Daily Archives: March 18, 2022

Once your flight descends over the Turks & Caicos islands, the first thing youll notice is the brilliant, blue Gatorade-colored water that encircles the land masses. Theres no seawater quite like Turks water. Most of the islands are framed by white limestone, theres no murky runoff from volcanoes, mountains, or rivers, so the oceans keep their brilliant blues. That's also partly why you'll find the worlds third largest barrier reef here.

The intricate and colorful underwater landscape makes for awe-inspiring snorkeling and diving opportunities. Out of the nine inhabited islands of the Turks & Caicos, Middle Caicos is the one to visit if youre looking to experience the least developed and least inhabited island. If youve ever wanted to have an entire beach to yourself, where your sandy footprints are the only ones as far as the eye can see, Middle Caicos is your place. Both idyllic and sleepy, pay a visit to some of the islands hidden beaches and mangrove wetlands.

On the main island, Providenciales (Provo), youll find the most developments, high end shopping, and luxury properties. Despite the modernity, getting into the local way of life is still quite easy, where you can have a freshly cracked conch at a small shack, explore the pristine reefs by snorkel or dive, and strike up a conversation with locals while boating or kayaking.

The Turks & Caicos islands are for those looking to enjoy the fine white sand and take part in water adventures in a barely-touched Caribbean world. Heres what to do while you're there.

Explore ocean-lined cliffs or tranquil beaches

Easing into the slow pace of Middle Caicos, seek out the islands abundant nature offerings with stunning rocky cliffs jutting out over white sand beaches. Not to mention, you can explore natural limestone tunnel formations, quiet coves, and outcroppings along the scenic Mudjin Harbor. Thrill seekers can stand out over these cliffs and watch the waves crash and shoot up dozens of feet in the air.

The island has over 2,200 feet white-sand beaches. For a gorgeous swimming and kayaking option, visit Middle Caicos Bambarra Beach, which sits along land that was a historic plantation from the 1700s. If your visit to these sands is in the middle of the day in the middle of the week, dont be surprised if its just you and maybe a fisherman or local catching some zzzs.

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The History of Tailgating

Hike above and below ground

Into hiking? Venture along the Crossing Place Trail, a historical route full of rocks, sand, and paved areas that used to be the primary link for locals traveling to and from North and Middle Caicos islands (now connected by a bridge). Some of the sights to take in along the way include Juniper Hole, a craggy sea cave, and Blowing Hole, a 75-foot-long underwater cave.

Taking things underground, venture to the Conch Bar Caves for a fascinating experience through an array of thousands year old stalactites, stalagmites, and columns, along with pools of water that flow in and out of the acidic limestone environment. You can picture settlers mining for bat guano, which was used for fertilizer in the 1880s, as you hike through the cave. Keep an eye out for sleeping bats that like to literally hang-out on the overhead portions of the cave.

Explore Provos marine life

Catching the ferry to the island of Provo (where the international airport is located) to the island of Provo from the TCI dock in North Caicos is an experience in itself. Strike up a conversation with a commuting local while sitting on the top portion of the ferry: the place to get light splashes of cool ocean water while taking in sweeping views of passing islands on the 25-minute ride.

Budget snorkeling is possible on Provo: take your own equipment and explore right from shore at Smiths Reef to spot angelfish and butterfly fish, among dozens of other species. If you prefer a boat snorkeling excursion, you can join a group with Dive Provo, which spends a couple hours touring spots off of Grace Bay, including sites known for harmless nurse shark visits.

Another way to become acquainted with the clear Turks water is by getting a scuba diving certification via theProfessional Association of Dive Instructors (PADI) through a reputable dive shop, which Dive Provo also offers. Depending on the conditions in the morning, the instructors will take you to the best dive site around the islands. For example, if you make a stop at the West Caicos Piranha Cove dive site, expect to descend to 40 feet max and come face to face with amazing marine life like slow-moving conch, fast-moving hawksbill turtles, elusive moray eels, and schools of Creole wrasse. You may have the opportunity to explore the Crocodile dive site, where frequent visitors include grouper, parrotfish, and reef sharks.

