Miami to Miami

Miami is one of the world’s most popular holiday spots. It has so much to offer; from its countless beach areas, to culture and museums, from spa and shopping days out, to endless cuban restaurants and cafes. Miami is a multicultural city that has something to offer to everyone.

Stretching over some 200 miles southeast of Nassau, the Exuma archipelago consists of 365 cays and islands. Next to Great Exuma and Little Exuma Moriah Harbour Cay National Park protects a wide array of habitats, including mangrove creeks, beautiful beaches, sand dunes, and sea grass beds. Birds found in the area include Ospreys, Gull-billed and Least Terns, plovers, oystercatchers, and the nocturnal nighthawks. But perhaps Exuma’s most famous non-human residents are Big Major Cay’s swimming pigs at Pig Beach.

Stretching over some 200 miles southeast of Nassau the Exuma archipelago consists of 365 cays and islands. Next to Great Exuma and Little Exuma Moriah Harbour Cay National Park protects a wide array of habitats including mangrove creeks beautiful beaches sand dunes and sea grass beds. Birds found in the area include Ospreys Gull-billed and Least Terns plovers oystercatchers and the nocturnal nighthawks. But perhaps Exuma’s most famous non-human residents are Big Major Cay’s swimming pigs at Pig Beach.

Just 7 miles (11 km) long and a little more than 1 mile (1½ km) wide, this island, the capital and seat of the Turks and Caicos government, has been a longtime favorite destination for divers eager to explore the 7,000-foot-deep pristine coral walls that drop down only 300 yards out to sea. On shore, the tiny, quiet island is home to white-sand beaches, the National Museum, and a small population of wild horses and donkeys, which leisurely meander past the white-walled courtyards, pretty churches, and bougainvillea-covered colonial inns on their daily commute into town. But things aren't entirely sleepy: a cruise-ship complex at the southern end of the island brings about 600,000 visitors per year. That said, the dock is self-contained and is about 3 miles (5 km) from the tranquil, small hotels of Cockburn Town, Pillory Beach, and the Ridge and far from most of the western-shore dive sites. Pristine beaches with vistas of turquoise waters, small local settlements, historic ruins, and native flora and fauna are among the sights on Grand Turk. Fewer than 4,000 people live on this 7½-square-mile (19-square-km) island, and it's hard to get lost, as there aren't many roads.

Beach masterpieces of silky white sand and sparkling water shifting from turquoise to royal blue welcome you to idyllic Grand Turk. Underwater ramparts of coral teem with vibrant marine life while tranquil beaches reward with a haven of relaxation. Part of the Turks and Caicos islands group an enchanting string of islands that share jaw-dropping natural beauty Grand Turk is a truly divine Caribbean escape. Your first port of call is always likely to be the blissful sand beaches that roll down to that trademark intense sea. Governor's Beach is a vision of pink sand lapped by teal waters and a perfect rendering of your most lavish imagination. Pillory Beach is another favoured option nestled a little further to the north. Graceful stingrays slide through the waters at Gibbs Cay and you can wander among huge queen conch shells strewn over its sands. Later sunset will burn and boom above as you taste fresh barbecued snapper mahi-mahi and lobster platters. The stunning coral reefs that attract keen divers from across the globe have been far less welcoming to ships historically and the wrecks that rest on the seabed attest to their hull-shredding credentials. Flashing out warnings and standing tall since 1852 Grand Turk Lighthouse is a true icon of this island. Wild donkeys and horses may join you as you roam below the rusting cast-iron tower which gazes out protectively over the North Reef.

San Felipe de Puerto Plata is the capital of the Puerto Plata province on the Dominican Republic’s Atlantic north coast. The city is best known for its beaches. Playa Dorada’s lengthy beachfront is backed by resorts and an 18-hole golf course. The city’s old colonial-era center is dominated by the 16th-century Fortaleza San Felipe, a Spanish fortress that now houses historical and military artifacts.

The lovely little dual islands of Bimini consists of two main islands—North Bimini Island and South Bimini Island— as well as countless cays. Located just 50 miles off Florida’s coast, Bimini is the closest Bahamian island to the United States, and as such is the most “American” if all the Bahamian Islands. Yet, the miles and miles of pristine beaches are witness to the fact that yes, this is the Bahamas and yes, this is paradise indeed.

The lovely little dual islands of Bimini consists of two main islands—North Bimini Island and South Bimini Island— as well as countless cays. Located just 50 miles off Florida’s coast Bimini is the closest Bahamian island to the United States and as such is the most “American” if all the Bahamian Islands. Yet the miles and miles of pristine beaches are witness to the fact that yes this is the Bahamas and yes this is paradise indeed. Perhaps Bimini’s most famous resident was none other than Ernest Hemmingway who considered it his favourite escape. Yet the islands’ history dives deep. Due to their proximity to the US mainland the islands served as a speakeasy and offered the chance to buy alcohol during prohibition. As expected Rumrunners were rife in those days and would keep their “stores” on the Bimini’s beaches. The islands chequered history does not stop there though. Bimini also boasts an influence in Martin Luther King Jr.’s Nobel Peace Prize acceptance speech that was composed during a sailboat outing with a local boat builder. A bronze bust of Dr. King is displayed at the Bimini Craft Centre in Alice Town.

Miami is one of the world’s most popular holiday spots. It has so much to offer; from its countless beach areas, to culture and museums, from spa and shopping days out, to endless cuban restaurants and cafes. Miami is a multicultural city that has something to offer to everyone.