Recommend Jan 2018 - 28

THE BAHAMAS

MARSH HARBOUR

It would be a cliche to say that the ABACOS, which Marsh Harbour serves,
have it all, but in some ways, they do: extraordinary beaches, mile after mile
of unsullied pine forests, world-class fishing (both flats and deep-water),
snorkeling and diving, a golf club, resorts catering to both romance and
family travelers, and even history. In some ways, though, they don't have it
all. The Abacos don't have crowds, noise, or eyesores of any sort. These
islands only have the good stuff.
SEE/DO: Visit Green Turtle Cay via Lowe's Ferry. The Goombay Smash,
the Bahamas' national cocktail, was invented at Miss Emily's Bar in New
Plymouth, where the ferry stops. More to the point, New Plymouth was
settled during the American Revolutionary War by loyalist refugees from
New England, and it remains a time capsule with gingerbread houses
and picket fences. Visit the colonial home that's now the Albert Lowe
Museum, the tiny pink prison, and McIntosh's Bakery & Restaurant.
SIGNATURE EVENT: The Great Abaco Classic, one of two pro-am
events in the Bahamas on the Web.com Tour, will be held this year Jan.
18-24 at The Abaco Club on Winding Bay. This is a seaside, Scottish-style
links course whose ocean views, dunes, and sloping greens are beloved by
both the PGA and the amateur golfers who participate in the Classic.
STAY: The Bahamas Beach Club, on one of the finest beaches in the
Bahamas (and that's saying something!), is a family-friendly condo resort
where every suite has a fully equipped kitchen. The Club also has outdoor
grills, two pools, a tennis court, a fitness center, access to a nearby marina
and golf course, and Brendal's Dive Centre, with its complete watersports
program for divers, fishers, snorkelers, sailors, and kayakers.
Right: Strolling along Green Turtle Cay.
Below: One of the fantastic costumes used during Junkanoo.

©THE ISLANDS OF THE BAHAMAS (2)

NASSAU-PARADISE ISLAND

Not only is NASSAU just a quick, easy flight from multiple gateways,
but it's a capital city that just keeps getting better with time. The
shopping, of course, has always been world class. In the last year
or two, though, Nassau has also been home to a binge of new and
renovated hotels, increasingly sophisticated food and entertainment
scenes, and impeccably restored colonial landmarks. And yes,
they're pink.
SEE/DO: Visit Graycliff Hotel & Restaurant, which started out in
the 1740s as a pirate's mansion and morphed into a hotel beloved by
royalty. Today it has one of the best wine cellars and restaurants in the
entire Caribbean region. It's also home to the internationally lauded
Graycliff Cigar Company and Graycliff Chocolatiers. Right across the
street, in the (Lord) Montbatten House, are the Heritage Museum of
the Bahamas and the Heritage Village Artists' Studios.
SIGNATURE EVENT: Junkanoo, of course. Now, most other islands
in the Caribbean region have Carnival festivities, too, but this one
offers travelers more than "just" fantastical costumes and parades with
irresistible music, dancing, stilt-walking and costumes: It also offers
the convenience of multiple dates, so it's not just held on Boxing and
New Year's Day, nor is Carnival something you'd only find prior to Ash
Wednesday. It occurs once weekly at Atlantis Paradise Island, too, and
the first weekend of May in downtown Nassau.
STAY: The adults-only, all-inclusive RIU Palace Paradise Island reopened in October with a new look and identity. This is a 24/7 operation
with 350-plus rooms, a reserved beach area, two pools, watersports,
and a Renova Spa. A highlight of the 250-room Warwick Paradise
Island, meanwhile, is its 10,000-sq.-ft. Warwick Sunset Terrace,
overlooking the harbour marinas; and at Atlantis Paradise Island,
multigenerational family groups can relax at the refreshed Coral.

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Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Recommend Jan 2018