Eat from the abundant sea

On Middle Caicos, visit Seaview Caf, located along the Crossing Place trail. Here youll find perfectly seasoned, minced curry lobster or baked salmon complete with garlicky potatoes, all of which you can enjoy on cozy outdoor picnic tables.

On Provo, go for an upscale dinner at the white tablecloth restaurant, Seven. The white tablecloth restaurant is known for their conch chowder prepared with garlic, onions, tomatoes, celery, carrots, and potatoes sauted together.

For a local vibe, grab freshly caught seafood like lime-seasoned conch salad, buttery lobster and flaky conch fritters at da Conch Shack. While here, you can watch fisherman cleaning brilliant conch shells on the beach.

Where to Stay in Turks & Caicos

In Provo, book accommodations at the West Bay Club, which sits on Grace Bay Beach, one of the best beaches in the entire Caribbean. Depending on your accommodation, you can opt for a suite with a kitchenette or full kitchen, and the property gives you access to complimentary watersports with free kayaks and standup paddleboards. Ask for snorkeling equipment to check out some of the stunning coral along--remember--the worlds third largest barrier reef.

For a romantic stay, spend a few days on the private island of Pine Cay, located a short boat trip east of Provo. The island has the softest sand youll ever experience and luxury, beachfront cottages with king size beds, private hammocks, and your own golf cart to explore the island.

If you like hearing the sounds of breaking waves and tree frogs humming you to sleep at night, book a cottage or villa at the Dragon Cay Resort, on Middle Caicos. Equipped with kitchenettes and living rooms, the accommodations are perfect for small groups and families traveling on a budget. You can also request complimentary paddleboards, kayaks, and bicycles to use during your stay.

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This Sleepy Caribbean Island Has Hidden Beaches and the Bluest Water - Thrillist

The 40 for 40 Initiative projects were selected across six areas: preserving natural resources through Conservation Efforts and Tours; Investing in Food Security by supporting and working with local farmers; Hospitality Training and Certification aimed at ensuring ongoing excellence; maintenance of cultural heritage through Support of Local Artisans and Music Education & Entertainment; and bolstering local economies through Small Business and Community Market Support.

Across the Caribbean, SRI team members from Sandals Resorts, Beaches Resorts and the Sandals Foundation will be rolling up their sleeves to help bring these projects to life. Visiting guests can also support and participate in many of the activities taking place throughout the region.

"Tourism has the power to transform, not only the lives of the guests who immerse themselves in the charm and culture of the Caribbean while on vacation, but for our team members and neighbors who build their families' roots in the region," said Adam Stewart, Executive Chairman, Sandals Resorts International and President and Founder of the Sandals Foundation. "This is the important work we build on and celebrate today, as part of our relentless efforts to strengthen the transformative link between tourism and the empowerment of our local Caribbean communities."

Conservation Efforts and Tours

Through the Sandals Foundation, SRI has made the environment a priority, investing millions in education and advocacy programs, establishing marine sanctuaries, out-planting more than 12,000 corals, and engaging over 55,000 people in conservation efforts. Now, the team will advance its efforts to protect the region's natural resources by expanding opportunities for marine conservation.

In honor of its late Founder, Chairman and philanthropic stalwart, Gordon "Butch" Stewart, the team has partnered withthe Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) to implement its 'Sea the Legacy of Love' Scholarship Program. The program will provide 40 Caribbean nationals across six islands with dive certifications from open water to master level. This, together with opportunities for guests to take part in activities such as coral out-planting in Jamaica and St. Lucia, will have a lasting impact on life below the surface.

Additional projects include supporting the Andromeda Gardens, a 6.5-acre botanical garden in Barbados created in the 1950s, and providing funding to assist in the recovery of sand dunes in Lucayan National Park in The Bahamas that were heavily impacted by invasive plants and storm surges.

