Daily Archives: December 19, 2023

Seven hundred islands make up the Bahamas archipelago, about 30 of them inhabited. Almost 70% of the 300,000 Bahamians live on 21-by-seven-mile New Providence, home to the capital Nassau (rhymes with "saw"). The Bahamas celebrated 50 years of independence from Britain in July 2023, but some colonial traces remain: driving on the left (although most cars are left-hand drive US imports), red pillar boxes, police-station lamps, royal coats of arms, and a Queen Victoria statue in Nassau's Parliament Square. Nowadays 80% of visitors have American accents Miami is less than an hour's flight away.

As you leave Lynden Pindling International Airport in Nassau you'll catch your first glimpse of this enormous coral-coloured edifice, named after the lost city in Greek mythology. Wondering what the link is? A Bahamian island has been identified as Atlantis's potential location.

The Atlantis Paradise Island resort is themed on the legend, from the foyer's ceiling murals to Plato's bar, named after the philosopher who first described Atlantis. Everywhere eye-catching decorative elements compete for attention, from stunning glass sculptures in the casino by American artist Dale Chihuly to indoor waterfalls and fountains with spinning balls near the foyer.

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Celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, the resort is set in lush, landscaped grounds and a water-based wonderland including one of the world's largest waterparks. Accommodation ranges from upmarket self-catering villas to an adults-only block; suites and studios for groups and families, and more affordable, family-friendly rooms. And the marina can accommodate vessels of up to 250ft.

The Royal at Atlantis has 1,201 guest rooms and suites

(Image credit: Atlantis Paradise Island Bahamas)

From the west tower of the centrally located The Royal, we looked out over the resort, with a bird's-eye view of rays swimming below, to the Atlantic beyond. The light, large rooms feature soft, natural sand and sea tones, with driftwood touches. On arrival we were ready to flop onto our comfortably firm yet yielding twin queen-size beds after our nine-hour flight. Two pairs of curtains, sheer and blackout, also contributed to a deep sleep, as did easy-to-control air con.

Storage is plentiful, with a large chest of drawers and double wardrobe, and there's a velvety padded bench at the end of the bed, and a table with two sturdy armchairs. Tech-wise, there's a massive flatscreen TV, USB sockets, and you can borrow a plug adaptor from housekeeping. The bathroom is big, with a separate loo, and a shallow, short bath with shower and, thoughtfully, a washing line for drying wet swimwear.

Book a table on the terrace at Italian restaurant Paranza by Michael White

(Image credit: Atlantis Paradise Island Bahamas)

Loosen your belt there are more than 20 restaurants on site, featuring cuisines from around the world, all within a short walk. Booking ahead is recommended. Try Bahamian super-popular speciality conch ("conk", a marine mollusc in a giant pink shell) at Bimini Road, or an international fish and seafood menu at Fish by award-winning chef Jos Andrs.

At Nobu, the Japanese restaurant renowned for black cod, I enjoyed oh-so-fresh vegetable maki and crisp tempura. Innovative Italian, with the focus on seafood, is served at Paranza by Michelin-starred chef Michael White; book a table on the terrace amid tropical planting. More casually, in Shake Shack, we fought jet lag listening to the bartenders' banter, watching them mix cocktails (and sampling them), like the "Bahama Mama", made with dark rum, coconut rum, orange juice and pineapple juice.

Take a 'Leap of Faith' from the top of the Mayan Temple at Aquaventure

(Image credit: Atlantis Paradise Island Bahamas)

Paradise Island's ocean-side coast slopes into the Atlantic, along five miles of white sandy beach and unfeasibly turquoise sea, backed by palm trees, with plenty of sunbeds featuring built-in shades. But right by the hotel is Aquaventure: a 141-acre waterscape of thrilling slides, rides and 14 pools.

On the relatively gentle "Rapids River", we floated in inflatable rings along its one-mile course, admiring the scenery, occasionally buffeted by rapids, while screaming (me) and laughing (me and my partner). At the extreme end is the "Leap of Faith", which plunges vertically down a slide from the Mayan Temple. Lifejackets are supplied for all ages, and there are three pools for younger children, full of aquatic apparatus and gentle slides.

