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The groups of islands that make up the Bahamas are home to some of the most beautiful beaches in this part of the world. Many of these retain the natural beauty that first attracted Europeans centuries ago. With the numerous small islands, each with their own little shoreline beaches, it is, despite the immense popularity of the Bahamas as a vacation destination, possible to find relatively secluded and quite places to enjoy the sights, sounds and smells of the sand and ocean.

New Providence Island has many beautiful beaches. Cabbage Beach is one of the most notable of the public beaches, attracting locals and tourists alike to its stunningly white sands. It spans a three-mile long area of the coast between Snorkeler’s Cove and the Atlantis Lagoon. Palm trees, sea grapes and casuarinas are among the vegetation to grace its borders.

The Pink Sands Beach on Harbour Island is one of the most peaceful beaches to be found in all of the Bahamas. A coral reef just beyond the three-mile long beach offers an excellent scuba diving exploration opportunity, as well as absorbs the force of the ocean waves, making the water a safe and enjoyable place to swim. Due to its position on the island, sunbathers will prefer the mornings, because the afternoon brings shadows.

The beaches on Cat Island are secluded, and glitter with fine, white sand. The graceful, curving lines of the shore meet very clear, clean ocean waters. Plant life along the beach includes coconut palms, palmettos, and casuarina trees.

Tahiti Beach is another of the beaches in the Bahamas that is known for being a quiet, peaceful place that attracts few tourists. Located in Hope Town on the Acabos, this beach is not accessible by car, but rather, must be reached by bicycle, foot or boat.

Those who enjoy more social and active beach scenes will probably feel more comfortable at Cable Beach on New Providence Island. Located near the restaurants - which feature a wide variety of foods, ranging from international cuisines to local favorites of the Bahamas — casinos, bars, and several facilities that offer a broad array of water sports equipment and tours, this beach can be crowded at times.

However, the mix of international tourists and locals is usually interesting and fun for those seeking company and conversation in the sun. There are numerous beach vendors selling a variety of products and services, ranging from hair braiding to unique jewelry. There’s more of a party atmosphere here than at other beaches, with music and dancing here and there on the beach. It is the most popular place on the island.

The beaches of the islands that make up the Bahamas are known the world over for their beauty. The fine white sand that is a common feature of these beaches sets the standard for beaches everywhere. The many little islands offer a broad range of beach experiences, with many options for those who treasure the natural sights and sounds of the non-commercialized beach and relish the opportunities to enjoy these attributes with peace, quiet and privacy. Those who enjoy the classic joys of the active beach life will not be disappointed by the options they find in the Bahamas. International crowds complemented by interesting local people make for a lively social scene, enhanced by the beauty of the ocean and sky. There’s a Bahamas beach for everyone.

Jamaica has attracted the interest of those from far away places for centuries. First inhabited by native peoples, including the Arawak, Jamaica then spent time under Spanish rule before being possessed by the British. The wealthy classes of these European nations controlled vast territories in Jamaica, building large and profitable plantations, increasing their wealth with profits made on export products. They built fabulous mansions and homes, many of which still stand today, restored and open to tourists.

Certainly the most famous of these colonial era great houses is the Rose Hall Great House, located on Rose Hall Highway, which is a short drive outside of Montego Bay. The lurid rumors and supernatural tales that have been associated with this house for centuries have excited imaginations for generations, inspiring several novels and books to feature it as a backdrop. The home was built by John Palmer, originally of Britain, during the latter part of the 18th century. At one time, it was a vast plantation, where 2,000 slaves tended the sugar cane and other crops.

The wife of John Palmer’s grandnephew achieved notoriety through the rumors of numerous murders, sexual impropriety of - what was then - the highest degree, abject cruelty to the slaves of the plantation, voodoo, witchcraft, and her own violent death. Known now as the White Witch of Rose Hall, some believe her restless spirit still wanders there today. Tours are available every day between 9am and 6pm, with the final tour of the day starting at about 5:15pm. There is an admission fee of $15 for people 12 years of age and older and $10 for children 11 years and under.

Another late 18th century home of interest is the Greenwood Great House, located on Route 1A, a short drive outside of the Montego Bay area. This remarkable example of Gregorian influenced architecture was the home of Richard Barrett, who was the cousin of the famous poet Elizabeth Barrett Browning. This 14 room structure retains more of its original feel than do others of the era, as it has endure less renovation processes and still contains a great deal of the original furnishings, oil paintings and household items, including fine china. Among these is a collection of musical instruments that is simply amazing to see. Not surprisingly, the family library is a part of the tour, and has books dating back to the 1600’s. This lovely, historic home is open to the public daily, from 9am to 6pm. There is a $12 admission fee for those 12 years of age and older, and a $6 fee for children 11 and under.

