Enjoy private huts and a nearly deserted beach at Compass Point Resort.
This winter, trade snow for sun on the island of Nassau
Travel with Catherine Adcock
Ditch the hat, gloves and scarf, and head to warmer climesbrthis winter. Our locale of choice this month: the tried and true Bahamas. This islandbrnation, once a British colony, boasts a population largely descended from freedbrslaves. Most will know the Bahamas as the place many park their wealth due to abrlack of bank regulation and taxation and abundance of banking privacy. Bothbroffshore finance and tourism make up the bulk of the Bahamian economy, and likebrany place dependent on traveling visitors, the islands are designed to cater tobryour every need. We've logged the miles and done the research to ensure youbravoid the common traps and pitfalls that haunt many visitors. Our focus todaybris on the island of Nassau.
A Private Hideaway
Those looking for the usual suspects of resorts will findbrtheir fair share in Nassau, from Sandals to Starwood's Sheraton, but it wasbrCompass Point Resort that stood out to us. Stay in your choice of private hutsbrand enjoy a nearly deserted beach or a drink poolside at this hideaway. Forbrthose looking for romance, our top spot goes to the historic Graycliff Hotel,brfeaturing 20 luxuriously appointed rooms, gourmet dining and a walk-in humidor.brCompassPointBeachResort.com, Graycliff.com
Seas, Sealife andbrSlides
For a more traditional resort experience, head to AtlantisbrResort at Paradise Island. It's the grounds and activities here that putbrAtlantis at the top of the heap of Nassau's accommodations. Atlantis boasts abrthrilling water park and marine habitat that puts your local aquarium to shame.brClaiming to be the world's largest open-air aquarium, the Waterscape is home tobr200 species of marine life. If that's not adventurous enough, the resort's waterbrpark, Aquaventure, features slides, rides, rivers and pools, including the Leapbrof Faith, a nearly vertical 60-foot drop into a clear tunnel submerged in abrshark-filled lagoon. Atlantis.com
Out At Sea
Get a closer look at life on (and in) the sea with a visitbrto the Pirates of Nassau Museum and nearby Dolphin Encounters. Home to allbrthings “Arrr!” the museum offers an inexpensive trip to the early 1700s aboardbrthe replica ship Revenge! With proximity to trade routes ripe for pillaging, Nassaubrserved as a base of operations during piracy's golden age, from 1690 to 1720. Anybrtrip to the Bahamas wouldn't be complete with out some one-on-one time withbrnative sea life, and Dolphin Encounters at Blue Lagoon Island gives you thebrchance to get up close and personal with dolphins and sea lions.brPirates-Of-Nassau.com, DolphinEncounters.com
Historic Happy Hour
Be sure to include an adventure in the city with stops atbrthe Junkanoo Expo Museum and the National Art Gallery of the Bahamas, whichbrwill take you away from the typical tourist traps and through parts of Nassaubrfew visitors ever see. Then top off the educational excursion with a short tourbrof the nearby John Watling's Distillery. With stroller parking and activitiesbrfor young children, the rum distillery offers entertainment for all ages. Takebra self-guided tour through the historic restored buildings that house the rumbrmaker's operations, and indulge an opportunity to sample the goods. We're surebryou'll like what you sip, so plan on stocking up — John Watling's rum is notbravailable outside of the Bahamas! JohnWatlings.com
Living the IslandbrLife
To get a real taste of the islands, head to the Fish Fry, anbroutdoor market/dining experience held every weekend that attracts locals andbrtourists alike. Avoid any restaurant tempting you inside with deals and steals,brand head straight for Arawak Cay. The atmosphere goes from family friendly tobrwild as hours pass and drinks continue to flow. For some shopping, bypass BaybrStreet Market, full of traps for tourists, and take bring your best poker facebrto the Straw Market, where the goods are worth bargaining over.
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