The Cloisters on Paradise Island, Bahamas
Island Travel is amazing… white powder-sand beaches, clear turquoise water, peach-colored sunsets, blue skies with wispy white clouds, and, of course, yummy drinks. Paradise Island has all of these things… and more.
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Having a father who used to teach history, I have become accustom to travel that involves some sort of history lesson. This schooling, however, has the benefit of taking place in paradise.
The French Cloisters is located in the One and Only Ocean Club’s Versailles Gardens. It overlooks Nassau Harbour. The Cloisters is what remains from a 14th century French Monastery and is made of stone.
William Randolf Hearst, a US newspaper businessman, originally purchased the Cloisters. It was later bought from his estate by Huntington Hartford and shipped to the Bahamas. The stones were not labeled properly; as such, it took artist/sculptor, Jean Castre-Manne, two years to make it look similar to the original.
All history lessons aside, The Cloisters is also a perfect wedding site.. you can certainly see why. My husband and I are are already plotting our points to convince at least one of our children to get married there.
The Cloisters is an easy supplement to your hopefully nonexistent schedule in order to add some history to your beach vacation on Paradise Island. It is definitely worth the short walk to check it out.
What about you? Do you try to add a little history or learning even when you are on a sun-and-sand trip?
Have I convinced you to visit The Cloisters? Here is a pin to save this info for your next trip.
Resources:
http://www.bahamas.com/vendor/cloisters
http://www.frommers.com/destinations/paradise-island/attractions/the-cloister
20 Comments
Danik
oh wow, this island looks totally awesome, otherwise beautiful. I never even heard of this place but now want to visit it. You convinced me to go now!
Mackinaw Road
Haha- yay!!! It is a gorgeous island.
Megan Rose
That is a beautiful spot! Definitely can´t notice they didn´t use instructions to build it 😛
Mackinaw Road
So true- such talent!
Sonam
This definitely looks like paradise. Absolutely love this post Xx
Mackinaw Road
Thank you so much! 🙂
Rahul
The place looks really beautiful and pretty. A perfect place for a wedding ceremony. 🙂
Mackinaw Road
It really is!
Amanda
Looks like paradise with a side of stunning!
Mackinaw Road
It certainly is!
Indrani
Indeed looks like a good wedding destination. Hopefully one of your kids get married there and you get to revisit. 🙂
Mackinaw Road
Haha- yes- that is the dream! 🙂
Micki
I love the Caribbean. I haven’t been to the Bahamas yet, but I will definitely have to visit to see these!
Mackinaw Road
The Caribbean is one of my loves too, although I always find myself comparing other islands to the Bahamas 🙂
Archana
You painted such a beautiful and different picture of Bahamas. In my mind, Bahamas was all about babes and beaches. This history angle is really very interesting.
Mackinaw Road
Thank you! Having a history teacher in the family, we find history in even the most unlikely of places 😉
woody world packer
This is a total different perspective of the Bahama’s. In most articles you see beaches and cruise ships, but this article is different and inspiring! very interesting!
Mackinaw Road
Thank you for your kind words! It’s one of my favorite sites on the island.
Wanderlust Vegans
Hands on or visiting a site in real life is definitely the best way to learn. We do end up going to historical sites when we travel but we don’t go out of our way to do this every time. It does feel good to take away some knowledge from a holiday.
Mackinaw Road
I agree- even with sand-and-surf trips, it’s nice to bring back some new tidbit of info 🙂