SmartTravelly

Few places conjure up images in the mind’s eye quite like the Bahamas. Imagine impossibly blue waters, swaying palm trees and sugar-sand beaches that spill across a horizon painted in watercolor hues, all set to the Junkanoo rhythms of a Goombay drum. The good news? It’s possible to find all of this in one weekend; […]

If you’re looking for beach-vacation bliss, few destinations beat the Bahamas. Strewn like emeralds between Florida and the Caribbean, more than 3000 islands and cays – most uninhabited – compose this Atlantic archipelago. Lushly subtropical and fringed with teeming coral reefs and glorious beaches, these stunning islands offer as much to divers and hikers as they do

With its turquoise waters, pillowy sand beaches and laid-back island attitude, everything does seem better in the Bahamas. With 16 major islands and 259,000 sq km (100,000 sq miles) of some of the world’s clearest water, there’s no shortage of island adventuring – whether it’s hitting the waves for a snorkeling expedition or unwinding with

Bahamian food blends African, European and New World traditions to create an uncomplicated, tongue-tingling island cuisine. Throw in superb local seafood, tropical produce and rum-based treats derived from centuries of Caribbean and North Atlantic sugar production, and you’ve got the ideal sustenance for exploring this emerald-green subtropical archipelago. You’ll find a standard repertoire of dishes

Sapphire waters and sun-soaked sands beckon travelers to the Bahamas year-round. With warm weather that never fades and an abundance of unique islands to explore, this Caribbean nation located just a short flight from the east coast of the US is a magnet for repeat visitors and last-minute bookers alike. But what is the best

It’s easy to see why Bridgetown is a popular cruise stop. The Careenage is an Instagram-worthy scene of bridges and a boardwalk running along a river dotted with sailboats and catamarans, while waterfront cafes offer sweeping views over the city’s Parliament Square. Across the water, bustling colonial-era streets are lined with pastel-colored duty-free malls and

Lounging beachside with a frosty cocktail is a Caribbean essential, but there are lots of adventurous alternatives if you want to get active. Down toward the southern end of the chain, Barbados offers wonderful watersports and scenic coastal hiking, Grenada comes tops for wreck dives and easy-access waterfalls, and while nudging Venezuela, Trinidad is the

If sea turtles and humans have anything in common, it’s an attraction to Caribbean beaches. Whereas humans relax and recharged on these sunny strands, sea turtles depend upon beaches for their survival as they crawl ashore to lay their eggs. Beach development, lighting and illegal egg poaching have impacted the six species of turtles that

Boasting some of the best beaches in the eastern Caribbean, plus great food and a wonderfully laid-back island culture, Barbados is a great choice when you want to get away from it all. Avoid pre-travel stress and arrive on the island in a relaxed mood with our guide to Barbados’ entry requirements – covering visa

As a former sugar plantation colony, Barbados was stripped of much of its native forest cover under the British, but there are still some wonderful swathes of tropical greenery to explore. You can roam dense forests, meander through rugged seaside parks or stroll delightful gardens, all within a short drive of Bridgetown, Barbados’ historic capital.