Credit: Gavin Howarth and TABS
If you’re looking for a quick weekend getaway from the East Coast or a close-to-home cruise, Bermuda has it all. Beautiful beaches, rich cultural heritage, aquatic adventures, romance and family fun. Check out this 3 day itinerary filled with the highlights of Bermuda.
Day 1: Friday
BEACHES, CULTURE & COCKTAILS
BERMY BUZZ: ROCK ISLAND COFFEE
Kick-start the weekend with a trip to Rock Island Coffee, which serves the only locally roasted coffee in Bermuda. It’s served alongside treats like scones, muffins and biscotti made in-house by Kerry Petty. Be sure to check out the colourful Bermudian art that lines the walls.
PRETTY IN PINK: BERMUDA’S BEST BEACHES
Bermuda is home to some of the world’s greatest beaches, so you’ll definitely want to sink your toes in the legendary pink sand. Horseshoe Bay Beach (one of USA Today’s Best Caribbean Beaches) is one of the most popular choices. If you’re in search of something a little more secluded, head to Jobson’s Cove, a photogenic sliver of pink and blue framed by steep, jagged cliffs.
GASTRO GRUB: TRIBE ROAD KITCHEN
This local favourite in Hamilton blends classic island flavours with modern kitchen creativity. Chef/co-owner Karsten Krivenko studied at the prestigious Culinary Institute of America before returning to her native Bermuda. For lunch at Tribe Road Kitchen, try the Fidel Gastro, a Cuban-press grilled-cheese sandwich on whole wheat bread that’s filled with roast pulled pork, Swiss cheese, pickles, thinly sliced smoked ham and spicy mustard.
HISTORY AROUND EVERY CORNER: THE TOWN OF ST. GEORGE
Founded in 1612, the Town of St. George, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is the oldest continually inhabited English settlement in the New World. There’s history down every street, and in each pastel-hued house. Attractions include St. Peter’s Church, a circa-1612 house of worship, and Fort St. Catherine, one of Bermuda’s most formidable fortresses.
FRIDAY NIGHTS: PICK YOUR PARTY
Bermuda does weekend nights right, no matter the season. Set sail on a sunset cruise aboard an elegant ÜberVida celebration yacht, or kick off your shoes and cozy up to a beach bonfire at Tobacco Bay. During the summer, you might soak up a spectacular sunset, cocktail in hand, at Marina Nights, an enticing dockside happy hour at Hamilton Princess & Beach Club. You could also enjoy the warm night air at Elbow Beach’s Friday night Big Chill, which features sushi, tapas and cocktails, plus a DJ. Whatever you decide, it’ll be a fitting finale to your first day in Bermuda.
Day 2: Saturday
MAKING A SPLASH & SIPPING TEA
GOOD MORNING: THE CODFISH BREAKFAST
On weekend mornings, locals all over the island sit down for a hearty, classic codfish breakfast. It’s a heaping plateful of boiled or steamed salt cod with boiled potatoes, onions and sliced bananas topped off with a hard-boiled egg and, occasionally, avocado slices. You may want to skip lunch after this big Bermudian meal.
GET WET: AQUATIC ADVENTURES
A jet ski tour in Bermuda
The sparkling turquoise ocean that surrounds Bermuda isn’t just mesmerizing to look at – the island is a serious sport fishing destination, with waters filled with big-game catches like marlin, tuna and wahoo. A jet-ski tour around the island is an automatic adrenaline rush, as you zoom across the blue to secluded beaches, hidden coves and sunken ships. Speaking of sunken ships, Bermuda is a magical undersea playground for divers. Go beneath the waves to explore such amazing shipwrecks as The Constellation, which was the basis for Jaws author Peter Benchley’s The Deep.
HISTORIC HUB: THE ROYAL NAVAL DOCKYARD
Once known as the Gibraltar of the West, the Royal Naval Dockyard was a symbol of Royal Naval might in the Western Atlantic for more than 150 years. You could spend a whole day exploring here. Dive into maritime history at the National Museum of Bermuda and Bermuda Maritime Museum or head to the Clocktower Mall to browse shops and boutiques. For lunch, try the Frog & Onion, a classic British-style pub that’s also Bermuda’s only craft brewery.
ROYAL TEA: TRADITIONAL AFTERNOON TEA
Bermuda hits “pause” every day for that oh-so-British activity, traditional afternoon tea. One of the most popular spots for tea time is the Crown & Anchor at the Hamilton Princess & Beach Club. The restaurant, overlooking picturesque landscaped gardens, puts a modern spin on this favorite pastime. The presentation is impeccable, with servers offering tiered, three-foot-high silver trays filled with homemade pastries and steaming pots in a bright and airy setting.
BERMUDA HITS “PAUSE” EVERY DAY FOR THAT OH-SO-BRITISH ACTIVITY, TRADITIONAL afternoon tea.
SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE: FRONT STREET NIGHTLIFE
Enjoy Bermuda’s thriving nightlife with music and dancing at island hot spots, many of them on Hamilton’s jewel-toned main drag, Front Street. Grab a Dark ‘n Stormy® – one of the island’s signature drinks – and mingle with locals at the Bermuda Bistro at the Beach. Or dance the night away at the Cosmopolitan Ultra Lounge & Nightclub, where the indoor/outdoor dance floor and bar attracts the island’s most stylish souls.
Day 3: Sunday
HIDDEN GEMS
BEACHSIDE BRUNCH: OCEAN ECHO
Sleep in and then head to The Reefs Resort & Club, where the open-air terrace at Ocean Echo will let you savour the first meal of the day while taking in spectacular views of pink sands, blue sky and shimmering sea. We’re willing to bet your Eggs Benedict never tasted so good.
RIDE THE RAILS: THE BERMUDA RAILWAY TRAIL
Spend the rest of the morning taking a cycle ride filled with island history and rich, flora-filled landscapes. The 18-mile Railway Trail is named for the transit route that once wrapped around the island. Today, it’s the perfect cycling adventure, leading you to intimate beaches, panoramic ocean views and remnants of the past like an old drawbridge.
Cooper’s Island, perfect for snorkeling and relaxation
JUNGLE TREK: HIDDEN GEMS ECO-TOUR
Discover Bermuda’s very own jungle. The Hidden Gems Nature Hike takes you deep into the heart of the Walsingham Nature Reserve (Tom Moore’s Jungle to locals). You’ll hike through lush green trails, swim in gorgeous blue waters and explore subterranean caves. Afterwards, climb the steps to the top of St. David’s Lighthouse for a 360-degree, bird’s-eye view of the island. Top it off with a trip to Cooper’s Island Nature Reserve for snorkelling and relaxing on the beach.
THE WORLD’S FINEST FISH SANDWICH: ART MEL’S SPICY DICY
It’s served all over the world, but in Bermuda, the fish sandwich is a national obsession. Opinions vary, but many say that the island’s best can be found at Art Mel’s Spicy Dicy. With their off-the-beaten-path location – in the City of Hamilton – this take-away joint is the definition of a hidden gem. (Tip: Grab a cab – it can be tricky to find). Their beloved (and big) sandwich’s fresh snapper is flash-fried in soybean oil, making it taste incredibly light.
[Repost from GoToBermuda.com]
Ready to plan your holiday to Bermuda? Contact me today for complete vacation planning assistance.