Some people may call it paradise. Others say that it’s heaven on earth. Well, one thing is certain, a Caribbean island vacation is exactly what you need if you’re looking for beaches, boats, bikinis, and other tropical vacation essentials.
Located right at the tip of South America and surrounded by the Gulf of Mexico on one side and the Atlantic Ocean on the other, the Caribbean is not just the top playground for the Americas, but also boasts movie-set beauty, coconut tree-clad mountains, verdant valleys of sugarcane and bananas, and seashores galore. Even the cities here radiate with glorious architecture and the towns dotting the region had been established long before the automobile.
The islands are soaked with island-flavored culture with just the subtlest hint of European influence, and world-class hotels, resorts, restaurants, activities, attractions, and shopping. There are over fifty island destinations to pick from for your Caribbean island travel and each has its own extensive directory of accommodations and activities for the Caribbean’s famous exotic warm weather.
Below are the top picks for an awesome Caribbean island vacation:
The Bahamas: New Providence
Few Travelers incorrectly call it “Nassau” as the island is the site of the nation’s capital, which was named after the Dutch Prince of Orange-Nassau in 1695 after he took over the British throne. In fact, the island is New Providence is where about two-thirds of the Bahamian population lives, and where millions of dollars are invested in Nassau, Cable Beach, and Paradise Island. In recent years, New Providence has created a name for itself as one of the premier places to visit when on a Caribbean island trip.
Considered an offshore financial hub, New Providence is most noticeably a fabulous shopping bazaar and Caribbean island travel destination. Stroll along the world-famous Bay Street and side streets and relax in the Caribbean carnival atmosphere. Or visit one of the outer islands of the Bahamas — the famous Nassau and Paradise Island, linked to each other by a bridge.
Travelers find all sorts of treasures in the Bahamas, but it’s most popular for the true island groove. Drumbeat is the soul and essence of the Bahamian culture. The drum establishes the heartbeat of all national music, including Junkanoo, rake ‘n scrape, and goombay.
Bermuda
Bermuda is an isolated paradise located right in the middle of the great chasm, in the Atlantic Ocean between North America and Europe. Combined with a history of English settlement, creates an island with a culture as unique as its topography.
This favorite Caribbean island destination is spotlessly cleaned, quaint, and extraordinarily beautiful. Imagine relaxing amid a wash of pink and green. Pink is the natural shades of pastels that glisten across this 21-square mile island. Green is the color of the money that Bermuda’s offshore banking and insurance sectors produce. Best of all, Bermuda is a quick two-and-a-half-hour flight from most major cities on the U.S. east coast.
In Bermuda, you won’t see the slums, outside advertisements, and fast food outlets that mar the landscape of so many other tourist destinations. These are not missed, as the glorious natural and cultural sights overshadow any thoughts of modern conveniences. When in Bermuda all you really need is the sand and the sun, but you’ll certainly appreciate the colonial architecture of the tidy homes that row its roads and the fragrant tropical flowers. Indeed, Bermuda provides a vacation filled with splendor and grace.
