Swimming next to hammerhead sharks through an acrylic tube is probably my favorite waterslide in the world. The hammerheads seen here are all alone in the pool with one of the Atlantis hotels in the background.

Atlantis - the ocean themed resort in the Bahamas -is a popular destination for Northeast Ohioans. It's on Paradise Island and reached by a bridge from Nassau, a 2-1/2 hour flight from here.

The slide, called Serpent Slide, is just one of more than a dozen in the 141 acre waterscape around which the resort is built. Atlantis has several restaurants, the Caribbean's largest casino, and celebrity chefs presiding at a fine collection of gourmet restaurants. It's a great place for families or groups of friends who can afford it, because there are tons of activities and places where doing nothing has been elevated to high art.
Affording all this can be tricky.
But starting now and available for only two weeks is an opportunity to save more than 65 percent. Book before Jul 24 and get a room rate starting at $99 a night. You can travel between Aug 21 and Oct. 31 when summer will be just a memory here. Visit www.Atlantis.com for a look at all the options.For reservations call your travel agent or 800 -ATLANTIS.