Best of the Bahamas: Top 10 Bahamas Islands

Posted on July 10, 2011 by admin

For tropical vacations, the Bahamas are legendary. And with good reason. Even as one of the smallest countries in the world, the Bahamas archipelago, with its approximately 700 tiny islands and 2,000 tinier islets, offers a broad spectrum of topography, facilities and recreational opportunities, and gorgeous, pristine beaches besides. There are nearly 30 inhabited islands here, and of those more than a dozen hold tourist interest.

So, for those visiting the Bahamas for the first time, or even those revisiting, here are the ‘Top 10′ islands in the archipelago, which are also the ones most easily accessible to visitors.

1. New Providence

New Providence is the principal island in the Bahamas. It is by far the most populous, most popular, and literally a magnet for vacationers, particularly Americans. On it is located Nassau, the largest and best known Bahamian city, which claims more than 175,000 people and over 400 banks (oh, did we mention that the Bahamas is a tax haven? No? Well, it is!)! Accommodations, dining choices and other visitor facilities are plentiful here, as are other realtime tourist attractions. Besides its history-laden narrow streets and British-era forts, the chief draws here are the Atlantis International Resort and Casino and the Queen’s Staircase, the latter a 65-step stone stairway, representing one step for each year of Queen Victoria’s rule, which climbs 102 feet to Fort Fincastle. Popular activities include swimming, snorkeling, windsurfing, parasailing, diving, sport fishing, walking and bicycling.

2. Grand Bahama

Grand Bahama is the fourth largest island in the Bahamas. A travel brochure for the island describes it as “cosmopolitan glitz and glamour, coupled with miles of pristine beaches and endless turquoise seas.” And that really sums it up. The island has a dozen or so good hotels, several excellent waterfront restaurants, outstanding shopping venues, two casinos, and miles and miles of sandy beaches. The main city here is Freeport, which is the second largest and most modern in the Bahamas, with a population of 50,000. The big draw on the island is the Lucayan National Park, an environmental happening of sorts.

3. The Abacos

The Abacos, or just Abaco, is a cluster of tiny islands, islets and outcroppings that forms a 100-mile-long archipelago of its own. This is the second largest such island group in the Bahamas, and the most visited among the Bahamian ’Out Islands’. Its capital city, Marsh Harbour, which is really a one-stop-light town, is the third largest in the Bahamas. There are other quaint towns and villages on the other Abacos islands as well, with pastel-colored clapboard houses, sun-drenched beaches, abundant tropical flora, quiet country lanes, and more than 50 species of wild tropical birds. Recreation in the Abacos includes all the warm-weather outdoor sports you can think of, while the amenities here can be described as modern.

4. Andros

Andros is by far the largest island in the Bahamas, 104 miles long and 40 miles wide, located just north of the Abacos, with an island-wide population of 8,000. There are three main towns on Andros, Nicholl’s Town, Fresh Creek and Kemp’s Bay, all of them accessible by boat or direct flights from either Miami or Nassau. There are good visitor facilities here, including a wide selection of accommodations, ranging from full-fledged resorts to neat little guest houses. The island is particularly popular with divers.

5. Bimini

Bimini, just a stone’s throw from Florida (okay, 50 miles) and made famous by the likes of Ernest Hemingway and Zane Grey, is all about fishing, fishing, and fishing. It comprises two distinct islands, with a combined land mass of less than 10 square miles, and a population of around 1,600, most of whom live in Bailey Town in North Bimini. However, Alice Town, the other Bimini population center, is the primary tourist hub, with all the hotels, restaurants and fishing charter companies located there. Most visitors go to Bimini to fish, and the island, besides, is the locale of more than 20 well-known fishing tournaments.

6. Eleuthera

Eleuthera, which is perhaps the longest of the Bahamian islands, more than 110 miles long, and which lies 60 miles west of Nassau, is the playground of the rich and famous. It is consequently also one of the most accessible of the Bahamas islands, with daily flights from Miami, Fort Lauderdale and Nassau. The island has a population of 10,800, and its principal towns are Spanish Wells, the wealthiest colony in the Bahamas; Harbour Island, a resort island with clear water and a pink-tinged beach; Gregory Town, the locale of the island’s Pineapple Festival; Governor’s Harbour, a typical tropical town with history and charm; and Tarpum Bay, an artists’ community where, among others, artists Mal Flanders, an American, and MacMillan Hughes, a Scotsman, went to paint the scenery.

7. The Exumas

Situated 35 miles east of New Providence, the Exumas comprise a chain of roughly 350 islands and cays, strung out along some 95 miles of open ocean, all the way down to Long Island. There are about 3,500 inhabitants in the Exumas, the majority of whom live on Greater Exuma and Little Exuma, located in the southern part of the island chain, in the principal population centers of George Town and Williams Town, respectively. The Exumas are also well connected via daily flights to both Miami and Nassau. Boating, fishing, beachcombing and swimming are the main pursuits here, with good, modern amenities for vacationers.