Investing in Food Security

Together with the Sandals Foundation, SRI, which already sources over 90% of its food supply locally, is ramping up its investment in agriculture and the institutions training the next generation of producers. Various contributions will include equipment donation at the Agriculture Training College in Barbados, construction of hydroponics at Antigua's Gilbert Agricultural and Rural Development Centre, and establishing community composting practices on-resort. The Foundation will also support the Grenada Network of Rural Women Producers (GRENROP), a group of 65 local women and at-risk youth charting their financial independence through agriculture.

Small Business and Community Market Support

The Sandals Foundation is continuing to invest in local businesses like the Oistins Fish Fry in Barbados, where locals and visitors alike can meet with vendors and enjoy freshly prepared seafood. Guests at Sandals have the opportunity to embark on paid tours that directly support these vendors and their livelihoods.

With establishments such as these accounting for on average 30 percent of its island's global development product (GDP), the Sandals Foundation is committed to improving the welfare of operators as well as their earning potential by upgrading additional locales such as Cultural Market Place in Turks & Caicos and Pineapple Craft Market in Jamaica. The Sandals Foundation's community projects are highlighted on resort, inviting guests to support through donations.

Supporting Local Artisans

For years, guests of Sandals and Beaches Resorts have had access to locally made items at its retail shops, proceeds of which are reinvested into local community groups. The Sandals Foundation will expand its hugely successful Caribbean Artisan Program by training more crafts people across more islands including Curaao, St. Lucia, Bahamas and Turks & Caicos, providing more travelers the opportunity to take home a piece of the region. Sandals and Beaches Resorts guests can also look forward to meeting these craft men and women through pop-up shops on resort and seeing the magic unfold.

Music Education and Entertainment

From ska and calypso to Jamaica's iconic reggae and dancehall, the unmistakable soundtrack of the Caribbean keeps visitors coming back and locals moving forward. Together with international partners, high school and college music educators will be trained on key techniques to further develop the region's iconic sounds. Additionally, the 40 for 40 Initiative will culminate with a musical showcase that brings the magic of Caribbean music to Miami in order to help raise funds for continued growth of the region.

Hospitality Training and Certification

To ensure the continued training of future tourism industry players, the teams at SRI and the Sandals Foundation are supporting hospitality training and certification programs to strengthen vocational skills in the areas of food & beverage, health, beauty, and wellness. In Antigua, trainees can receive a health and beauty certification to gain skills for the fast growing wellness sector. In Exuma and New Providence, the Foundation will assist with year-long programs that supports commercial food preparation.

"We are very excited about these 40 projects of transformation and our role in helping realize the impact tourism makes in the Caribbean," said Heidi Clarke, Executive Director of the Sandals Foundation. "Tourism touches almost every corner of local communities and we are fully appreciative of its ability to make a real difference. We are extremely grateful to every guest, team member, partner, travel advisor, donor and supporter who have volunteered or supported our work to improve literacy, healthcare, youth engagement and the many areas in which we focus. Together with our SRI teammates, we will continue to use the power of tourism to bring lasting change," said Clarke.

Celebrating its 13th anniversary on March 18th, since its inception in 2009, the Sandals Foundation has implemented projects and programs valued at nearly US $79 million, touching the lives of more than 1.1 million people.

For a complete list of 40 for 40 Initiative projects, visit: https://news.sandals.com/article/1629/.

For more information about the Sandals Foundation and to donate, visit: https://sandalsfoundation.org.

