Bermuda Vacation

What To Bring/Documents Necessary

Entry Documents:

For American citizens, a passport is the preferred form of entry document. An original birth certificate with a raised seal along with a photo ID may also be used. Definitely go with the passport. It makes getting through Immigration MUCH easier. A U.S. Driver's license alone is NOT sufficient identification. All U.K. citizens must have a valid passport.

All visitors MUST have a return or onward ticket (either a paper ticket or an e-ticket itinerary) in hand upon arrival in Bermuda. You will need to show this to the Immigration official when you arrive. In addition, you MUST know the full name and address of your intended accommodation, whether it be a guest house or a hotel.

Be sure to fill out your Immigration card, which flight attendants will have for you, on the flight down; you'll need to present it at Immigration upon arrival, and filling it out whilst standing in line can be awkward. There are usually several skycaps to help with baggage, and sturdy metal baggage carts for rent at a nominal cost. H.M. Customs can be very strict in searching bags for contraband, but once they recognize the nature of your visit, they'll probably pass you right through so that you can quickly get a taxi or a minivan straight to your hotel.

Money:

The Bermudian dollar is pegged to the U.S. dollar: both are freely accepted. Any pounds Sterling must be exchanged (perhaps at your bank at home, to save wasting any beach time). Bermuda has two major banks - the Bank of Bermuda and the Bank of Butterfield - with ATM machines that are on the major international networks. Major credit (and debit) cards are accepted almost everywhere in Bermuda.

Packing:

A semitropical island, Bermuda enjoys a mild climate; the term "Bermuda high" has come to mean sunny days and clear skies. There's no rainy season and no typical month of excess rain. Showers may be heavy at times, but the skies usually clear quickly in June. Next June, the temperature will be in the low to mid-80º's F with about 85% humidity. Bring lightweight clothes for warm, humid weather! Nights don't cool off tremendously - mid to high 70's is common in summer. However, if you'll be riding a bike at night, it can be fairly cool. The ocean will also be about 80 degrees, making for pleasant swimming conditions.

As a rule of thumb, Bermudians tend to dress "smartly" when going into town or having a meal out. Short shorts, tank tops, flip flops and the like are generally frowned on except at beaches and pools. Many restaurants in and out of hotels require gentlemen to wear a sports jacket and tie in the evenings.

Rest assured that Bermuda is a far cry from a remote, untamed island. Almost anything you can buy at home can be purchased on the island should you forget it. That said, prices are 30-50% higher in Bermuda than in the U.S. because of shipping costs and duty. To save yourself from sticker shock, try to remember to bring your favorite sunscreen, shampoo and film with you.

Bermuda Packing List:

Sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher (preferably 30 ... the island sun is strong!)
Good sunglasses (a pair of cheapo ones to wear in the ocean is a good idea as well)
Rain gear – including a lightweight waterproof jacket and/or a cheap plastic rain poncho that fits inside a purse for surprise showers.
Beach sandals ... plastic or rubber, which are easily rinsed off
Sunhat
White cotton T-shirt... to keep sun off, in case of sunburn
Beach cover-up
Out-to-dinner clothes: men - blazer, khakis and tie; women: sundress and sandals
Sneakers – great for walking the Bermuda Railway trail
Women: lightweight, small handbag (preferably with a zipper if you plan to rent a moped)
Aloe vera moisturizer, in case of sunburn
Hair dryer (Grotto Bay supplies this in the room) – no need to bring a converter. All U.S. appliances work in Bermuda.
Camera and film
Bungee cord – if you plan to rent a moped, this is a good way to keep parcels in your basket from flying away.
Trashy paperback book for beach reading – buy one at the airport before you leave. They are considerably more expensive on the island!

Dining Out

Wahoo steak, shark hash, mussel pie, fish chowder laced with rum and sherry peppers, Hoppin' John (black-eyed peas and rice), and the succulent spiny Bermuda lobster are some of the local delicacies that await you on the island.

Dining in Bermuda is generally more expensive than it is in the United States. Because virtually everything except fish must be imported, restaurant prices are closer to those you might find in New York City. A 15% service charge is almost always added to the bill "for your convenience." Be sure to check your bill before leaving a tip!