For the energetic, try snorkelling, stand-up paddle boarding, kayaking and water bikes in the naturalistic Paradise Lagoon. Look out for the creatures in the marine habitats, including The Dig, an aquarium designed to look like an archaeological dig, and the Predator Lagoon, with viewing tunnels looking on tropical fish, sharks, barracudas, rays, sawfish, and giant grouper.

Relax on the beach at Paradise Lagoon

(Image credit: Atlantis Paradise Island Bahamas)

There's a lot packed into Paradise Island's one square mile, but we wanted to see the capital Nassau. Take a taxi (around $15 each way, plus $2 bridge toll), from the Towers main entrance, or boat taxi ($7pp each way), from under the bridge.

Nassau is brightly coloured and busy, particularly around the cruise port at Prince George Wharf and the main Bay Street. Street traders call for your attention, as do stallholders in the Straw Market, where crafts such as basket weaving and wood carving share space with standard souvenirs. There are lots of duty-free shops selling luxury goods, too.

We learnt about indigenous people and slavery in the Pompey Museum, admired the work in the National Art Gallery of the Bahamas, then beat the heat with a beer in Pirate Republic, the Bahamas' only craft brewery.

And if it all begins to feel a little hectic, book a massage in the Mandara Spa, stroll along Cove Beach to see the wooden sculptures of dancing women by local artist Antonius Roberts, retire to the double hammocks slung between palm trees, or simply watch those rays gliding underwater

Adrienne Wyper was a guest of Atlantis Paradise Island Bahamas. Rates for a king terrace view room in The Royal start from 315 (US$395) per night. One Casino Drive, Paradise Island, Bahamas; atlantisbahamas.com. British Airways and Virgin Atlantic fly direct to Nassau from London Heathrow.

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Atlantis Paradise Island Bahamas hotel resort review - The Week

US West Coast travelers can now connect to Nassau capital in The Bahamas on nonstop flights.

Last week, The Islands of The Bahamas and Alaska Airlines marked a significant milestone jointly welcoming first-ever passengers from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) to Lynden Pindling International Airport (NAS) in Nassau, the nations booming capital.

Respectively launched on December 14 and 15, the new nonstop routes provide West Coast travelers with greater access to the coveted Caribbean paradise renowned for its pristine beaches, crystal-clear waters and vibrant culture.

The Bahamas is committed to establishing new partnerships, such as these exciting new routes with Alaska Airlines, that will enhance accessibility to our beautiful shores for all to experience the warm hospitality and rich heritage that awaits, said The Honorable I. Chester Cooper, Bahamas Deputy Prime Minister and Minister f Tourism, Investments & Aviation. In 2023, we surpassed record-breaking tourism arrivals eclipsing 8 million visitors, and with this new service, anticipate this momentum to continue steadfast.

Passengers arrived to Lynden Pindling International Airport greeted and embraced in true Bahamian style, with a spirited and traditional Bahamian Junkanoo welcome, setting the stage for an unforgettable experience in The Bahamas.

Our roster of increased flight service is transporting passengers to countries weve never served before, opening gateways to exciting new destinations.

Kirsten Amrine, vice president of revenue management and network planning for Alaska Airlines, added, For the first time, with the launch of our new routes from both Seattle and Los Angeles to Nassau, our West Coast travelers can visit the pristine islands and turquoise waters of The Bahamas.

Nassau is our metropolitan offering, known as the gateway to The Bahamas, said Latia Duncombe, Director General at the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investments & Aviation. Upon arrival, visitors will unlock access to our 16 distinct island destinations with only one passport stamp and discover the thrilling adventures that Seattle residents are known to love from snorkeling the Andros Barrier Reef and big game fishing in The Abacos to island-hopping the 365 islands and cays in The Exumas and more.

Nassau and Paradise Island offer visitors numerous luxury resorts, diverse dining, shopping, a vibrant nightlife and endless authentic Bahamian culture from art exhibits to historical landmarks. The bustling capital also serves as the launch pad and gateway to unlock the splendor of all 16 islands in The Bahamas.

We are thrilled to welcome the first nonstop flights on Alaska Airlines from Los Angeles and Seattle, making it easier than ever for those on the West Coast to visit our beautiful destination, said Joy Jibrilu, Nassau Paradise Island Promotion Board CEO. This strategic expansion is a testament to the collaborative efforts between our destination and our airline partners and I want to thank Alaska Airlines and their planning team for working to make this new route a reality. From white sandy beaches and crystal-clear turquoise waters to culture around every corner and a variety of world-class resort options, Nassau & Paradise Island offer something for every type of traveler, and we look forward to having even more West Coast travelers discover what makes our islands so special.