There are many more of these great houses that are open to the public for tours and exploration. Among them are the Seville Great house and Heritage Park, in Saint Ann, home to numerous artifacts and relics of interest and includes views from a variety of perspectives in Jamaican history, the Brimmer Hall Estate in Ocho Rios, and the Appleton Estate.

These beautiful structures, shadowed by the oppression of the people upon which they were built, hold an important place in the history and culture of Jamaica. Any one of them is certainly worth an afternoon’s time to marvel and contemplate.

Bike riding tours are a wonderful way to explore Jamaica. Traveling by automobile just can’t provide the same experience. You miss so much, like the scents carried by the wind - the smell of the ocean, the tropical forests, the mountains, and the abundant flowers and other plants. The slower pace allows you to really see what you’re looking, to talk to local people, and to really savor the experience of Jamaica.

Blue Mountain Bicycle Tours, Ltd., located at 121 Main Street, in Ocho Rios, is one of the most well known providers of these sorts of adventures. Their specialty is a day long bike tour that begins 5,600 feet up in the Blue Mountains, which are the highest mountains in the Caribbean. Blue Mountain Bicycle Tours, Ltd., makes these tours available out of both Ocho Rios and Kingston, Jamaica, providing charter bus service from these points to the mountain for groups as large as 150, with the average group being made up of about 40 people. All necessary biking equipment is also provided, as are meals, and rates are reasonable — $93US for adults and $65US for children under 12 years of age.

The bicycle tour is all down hill, which makes it appropriate for almost all age groups - age 7 is the youngest recommended for participation — and means that you’ll be able to devote your most or your energy to enjoying the magnificent scenery. And, magnificent it is! Bikers pass through stunning mountain vistas that include the remarkable coffee plantations that produce the Blue Mountain coffee beans that are becoming well known to coffee connoisseurs for their superior taste and quality, and enjoy wild life sights that are found nowhere else in the world outside of Jamaica. They’ll see waterfalls and have the opportunity to enjoy a refreshing swim in the cool, clear mountain water. You’ll want to remember to bring a swimsuit, towel and camera.

Manfred’s Jamaican Mountain Bike Tours, located in Saint Elizabeth Parish, Jamaica, offers a wonderful one-week get away tour. Participants enjoy quality lodging and excellent local cuisine on a 500 acre farming estate in Apple Valley. Each day features a bicycle tour to a different part of Jamaica, revealing parts of the country far beyond the usual tourist destinations. This experience of the real Jamaica - beyond the glitter and glitz of the tourism industries - is simply unparalleled.

In Negril, Rusty’s Xcellent Adventures offers a variety guided bicycle tours at different skill levels. Biking equipment and, if necessary, biking instructors, are available. For those who prefer independent exploration, there are numerous places throughout Jamaica that offer bicycle rentals, as well as rentals of scooters and the like.

Bicycle tours are an excellent way to explore Jamaica. In addition to enjoying the natural Jamaica, its ‘real’ people and culture, you’ll be doing so in away that has less of a negative environmental impact. Bicycle tours allow you to slow down and to savor your surroundings, collecting memories - and perhaps even a newfound cultural awareness and understanding — that will last a lifetime.

A vacation destination that attracts visitors from all over the world, the Bahamas offers a great deal more than the obvious pleasures associated with its pristine white sand beaches that border glistening, beautiful ocean waters underneath a wide open sky. The Bahamas also offer a wide variety of cultural pursuits. New Providence Island boasts numerous museums, housing a wide variety of exhibits, sure to stimulate the mind and imagination of all who visit.

The Pirates of Nassau Museum, located at Marlborough and George Streets in Nassau on New Providence Island of the Bahamas, offers a fascinating combination of history and entertainment. Open Monday through Saturday, from 9am to 6pm, and Sundays from 9am until noon, this museum charges an admission fee of $12 for adults, and $6 for children ages 3 to 18. With each paid adult admission, however, one child under 12 enters for free, as do children under 3. Beautiful, high tech displays that operate with motion detectors offer exciting insight into the pirate life that is a real part of the history of the area. Six million dollars was spent in the museum’s creation, and the result is fun, educational and simply remarkable. A perfect family outing, children really have a great time here.

