The Retreat, located in residential Nassau and once a private home, serves as the headquarters of the Bahamas National Trust, which develops and manages the national park system. The 11-acre garden includes one of the largest collections of rare and exotic palms in the world, with native orchids, ferns and other trees sharing the spotlight. Although it is popular with tourists, gardeners and researchers, it is enough off the beaten path that you can still enjoy the serenity and calm beauty of the shaded oasis. But it becomes very busy during the two annual fundraisers for the Trust: the Art & Wine Festival in October and late November's Christmas Jollification.