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Grand Bahama Hotels European Plan
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Introduction to Grand Bahama
The second-most-popular tourist
destination in The Bahamas (Nassau/Cable Beach/Paradise Island is
first), Grand Bahama lies just 81km (50 miles) and less than 30
minutes by air off the Florida coast. That puts it just 122km (76
miles) east of Palm Beach, Florida. The island is the northernmost
and fourth-largest landmass in The Bahamas (118km/73 miles long and
6.5-13km/4-8 miles wide).
Freeport/Lucaya was once just a dream. Wallace
Groves, a Virginia-born financier, saw the prospect of developing the island
into a miniature Miami Beach, and in the 1950s, almost overnight, the low-lying
pine forest turned into one of the world's major resorts. Today, with the
casino, the International Bazaar, high-rise hotels, golf courses, marinas, and a
bevy of continental restaurants, Groves's dream is fully realized.
The Lucaya district was developed 8 years after
Freeport, as a resort center along the coast. It has evolved into a blend of
residential and tourist facilities. As the two communities grew, their
identities became almost indistinguishable. But elements of their original
purposes still exist today. Freeport is the downtown area and attracts visitors
with its commerce, industry, and own resorts, whereas Lucaya is called the
"Garden City" and pleases residents and vacationers alike with its fine sandy
beaches.
Grand Bahama is more than an Atlantic City clone,
however. If you don't care for gambling at one of the island's two casinos, or
if you're not interested in Vegas-style cabaret revues, try one of the
alternatives. Because the island is so big, most of it remains relatively
unspoiled. You can get close to nature at plenty of quiet places, including the
Rand Nature Centre and the Garden of the Groves. Lucayan National Park -- with
its underwater caves, forest trails, and secluded beach -- is another major
attraction. Just kilometers from Freeport/Lucaya are serene places where you can
wander in a world of casuarina, palmetto, and pine trees. During the day, you
can enjoy long stretches of open beach, broken by inlets and little fishing
villages.
The reviews of Grand Bahama Island are definitely
mixed. Some discerning travelers who could live anywhere have built homes here;
others vow never to set foot on the island again, finding it "tacky" or
"uninspired." Judge for yourself.
Additional Information about travel to Grand Bahama
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