The direct service will operate four-times weekly from Los Angeles and three-times weekly from Seattle. Travelers can learn about the new service and the destination by visiting AlaskaAir.com, Bahamas.com and NassauParadiseIsland.com.

THE BAHAMAS

The Bahamas has over 700 islands and cays, as well as 16 unique island destinations. Located only 50 miles off the coast of Florida, it offers a quick and easy way for travelers to escape their everyday. The island nation also boasts world-class fishing, diving, boating, and thousands of miles of some of the Earths most spectacular beaches for families, couples, and adventurers to explore. See why Its Better in The Bahamas at http://www.bahamas.com or on Facebook, YouTube or Instagram.

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The Bahamas and Alaska Airlines Celebrate First-Ever Nonstop Routes - eTurboNews | eTN

Live from AMERICANAFEST 2023: Brennen Leigh & Bahamas : World Cafe : World Cafe Words and Music Podcast Today, we bring you live performances from songwriter and mandolin player Brennen Leigh and Canadian folk artist Bahamas.

Brennen Leigh and Bahamas Brooke Hamilton, Dave Gillespie/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

Brennen Leigh and Bahamas

Brennen Leigh

Bahamas

Today on World Cafe, we're bringing you the music of AMERICANAFEST 2023. This year's festival in Nashville featured over 200 artists, and we're excited to share a few of these performances, taped at legendary Sound Stage Studios.

First up, we have a set from Brennen Leigh. She's been making country, bluegrass and Americana music for the last 20 years in Nashville. On her latest album, Ain't Through Honky Tonkin' Yet, she dialed into a classic time in Nashville music.

"I'm in love with this idea of the real Nashville," Leigh said in a press release. "The idyllic Golden Age, which, to me, is around 1967, 1968, because of the alchemy, the explosion that occurred, with the best country music songwriters ever, the best singers in country music."

Leigh aims to capture a bit of that magic, having some country heavyweights like Marty Stuart and Rodney Crowell play on the Chris Scruggs-produced album.

We're following that up with a set from Nova Scotia-based indie rock artist Bahamas. That's the musical project of Afie Jurvanen, who picked up the country music bug playing with artists like Jason Isbell and Lucius. It got him thinking about getting in the same room with some of these players, so he went down to Nashville and recorded his sixth album, BOOTCUT, with folks like harmonica player Mickey Raphael, mandolinist Sam Bush and guitarist David Allan Coe.

This episode of World Cafe was produced by Will Loftus. The web story was created by Miguel Perez. Our engineer is Chris Williams. Our programming and booking coordinator is Chelsea Johnson, and our senior producer is Kimberly Junod. World Cafe's executive producer is Bruce Warren.

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Live from AMERICANAFEST 2023: Brennen Leigh & Bahamas : World Cafe Words and Music Podcast - NPR

Royal Caribbean Group is reportedly in discussions to acquire the Xanadu Beach Hotel in Freeport, Bahamas, eyeing a significant expansion in the Bahamas through the development of a new resort and water park.

While Royal Caribbean has not confirmed these reports, multiple sources suggest a deal may be imminent. The deal would be the second large development by a cruise company on the island, after Carnivals Celebration Key, which will welcome its first guests in July 2025.

Royal Caribbean is reportedly close to making a deal on the Xanadu Beach Hotel and adjacent land parcels on Grand Bahama Island.

The area in question, estimated to be around 40-50 acres, stretches down to Princess Isle and will be developed into a waterpark and resort, making it the third development in the Bahamas for Royal Caribbean, after Perfect Day at Coco Cay and the new Royal Beach Club in Nassau, Paradise Island.

While no formal deal has been confirmed, ongoing discussions with both Harcourt, the owners of several land tracts in the area, and Xanadus owner, Italian/Bahamian businessman Mario Donato, are making progress, according to Bahamian newspaper The Tribune.

They want all the tracts down to Princess Isle. Its probably 40-50 acres. If you look at the map you will see Xanadu at one end and four more ten-acre pieces going down to the west to Princess Isle. Harcourt Developments owns the next two, a source told the Tribune.