Most of the fancier restaurants prefer that men wear a jacket and tie after 6 p.m.; women usually wear casual, chic clothing in the evening. Of course, as most of the world dresses more and more casually, Bermuda's dress codes have loosened up a bit - but this is still a more formal destination than many other islands. It's always wise to ask when you reserve a table. During the day, no matter what the establishment, be sure to wear a cover-up.

Casual Dining:

Casual (by this we mean "smart casual" dress) restaurants are found throughout Bermuda. These are some favorite places. In Hamilton, our choice for the best night out is Portofino. This Italian restaurant on Bermudiana Road is always packed. The homemade risotto specials and pizza are excellent. Another favorite is The Pickled Onion (www.thepickledonion.com). In a onetime liquor warehouse overlooking Hamilton Harbour, this is a good, reasonably priced dining choice and after-dark venue. The balcony at the Pickled Onion sits above Front Street. On Wednesdays in the summer, the street is closed off and the scene becomes a festive mini-celebration with street performers and vendors setting the tone. A ferry ride across the harbour from Hamilton, Noah's at the Newstead hotel (www.newsteadhotel.com) offers an al fresco setting at reasonable prices. Go before sunset to enjoy the magnificent view while dining.

In the mood for pub grub? The Hog Penny on Burnaby Hill in Hamilton is one of Bermuda's most famous. Draft beer and ale are served here to crowds of visitors and locals alike. The North Rock Brewing Company, at the junction of South Road and Collector's Hill, is the only brewpub on the island that serves most, if not all, of its product on the premises. Unless you order expensive shellfish, most dishes are inexpensively priced. If you head out to the West End for the day, The Frog & Onion (www.frogandonion.bm) is a great place to take a break for lunch. In a former 18th-century cooperage of the Royal Naval Dockyard, this is the most traditional British pub in Bermuda. You can sit back with a pint of English lager in the shadows of an enormous fireplace. At lunch there are sandwiches, salads, lasagna, and some tasty bar pies.

The oldest tavern in St. George's, The White Horse, is always jammed with visitors. This white building with green shutters has a restaurant and cedar bar with a terrace jutting into St. George's Harbour. In nice weather, guests can sit outside. Next door to the Grotto Bay Resort is another good pub – The Swizzle Inn (www.swizzleinn.com). Here you can enjoy a swizzle burger or grilled fish sandwich along with their specialty - rum swizzles. Swizzle Inn…swagger out…. A multi-flavor ice cream emporium, Bailey's, is just across the road.

Special Occasions:

For a romantic dinner, try Tom Moore's Tavern (www.tommoores.com), which is near our wedding event locations and the Grotto Bay Resort. In 1652, it was a private home and once housed Thomas Moore, the Irish romantic poet (and later, in the 1970's, it was also the first Bermudian home of Andrew's mum who lived in an apartment above!). The sense of romance still lingers in a refined setting with a classic French and Mediterranean menu.

Another romantic setting close to our wedding event locations is Aqua, at Ariel Sands (www.arielsands.com). Ask for a table overlooking the sea; an alfresco setting popular for those who like moonlight dining. You're literally steps from the water, one of the few restaurants in Bermuda that offers this experience. Dress code at Aqua is "smart casual".

La Coquille (www.lacoquille.bm) at the Underwater Institute is a newer restaurant serving French-inspired Mediterranean cuisine. It is said to have some of the most innovative, cutting edge food on the island, plus a spectacular view of the harbour.

Coconuts, at the Reefs hotel (www.thereefs.com), is another restaurant that we've heard rave reviews about. It has a very romantic setting right on the beach. You'll need to book a day or two in advance: (441) 238-0222. The dinners are prix fixe at $52, plus tax and gratuities. Dress code at Coconuts is "smart casual".

Other special occasion dining options include Waterloo House (www.waterloohouse.com) and Port o' Call in Hamilton, Horizons (www.horizonscottages.com) on South Shore Road, and the Newport Room at the Southampton Princess.