About Sandals Resorts International

Founded in 1981 by the late Jamaican entrepreneur Gordon "Butch" Stewart, Sandals Resorts International (SRI) is the parent company of some of travel's most recognizable vacation brands. The company operates 24 properties throughout the Caribbean under four separate brands including: Sandals Resorts, the Luxury Included brand for adult couples with locations in Jamaica, Antigua, the Bahamas, Grenada, Barbados, St. Lucia and a resort opening in Curaao; Beaches Resorts, the Luxury Included concept designed for everyone but especially families, with properties in Turks & Caicos and Jamaica, and another opening in St. Vincent and the Grenadines; private island Fowl Cay Resort; and the private homes of Your Jamaican Villas. The company's importance in the Caribbean basin, where tourism is the number one earner of foreign capital, cannot be underestimated. Family-owned and operated, Sandals Resorts International is the largest private employer in the region.

Sandals Foundation:

The Sandals Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, was created to continue and to expand upon the philanthropic work that Sandals Resorts International has undertaken. It is the culmination of close to four decades of dedication to playing a meaningful role in the lives of the communities where we operate across the Caribbean. The Sandals Foundation funds projects in three core areas: education, community and the environment. One hundred percent of the monies contributed by the general public to the Sandals Foundation go directly to programs benefiting the Caribbean community. To learn more about the Sandals Foundation, visit online atwww.sandalsfoundation.org or follow us onFacebook,Instagram andTwitter.

Contact:The Decker/Royal Agency[emailprotected]

SOURCE Sandals Resorts International

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WHERE THE POWER OF TOURISM MEETS LOCAL CARIBBEAN COMMUNITIES: SANDALS RESORTS ANNOUNCES '40 FOR 40 INITIATIVE' PROJECTS - PR Newswire

TravelTravel industry pros offer tips and tricks for finding a Cape Cod vacation destination.A rental in Provincetown listed on WeNeedaVacation.com. WeNeedaVacation.com.

Rental properties on Cape Cod, Nantucket, and Marthas Vineyard are booking quickly for this summer, but vacationers can still reserve a property.

Blake Decker, CEO of high-end vacation rental company Pretty Picky Properties, which manages 170 properties across 10 Cape Cod towns, said hes about 85 percent full right now. He expects to sell out for peak season between late June and late August for the second year in a row.

We as a company have never seen this demand for our services, Decker said.

Before the pandemic, hed be about 60 to 70 percent booked this time of year, he said, and never quite sell out.

Youd have some holes in the season here and there, Decker said. So the 100 percent thing is a new phenomenon for me. Ive been doing this since 2006 and Ive never seen the 100 percent number that we saw last year.

Other booking platforms, including Vrbo and WeNeedaVacation.com, are seeing similar demand.

Eager vacationers can still snag a Cape rental with a little patience and know-how, the experts said. Here are their tips for booking a Cape Cod rental for this summer.

Online rental marketplace Vrbo said less than 20 percent of vacation homes are currently available on Cape Cod, Nantucket, and Marthas Vineyard for the month of July.

Book as early as possible, Alison Kwong, of Vrbo, said in an email. This may be a no-brainer, but dont further delay making summer vacation plans. Start planning now before vacation home availability becomes even more scarce this will help ensure you have the best selection of properties and price points to choose from.

Liz DeBold Fusco at Airbnb agreed, saying in an email that booking early will ensure that you can find the listing you want, wherever you want to go.

The websiteWeNeedaVacation.com, which offers more than 4,000 listings ranging from modest to luxurious on the Cape, Nantucket, and Marthas Vineyard, is seeing a similar trend. Vacationers have been booking summer getaways earlier and earlier, according to Jennie Sparrow, senior marketing manager. The platform currently has 26 percent availability between late June and Labor Day and 17 to 21 percent availability for peak summer weeks in late July and early August, Sparrow said.

This is the third year in a row that our site has been breaking records, Sparrow said. It has exceeded anything that weve seen in our 25-year history.

My advice to folks looking for their vacation spots this summer is to find a human to talk to, Decker said. Find a local agency that can talk to you and work with you. Finding some local knowledge would be a huge help.

Decker said folks can find local businesses with vacation rentals through theCape Cod Chamber of Commerce.

