Tuesday, September 9, 2008

Best Vacation Spots-Bahamas

One of the best vacations spots is inarguabley the Bahamas. The origin of the name "Bahamas" is unclear. The closest island to the United States is Bimini, which is also known as the "gateway to the Bahamas". Nassau, which is the capital city of the Bahamas, lies on the island of New Providence. To the southeast, the Turks and Caicos Islands, and three more extensive submarine features called Mouchoir Bank, Silver Bank, and Navidad Bank, are geographically a continuation of the Bahamas, but not part of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas. The climate of the Bahamas is subtropical to tropical, and is moderated significantly by the waters of the Gulf Stream, particularly in winter. While there has never been a freeze reported in the Bahamas, the temperature can fall as low as 2-3°C during Arctic outbreaks that affect nearby Florida. Although the Bahamas is not geographically located in the Caribbean, it is a member of the Caribbean Community. There are over 4,100 British residents in the Bahamas. The Bahamas is classified as an upper middle-income developing country and has the third highest per capital income in the western hemisphere (after the United States and Canada).

Immerse yourself in a tour of The Bahamas. Majestic sloops, built by local craftsmen, race around the Islands of the Bahamas and you can earn bragging rights. When you vacation in the beautiful Bahamas, you can enjoy a round of golf, a relaxing soak in the spa, or a night at the casino. According to the Bahamas Tourism office the Islands of the Bahamas is unique with their individual character and charm--and there is absolutely some truth to this. With pearly white sandy beaches, a sub-tropical climate, and plenty of ocean front property, real estate is booming in the Bahamas, as thousands of Americans, Europeans, and Asians are also discovering that the Bahamas is the best place to buy their second or third home. Let's add to that the incredible local food and drink of the Bahamas, and you have the makings for a great vacation spot in paradise. In recent years, Bahamas hotels have seen upgrades that make them the envy of the world. As you might expect, the Bahamas is an exotically romantic place, and many select Bahamas hotels as an ideal wedding or honeymoon location. Who wouldn't vote the Bahamas a top travel spot, when you can enjoy such exquisite beaches, perfect weather, and the wide range of activities and water sports that Bahamas popular vacation spot can offer. Nassau is the most popular of Bahamas travel destinations, followed by Grand Bahama Island. Are you wondering what to do while on traveling in the Bahamas? Discover what you can do on all the islands of the Bahamas making the most of your vacation. Cruising is a popular choice of travel for many visitors to the Bahamas. Near-perfect barefoot weather is characteristic of Bahamas vacations year-round. It’s true that beaches are a big attraction in The Bahamas. The emerald and turquoise waters of The Bahamas archipelago naturally form breath-taking beaches. The variety of islands in The Bahamas present a variety of diving experiences. Sun, sand, and surf may own the days in The Bahamas, but clubs and live shows own the nights. The flats and deep waters of The Bahamas are suitable for beginners and sportfishing enthusiasts. The Bahamas is home to a handful of world-class casinos that cater exclusively to vacationers. The Bahamas weather is "severe clear" nearly every day. With water temperatures averaging about 80°F year-round throughout The Bahamas, water sports are naturally a popular vacation activity. The snorkeling in the Bahamas is more out in the ocean and lifelike. There are no rivers in The Bahamas.

During proprietary rule, the Bahamas became a haven for pirates, including the infamous Blackbeard. Once a haven for pirates and vagrants, Nassau now exudes charm beyond compare. Christopher Columbus's first landfall in the New World was on an island he named San Salvador (known to the Lucayans as Guanahani) which is generally accepted to be present-day San Salvador Island (also known as Watling Island) in the southeastern Bahamas. The Spaniards who followed Columbus depopulated the islands and they were deserted until the arrival of the Eleutherian Adventurers from Bermuda in the mid 1600s. In 1670 King Charles II granted the islands to the Lords Proprietors of the Carolinas, who rented the islands from the king with rights of trading, tax, appointing governors, and administering the country. During the American Revolutionary War, the islands were a target for American naval forces under the command of Commodore Ezekial Hopkins. The British abolished the slave trade in 1807, which led to the forced settlement on Bahamian islands of thousands of Africans liberated from slave ships by the Royal Navy.

The Islands Of The Bahamas form a 100,000-sq-mile archipelago that extends over 500 miles of the clearest water in the world. The islands are made entirely of calcium carbonate, which is mainly produced or precipitated by the organisms of coral reefs. Most notable, however, is that each island has its own diversity that continues beyond geography, carrying through to the heart of The Bahamas, the Bahamian people. Which island or cay is right for your vacation. The closest island to the United States is Bimini, which is also known as the gateway to the Bahamas. To the southeast, the Turks and Caicos Islands, and three more extensive submarine features called Mouchoir Bank, Silver Bank, and Navidad Bank, are geographically a continuation of the Bahamas, but not part of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas. Hurricane Andrew hit the northern islands during the 1992 Atlantic hurricane season, and Hurricane Floyd hit most of the islands during the 1999 Atlantic hurricane season. Hurricane Frances hit in 2004; the Atlantic hurricane season of 2004 was expected to be the worst ever for the islands. In 2005 the northern islands were once again struck, this time by Hurricane Wilma. Historically, most development has occurred on New Providence and Grand Bahama, causing significant migration from the Family Islands to these two urban centers and straining their infrastructure.

There's plenty to do on Nassau other than dive. There are two casinos, Atlantis on Paradise Island (probably the coolest casino outside of Vegas) and Crystal Casino on Cable Beach a couple of miles south of Nassau. There are also many cookouts in Public Parks on the Nassau waterfront; homecomings and regattas are held in some Out Islands. Bahama Divers is the oldest dive operation in Nassau.

Because the scenery can turn even a bad round into a flawless day of vacation. This top vacation spot is rating one of the Best Vacations and this vacation hot spot will have you wanting to revisit the
best vacation spots in the Bahamas again and again.

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