Tea:

Bermuda's British influence is demonstrated at establishments that serve afternoon tea. Often scrumptious, with English tea, scones and finger sandwiches, tea is served around 4 p.m. You may want to try the Lighthouse Tea Room, with views out over the island. Reasonably priced (about $6). Grotto Bay has a tea each afternoon on property.

Nightlife:

While Bermuda has many wonderful attractions, such as gorgeous beaches, charming shops, water activities and tennis to name a few, a raging nightlife scene is not something for which it is world famous. However, for those of our guests looking for a good time at night (...and we know who you are...), Front Street in Hamilton is the place to go. Many of the pubs and restaurants which offer dining during the day and early evening hours, such as The Pickled Onion, The Beach and Flanagan's, keep their bars open until about 1 or 2 a.m. Often they have live entertainment.

There are a couple of nightclubs on the island, such as Oasis, Club 40 (contemporary, modern music) and Blue Juice (euro-techno music) on Front Street, but we haven't been to these in years. By the time of our wedding, the new proposed nightclub inside Cafe Lido at the Elbow Beach Resort should be open. Sometimes hotels will have shows or other live entertainment - Newstead is known to have a great happy hour on Friday nights. The best idea is to check one of the tourist guides when you arrive or ask at your hotel.

Getting Around & Things To Do

Getting Around Bermuda

The island is small in size (about 20 square miles - 26 miles from tip to tip by road). So getting around shouldn’t be much of a problem, right? Well, yes and no. Many first time visitors are surprised to learn that there are no rental cars available on the island. This is for good reason. The narrow, winding roads are no place to learn how to drive a car on the left hand side and in accordance with the 20 mph speed limit for the first time. Bermudians are actually restricted to one car per household in order to limit congestion on the roads (Andrew just got his car driver’s license on the island this July in fact). The public transportation system is, on the whole, excellent although service can be limited in the evening hours. Taxis are plentiful and the drivers tend to be courteous and knowledgeable about the island. The most flexible option is to rent a moped – but see our cautions below. Of course, the island has plenty of good places to walk and pedal bike, although the going can be very hilly and hot.



Orientation:

A map of Bermuda is often compared to a fish hook – the hook end to the west (the Dockyard area and Somerset Village). Hamilton, the capital, is located in the center of the island and the town of St. George’s is in the east, close to the airport. The island is surrounded by a ring of coral reefs which mark the extent of an extinct (we hope!) volcano.

In the eastern half of the island are three main roads – North Shore, Middle and South which go southwest to northeast. Eventually the roads merge into one as they go over a causeway and series of bridges to the airport and St. George’s. To the west of Hamilton, South Road branches from Middle Road to travel along the most spectacular beach area on the island where many of the hotels are located. These roads eventually join back up to lead to Somerset and Dockyard. Bermuda is only a mile or so wide at its widest point but the roads traversing the island from north to south tend to be steep and windy.



The island is divided into 9 parishes – from west to east: Sandy’s (usually pronounced ‘Sands’), Southampton, Warwick (leave out the second 'w'), Paget, Pembroke, Devonshire, Smith’s, Hamilton (not related to the city, which is near Pembroke and Paget) and St. George’s.

Except for the cruise, the wedding events are focused about half way between Hamilton city and St. George’s in Hamilton parish and St. George’s parish (confused?). We’ve included a map to help you get your bearings with the wedding sites indicated. We recommend getting one of the handy reference maps that are readily available at hotels and visitors' centers.

It is easy to find - when you enter Hamilton, travel down Front Street. You will see the big Bank of Bermuda building (about 7-8 stories) near the waterfront. Albuoy's Point is just behind the Bank's building. If you are curious to see if any boats have finished the Newport to Bermuda Yacht Race, the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club is next door and open to the public during the race week.



Arriving at the Airport:

After clearing H.M. Customs, you can pick up tourist information at the airport before heading to your hotel. Because visitors are not allowed to rent a car, and buses usually do not allow passengers to board with luggage, you must rely on a taxi or minivan to reach your hotel. Most of the time, there is a long line of cabbies to meet all arriving flights. However, if a flight is very full or several flights arrive at once, a shortage of airport transportation can occur; thus causing long waits.

