The Bahamas
Famed for its association with the rich and famous as a tropical getaway, the Bahamas is just as welcoming for ordinary folk too
Just mention the name the Bahamas and instantly, images of white windswept beaches and beach bum lazily relaxing on a hammock between exotic palm trees instantly spring to mind.
The Bahamas offer unparalleled island fun and R and R, all set in an exquisite location that looks like it was plucked straight out of a postcard.
Lucayan Indians inhabited the islands when Christopher Columbus first set foot in the New World on San Salvador in 1492. British settlement of the islands began in 1647 and the islands became a colony in 1783 leading to a noticeable British cultural influence.
Bahamian culture is a vibrant hybrid of African and European influences. The greatest expression of this is a rhythmic type of music known as Junkanoo, which is usually featured in street parades which happen in many town every Boxing Day - the largest of which can be found in Nassau, the capital of the Bahamas.
Aside from Junkanoo, other forms of indigenous music include rake and scrape, calypso - which is popular throughout the Caribbean - and a unique form of hymnal popularised internationally by the late Joseph Spence.
Regattas are important social events in many family island settlements, which usually feature one or more days of sailing by old-fashioned work boats and includes an onshore festival.
Bahamas Recommended
With a coastline that stretches miles and miles around the island - there is plenty to do for the land-weary and water-baby alike. Various water sports such as jet-skiing and scuba diving are available for the adventurous thrill-seeker.
During the Spring Break season between February 28th and April 10th, there are a wealth of festivities planned for university and high school students seeking some respite from the stressful rigours of academia.
Exciting beach parties, sports activities and musical entertainment are just some of the highlights of a packed Spring Break calendar.
For the more refined, why not try the People-to-People Tea Party, which takes place on the last Friday of each month, from January to August. Guests can convene at the Government House Ballroom for a delightful spot of afternoon tea, entertainment and good company.
For sports enthusiasts, cricket season - which takes place between March and November - should not be missed. If rugby is more to your taste, then be sure to visit any time from at the end of September to the end of April.
Bahamas Weather
The climate of the Bahamas is subtropical to tropical, providing for beautiful all-year-round weather.
But tourists must be warned that the low-lying nature of the islands often proves for dangerous summers and autumns at times, when hurricanes have been known to pass through.
Bahamas Destination checklist
The legal tender in the Bahamas is the Bahamian dollar which is roughly equivalent to the US dollar - but American currency is widely accepted throughout the islands and sometimes even preferred.
Eastern Standard Time is used on all islands and from April to October is Eastern Daylight Time, in conjunction with US summer hours.
