Bahamas

Idyllic islands are perfect for couples

In a nutshell...

An idyllic archipelago of 700 islands off the coast of Florida, the Bahamas make the perfect wedding backdrop with their pink clapboard houses, turquoise sea, and palm-fringed beaches. Their stunning beauty is one of the reasons they have been used as location shoots for Bond movies from Thunderball to The World is Not Enough, and vodka martinis are as easy to come by as rum n' coke. Old playground of the Astors and Vanderbilts as well as the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, the Bahamas have the largest casino in the Caribbean at a themed resort called Atlantis, which attempts to re-create Plato's lost world.

Magnetic attractions

Shark diving at Walkers Cay Swimming with sharks is not everybody's idea of fun but this is the latest craze for those seeking a thrill.
Nassau The capital is regaining some of its former glamour, with chi-chi boutiques and cigar shops. Take a ride in a Surrey (with a fringe on top) past the 18^th-century colonial buildings and pretty pastel-coloured buildings.
Atlantis Resort This $800m resort is nothing less than a re-creation of the lost city of Atlantis. It contains the world's largest aquarium, a shark-infested waterpark, a man-made lagoon and beach, 30 restaurants, several swimming pools and the largest casino in the Caribbean. Themed wedding, anyone?

Romantic rendezvous

Pink Sands resort On Harbour Island, with its pretty collection of pastel-coloured clapboard houses and churches, this resort stands on a beach which is often described as the most beautiful in the world. It'll look even better once you've got a cocktail in your hand.
Versailles Gardens Part of the Ocean Club resort, these gardens are a popular choice for wedding ceremonies. Get spliced here and you will be surrounded by statues of Napoleon and Josephine, fountains and elegant 14th-century French cloisters.
Bimini island A favourite spot of Ernest Hemingway, whose drinking haunts are still doing a roaring trade.

Love bites and love potions

As well as an abundant supply of tropical fruit to indulge in, conchshellfish, in the form of conch chowder or conch fritters, is a common feature on the Bahamian menu. Eat plenty -- it's known for its aphrodisiac properties. The Bahama Mama makes a great rum cocktail, and if you've got the taste, head for the Bacardi distillery near Nassau and the inevitable tour's end: unlimited quaffing. For celeb-watching head for The Sun And...., where you'll eat French cuisine with a Bahamian twist, or watch the Harbour Island sunset from The Landing Restaurant.