BAHAMAS

The best kept secret of The Bahamas is the country’s sheer size and diversity. With 16 major islands, The Bahamas is an unmatched destination, a heart-pounding adventure across 100,000 square miles of the world’s clearest ocean.

Lying off the tip of eastern Florida and stretching southeast across the Atlantic, the Bahamas are made up of some 2,000 islands if you include the cays, offering something for just about every type of traveller. Grand Bahama is ideal for families, with lots of children’s facilities and activities, while Nassau offers a 24/7 party. You’ll also find plenty of outdoor adventure, from diving and snorkelling to golfing and world-renowned bone fishing, along with quiet, romantic islands for enjoying the beautiful coral beaches in relative seclusion, and just about everything in between.

As with most island nations, seafood can be found on many menus in the Bahamas, with the national dish being conch, a kind of mollusc that’s served deep-fried or raw with a twist of lemon. You can also expect many types of fish, rock lobster and crab as well as salt pork and side dishes like pigeon peas, rice, tropical fruit and potatoes. Coconut water and fruit juices are common non-alcoholic beverages, like rum is commonly used in mixed drinks like rum punch. The Bahamas also has its own native brews, like the 7% ABV golden lager Kalik, considered the national beer.

Some of the best local fare can be found among the Arawak Cay’s collection of seafood shacks. No matter where you dine, expect service to be rather slow paced, even in fast food eateries. There are no hurried meals here.

If exciting nightlife is what you’re after, Nassau is where you want to be. The majority of action can be found around Paradise Island and the downtown waterfront. While this may be the tropics, flip-flops and casual attire in general are not acceptable at the trendiest spots, like Fluid known for spinning the latest reggae jams, and Aura at the Atlantis Resort which draws a celebrity crowd to dance to island favourites, hip-hop and top-40 hits. Cover charges, VIP sections and dress codes are the norm.