Bahama Bonanza

• 2.5 Hours
• Max People : 40

Bahama Bonanza: Your senses will be tantalized as you experience the rich Bahamian culture. Smell and taste the delicious and refreshing natural herbal remedies that the natives have enjoyed for hundreds of years at Tasty Teas, ranked #1 in the Bahamas for teas. Enjoy free samples of the Bahamas’ very own version of authentic pina colada, made freshly just for you at the John Watling’s Rum Distillery, and take a 10-minute guided tour of the historical facility, once owned by one of the island’s Royal Governors and used as a scene in the James Bond movie, Casino Royale.

At the next stop, you will enjoy a thrilling panoramic view of the island from its highest point, where Fort Fincastle was erected to protect the city and harbor. You can peruse this area and shop at a local straw market. The sights and sounds at the ‘Statue of Liberty of the Bahamas’, The Queen’s Staircase, will intrigue you as you learn more about the hard-working slaves who, when freed, chose to carve out the stairs in gratitude to the queen for their liberation.

Next, you are in for a sweet treat…literally! Get ready to taste the best rum cake you have ever had! The sweet aroma of the Original Rum Cake Factory will greet you, and the taste will be something to write home about.

Finally, experience one of the modern eight wonders of the world with the largest hotel property in the Caribbean, Atlantis, at the end of your tour. It will be sad to say goodbye at the end of the tour, as this tour promises to be one that you will not forget, but hopefully, you will be back again soon!

Tour highlights:

Queen’s Staircase – As you slowly climb the steps of the Queen’s Staircase, also known as the 66 steps, they delve further into its past, which tells the story of the heroic people who built it long ago.

Between 1793 and 1794, around 600 slaves, armed with pick axes and hand tools, carved their way through solid limestone near Bennet’s Hill, creating a staircase that provided a direct route between Fort Fincastle and Nassau.

Decades after its construction, locals named the staircase in honor of Queen Victoria, who reigned for almost 64 years.

Fort Fincastle – Constructed in 1793, Fort Fincastle, which has the shape of a paddle-steamer, is accessible via the Queen’s Staircase and sits atop Bennet’s Hill, providing sweeping views of downtown Nassau and Paradise Island.

While Lord Dunmore, a former colonial administrator of The Bahamas, built Fort Fincastle to protect Nassau from pirates, due to its location, it once served as a lighthouse until 1817, when the lighthouse on Paradise Island became operational and replaced it.

John Watling’s Distillery – Named after a religious pirate who roamed the glistening seas of The Bahamas, John Watling’s Distillery is an iconic cultural attraction that lies on the verdant grounds of the Buena Vista Estate, a historic and exquisitely refurbished mansion that commands a stunning view of downtown Nassau!!

At John Watling’s Distillery, visitors can tour the storehouse, where a savory aroma fills the air as the distillery’s rums are being bottled, and view the estate’s beautiful antiques, which date back to over 300 years!

Bahamas Rum Cake Factory – In 2000, following the immense success of his original rum cake recipe, UK-born George Bates opened the Bahamas Rum Cake Factory in the heart of bustling downtown Nassau, where it remains today.

Starting as a small store, the Bahamas Rum Cake Factory has grown into one of Nassau’s most visited attractions, and in 2014, the government declared the brand the Official Rum Cake of The Bahamas.
Made with secret ingredients, the rum cakes marinate in Ole Nassau Rum and are available in many mouth-watering flavors, including chocolate, banana, and pound cake.

Tasty Teas- Seeking to satisfy their taste buds with an explosion of irresistible flavors, many visitors in Nassau make their way to Tasty Teas, an iconic company that has been attracting attention since its founding in 2013.

Owned by Hilda and Jay Forbes, a mother-son duo, Tasty Teas specializes in organic tea products, such as iced teas, tea bags, and tea leaves, though you can also find a variety of tropical juices. At Tasty Teas, you can sample its world-famous products and tour Delancy Garden, home to native plants that Bahamians use to treat ailments.