8. Cat Island

For sheer natural beauty and solitude, Cat Island is the pick of the bunch. A 50-square-mile island, it offers a tranquil retreat with rolling hills, lush green forests and vast expanses of windswept beaches. There are few creature comforts here, and visitor activities typically center around swimming, hiking and poking through the ruins of the old, Colonial plantations. Sights on the island include the Hermitage, a miniature, hand-built abbey on Mount Alverina, the highest point on the island at 206 feet; and the ruins of the Deveaux Plantation at Port Howe, a veritable slice of local history in a spectacular setting.

9. The Inaguas

The third largest, remotest and most southerly in the Bahamas chain, the Inaguas are also the most sparsely populated. There are fewer than 1,200 inhabitants here, all of them on Great Inagua, with Little Inagua, just to the north, uninhabited. And while the Inaguas are hardly a top choice for tourists, the few who do venture this far south are well rewarded with miles and miles of unspoiled rocky shorelines and more wildlife than on any of the other islands. Walking, bicycling, fishing and bird-watching are the order of the day. Besides which, two places of particular interest here are the Inagua National Park, with its 280 miles of rocky shoreline, inland waters, saltwater flats, shrubland and jungle, populated with its famous flamingos and over 200 other species of birds; and the picturesque Matthew Town Lighthouse, standing at the southern tip of the Inaguas like a lone sentinel.

10. San Salvador

San Salvador, situated just to the northeast of the Bahamas’ Long Island, is 12 miles long and 6 miles wide, with fewer than 600 people. The main population center here is Cockburn Town, the capital of both San Salvador and its smaller sister island to the west, Rum Cay. Virtually all of the island’s residents live here, yet this is one of the smallest communities in the Bahamas Out Islands. Oh, and Club Med is here as well, just a couple of miles from Cockburn Town.

Why Bahamas All-Inclusive Vacations Are Better Travel To You?

Posted on June 25, 2011 by admin

Welcome, here more information about the All Inclusive Resorts and travel packages are perfect for any type of travel.

You can make any trip to the Bahamas beach, including honeymoons, romantic travel, trips with friends, solo trips, and family vacations, with all-inclusive. The key of sucess, however, is to find the perfect resort.

Some resorts are designed for individuals of all ages and be more specific. Anothers cater to families and have onsite playgrounds, kid swimming pools, and daycare centers. There are also adult only resorts where children under the ages of 14, 16, or 18, are prohibited from being onsite in the pool. To make your trip perfect, choose the resort that best fits your needs to your family. Also, be considering onsite activities in this website. http://bahamasallinclusivevacationpackages.org/

Bahamas is an exotic beach place to visit. Wonderful, we need know this region of United States. It is a favorite zone for nature lover.

It is a wonderful place for holidaying and vacationing. People throng here in large numbers to capture its charming beauty in their photographs. It is a great place for sightseeing.

If you want to visit this place, you can get cheap Bahamas vacation package. It is a great destination to visit to. One can find clean-white beaches, hotels, night time entertainment clubs and scuba diving facilities here. http://allinclusiveresortsinbahamas.org/

Go and book an inclusive Bahamas vacation, you stay in all-inclusive resort. As previously stated, they give you more amenities than traditional Caribbean hotels. This includes restaurants. Regardless you can stay, an inclusive travel package includes your food, but you want choices. Luxury resorts give you this and more.

Spring Break Vacations – Cheap Spring Break Options

Posted on June 25, 2011 by admin

Spring break vacations do not necessarily need to be limited to high priced air/hotel packages. Their are other options available if you do your research.

A cheap spring break trip can often be linked to how early you reserve the package. These types of trips are promotion and incentive based unlike summer travel. This means good news for the college student since they can save alot of money by booking early. Booking early for spring break typically refers to six months prior. Only New Years has a larger pre-book window. You will notice that some agencies offer free summer trips and other incentives to those students that book prior to a certain date for spring break. Do not wait until the law of supply and demand kicks in. If you do, you will probably only receive the package you booked, and not all the perks and additional trips given to those that booked early.

Another way to secure a cheap spring break trip is to book in large numbers. If you organize a group of twelve or more, you will often receive a group discount. This discount would only apply to the group leader, but that person can usually divide it with the entire group. This allows everyone to receive a discount on their purchase price. Once again, group discounts only apply when you book spring break trips early. Their is no reason to offer group discounts in December, January, and beyond because most agencies are booking hundreds of students during this time period.

