<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><?xml-stylesheet type="text/xsl" href="destination.xslt"?><destination_content id="FPO" author="Apple Vacations" title="Destination Content" version="1.0" generated="21-Sep-2005 10:45.41 EDT"><general_info title="General Destination Information"><gg_content_a datatype="image" title="Weather Icon">http://www.applevacations.com/appleweb/images/icon_sun.gif</gg_content_a><gg_content_b datatype="text" title="Weather Text">Trade winds give the Bahamas a warm, pleasant climate throughout the year. Typically, Freeport experiences subtropical temperatures, with light rainfall and low humidity. Temperatures range from an average of around 70°F during the winter season, to around 86°F in the summer.</gg_content_b><gg_content_c datatype="image" title="Destination Photo">http://www.applevacations.com/appleweb/images/destination/main_dest_fpo_1.jpg</gg_content_c><gg_content_d datatype="text" title="Destination Name">Grand Bahama</gg_content_d><gg_content_e datatype="text" title="Destination Description">&lt;FONT FACE=&quot;ARIAL&quot; SIZE=&quot;2&quot; COLOR=&quot;#000000&quot; CLASS=&quot;H3STYLE&quot;&gt;&lt;B&gt;On Our Island, the Welcome Mat Stretches for Miles...&lt;/B&gt;&lt;/FONT&gt;&lt;BR&gt;&lt;BR&gt;On Grand Bahama Island, you will be greeted by miles of pristine white beaches. But that is just one of the attributes of our special island. Naturally, we have everthing else you would expect from a tropical destination: a marvelous year-round climate, a host of water-oriented sports and activities, and a relaxed, laid-back atmosphere. But what really sets us apart from every other island is our welcoming attitude. As soon as you arrive, you will know that Grand Bahamians are sincerely happy to see you. It shows, in every greeting and every smile. &quot;So much so close&quot;, 52 minutes east of Miami, and a 2 1/2 hour flight from New York.</gg_content_e><gg_content_f datatype="image" title="Destination Map">http://www.applevacations.com/appleweb/images/destination/map_dest_fpo.jpg</gg_content_f></general_info><destination_hotels title="Hotels In Destination"><hg_content_a title="Grand Bahama"><hotel_list_item title="200167"><hotel_name datatype="text" title="Hotel Name">Westin/Sheraton at Our Lucaya</hotel_name><marketing_info datatype="text" title="Marketing Info">Value Plus</marketing_info><description datatype="text" title="Hotel Description">Just steps away from a 7 1/2 acre white-sand beach lies the 475 room Sheratonat Our Lucaya, a perfect retreat for families and...</description><rating datatype="hotelrating" title="Hotel Rating"><hotel_rating_type>A</hotel_rating_type><hotel_rating_number>5</hotel_rating_number><hotel_rating_icon datatype="image" title="Hotel Rating Icon">http://www.applevacations.com/appleweb/images/icon_apple_A.gif</hotel_rating_icon><hotel_rating_icon datatype="image" title="Hotel Rating Icon">http://www.applevacations.com/appleweb/images/icon_apple_A.gif</hotel_rating_icon><hotel_rating_icon datatype="image" title="Hotel Rating Icon">http://www.applevacations.com/appleweb/images/icon_apple_A.gif</hotel_rating_icon><hotel_rating_icon datatype="image" title="Hotel Rating Icon">http://www.applevacations.com/appleweb/images/icon_apple_A.gif</hotel_rating_icon><hotel_rating_icon datatype="image" title="Hotel Rating Icon">http://www.applevacations.com/appleweb/images/icon_apple_A.gif</hotel_rating_icon></rating><photo datatype="image" title="Hotel Photo">http://www.applevacations.com/appleweb/images/hotels/fpo_200167paa_t.jpg</photo></hotel_list_item><hotel_list_item title="210910"><hotel_name datatype="text" title="Hotel Name">Crowne Plaza Golf Resort and Casino</hotel_name><marketing_info datatype="text" title="Marketing Info">Value Plus</marketing_info><description datatype="text" title="Hotel Description">Located in the heart of Grand Bahama island, the Bahamia is comprised of the Tower and Country Club sections. The Bahamia Tower...</description><rating datatype="hotelrating" title="Hotel Rating"><hotel_rating_type>A</hotel_rating_type><hotel_rating_number>4</hotel_rating_number><hotel_rating_icon datatype="image" title="Hotel Rating Icon">http://www.applevacations.com/appleweb/images/icon_apple_A.gif</hotel_rating_icon><hotel_rating_icon datatype="image" title="Hotel Rating Icon">http://www.applevacations.com/appleweb/images/icon_apple_A.gif</hotel_rating_icon><hotel_rating_icon datatype="image" title="Hotel Rating Icon">http://www.applevacations.com/appleweb/images/icon_apple_A.gif</hotel_rating_icon><hotel_rating_icon datatype="image" title="Hotel Rating Icon">http://www.applevacations.com/appleweb/images/icon_apple_A.gif</hotel_rating_icon></rating><photo datatype="image" title="Hotel Photo">http://www.applevacations.com/appleweb/images/hotels/fpo_210910paa_t.jpg</photo></hotel_list_item><hotel_list_item title="210514"><hotel_name datatype="text" title="Hotel Name">Pelican Bay at Lucaya</hotel_name><marketing_info datatype="text" title="Marketing Info">Value Plus</marketing_info><description datatype="text" title="Hotel Description">The Pelican Bay at Lucaya was created to stand apart. Danish architects worked to incorporate European design with Caribbean...