The Pompey Museum of Slavery And Emancipation, found at Bay and George Streets at the Vendue House, is another wonderful place to visit. The museum site was once a place where slave auctions were held, and inside there are many historical exhibits from the era featuring artifacts and documents. On the second floor of the museum, there are art exhibits, with the work of the Bahamian artist Amos Ferguson holding a position of prominence. Open Monday through Friday from 10am to 4:30pm, and for shortened hours every other Saturday, this museum charges a nominal fee of only $1 for people 12 years of age and older. Those under that age are charged a mere 50 cents. A great bargain and an even better collection of art and artifacts.

The Nassau Public Library and Museum, located on Shirley Street, offers a fascinating look back into the history of the Bahamas and New Providence Island. The building itself has historical merit. It was built in the last years of the 18th century and served then as a jail and workhouse, making it the island’s second prison. Towards the end of the 19th century, the building became the island’s first library. The hours are from 10am to 8pm on Monday through Thursday. On Friday, the hours are from 10am to 5pm and on Saturday, the hours are from 10am to 4pm.

There are several more museums scattered throughout New Providence Island. Among the most interesting are the Junkanoo Expo, which displays costumes and floats from the yearly parade by the same name, the Atlantis Museum, which is devoted to natural history, and the Roselawn Museum, which contains a variety of artifacts, often gleaned from the sea, such as chunks of shipwrecked ships.

New Providence Island of the Bahamas is just full of pleasant surprises. One of the most interesting of these surprises is the degree to which the rich the history of this island is revered and preserved. It creates a well-rounded vacation experience by offering something out of the ordinary.

Dining in the Bahamas always offers the possibility of a grand culinary adventure. This is particularly true in Long Island, where the strong influence of local culture shapes the cuisines offered there.

The Forest offers Bahamian cuisine and American casual fare in a rustic, simple sort of atmosphere, just outside of Clarence Town. Among the culinary offerings are a variety of finger foods, such as hot and spicy chicken wings, potato skins, cracked conch, barbecued chicken, and grouper fingers. There is a bar and pool table, an invitation to linger. Live music and dancing are a part of every other weekend’s festivities. Credit cards are not accepted, so you should remember to come prepared to pay in cash.

Once the exclusive domain of the ultra-rich and famous, including such illustrious names as the Kennedy, DuPont and Kellogg, the Cape Santa Maria Beach Resort has a fine restaurant that serves a variety of well prepared dishes, clearly influenced by the local cuisine. The seafood is fresh and plentiful and the broiled lobster and conch salad are especially good.

Max’s Conch Grill and Bar is simply fabulous, a must visit for both the quality of the food and the atmosphere. It’s a fun place, drawing as many, if not more, locals as tourists. Open from 9am to 9pm every day of the week, staying open later is there’s a good flow and vibe in the bar. The conch salad is exceptional, as are the conch burgers, and the conch dumplings tasty. Daily specials include baked ham or steamed pork. On site, there’s general store and a miniature golf course that is free to play.

Kooter’s offers simple food in a casual atmosphere, with daily specials that sometimes can be seafood, on other days, ribs. Conch burgers that are counted among the best of the island and club sandwiches, served with homemade French fries are popular favorites. They also serve ice cream. Most like to take their food and drink out on the deck, where there is a lovely view of Mangrove Bush Point.

Earlies Tavern, aside from being a popular nightspot among the locals, also serves excellent quality, simple tavern style food. The menu includes burgers, sandwiches, grouper, cracked conch, lobster and fish. Boxed lunches for picnic or just general take out orders are available upon request. This too, like many of the eating and drinking establishments, is a cash only operation. You’ll need to come prepared to pay cash.

At Chez Pierre Bahamas, at Millers Bay Beach, Chef Pierre does amazing things with his homegrown ingredients and fresh caught daily seafood. This small, ocean side restaurant is worth seeking out. The food is exquisite.

Jeraldine’s Jerk Pit, serving tradition jerk foods and conch salad, and Mario’s Blue Chip, serving among many other satisfying dishes, grouper fingers and fresh crayfish, are both popular roadside stands on Queens Highway.

The food on Long Island is clearly heavily influenced by local cultures and cuisine. It makes for a rich culinary exploration of the subtle qualities of Bahamian cuisine. Your meals here will be satisfying and memorable.

Jamaica has attracted the interest of those from far away places for centuries. First inhabited by native peoples, including the Arawak, Jamaica then spent time under Spanish rule before being possessed by the British. The wealthy classes of these European nations controlled vast territories in Jamaica, building large and profitable plantations, increasing their wealth with profits made on export products. They built fabulous mansions and homes, many of which still stand today, restored and open to tourists.