For a regular taxi, it costs about $30 (one-way, including tip) to reach a destination on the South Shore, $20-30 to Hamilton; $20 to St. George's, $15 to Tucker's Town and $10 to the Grotto Bay Resort (Grotto Bay is only 5-10 minutes from the airport).

Note that, if you are traveling as a couple or a group, pre-reserved airport transfers are more expensive than a regular taxi. However, if you prefer the convenience of having a professional meet and greet you at the airport, handle your bags and provide a pleasant drive to your hotel, you might want to check this out.

Public Transportation:

Pink buses (www.bermudabuses.com) traverse the entire length of the island along eleven routes. They are generally clean, comfortable and offer an excellent way to sightsee as well as to get from point A to B. All but one route operates through the central Hamilton bus depot, so you may need to transfer here or at another connecting point to travel from the East End to the West End. Fares vary depending on distance traveled but you can buy a visitor pass allowing unlimited use for one, three or seven days. You might be able to buy a pass or tokens from your hotel. If you’re not sure where to ring the bell for your stop, ask the bus driver to call it out. During the day the buses run frequently (every 15 or 30 minutes depending on the line). Some lines shut down after 6:30 p.m., while others stay running until 11 p.m.

Ferries service the West End through Hamilton Harbour and the Great Sound. We highly recommend a trip out to Dockyard or Somerset by ferry (you can even bring your moped along for the ride). Ferries are similarly priced to buses and work with the same visitor pass.

Taxis:

Taxis are usually easy to find at hotels and around Hamilton. You can always hail one on the street too, although it is a good idea to call ahead. Drivers are usually very friendly, although rates can be somewhat steep and there are various surcharges that can get tacked on (e.g. late night travel, etc.). All trips, except tours, are metered.

Some drivers are certified as island tour guides (look for blue flags on their taxis). The cost for a customized tour is $30 per hour with a minimum hire of three hours for a group of four or less ($42 per hour for five or more). We recommend pooling together to hire taxis wherever possible – some minivan taxis seat up to 6 people.

Some of the major taxi companies on the island are:

Bermuda Taxi Operators Company (441/292-5600),

Bermuda Taxi Radio Cabs (441/295-4141),

The Co-op Taxi Service (441/292-4476), and

Sandys Taxi Service (441/234-2344).

Renting a Moped:

Renting a moped is the classic and most flexible way to get around the island, however, do so at your own risk. While it seems that fatalities are rare among tourists, there are many visitors who leave with a fine sample of road rash from Bermuda’s asphalt roads and coral walls. (It is a good idea to check to ensure your medical insurance is valid in Bermuda before leaving - hopefully you won't need to use it!) Andrew has had his share of uncomfortable meetings with the road – and has some nice scars to prove it.

Remember that we drive on the left. The limit is 35 kph (about 20 mph) but everyone travels about 40-45 kph+. You will have a long line of traffic behind you if you go slower than this. The roads are twisty. It does rain in Bermuda – it really isn't pleasant to be caught in a downpour (and the roads are slippery). Most Bermudians are courteous drivers but there’s always a 16 year old who loves to overtake on a corner with his souped-up Yamaha or Honda. Drunk-driving laws are similar to those in the U.S. Also, bikes and dresses don’t tend to go well together.

That said, driving a moped can be fun, convenient and is a great way to stay cool. You can rent single or double bikes for about $35-40 a day. There are a number of moped rental companies on the island, including:

Oleander Cycles (www.bermuda.com/oleander), and

Wheels Cycles (www.wheelscycles.com).

Some companies have outlying shops at hotels across the island.

THINGS TO DO

There are numerous things to see and do on the island and we can only touch on them here. Many tourist resources which describe the sights are available too (see "Bermuda Links" for some of our favorites). Above all, feel free to explore. On the whole, Bermuda is a very safe island, especially during the day. Unlike some islands where you are restricted to a resort compound, Bermuda is very accessible and open. We’ve organized some of our top choices into several categories below:

Beaches:

June is a great month to spend on the beach. The water is approaching 80 degrees this time of year and is just about perfect. The sand really is a pinkish white, although its shade of pink varies depending on the beach and time of year. Needless to say, the solar radiation this time of year can be beyond belief, so plan accordingly.