</description><rating datatype="hotelrating" title="Hotel Rating"><hotel_rating_type>A</hotel_rating_type><hotel_rating_number>4</hotel_rating_number><hotel_rating_icon datatype="image" title="Hotel Rating Icon">http://www.applevacations.com/appleweb/images/icon_apple_A.gif</hotel_rating_icon><hotel_rating_icon datatype="image" title="Hotel Rating Icon">http://www.applevacations.com/appleweb/images/icon_apple_A.gif</hotel_rating_icon><hotel_rating_icon datatype="image" title="Hotel Rating Icon">http://www.applevacations.com/appleweb/images/icon_apple_A.gif</hotel_rating_icon><hotel_rating_icon datatype="image" title="Hotel Rating Icon">http://www.applevacations.com/appleweb/images/icon_apple_A.gif</hotel_rating_icon></rating><photo datatype="image" title="Hotel Photo">http://www.applevacations.com/appleweb/images/hotels/fpo_210514paa_t.jpg</photo></hotel_list_item><hotel_list_item title="200168"><hotel_name datatype="text" title="Hotel Name">Port Lucaya Resort &amp; Yacht Club</hotel_name><marketing_info datatype="text" title="Marketing Info">Value Plus</marketing_info><description datatype="text" title="Hotel Description">Grand Bahama Island&apos;s most relaxing resort is situated on 2 1/2 acres on its own peninsula, surrounded by water on three sides...</description><rating datatype="hotelrating" title="Hotel Rating"><hotel_rating_type>A</hotel_rating_type><hotel_rating_number>3</hotel_rating_number><hotel_rating_icon datatype="image" title="Hotel Rating Icon">http://www.applevacations.com/appleweb/images/icon_apple_A.gif</hotel_rating_icon><hotel_rating_icon datatype="image" title="Hotel Rating Icon">http://www.applevacations.com/appleweb/images/icon_apple_A.gif</hotel_rating_icon><hotel_rating_icon datatype="image" title="Hotel Rating Icon">http://www.applevacations.com/appleweb/images/icon_apple_A.gif</hotel_rating_icon></rating><photo datatype="image" title="Hotel Photo">http://www.applevacations.com/appleweb/images/hotels/fpo_200168paa_t.jpg</photo></hotel_list_item><hotel_list_item title="200166"><hotel_name datatype="text" title="Hotel Name">Viva Wyndham Fortuna Beach</hotel_name><marketing_info datatype="text" title="Marketing Info">All-Inclusive</marketing_info><marketing_info datatype="text" title="Marketing Info">Value Plus</marketing_info><description datatype="text" title="Hotel Description">A 1200-foot white sand beach invites all types of land and water sports, and there&apos;s free professional group instruction offered...</description><rating datatype="hotelrating" title="Hotel Rating"><hotel_rating_type>A</hotel_rating_type><hotel_rating_number>2</hotel_rating_number><hotel_rating_icon datatype="image" title="Hotel Rating Icon">http://www.applevacations.com/appleweb/images/icon_apple_A.gif</hotel_rating_icon><hotel_rating_icon datatype="image" title="Hotel Rating Icon">http://www.applevacations.com/appleweb/images/icon_apple_A.gif</hotel_rating_icon></rating><photo datatype="image" title="Hotel Photo">http://www.applevacations.com/appleweb/images/hotels/fpo_200166paa_t.jpg</photo></hotel_list_item></hg_content_a></destination_hotels><destination_about title="About Destination"><ag_content_a title="Things To Do &amp; See"/><ag_content_b title="Travel Information"><airport datatype="text" title="Airport Info">Travel to and from Grand Bahama uses the &lt;b&gt;Freeport International Airport.&lt;/b&gt;.</airport><taxes datatype="text" title="Departure Taxes">Departure taxes are generally &lt;b&gt;$18 per person, USD&lt;/b&gt;</taxes><rental_cars datatype="text" title="Rental Cars">Getting to see most of Grand Bahama without a car is difficult, just remember that Bahamians drive on the left hand side of the road. Cars can be rented at the airport or in Freeport on a daily (approximately US $70 for a compact car, plus insurance of about US $12 a day) or weekly (US $420) basis, as can jeeps (US $90/day), mopeds (US $20/day) and bicycles. Rental Agencies include: Five Wheels Car Hire, 242-352-7001; Hertz, 242-352-3297; Dollar Rent A Car, 242-352-9308. Check the telephone yellow pages for many more.</rental_cars><currency datatype="text" title="Local Currency">The currency in Grand Bahama is the &lt;b&gt;Bahamian and U.S. dollar accepted.&lt;/b&gt;.</currency><proof_of_citizenship datatype="text" title="Required Proof Of Citizenship">Valid U.S. passport, or state issued birth certificate with raised seal and photo ID.</proof_of_citizenship><minors datatype="text" title="Traveling With Minors">Minors traveling with only one parent or adults other than their parents must have a notarized letter from the absent parent(s) authorizing them to be taken out of the country.  If the parent is deceased, a copy of the death certificate will be required for check in at the airport.</minors><tips datatype="text" title="Tips">Tip according to quality of service, but bellboys and porters usually receive $1 per bag, waiters &amp; taxis 15%.</tips></ag_content_b><ag_content_c title="Special Notes" datatype="text"/><ag_content_d title="Wedding Requirements" datatype="text">Couples can be married after being a resident in the Bahamas for 24 hours. No blood test is required, and the marriage license cost is approximately $40 US. For more information, call toll free 1-888-NUPTIAL.</ag_content_d></destination_about></destination_content>