The Bahamas, situated about 150 miles east of Miami, is famous for its tropical beauty: its 700 islands abound with white sand beaches, bright flowers, palm trees, and turquoise waters. With weather that remains at near-perfect temperatures year-round and a thriving resort community, the Bahamas makes for an ideal island getaway. Since the mid-1800s, it has been a playground for pleasure seekers from all over the world.

Nassau, the nation's capital, is located on Providence Island (one of the larger islands in the Bahamas) and contains the country's main airport. Many people, unaware that the city has much to offer in the way of entertainment, scenery, and culture, pass right through it on their way to outlying islands. But if you're looking for a vacation that's both laid-back and cosmopolitan, it's well worth spending some time in Nassau. Staying in the city doesn't mean you have to forego the beaches, either--one of the most popular beaches in all of the Bahamas, Cable Beach, is located just outside of town.

Many types of vacation packages are available for Nassau, from luxury spa trips to deals involving discounts on flights, accommodations, car rentals, and activities. Aside from saving money, opting for a package takes the stress out of coordinating different aspects of your trip, letting you take care of all major logistical elements with a few clicks of your mouse. Of course, purchasing a package sometimes means staying in a larger, more inclusive resort rather than a boutique hotel or intimate guest house--so before you commit to a package, it's a good idea to know what kind of vacation experience you're looking for.

A Colorful Past, A Lively Present
First established as a British port in the 1600s, Nassau quickly became a favorite haunting ground for pirates, who found it was a perfect place to intercept cargo-laden merchant ships traveling from Europe to the New World. Many infamous pirates made the area their home, most notably Blackbeard, who struck fear into the hearts of ship captains by lighting his long beard on fire before making his attack.

The town was destroyed several times during the 1700s by angry European monarchs who were sick of losing valuable cargo to the pirates, but it was rebuilt each time, and each time it attracted a new crop of rowdy residents. The days of pirating might be gone, but the history remains: the Pirates of Nassau attraction, in downtown Nassau, is chock full of information on all sorts of intriguing criminals.

Today, Nassau, like the rest of the Bahamas, is an entirely peaceful place, having gained independence from Britain without conflict in 1973. Still, the influence of the country's British past is visible everywhere--natives of the Bahamas speak with a British accent, vehicles drive on the left side of the road, and much of the architecture has a colonial flair.

For those who can't decide between a city vacation and a beach vacation, Nassau is a great choice. You can spend the morning strolling along world-class beaches and the afternoons immersed in a city where the stateliness of Old Europe meets the vibrant, festive culture of the local people. You can shop, jet-ski, golf, scuba dive, and visit a museum--all in the same day.

Getting There
As tropical destinations go, the Bahamas is one of the easiest to get to from the United States. Since Nassau is just a half-hour flight from Miami, you won't waste valuable vacation time cramped inside of an airplane. If you decide a vacation package is right for you, start your research as early as possible. Rates fluctuate constantly, and tend to be highest in the winter and early spring. If you do your homework, however, you're likely to discover a good deal at almost any time of year.