I’m excited to share this travel post from a few wonderful days in the Bahamas! If you’ve ever wanted to visit the “lost city” of Atlantis or wondered what staying aboard a luxury yacht might be like, this post will give you insight on what to see and do.
I started the getaway on Paradise Island in Nassau, Bahamas. That’s where you’ll find Atlantis, the mega-hotel conglomeration that houses aquariums, water parks, a casino, high-end shopping, pools, beach cabanas, comedy clubs, five star restaurants, and just about anything you might be looking for. It’s family-friendly, so you’ll see a wide range of ages and people from all over the world. Just a short, direct flight from the east coast, Atlantis is fantastic for a quick getaway. The beaches are clean and beautiful. There is never a shortage of things to do; in fact, we ran out of time to try everything we wanted. There are free movies showing in the evenings, illusionists and famous entertainers are regularly booked to perform, too. (Charlie Puth and Joe Jonas are two upcoming artists.) Now, let’s get to the good stuff.
I loved Bahamian Club for a nice, romantic dinner. Every fish dish is delicious, and the fresh bread they bring to the table has several varieties including a unique walnut bread. Try the Key Lime Pie for dessert, and don’t miss out on the Garlic Mashed Potatoes. Be prepared for slightly higher prices than at home; there are upcharges on almost everything in the Bahamas.
Carmines: This Italian gem is off-property in the nearby village and is within walking distance. You may have eaten at the Carmine’s in New York, and this is the same place. The dishes are all family-style, so the prices reflect that. Most items on the menu start around $44. I was a big fan of the Manicotti, Chicken Parmigiana, and Calamari. For dessert, give the $38 Titanic a try…you won’t believe this massive sundae!
Margaritaville: This is a great lunch spot for a tourist that wants comfort food, and it’s brand new to Atlantis. It’s been open for two months or so, which means everything is brand new, including the menu. Expect for a few items to be out of stock or changed from the menu, including the loss of sweet potatoe fries. (Boo.) But the fish tacos ($17) are really, really good, and you can’t go wrong with any of their cocktails. (For the adventurous, ask the bartender for a “Dark and Stormy”. It isn’t on the cocktail list, but it’s a fun one to try if you like ginger beer.)
On the other side of the island is Albany, a luxury resort community. If you saw the James Bond film “Casino Royale”, you’ll recall the beach bungalow scenes at the beginning and Bond driving his car up to the circle drive of a lovely hotel. Those scenes were filmed here! We enjoyed some time here on our trip, and it’s easy to see why Tiger Woods made the investment in this magical place.
I can’t say I’ve ever spent much time on $75 million dollar yachts, so this was a real treat. Albany boasts 71 slips in the marina, and the vessel we were on was breathtaking. I was fortunate enough to get a complete tour of the boat as well, which was amazing. The fixtures on the boat? Solid gold. Secret doors? Yes. Hot tub with the most amazing sea view? Dream come true. The cabins are as comfortable as they are beautiful, and the crew couldn’t have been nicer. The boat has 14 rooms, including a sauna and two smaller boats for recreational use. It holds 12 guests and 13 crew, which is hard to believe until you tour the the boat and realize how massive 175 feet really is.
While in Albany, check out Footprints for lunch. Though salad may not be your first choice, I can’t stress how fresh and yummy the salads are! (I ordered the Joe Lewis ($17), which has spinach, roasted beets, quinoa, candied walnuts, hummus, grapefruit segments, and a honey-hibiscus vinagarette. Delish!) The flatbreads, Yellow Fin Tuna wrap, conch cevice, and fries are all worth a try, too.
If you’re looking for the hot dinner spot, Aviva is the way to go. It’s on the first floor of Albany House, where Casino Royale was shot. You can eat indoors, or celebrate a special occasion (or any occasion, for that matter), right on the beach!
I hope these recommendations help no matter where you visit on the island. Bahamas are a great place to get away from the daily grind and retreat to the magic of the islands…all 700 of them! I hope I can visit a few more in the near future. (Eluthera is next on my list…I hear it has pink sand.) More photos from this trip on the blog this week!
Photos: Occasionally Genius
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