The Bahamas, the islands where Christopher Columbus first set foot in the New World, offers travelers a treasure chest of brilliant turquoise water, sandy beaches, excellent fishing, secluded coves along with modern hotels.

If you are looking for the standard resort amenities, head to Nassau, full of pink colonial buildings, bustling street markets, five-star resorts and neon-lit casinos or Freeport/Lucaya where you can play with dolphins, shop duty-free in huge shopping malls and, of course, gamble. If you are instead interested in deserted beaches and a slower pace, visit some of the many Out Islands, mosly little populated or uninhabited.