For even more options, each town on the Cape has a local chamber of commerce to which most agencies belong, according to Decker.

He recommended calling the towns chamber or checking out its website for a list of agencies to contact.

Potential renters should not give up hope, the experts said.

We are seeing a very high number of new rental properties coming online. said Decker, of Pretty Picky Properties.

Kwong said Vrbo has tools and filters that help travelers narrow down their search.

For example, Vrbo offers a tool to help families looking for properties in popular destinations with low vacation home availability, Kwong said. Searches for properties in these vacation spots will include a carousel of additional properties available if travelers were to shift their stay dates by a day or week.

Its never too late, Sparrow said. We are always having new listings, like 20 to 30 a week. So just keep checking back.

Those eyeing late summer getaways may be in luck: The last week of August has the most availability right now, at between 32 and 49 percent, Sparrow said.

Flexibility is key, the travel industry pros said.

Consider visiting the region during the shoulder season in late spring or early fall, which is still a gorgeous time to come, Sparrow said.

The competition for Cape rentals is less fierce in late August and September, according to Kwong, when availability drastically improves.

Additionally, try an undated search on Vrbo doing so will yield a wider selection of vacation homes in a destination to first find the ideal vacation home and then check the calendar to book the property when its available, Kwong said.

Try to be as flexible as you can with your travel dates and location requests, Sparrow said. If you love Wellfleet, consider staying in Eastham or Truro, or in another surrounding area that may have availability.

There are many cool and quirky areas of the Cape, Decker said, so its worth giving a new destination a try.

Those seeking waterfront rentals may have more options than they think.

Theres a lot of beautiful fresh water properties as well that deserve a chance, Sparrow said. [You can] hang out on the water, have a dock that you can swim off of. Fresh water properties are just as beautiful.

Airbnb users can discover more rental options with flexible dates searches using duration of stay rather than exact dates, DeBold Fusco said, and flexible destinations searches of unique listings (think boats, A-frames, and private islands).

When using online rental marketplaces, be aware of scams, which are rare but happen, DeBold Fusco said.

Users should never pay for the total cost of the reservation off of the Airbnb platform, Fusco said, and all such requests should be reported to the company.

Staying on the Airbnb platform throughout the entire process from communication to booking protects our community from offline scams, she said.

Other red flags, according to Vrbo, include incorrect or strange URLs, a request for banking information, misspelled words or bad grammar, and low resolution images. Also, make sure the website uses encryption to keep your payment information safe.

Those with budget concerns can split the cost of a larger house with several families, Sparrow said.

Consider coming with really close friends or family and staying in a larger home together, one that seems like its out of your budget, Sparrow said. If its enough bedrooms that you can combine families, that usually takes the sting out of it.

Cost will be a challenge this year, Decker said.

Its going to be a tough year to find a deal on the Cape, especially for this year, Decker said. You may have to dig a little deeper into your wallet than youd like to.

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How to snag a vacation rental on Cape Cod this summer - Boston.com

More than three weeks into Russias invasion of Ukraine, Western countries are tightening sanctions on Russian oligarchs and billionaires. The latest salvo came on Wednesday, when the British crown dependency of the Isle of Man announced that it had deregistered 18 Russian aircraft since March 3. Forbes found that eight of those aircraftincluding Alisher Usmanovs $350 million Airbus private jet and four helicopters owned by Roman Abramovichare owned by sanctioned Russian billionaires.

By scouring aircraft registries and publicly available data, Forbes identified at least 12 jets and six helicopters linked to eight sanctioned Russian billionaires. The aircraft are registered in Aruba, Bermuda, the Cayman Islands, the Isle of Man and Luxembourg, all of which have implemented EU or U.K. sanctions. Collectively, the 18 aircraft are worth at least $1.2 billion. Spokespersons for the aircraft registries and authorities in Bermuda, Luxembourg and the Isle of Man told Forbes that they are taking action against aircraft owned by sanctioned individuals.

