The Islands of the Bahamas are considered to be among the most beautiful places on earth to visit. The water ranges from pale aqua to deep sapphire, the spectrum changing hourly as the sun shines brightly in a cloudless sky.
Nassau, the country's capital, is a bustling town on New Providence Island with shops, nightclubs, glamorous casinos, and posh hotels. Even in Nassau, though, there are quiet byways and shady lanes where you can step away from the activity of the main tourist areas. Visitors can pause in their shopping at any time to wander past old colonial buildings that are full of island history. Nights can be spent watching a sunset, dining on elegant French or local cuisine in a hotel restaurant, and taking in a show, dancing, or visiting one of the island's casinos. Nassau's sheltered harbor bustles with the familiar cruise ship hubbub and the excitement of fishing excursions coming and going, while a block away, broad, palm lined Bay Street is alive with commercial activity. The shopping in Nassau is first rate, as fine imported goods and local crafts compete for attention right next to each other.
