Recommend April 2011 - (Page 42)

Island ESCAPES An island escape on The Bahamas, British Virgin Islands, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, and Turks & Caicos offers the chance to do exactly what a visitor chooses to do, and that goes for climbing a mountain, diving into the sea, hitting the gaming tables or simply reading a book for hours on a beach all their own. and PORT LUCAYA MARKETPLACE. Golf, tennis, and diving are big here. The island has three national parks, including the 40-acre LUCAYAN NATIONAL PARK with one of the world’s longest underwater systems of limestone caves and trails through native pines. The 1.5-acre PETERSON CAY NATIONAL PARK and 100-acre RAND NATURE CENTER are also beautiful to explore. + In the ABACOS, the candy-striped HOPE TOWN LIGHTHOUSE is a highlight standing at 89 ft. with 101 steps. The view here shows off nearby gingerbread cottages painted in varying pastel shades. Underwater cave diving just west of Staniel Cay at THUNDERBALL GROTTO should not be missed, while on EXUMA, visit the 176sq.-mile EXUMA CAYS NATIONAL LAND AND SEA PARK, home to iguanas, birds and a wide variety of marine life. HOTEL HIGHS: In Nassau, SHERATON NASSAU BEACH RESORT and ATLANTIS PARADISE ISLAND; on Grand Bahama Island, RADISSON OUR LUCAYA RESORT, OUR LUCAYA REEF VILLAGE and PELICAN BAY HOTEL; on Exuma, CLUB PEACE & PLENTY and SANDALS EMERALD BAY BEACH RESORT & SPA; and in The Abacos, GREEN TURTLE CLUB RESORT & MARINA. TURKS & CAICOS TOURIST BOARD C M Y CM MY CY Beachside on Turks & Caicos. CMY K The Islands of The Bahamas FAST FACTS: GETTING THERE: From the U.S., nonstop and direct service to NAS. Nonstop service to GBI, TCB, ELH and GGT from Ft. Lauderdale and Miami. Nonstop service to BIM from Ft. Lauderdale and nonstop service to GGT from Atlanta. Direct service to GBI from Atlanta, Charlotte, and New York ENTRY REQUIREMENTS: U.S. passport; valid six months from time of entry BEST TIME TO GO: November to March The Bahamas—covering a distance of slightly more than 500 miles and made up of more than 700 islands—is surrounded by beautiful waters and ﬂanked by powder-ﬁne sand, making it an ideal destination to enjoy swimming, snorkeling, scuba diving, surﬁng and sailing. It is also ﬁlled with historical sites, great shopping and lots to do to keep travelers active. Major tourist locales include GRAND BAHAMA ISLAND, NASSAU/PARADISE ISLAND, THE ABACOS, BIMINI, ELEUTHERA, EXUMA and even more OUT ISLANDS. + NASSAU/PARADISE ISLAND is home to numerous mega-resorts, making it a good choice for families, couples and singles who enjoy hotel activities including watersports, golf, tennis, shopping and gaming. Off-property attractions include BLUE LAGOON ISLAND, where via a 20-minute boat ride from Paradise Island, visitors can enjoy the white sand beaches, snorkel and swim with dolphins. ARDASTRA GARDENS, ZOO AND CONSERVATION CENTRE has more than 200 birds, mammals and reptiles. History buffs should explore the island’s forts, including the 100-acre FORT CHARLOTTE overlooking the west end of the harbor in Nassau. PIRATES OF NASSAU wax museum is dedicated to the life and times of pirates in The Bahamas and those who fought against them. + GRAND BAHAMA ISLAND has its share of resorts as well and there is gaming to enjoy and shopping at the INTERNATIONAL BAZAAR C16 British Virgin Islands Known as the “the land that time forgot,” the British Virgin Islands (BVI) and its 60 islands offer true natural beauty of coral reefs, verdant hillsides and pristine beaches that are protected by the creed that no building can be taller than the highest palm tree. Its waters have made it the “Sailing Capital of the World,” as well as a major draw for divers, surfers and ﬁshermen. It’s a place of romance, privacy and numerous exclusive getaways. Most of the BVI surround Sir Frances Drake Channel. TORTOLA is the main island, while VIRGIN GORDA forms the eastern border. JOST VAN DYKE is to the west, ANEGADA sits to the north in the Atlantic, and smaller islands dot the south. continued on page C18 recommend.com http://www.recommend.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Recommend April 2011

Editor's Notes/Agent Speak
Hotel Desk
Tour Talk
Hurtigruten's Trollfjord
Savoring Adventure on Small Ship Cruises
Turkey Beyond Istanbul
Stepping Out in Eastern Europe: Go Escorted
2011 Guide to The Caribbean, The Bahamas & Bermuda
Heading Down Under
India's New Gems
Show-Stoppers on Stage—and on the Plate
Two Sides of a Hawaiian Vacation
Little Palm Island & Ocean Key Resort, Florida
Key West Fun Pass
RIU Panama
Tea Time for Swingers

Recommend April 2011