Eleuthera is the Greek word for freedom and it was in search of religious freedom that the island was accidentally colonised in 1648 by Captain William Sayles and a group of Puritans from Bermuda. The shipwrecked adventurers found a heaven of peace, cleared of its original Lucayan Indian inhabitants by Spanish slavers and rapidly developed their settlements along its 145 km of curving bays, offshore cays and turquoise water. Photo by: universal.traveler2

Here are the oldest, and still the prettiest townships in the Bahamas. Pastel green blue, pink and yellow houses with white picket fences and gingerbread fretwork crowd stone quays, miles of pink and white sand beaches glisten into the distance, and the lush plantation of pineapple, and smallholdings of fruit and vegetables farms stretch for miles behind the fringe of coastal palms. Photo by: photos_mweber

Yet for all its length, Eleuthera is never more than 3,5 km wide and at the Glass Window Bridge, which replaced an earlier natural rock archway, it narrow to less than 32 m between the turbulent Atlantic and Exuma Sounds. Photo by: universal.traveler2

Tortuous geology has given Eleuthera some of the world’s best dive sites like the Blue Hole, the Train Wreck, the Devil’s Backbone and the famous Current Cut. You might prefer bone fishing along miles of wadeable flats, or braving fishable surf for snapper, jacks and barracuda. Photo by: jon_beard

Eleuthera is blessedly free of gambling, shopping and amusement parks. Even Dunmore Town, on Harbour Island off the east coast and the heart of celebrity-dripping, upscale Bahamian chic (Versace’s personal architect recently re-designed what was already called ‘the most luxurious beach in the world’) is full of the calm and grace that form Eleuthera’s greatest asset. Photo by: bahamascastaway

When to go: October to June. Population: 9,000. How to get there: By air via Miami or Nassau, by excursion ferry from Fort Lauderdale or by the weekly Out Islands mailboat service. You should know: The island is called ‘Citagoo‘ in the rural patois. Photo by: WIlly Volk

The Bimini Cays, 75 km east of Miami and Florida, mark the highest point of a submarine ridge that emerges from the turquoise water at North Bimini, and runs the length of the island along the Gulf Stream. There in complete contrast to the sandy slopes of the bay side where most people live, there’s only a narrow coastal ledge before the ocean floor drops into a sudden deep. This is the fishing capital of the Bahamas, the site of the world record catches of marlin, sailfish, giant tuna, swordfish, wahoo and bonefish. Photo by: picmanbahamas

The big game fish bring divers as well as hunters to Alice Town, the commercial centre of North Bimini and the cays. It’s bisected by the King’s Highway, the main drag lined by Government buildings, hotels, restaurants, stop-at-nothing bars, shops, tattoo parlours, the Straw Market, resort and marines. Photo by: sassamafracken

This concentration of amenities leaves Bimini’s most beautiful beaches empty: Queen’s Highway, on the island’s west, stretches past the endless sand of Radio Beach, Blister Beach and Spook Hill. Divers head for the bonanza of colourful fish on Rainbow Reef or the Bimini Barge wreck in 28 m of crystal-clear water, and the shallows of North Bimini’s enclosed bay also provide a rare opportunity to explore the extraordinary marine life of Red Mangroves. Photo by: picmanbahamas

The combination of lush tropical mangroves and the crashing spume of the open ocean proved an irresistible lure and feel the same visceral attraction to Bimini’s primal appeal. Photo by: percy fawcett

When to go: Year-round. The fishing tournament season runs from March to September. Population: 1,800. How to get there: By scheduled air to S Bimini, from Nassau or Florida, or by weekly mailboat to Alice Town or Cat Cays, from Nassau. You should know: Tourists may rent only mopeds, bicycles or golf cars- and you must drive on the left, because British rules apply. Photo by: picmanbahamas

The Turks and Caicos Islands are situated about 900km of Miami and 80 km of the Bahamas. Nestled on 450 feet of breathtaking beachfront, the hotel consists of 72 luxury rooms and 8 extraordinary luxuries suites. Opened in 2005, the hotel is designed like a manor-house with marble baths and granite entertainment bars. One of the Top 100 Resorts in the World – 2008, The Palms Hotel is an equally ideal destination for recreation and relaxation.

This $85-million boutique resort offers world-class amenities such as : luxury full-service Spa, jacuzzi, sauna, infinity pool, tennis courts, conference room with Wi-Fi connection, 2 restaurants, 18-hole golf course, fitness center, yoga studio … all water sports and activities are, of course, available.

The SPA center is spread over an acre site and surrounded by turquoise-blue waters of hotel’s garden. Here guests will experience spa treatments in true Caribbean style with native herbs and fruits.

US $400 per Night

Parrot Cay Resort is situated on its own private island in Turks and Caicos. Turks and Caicos islands are located southeast of the Bahamas and 914 kilometers from Miami. The island are geographically contiguous to the Bahamas.

 

When you arrive it’s world apart- there’s nothing on the island but the resort at one end and the private residential villas at the other.

 

While the original old resort building and its traditional rooms offer a social space for meetings among guests, the newer almost Spartan style villas are sceluded perfect for honeymooners and paparazzi-dodgers.

 

The cuisine and the Spa are wonderful. A perfect uncrowded beach and some of the clearest water in the world, modest but steady winds perfect for water sports.

 

 

There are places where the natural surroundings are the main attraction. Places where the fast-paced signs of modern life fade into the background. At these destinations, priorities are things like snorkeling through tropical reefs, enjoying scenic vistas and finding a good place to throw a fishing line.

Nassau is the capital of Bahamas and is the center of all the action, the best shopping, the best entertainment, the most historic attractions plus some of the best beaches in the world. The capital is a 34 minute flight from Miami. Nassau has very tropical atmosphere and lies on the north side of New Providence.

Cable Beach is a luxurious area with concentration of stylish-funky hotels. When you are established there, you can enjoy of a wide range watersports, golf, tennis and plenty of duty-free shopping malls, restaurants and bars.

When the sun goes down Cable Beach and Paradise Islands offering fine dining, casinos, cabaret shows, dance clubs and romantic evening walking. It’s also surprising that Nassau hasn’t become Americanized. There’re a lot of old contemporary homes and public buildings still stand proudly among the modern structures.