Nassau/Bahamas Virgin
 

A client of mine just offered me a trip to Marriott's Crystal Palace leaving tomorrow, and I have no idea where to start.<BR>I just bought Fodor's 2002, but I know the best parts of any destination aren't in a travel guide.<BR><BR>I'll be there 3 full days with my girlfriend, and we in our late 20's.<BR><BR>I'm looking for any suggestions for good food, good nightlife, and good destinations in and around Nassau. We don't dive, but snorkeling may be interesting.<BR><BR>Also, from what I've seen, it seems the dress code is casual attire, so do I assume slacks and a golf shirt get me in anywhere?<BR><BR>I've never visited any islands (except Key West), so I'm open to any and all ideas.<BR><BR>TIA,<BR>Jeff

Nassau is very casual.<BR>If you type in "nassau" in the search box you'll find lots and lots of suggestions for restaurants, etc.<BR>Many people here don't like Nassau because it's not exactly 'the best of the Caribbean', but keep in mind that free is hard to beat.<BR>If you've never been to the Caribbean (even though the Bahamas are technically in the Atlantic Ocean), Nassau is just fine as a starting point.<BR>Hope you have a great time.

Stay away from these assholes selling timeshares or you will lose your virginity quickly.

Jeff:<BR><BR>I am sure you will have a great time. THe Crystal Palace is where I stay when in Nassau and it is right on the Cable Beach. The hotel has several restaurants and is next door to one of the best restaurants in the area Johnny Canoe's.<BR><BR>The hotel has a Manager's reception with free munchies one evening a week and they do a Junkanoo, not to be missed.<BR><BR>Right in front of the hotel you can catch a "bus" actually it's a minivan, to downtown Nassau to site see some of the older buildings and straw market. At the back of the straw market are water taxis and you might want to go over to Paradise Island and see the Atlantis.<BR><BR>The Marriott also has a casino which you may enjoy.<BR><BR>Most of the restaurants are casual, but if you are going out for a nice dinner you may want to dress up a bit, but a tie is probably not needed anywhere.<BR><BR>The water now should be just about bathwater, so go and have a great time.<BR><BR>tweedy

Yes, Cafe Johnny Canoe next door at Nassau Beach Hotel is very good and very reasonable. The Junkanoo parade is Friday night. Another good bet is the Poop Deck - the original location is a little east of the Paradise Island Bridge, there's a new one in Sandyport, west of your hotel. For something a little more expensive hop on the #10 bus west (back towards the airport) and have dinner at the Compass Point Restaurant, who has very good food and a great view. If you want the ultimate "break the bank" experience, try Graycliff, a 5-star restaurant in a 200+ year old mansion up the hill from the British Colonial Hilton. If your credit card isn't maxed out before you get there it will be when you get the check. But hey, who cares, you're on vacation.

Just to clarify, you can catch the last #10 jitney to Compass Point but you'll either have to take a taxi back to the hotel or wait for a bus line called "Western" which runs once an hour. It usually passes Compass Point heading east between 9:45pm and 10:15pm.

Take a trip over to Paradise Island to check out Atlantis - awesome resort with man-made but natural looking 'waterpark', acquarium and very upscale casino. Definitely do some snorkeling - you can master it in 5 minutes (most places offer a 'snorkeling orientation') and it's amazing. Be careful in Nassau at night-don't let your girlfriend walk around alone and steer clear of any locals - lots of begging, cons, etc.

thanks for all the great tips.<BR><BR>i'm off--