Next, consider an all inclusive spring break package. They may seem more expensive at first, but they typically save everyone alot of money in the long run, especially when it comes to bar tabs. You will save money on the extra things when it comes to an all inclusive trip. Alcoholic drinks, food, banana boat rides, scuba and snorkel rentals, parasailing, and parties(just to name a few) can all be included in the price of the vacation. If you are going to do these things, it’s often better to choose this type of vacation package.

Last, don’t be persuaded to buy travel insurance and other additional features that can inflate the per person price for everyone in your group. Most agencies have their own security features in place to offset a problem. Additional insurance is typically not needed since most agencies will refund all or part of your initial payment if you cancel the package prior to a certain date. If the flight or cruise is cancelled then you would obviously get your money back as well.

Spring break 2009 does not need to be a drain on your bank account. Do your research and find cheap spring break vacations that suit your budget and the budget of your friends. Try to book spring break trips in October for the following year. This is typically the time when most agencies start their promotions. This will ensure you get a room at the most popular hotels. It will also ensure you take advantage of all the perks and promotions available.

Many people are happy with a reverse mortgage loan

Posted on June 22, 2011 by admin

In developing countries, people who already have the elderly have the desire to stay home alone and bear the cost of his own life, but not deny if the need should always be fulfilled. People who want to pass retirement with a good, fun and not too many people bother to take care of his needs. Therefore we present mortgage company in front of you and offers a reverse mortgage which is a loan without having to make payments and also of certain interest rate, is in need until the borrower dies or sells the house to pay the mortgage.

To be able to get a reverse mortgages, you just need to have aged more than 62 years and also own their own home. Reverse mortgage is a loan that allows you to convert your home equity into cash, you’ll get cash for home prices that you make the mortgage. Reverse mortgage is something that is very profitable, you will receive an amount of money that is not small, and you can still stay at home that you have made a mortgage, as long as you are alive and enjoying your retirement with the proceeds of changes in equity of your home.

To decide something you should look for information that can clarify everything. As with the reverse mortgage information that you can find on sites that have been available, with clear information you will find out if a reverse mortgage is a loan which is very profitable, so many people who think if a reverse mortgage does not give damages to the borrower. At the age of more than 62 years, we can enjoy retirement without having to think about the cost of living and also the previously burdensome bills, and you’ll also be able to stay home as long as you live.

Grand Bahamas Island: Truly A Paradise For Vacationers

Posted on June 20, 2011 by admin

Are you keenly looking forward to break the monotony of your regular hectic schedules and revitalize your energy cells? At times it becomes extremely difficult for an individual to find the appropriate choice of location for vacationing. Evidently, each person loves to travel to a place that not only relaxes you and rejuvenates you to take on the challenges life throws at them with full vigor but also have a chilling time with your loved ones. One such destination which is ideal for the tourists is Grand Bahamas Island, who looks forward to spend some time off from their monotonous daily routine and the corporate world. Grand Bahamas Island has lot in store to tranquilize your both mind and body.

If you want to see the bounty of nature in its full bloom then you could not find a better destination than Grand Bahamas Island. To have a gala time, the place has in store beautiful beaches, memorable views, cruises, and water sports among the others. The fact that the place has rich scenic beauty and a beautiful beach which offers serene and tranquil surroundings to the tourists cannot be denied. Using your fountains of imagination just think how would it feel lying on a beach or rather having fun playing the water sport you most like? The mentioning of these unique and special ideas starts chilling your mind and renders you with positive and refreshing energy. The Grand Bahamas Island has a lot of stuff in store for you that you will mesmerize for lifetime and you will surely like to visit the place over and over again.

Grand Bahamas Island is definitely a house for some of the most appealing destinations that enthralls every tourist senses, rendering them with the comfort and rejuvenation that brought them there. Other breathtaking places which are a must visit include Nassau, Grand Bahamas, Andros, Paradise Island, Eluthera, Long island, San Salvador, Inagua among the other places. This beautiful and exotic place has around 700 petite islands amongst which 30 of them are inhabited. It is one of the perfect places to vacation with your family and friends and experience the richness of nature’s beauty. If you plan the Grand Bahamas vacation well then in that case you will double up your fun and joy.

Are you a water baby and love to indulge in water sports? If yes then Grand Bahamas Island is the perfect choice to bank upon as it comprises almost everything that you could look forward to. If ways to communicate is bothering you then relax as you can travel to Florida by a one hour long flight and then from there decide which destination most pleases you. The Grand Bahamas Islands is known to be the paradise of travelers and comprises everything that a visitor can look for wad to. The natural beauty of the Mother Nature has the power to attract tourists from all over the globe to travel to this place. The first and foremost thing to consider about Grand Bahamas Island is to look for an appropriate holiday package.