Romantic Escapes in the Caribbean

by Paris Permenter & John Bigley

Bahamas: ROMANTIC ACTIVITIES

The heart of Nassau is Rawson Square. Make your first stop here at the Visitors Information Center 242-332-7500 for brochures and maps before starting off on busy Bay Street, the shopping district. Here gold and gems are sold down the street from straw baskets and T-shirts at the Straw Market, one of the most popular souvenir stops. Be sure to look behind the Straw Market for a glimpse at the cruise ships that dock at Prince George Dock. At Rawson Square, horse-drawn surreys wait for passengers, who pay about $10 (be prepared to negotiate) for a two-person, half-hour ride along picturesque Bay Street.

Another popular attraction is the Ardastra Gardens and Zoo, 242-323-5806, www.ardastra.com. The only zoo in the Bahamas, Ardastra features 300 species of animals and 50 species of birds including monkeys, iguanas, and marching pink flamingos. Stop here if you have time, but we felt that this is one stop that can be cut from busy itineraries. The caged animals are depressing to view, and the personnel here are far from friendly.

A better choice for us is the nearby Botanical Gardens 242-323-5806 where you can walk hand-in-hand along blooming paths that feature tropical plants and flowers.

History lovers should head over to Fort Charlotte for a free guided tour of the largest fort in the Bahamas. Perched high on a hill overlooking Cable Beach, this fort never saw action but today sees plenty of activity as tourists come to enjoy a bird's eye view and a look at fort's dungeons, cannons, and exhibits.

One of the most popular activities in Nassau is a day at Blue Lagoon Island 242-363-3577. This "uninhabited" island lies about half an hour from the dock at Paradise Island and offers some beautiful beaches, hammocks beneath towering palms, and plenty of watersports activity. For additional charges, visitors can parasail, swim with stingrays, or meet dolphins (make reservations early for this choice). One option includes feeding, petting, and swimming with the friendly mammals. (The dolphin encounters can also be booked as a separate attraction without a day at Blue Lagoon Island by calling 242-363-1653.) For our money, Blue Lagoon Island is only for those looking for a party, not for peace and quiet or anything resembling privacy. If you do make this trip, bring a towel and, to save money, your own snorkel gear. A better choice for us would be an excursion to the south side of the island, where wide beaches give way to shallow seas and warm water. Rent a car or hire a driver for a half day excursion to this quiet getaway.

On Grand Bahama, a favorite stop with lovers is the Garden of the Groves botanical garden. This 12-acre botanical garden is home to over 10,000 varieties of flowers, trees, and shrubs from around the world. Quiet, shaded paths wind through the gardens; you can take time and sit by a waterfall and hear the call of native birds.

We also enjoyed the Lucayan National Park, Grand Bahama Highway, 242/352-5738. This 40-acre park is filled with mangroves, pine, and palm trees. Six miles of charted caves are also found here as well as a secluded beach, hiking trails, and picnicking. This park is home to an enormous network of underwater caves although diving is prohibited without a permit from UNEXSO (242/373-1244, fax 242/373-8956) and even swimming in the caves is a no-no. If you want to swim, cross the highway and visit Gold Rock Beach. This wide swath of sand is edged with pine trees (perfect for hanging your clothes on) and is a great place to walk hand-in-hand in peace and quiet. The waters here are warm and shallow and perfect for a romantic dip. There are no facilities here, so bring along something to drink.