Certainly the most famous of these colonial era great houses is the Rose Hall Great House, located on Rose Hall Highway, which is a short drive outside of Montego Bay. The lurid rumors and supernatural tales that have been associated with this house for centuries have excited imaginations for generations, inspiring several novels and books to feature it as a backdrop. The home was built by John Palmer, originally of Britain, during the latter part of the 18th century. At one time, it was a vast plantation, where 2,000 slaves tended the sugar cane and other crops.

The wife of John Palmer’s grandnephew achieved notoriety through the rumors of numerous murders, sexual impropriety of - what was then - the highest degree, abject cruelty to the slaves of the plantation, voodoo, witchcraft, and her own violent death. Known now as the White Witch of Rose Hall, some believe her restless spirit still wanders there today. Tours are available every day between 9am and 6pm, with the final tour of the day starting at about 5:15pm. There is an admission fee of $15 for people 12 years of age and older and $10 for children 11 years and under.

Another late 18th century home of interest is the Greenwood Great House, located on Route 1A, a short drive outside of the Montego Bay area. This remarkable example of Gregorian influenced architecture was the home of Richard Barrett, who was the cousin of the famous poet Elizabeth Barrett Browning. This 14 room structure retains more of its original feel than do others of the era, as it has endure less renovation processes and still contains a great deal of the original furnishings, oil paintings and household items, including fine china. Among these is a collection of musical instruments that is simply amazing to see. Not surprisingly, the family library is a part of the tour, and has books dating back to the 1600’s. This lovely, historic home is open to the public daily, from 9am to 6pm. There is a $12 admission fee for those 12 years of age and older, and a $6 fee for children 11 and under.

There are many more of these great houses that are open to the public for tours and exploration. Among them are the Seville Great house and Heritage Park, in Saint Ann, home to numerous artifacts and relics of interest and includes views from a variety of perspectives in Jamaican history, the Brimmer Hall Estate in Ocho Rios, and the Appleton Estate.

These beautiful structures, shadowed by the oppression of the people upon which they were built, hold an important place in the history and culture of Jamaica. Any one of them is certainly worth an afternoon’s time to marvel and contemplate.

Jamaica has attracted the interest of those from far away places for centuries. First inhabited by native peoples, including the Arawak, Jamaica then spent time under Spanish rule before being possessed by the British. The wealthy classes of these European nations controlled vast territories in Jamaica, building large and profitable plantations, increasing their wealth with profits made on export products. They built fabulous mansions and homes, many of which still stand today, restored and open to tourists.

Certainly the most famous of these colonial era great houses is the Rose Hall Great House, located on Rose Hall Highway, which is a short drive outside of Montego Bay. The lurid rumors and supernatural tales that have been associated with this house for centuries have excited imaginations for generations, inspiring several novels and books to feature it as a backdrop. The home was built by John Palmer, originally of Britain, during the latter part of the 18th century. At one time, it was a vast plantation, where 2,000 slaves tended the sugar cane and other crops.

The wife of John Palmer’s grandnephew achieved notoriety through the rumors of numerous murders, sexual impropriety of - what was then - the highest degree, abject cruelty to the slaves of the plantation, voodoo, witchcraft, and her own violent death. Known now as the White Witch of Rose Hall, some believe her restless spirit still wanders there today. Tours are available every day between 9am and 6pm, with the final tour of the day starting at about 5:15pm. There is an admission fee of $15 for people 12 years of age and older and $10 for children 11 years and under.

Another late 18th century home of interest is the Greenwood Great House, located on Route 1A, a short drive outside of the Montego Bay area. This remarkable example of Gregorian influenced architecture was the home of Richard Barrett, who was the cousin of the famous poet Elizabeth Barrett Browning. This 14 room structure retains more of its original feel than do others of the era, as it has endure less renovation processes and still contains a great deal of the original furnishings, oil paintings and household items, including fine china. Among these is a collection of musical instruments that is simply amazing to see. Not surprisingly, the family library is a part of the tour, and has books dating back to the 1600’s. This lovely, historic home is open to the public daily, from 9am to 6pm. There is a $12 admission fee for those 12 years of age and older, and a $6 fee for children 11 and under.

There are many more of these great houses that are open to the public for tours and exploration. Among them are the Seville Great house and Heritage Park, in Saint Ann, home to numerous artifacts and relics of interest and includes views from a variety of perspectives in Jamaican history, the Brimmer Hall Estate in Ocho Rios, and the Appleton Estate.

These beautiful structures, shadowed by the oppression of the people upon which they were built, hold an important place in the history and culture of Jamaica. Any one of them is certainly worth an afternoon’s time to marvel and contemplate.