Bahamas

The Bahamas are the quintessence of 'holiday heaven', with things to see and do reaching far beyond sunbathing on the miles of white sandy beaches or idly frolicking in the translucent turquoise waters.

The islands offer a number of activities and attractions, with everything from the Glass Window Bridge to Christopher Columbus' first stop in the New World. The Bahamas also boasts one of the largest underwater cave systems in the world, and scuba divers can see the mysterious stone blocks in the waters off Bimini, said to be part of the 'lost city' of Atlantis, or visit Long Island to explore the deepest 'blue hole' in the world. A unique experience for travellers is the possibility of taking a walk along the ocean floor in a rig reminiscent of the days before scuba technology, courtesy of Hartley's Undersea Walk. Divers need no experience as they wear an undersea botanical helmet that allows for normal breathing and dry hair. The trips give you the time to walk slowly among the fish and the reefs without having to swim. Half-day or full-day charters are available.

There is a number of activities for visitors who want to do more than just lie around: cycling, tennis, cricket, horse riding, golf and other activities are available on land, along with attractions like casinos, restaurants, spas, bars and clubs. Offshore, you can enjoy exhilarating pastimes like windsurfing, snorkelling, deep sea fishing, parasailing and scuba diving. For those with an interest in the historical or a simple love of pirate lore, the Pirate Museum takes visitors on an interactive tour through the heart of downtown Nassau, bringing them back to 1716 where they will board a replica of the pirate ship 'Revenge' and enter the world of bloodthirsty pirates. It is a must for all who are up for a swashbuckling good time. The museum has a gift shop with all manner of pirate booty!

Friendly locals, as well as comfortable, sunny weather and well-established tourism industry, make these activities and sights all the more appealing and accessible. Add numerous resorts, restaurants, shops and markets to the mix and it becomes alluringly obvious why the Bahamas are the perfect beach-holiday destination.