On March 12, Bermuda announced that its aircraft registry had suspended certificates of airworthiness for 740 Russian operated aircraft, meaning they can no longer fly. At least one sanctioned billionaire, Viktor Rashnikov, owns a Gulfstream jet registered in Bermuda. A spokesperson for the Bermuda Civil Aviation Authority told Forbes that the authority will conduct an investigation to determine if Rashnikov owns the aircraft.

Abramovich is the most exposed to the new measures, with two jets registered in Aruba and another two in Luxembourg, in addition to the four helicopters deregistered in the Isle of Man. Arubas Minister of Transport, Ursell Arends, reportedly told local media that at least 10 aircraft registered in Aruba belong to sanctioned Russians and the government will take action against them if necessary. Forbes identified six of the 10, including an Airbus A319 jet owned by Viktor Vekselberg. A spokesperson for Vekselberg declined to comment, and representatives for the other billionaires mentioned in this article did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

High-net-worth individuals often own aircraft through offshore holding companies to mask their ownership. Many owners use offshore entities and special purpose companies to make it difficult to find the real user of the aircraft, said Phil Seymour, president of aviation data firm IBA.

Other sanctioned billionaires have had private jets in the recent past or have been reported to own jets, but Forbes could not verify that they still own them. Oleg Deripaska, Gennady Timchenko, Boris Rotenberg and Suleiman Kerimov were all reported to have sold their planes after being hit with sanctions back in 2014 and 2018.

Registering aircraft in offshore jurisdictions such as the Isle of Man allows billionaires to save hundreds of millions of dollars in customs and sales taxes when flying, buying or ultimately selling their jets. The websites for offshore aircraft registries openly tout a variety of benefits, ranging from zero taxes on import duties or transfers of aircraft in Aruba to no taxation at all in the Cayman Islands.

The measures taken by authorities in the Isle of Man and Bermuda are now putting those benefits out of reach. According to Jonathan Epstein, a partner at Washington, D.C.-based law firm Holland & Knight who specializes in international trade and aviation, an aircraft that has been deregistered becomes a stateless aircraft, meaning it no longer has a valid certificate of airworthiness. Without that, its not insurable and cannot fly, until its registered in a new country.

That means any aircraft located in countries that have sanctioned Russia are at risk of being grounded. Complicating matters further is the fact that the comprehensive sanctions bar any insurers and banks from financing or providing insurance to aircraft owned or used by Russian entities.

Seven of the 18 aircraft tracked by Forbes were last recorded in France and Latvia, both of which have implemented the EU sanctions on Russia. But if they arent in the EU or the U.K., then the aircraft could re-register elsewhereincluding in Russia, where four of the aircraft were last seen. If they're physically in Russia, it may be that the Russians are going to re-register them, said Epstein.

Another likely destination for these planes: the United Arab Emirates. At least three of the 18 aircraft tracked by Forbes were last seen in the U.A.E., and several more recently traveled from there to Moscow. Still, even if a plane is in Dubai, the owners could be hit by secondary U.S. sanctions on local companies that assist in moving or repairing their jets. "If you have a Gulfstream sitting in Dubai, the export of that aircraft to Russia is a violation of U.S. export laws," said Epstein. "It's also an export violation for the repair facility that's helping them do that."

Another reason why repairing planes will now be more complicated: Manufacturers including Airbus, Boeing, Bombardier and Embraer have announced they will suspend business with Russian companies and individuals, making it difficultif not impossiblefor Russian owners to replace parts and keep their planes flying.

Here are the jets and helicopters owned by sanctioned Russian billionaires tracked by Forbes and their latest locations:

Craig Mercer/Actionplus/Newscom

Boeing 767 300

Plane models owned by Abramovichhe does not own these specific planes.

