prices. Just don’t forget that tips are accepted, especially if they go out of their way to make you happy.

Look to your internet for a great vacation honeymoon all inclusive deal. Remember, the earlier you book the better, or if you can get away, look for last minute deals. Also, don’t forget, off season in the islands is not really off season, the weather is still great and the beach and water are warm. The Riu Paradise Island, All inclusive honey moon packages are just a click away.