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Bermuda's
history is closely tied to England's and that of the United
States. The crew of the Sea Venture, whose wreck on
Bermuda during a hurricane in 1609 that began the settlement
of the island, was actually on its way to Jamestown,
Virginia. (William Shakespeare drew on the accounts of the
survivors for The Tempest, written in 1611.) In the
centuries since then, Bermuda has been a remarkable
barometer of the evolving relationship between the United
States and Britain. In 1775, Bermuda was secretly persuaded
to give gunpowder to George Washington in return for the
lifting of a trade blockade that threatened the island with
starvation. In the War of 1812, Bermuda was the staging post
for the British fleet's attack on Washington, D.C. When
Britain faced a national crisis in 1940, it gave the United
States land on Bermuda to build a Naval Air Station in
exchange for ships and supplies. In 1990, Prime Minister
Thatcher and President Bush held talks on the island.
Often
mistaken for a Caribbean island, Bermuda is actually a
Northern Atlantic loner that lies east of North Carolina.
Its appeal lies equally in its tropical island beauty,
complete with pink sand beaches, crystal-clear waters, and
perfectly manicured gardens, as with its British charms that
lend Bermuda a decidedly more formal approach to island
living. Think cricket matches, afternoon tea, and genteel
hospitality with spectacular ocean views.
Bermuda
vacations offer the pomp and circumstance of England, with
American conveniences and a laid-back Caribbean atmosphere.
With more than 650 species of fish (with its thriving marine
ecosystem) inhabiting its warm turquoise waters, Bermuda is
a delight for water sports like scuba diving, snorkeling and
sport fishing, obviously. Landside, excellent golf, tennis,
and world-renowned shopping in Hamilton, St George's, and
the Royal Naval Dockyard are favorites. Bermuda's stone and
cedar architecture is also a "must-see". There is quite a
lot to do in Bermuda, especially considering its small size.
The
atmosphere of Bermuda is one of British reserve and
dignified informality. Therefore, there are certain “customs
of dress” which you will want to know. As a rule of thumb,
dress conservatively. Bathing suits, abbreviated tops, and
short shorts are not acceptable except at beaches and pools.
There are no nude or semi-nude beaches. In public, including
public areas of hotels, beach wear must be covered. Bare
feet and hair curlers are not acceptable anywhere in public.
It is an offence to ride cycles or appear in public without
a shirt or just wearing a bathing suit top. Joggers may wear
standard running shorts and shirts. Casual sportswear is
acceptable in restaurants at lunchtime, but many restaurants
and nightclubs in and out of hotels require gentlemen to
wear a jacket and tie in the evenings. It is best to check
on dress requirements when making dinner/nightclub
reservations as some places do have casual evenings
periodically.
SHOPPING
Charming Hamilton, one of the busiest ports in the world, is
a small but bustling harbor town bursting with activity. And
if you haven't already heard, it's also a shopping mecca.
Front St. is lined with upscale boutiques filled with
cut-price European imports, including fine woolens and
ultrasoft cashmere from Scotland, Limoges porcelain, English
tweed, Irish linen, Italian leather goods, and hand made
Belgian lace. A big hit for honeymooners: genuine Waterford
crystal from Trimmingham's - how can you resist? And
remember, it's all duty-free.
For newly weds who didn't receive all the
dinnerware they registered for, fine china from England is
another popular Bermuda draw. Check out the selection at A.S.
Cooper's or Bluck's, and pop into the Irish Linen Shop for a
delicate tablecloth - you can also find some colorful
Provençal-fabric napkins to go with your tabletop purchases.
When it comes to fashion, go native with a
pair of Bermuda shorts paired with kneesocks from Archie
Brown & Son, or stock up on some woolies for winter back
home. And the Bermuda Perfumery is the place to purchase
your favorite fragrance. This 67-year-old cottage still
produces scents from blossoms grown on the grounds. Take a
tour of the terraced gardens to learn how perfumes are made
from ancient processes that have remained unchanged for
centuries.
If you'd rather tote a taste of Bermuda back
home, pick up some island edibles - sherry peppers, rum
cakes, local liqueurs, jams, and jellies - at any of the
many department stores and gift shops located throughout
Hamilton. And for that souvenir bottle of rum, make sure you
visit Goslings.
HOTELS
The hotels in Bermuda run from charming
self-sufficient cottages, which are prevalent on the island,
to 4 and 5 star deluxe resorts all along the coastline. The
small cottage hotel industry in Bermuda is wonderful. You
can have your choice of dozens of small wonderful little
establishments overlooking cliffs with pathways down to the
pink sandy beaches. Most have verandahs overlooking the
ocean and are great for afternoon teatime.
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Famous Residents
Patrick Rafter: Born on December 28, 1972 in Mount
Isa, Australia, Patrick is one of nine children of Jim
and Jocelyn Rafter. The Australian, who has lived in
Bermuda since 1994, is known as one of the nice guys
of tennis. The Island’s adopted son won the US Open in
1997, and reached number one in the ATP Tour rankings
in 1998.
Michael Douglas:
Oscar-winning actor and producer, Michael Douglas has
been an Island visitor since age four. He’s hooked on
golf, adores fish chowder, and likes nothing better
than to simply “lay low” with his relatives—the
centuries-old Dill family. Of course he just happens
to stay at the family owned Ariel Sands Cottage Colony
in Devonshire. He's been known to bring some of his
friends from time to time including Jack Nicholson.
Ross Perot: This
one time Presidential candidate has a home in Tuckers
Town and has the fastest speed boat on the island. But
like all famous people he moves around with absolute
ease as Bermudians are not the star struck type!
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 Bermuda's
beaches are famous for their soft pink sand, flecked with
miniscule pieces of broken shells and coral. A necklace of
reefs protects the coastline from Hawaii-style surf, but you
can still enjoy the waves, especially along the sandy South
Shore. By contrast, North Shore offers deep water for
snorkeling, rock pools to explore, and shallow, secluded
coves that are great for kids.
Traditionally, most Bermudians stop swimming between
September and May but that doesn’t mean they stay indoors.
The cooler months are ideal for exploring the island’s parks
and conservation areas. It doesn’t mean Bermudians ignore
the beaches either since, many of the parks incorporate sand
and ocean. The South Shore Park in Warwick and Southampton,
for example, encompasses many beaches framed by aeolian
limestone formations as well as stretches of sand dunes.
Other sheltered bays feature the twisted roots of mangroves
rising in shallow water edges.
A fantastic
example of Mother Nature's architecture...
It has
taken millions of years to create this Gothic palace of
columns, hanging stalactites, draperies, stalagmites and
magical formations.
The entrancing still lakes of Crystal Caves reach 55 feet
deep, yet you can see the bottom with amazing clarity. Let
your imagination run wild as you walk along the pontoon
bridges through this subterranean wonderland.
Pan for
hidden gems at Captain Jack's Treasure Trove or take a
leisurely stroll through our Palm Garden.
Refreshments are available at the outdoor snack bar. This is
a unique attraction in Bermuda.
CLICK ON THE VARIOUS AREAS TO SEE A VIRTUAL TOUR |