For now, the reports on the potential acquisition of the property by Royal Caribbean Group are being held a closely guarded secret by all involved, including Royal Caribbean Internationals CEO Michael Bayley. The silence from top executives adds to the speculation and anticipation surrounding the potential acquisition.

Read Also: Who Owns Royal Caribbean All You Need to Know

If and when the deal is announced, it will not come as a surprise, as Royal Caribbean has long been looking at increasing its already significant presence in the region.

The potential acquisition of the Xanadu Resort by Royal Caribbean is a logical step in the companys ongoing strategy to broaden its presence in the Bahamas, specifically targeting Grand Bahama Island.

This strategy became evident following the unsuccessful bid in 2021 to acquire the Grand Lucayan Resort. The Xanadu Resort presents an ideal opportunity for Royal Caribbean to advance its regional plans. Reports indicate that Celebrity Cruises, a subsidiary of Royal Caribbean, is expected to have a significant role in the development of the Xanadu property.

This development would have a significant impact on Freeport, especially considering other major investments in the area.

There are discussions about various other projects involving Royal Caribbean. These include the development of Rum Cay and a collaborative effort with ITM Group to renovate and enlarge the Freeport Harbor cruise port, in partnership with MSC Cruises.

Meanwhile, Carnival is advancing with the construction of its Grand Bahama resort, Celebration Key, which is anticipated to open in July 2025.

The collective impact of these developments could transform Freeport into a premier tourist destination. Ultimately, the island stands to gain significantly from the influx of tourist revenue, the creation of construction jobs, and the establishment of lasting employment opportunities.

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Royal Caribbean Closes In on New Resort in Freeport, Bahamas - Cruise Hive

The highly anticipated Spilligate23 event in The Bahamas, which was set to feature Nigerian singer Burna Boy as its main performance on December 16, has been rescheduled.

Foreign Currency Promotions made the news during a press conference on Tuesday.

According to Fernerin Hanna, CEO of Signature Production, with inclement weather expected to hit The Bahamas from Tuesday evening through the weekend, they would be unable to set up for the performance.

The event was scheduled at the Thomas A. Robinson Stadium, National Carnival Grounds.

Hanna expresses disappointment since the teams and Foreign Currency have been working hard to get the event off the ground.

She made it clear that the event had been postponed, not cancelled, and that a new date will be announced soon.

We have not yet had a meeting to solidify the date as of yet, but that should be within the coming days and we will also announce that, Hanna adds, urging the public to keep watching the website.

The stage for the event was found to be more than 50% ready, but there was little they could do owing to the anticipated terrible weather.

According to Hanna, an email containing information has been issued to a few thousand ticketholders.

Lee Yan is a journalist based in Cebu, Philippines. For the past 10 years, he has worked in the media and writes part-time for the St. Vincent Times.

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Bahamas: Spilligate'23 concert featuring Burna Boy postponed - St Vincent Times

Nestled in the heart of Governors Harbour, Central Eleuthera, Bahamas, Snaresbrook Manor beckons travelers seeking a luxury stay with a touch of British West Indies-inspired elegance. This exquisite haven accommodates 16+ guests, offering a perfect blend of pure relaxation, unending adventure, lush landscapes, and a warm welcome to the vibrant island culture.

From the doorstep of Snaresbrook Manor, guests are greeted by the soothing sounds of palm trees rustling and waves gently lapping along the sugary shore of the Caribbean Sea. The manicured yard, adorned with a trail of tiles, leads to a capacious pool, inviting guests to take a refreshing plunge or explore the crystal-clear waters through snorkeling adventures.

As the sun sets on the horizon, the terrace becomes the perfect setting for al fresco dining, where guests can savor a delicious dinner with a view. Beyond the luxurious amenities, the manor encourages exploration with kayaking and paddleboarding activities, or the option to embark on a local excursion.

Snaresbrook Manor goes beyond the typical getaway, offering a lifestyle that embodies the essence of the Bahamasa place where relaxation and adventure seamlessly intertwine. This tropical escape promises unforgettable moments in a setting that epitomizes luxury and island charm.

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Snaresbrook Manor is a Luxury Oasis in Governor's Harbour Bahamas - stupidDOPE.com