Simon Dawson/Bloomberg

AgustaWestland AW139 helicopter

Mikhail Svetlov/getty images

Airbus A340-300

Airbus EC-175 helicopter and yatch

Andrey Rudakov/Bloomberg

Airbus A319-115

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A Guide To The Private Jets And Helicopters Owned By Sanctioned Russian Billionaires - Forbes

W

ith 700 islands and 2,400 cays of which only 30 are inhabited endless crystal clear waters, pearl-white sandy beaches and swimming pigs, the Bahamas is the ultimate holiday destination.

Heres where to eat, sleep and what to do in this island paradise.

Food & Drink

Fresh cracked conch

Bahamian cuisine is a fusion of West African, European and American, and naturally features plenty of seafood dishes. When you hold a conch (pronounced "konk") shell to your ear, you can hear the ocean but while youre on the islands, do try the delicious conch meat, too.

Cracked conch with pigeon peas and rice is the national dish. Cracked simply means coated in batter and deep fried, while pigeon peas and rice are cooked with salted pork, bell peppers, onions, celery, tomato paste, coconut milk, thyme, and other seasonings. The delicious dish is best enjoyed washed down with an ice-cold Yellow Bird, a popular and refreshing local cocktail that is made with light and dark rum (or coconut rum), Galliano, a sweet herbal liqueur, and tropical fruits.

Finish things off with a Guava Duff, a steamed pudding that consists of dough rolled up into a roulade with diced guava fruit spread into it and topped with a tasty rum custard sauce, its by far the most popular dessert on the islands. Do also indulge in the Caribbean tradition of Johnny Cakes, which are traditionally made with cornmeal, butter, milk and sugar. Once baked golden brown, they have the texture of something between bread and cake, which is why they are also known as Johnny Bread.

Overdone it on the rum cocktails? Chicken Souse is a popular breakfast dish that is also hailed as a great hangover cure. Its a clear broth soup made of chicken wings, potatoes, goat peppers, onions, celery, seasoned with lime juice, hot chilli peppers, and allspice to give the soup its signature flavour. Another traditional breakfast staple is Fire Engine, a dish of corned beef cooked in tomato paste and herbs, served with rice or grits.

The best way to enjoy all of these local bites the an authentic way? Embark on a feasting food tour at Arawak Cay in Nassau.

See & Do

The Bahamas is famous for its swimming pigs

Swimming with animals is one of the best things you can do in the Bahamas from swimming with pigs, dolphins, and turtles to sharks or simply hanging out with flamingos at the beach.

Combine it with a boat tour that will take you to several different places in one day. Blue Lagoon Island is a great spot for swimming with dolphins, whereas Paradise Beach is a good place to spot flamingos. And do try and fit in some snuba diving while youre at it, its a fun combination of scuba diving and snorkelling.

Swimming with sharks in turquoise Bahamian waters

If youre after a spot of retail therapy, head over to the Nassau Straw Market. Another cute and colourful marketplace is Port Lucaya in Freeport on Grand Bahama island.

Once youve spent a few days discovering the different islands, you might want to take things a little slower. Head to The Cloister in Nassau, where youll find the medieval ruins of a 14th century French monastery, or enjoy the lush greenery of the Versailles Gardens of Bahamas on Paradise Island. On the latter youll also find a huge water park.

Stay

Looking for the ultimate secluded escape? Head to Kamalame Cay, a serene private island off the Andros Great Barrier Reef. Youll be rewarded with a chilled island vibe, with calm beaches and private bungalows which feel like youre on your very own private island retreat. To get there, fly into Andros airport, then take a taxi to the port, and finally a short boat ride across to the island.

Prefer to be in the thick of it all? Check into The Atlantis on Paradise Island. The popular resort offers various different accommodation options which are all interconnected and built around a water adventure park. The most relaxed option here is The Cove, which even has its own slice of beach, a row of cosy cabanas and private access to two adult-only pools fun fact, Casino Royale was filmed here.

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The Bahamas travel guide: what to see, do, eat, and where to stay - Evening Standard