TOP 21 Things to do to experience the "REAL TURKS AND CAICOS"

	Sip a Bambarra Rum Turks & Caicos’ only blended rum. Try the 8-year old reserve on the rocks. A smooth sipper, with a link to a part of the islands’ history. Available at most bars and restaurants or The Wine Cellar on Leeward Highway.
	Enjoy some cool tunes by the beach at Hemingway’s Provo’s most popular seaside bar and restaurant offers live entertainment three times a week (Tuesday Thursday and Friday), including the engaging Quinton Dean on Tuesday and Thursday and the jazz saxophonist on Friday Contact: Hemingway’s. 649 941 8408.
	Catch a flick at our new movie theatre First run movies are now showing on the big screen at LRaye Cinema on Leeward Highway, near the IGA supermarket. Air conditioned with a fully equipped snack bar, it’s just like being at your local Cineplex. Contact:. LRaye Cinema 649 941 3541 or www.lrayecinema.com
	Have a professional photo shoot on the beach Your vacation will only last a week or so, but the pictures will last forever. Have a professionally photographed family portrait done on the beach. Or do that swimsuit modeling you’ve always dreamed of. Tropical Imaging can even arrange for a day long private charter to remote locations for a once in a lifetime experience. Contact: Tropical Imaging. 649 946 4059 or www.tropicalimaging.com
	Buy some local art or crafts Locally made arts and crafts make a great souvenir to bring home. Try the Middle Caicos Artisan Studio in Blue Hills for a wide variety of TCI handcrafts. For local art, browse the collection at the Bamboo Gallery in the Caicos Café Plaza (near Ports of Call).
	Book a private beach excursion to remote cay Ever dream of a romantic getaway on your own private island? Live the dream, at least for a day, and charter a boat – power or sail – to whisk you to one of TCI’s remote cays for an undisturbed day of relaxation and solitude. Most operators will include everything you need, including a picnic lunch.
	Explore the Middle Caicos Caves Take a guided tour of spectacular cave formation in the picturesque and peaceful island of Middle Caicos. Big Blue can arrange for a full day adventure, compete with transportation, lunch, tours and mountain bike rentals. Contact: Big Blue. www.bigblue.tc or 649 946 5034
	Catch the big game at Danny Buoy’s Regardless of your team, Danny Buoy’s can probably get the big game on one of its big screen TVs. With satellite feeds from North America and Europe, DB’s is the fan favorite for sports enthusiasts from both sides of the pond, regardless of whether you enjoy football or football. The authentic Irish pub serves a mean bangers & mash and Guinness, too. Contact: Danny Buoy’s. www.dannybuoys.com or 649 946 5921
	Have a beach BBQ and bonfire Why not throw an authentic beach party for you and your friends? Local caterers and event planners can take care of all the details, right down to building a blazing bonfire and arranging for a live band. The full moon parties put on by Kissing Fish Catering are legendary! Contact: Caicos Catering www.caicoscatering.com or 649 231 6890 Kissing Fish Catering at www.turksandcaicoscatering.com or 649 941 8916
	Experience a Pirate adventure The buccaneers at Outback Adventures have been touring the hidden caves and looking for pirate’s treasure for 20 years. Join the fun on a 40-foot glass bottom boat that tours the secluded south side of Provo. Full day adventure includes BBQ lunch, snorkeling and unlimited drinks. Great for the whole family. Contact: Outback Adventures. 649 941 5810
	Go celebrity spotting Turks & Caicos is certainly a hot spot for the jet set crowd of Hollywood celebrities, rock stars and professional athletes. “A listers” like Bruce Willis, Keith Richards, Michael Douglas and others routinely visit their homes here, enjoying the anonymity and solitude of our islands. Big name jocks spotted recently include Michael Jordan, Shaquille O’Neal and Roger Federer. Ben Affleck and Kelly Garner got hitched here, and Eva Longoria and Tony Parker honeymooned on our islands. Best places to spot them – Amanyara and Parrot Cay, but good luck getting close!
	Chicken & Rib Night at Tiki Hut An island tradition on Wednesday nights, the Tiki Hut at Turtle Cove Marina serves up tasty chicken and ribs, with all the fixin’s for just $12.95 Beer specials and friendly service round out the family friendly atmosphere. Contact: Tiki Hut. www.tikihuttci.com or 649 941 5341
	Dance on the bar at Nikki Beach Provo’s newest hot spot really gets hot when the sun goes down. An ultra cool beachfront setting with swim-up bar and techno music pumping throughout the night. Free flowing champagne at their famous Sunday brunches are killer, too, and the Sunday afternoon parties are where the beautiful people go. Contact: Nikki Beach. 649 941 3747.
	Buy a day pass for Beaches Resort & Spa Beaches is our largest resort and a great place for family fun. It’s an all-inclusive resort, meaning one price includes room, food, drinks and activities.  Even if you aren’t staying here you can buy a day pass and enjoy the amenities and attractions – including Sesame Street characters on parade, a giant water park, kids activities and shows, and several restaurants and bars – all for a single entry price. Contact: Beaches. 649 946 8000
	Look for the submerged cannons by Fort George Cay The tiny island of Fort George cay, between Pine Cay and Parrot Cay, once had a small British fort in the1800s. Because of the high rate of piracy in the area, it was protected by cannons, the remains of which can be found in shallow water just off the north side of the island.
	Adopt a potcake What’s a potcake, you ask? They are the friendly dogs who call TCI home. But many of those lovable island dogs are homeless orphans and need safe homes. Complete adoption services are available through the Potcake Foundation. Or volunteer to be a courier to bring one back for someone else. Take one back to the mainland! Contact: Potcake Place. www.potcakeplace.com or 649 231 1010 or the Potcake Foundation  www.potcakefoundation.com or 649 941 3765
	Have a drink at the Infiniti Bar Grace Bay Club has an amazing setting to begin with, but add in the new Infiniti bar that seems to stretch forever, and you’ll never want to leave. Enjoy the fire pits and friendly bartenders, too Contact: Grace Bay Club. www.gracebayclub.com or 649 946 5050.
	Read about the shipwreck Trouvadore The slave trader Trouvadore hit the reef by East Caicos in 1841 and all of its survivors – slaves being delivered to Cuba – made their way to the island of Middle Caicos where they settled in the village they called Bambarra. They were granted freedom as soon as the touched land since slavery had been abolished years earlier in the UK colony. Many present day Turks Islanders trace their roots back to the survivors of this shipwreck. For more information, go to www.slaveshiptrouvadore.com
	Explore Blue Hills The oldest settlement in Providenciales is quaint seaside area that meanders for a few miles on the northwest side of the islands. Visit local restaurants like Da Conch Shack, Horse Eyed Jacks and Sailing in Paradise. Watch the local sloops skip across the waves and end up at Three Queen’s, Provo’s oldest bar. Ask for Dick. Contact: Three Queen’s: 649 243 5343
	Catch dinner and a show at Club Med Club Med is famous for its exotic shows and performers, thrilling its guests with circus-like acts. And it’s always a great party there. Even if you aren’t staying there, buy a night pass and enjoy their scrumptious European-inspired dinner buffet, and stick around for the show. Contact: Club Med. 649 946 5500