“Bermuda, Bahama, Come on Pretty Mama”
Bermuda is one of those places we grew up hearing about: beautiful pink beaches, preppy style, luxury lifestyle, etc, so of course it was on my bucket list growing up. Luckily for me, one of my boarding school friends was from Bermuda, so my friends and I were lucky enough to visit a couple summers in a row to experience life in Bermuda by the locals. Though Bermuda is exotic and heavenly, it’s surprisingly easy to get to! I flew direct from Charlotte with my friends and a few hours later, we were greeted at the airport by men in blazers, Bermuda shorts, and tall socks… swoon!
Bermuda is extremely small, so you can easily explore the top spots on the island in one trip… but I know you’ll want to go back after experiencing all the island has to offer! The pink sand beaches and hilly terrain make Bermuda a beautiful oasis to escape to on vacation. Since it’s a British colony, everyone speaks English, so it’s super easy to navigate as a tourist – Just don’t forget to drive on the opposite side of the road during your travels! [Hint: renting a scooter is a fun and easy way to explore!]
HOW TO GET THERE:
Getting to Bermuda is super easy! Direct flights are available from a number of big cities – example: 2 hours from NYC, 3 hours from Atlanta, and 3 hours from Miami!
WHERE TO STAY:
WHAT TO DO:
Check out the panoramic views of Bermuda from Gibbs Hill Lighthouse – the oldest cast iron lighthouse in the world. Warning: there’s a 185-step climb to the top, but it’s worth it!
Visit the East End Town of St. George- St. Peter’s Church – Located in St. George’s, this is the oldest Anglican Church outside the British Isles & the oldest Protestant Church in continuous use in the New World.
Tour one of Bermuda’s Crystal Caves
Explore Bermuda’s capital: HAMILTON – You will find lots of shopping, museums, gardens, and more! [For a little history, check out Sessions House and the Cathedral of the Most Holy Trinity]
Dive deep and explore Bermuda through a day of scuba diving
WHERE TO SHOP:
Bermuda is definitely not a cheap place to shop due to the big import taxes, but that shouldn’t stop you from treating yourself to a few goodies! Though each area of Bermuda has lots of shopping, each of the four hotels mentioned above has their own set of luxury retailers we recommend checking out!
Hamilton: Since this is the center of Bermuda, it has lots of shops to wander in and out of to find anything from high-end boutiques to local t-shirt shops.
St. George: Pick up a new scent at the Bermuda Perfumery (BONUS: you can also get a tour!)
Royal Naval Dockyard: Here you will find lots of shops at the Clock Tower Mall + a pottery shop, glass blowing studio, and a local craft market!
WHERE TO EAT:
The Swizzle Inn – Be sure to order a Rum Swizzle!
THE BEACHES:
Horseshoe Bay
Glass Beach
Church Bay Beach – great for snorkeling!
VIA
FUN FACTS:
Bermuda is only 22 miles in length and 1 mile across
You may have noticed many of the houses and buildings have white rooftops – These roofs have gutters that catch water and direct it into a caged-off drain to prevent debris from falling in. The water fills up an underground tank below each house and passes through a filtration system, making it safe to drink!
At least 20 planes and 50 ships have gone missing in the Bermuda Triangle in the past 100 years. They still don’t know if it’s real or fake – What do you think? Interesting…
If you can schedule it, I DEFINITELY recommend visiting during Cup Match, which is a 2-day cricket game between the East End and West End teams. The event takes place at the end of July and is the biggest holiday in Bermuda. I was here one year for it, and the town takes a holiday for the match and has vendors and gambling on the grounds for added entertainment!
Have you ever heard of a Dark and Stormy? Well this drink made of Gosling’s Black Seal Rum and Bermuda Ginger Beer is a local delight. You can’t visit Bermuda without trying at least one!
For more tropical destination inspiration check out our other beach vacation posts!
Martinique // Turks and Caicos // Royal Caribbean Cruise // Cuba // Hawaii // Sandestin