The best beaches are located on the South Shore of the island. There are fewer North Shore beaches but they tend to be calmer than the South Shore (good for those who don’t like waves or would like to learn to snorkel in placid water). West of Hamilton in Warwick and Southampton, we highly recommend walking along the stretch of beaches from Elbow Beach to Warwick Long Bay to the popular Horseshoe Bay and beyond. Horseshoe Bay Beach has changing facilities and a snack bar available for your convenience.

Sports and Recreation:

There are eight golf courses on the island (the most per square mile of any country). Andrew has not played every course but they all have excellent reputations (www.bermudagolfing.com). Most are public courses except for Mid Ocean and Riddell's Bay. Mid Ocean has long been recognized as one of the best courses in the world.

There are a number of walking trails and nature reserves on the island, including the old railway trail. The stretch of rail trail near St. George’s is especially isolated, windswept and beautiful. Spittal Pond is a nice walk past ponds, up cliffs and near the rocky shore with plenty of opportunities for bird watchers and those in search of sea glass to bring home as a souvenir. We often enjoy walking out to Tucker’s Town point and back from Mid Ocean. This walk takes you past some of the Mid Ocean beaches and many beautiful, multi-million dollar homes. Ross Perot has a compound out here, as does Silvio Berlusconi (prime minister of Italy) and Michael Bloomberg (of the Bloomberg information systems fame & New York's new mayor).

There are countless ways to enjoy the water – from cruises and boat rentals to snorkeling and scuba. Diving enthusiasts will enjoy the numerous sunken wreck sites around the island's reefs. To get the most bang for your buck, snorkeling is always fun and provides a good way to get on the water. Some water sport outfitters include:

Fantasea Diving (www.fantasea.bm),

Nautilus Diving (www.bermuda.bm/nautilus/)

Sail Bermuda (www.sailbermuda.com), and

Scuba Look (www.diveguide.com/scubaluk).

Tennis courts are abundant on the island – most hotels have their own set, otherwise there are public courts here and there. Horseback riding along the South Shore beaches is also option for those inclined to ride. Spicelands Riding Centre offers daily group and private rides (www.spicelandsriding.com).

Sightseeing, Culture and History:

Hamilton has a number of attractions including City Hall, the National Gallery, the Cathedral (be certain to tour the tower for a fantastic view – but don’t go if you suffer from vertigo), Perot Post Office (not named after Ross), the Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute, etc., etc.

St. George’s is the most historically rich area (and a UNESCO World Heritage Site) with many very old buildings. Try and go to St. George’s on a Tuesday night when reenactments are performed. St. Peter’s church is a beautiful old Bermuda church. Try exploring some of the off-the-beaten-path areas behind the main tourist area in St. George’s to truly take in ye olde towne. Fort St. Catherine’s, about a mile from St. George’s. It is adjacent to Tobacco Bay, which supposedly has the best snorkeling on the island. If forts are something that interest you, there are many scattered around the island including Fort Hamilton and Scaur Hill.

The Dockyard at the western tip of the island is another former military base, however this area now houses the Bermuda Maritime Museum. This museum is worth a visit and has great views from the ramparts. Nearby is shopping and the place you least want to visit – ‘Westgate’ maximum security prison.

The aquarium is very good for such a small island. Gibbs Hill lighthouse has the best view on the island if you don’t mind the steep climb up.

The area near the wedding sites is the oldest geological area of the island and is home to numerous caves and grottos. Grotto Bay Resort has several small caves you can peek into for free (one used to be a nightclub – the disco ball still hangs from the ceiling). The Blue Hole Park adjacent to the hotel has numerous caves and walking trails connecting to Tom Moore’s jungle. In addition, there are a couple of large caves open to visitors for a small fee nearby, the best of which is Crystal Caves.

Shopping:

Shopping in Bermuda varies from tee shirt and souvenir shops to art galleries to local department stores selling European wares. There is no sales tax on the island but most goods entering Bermuda are taxed at high import duties (plus the high shipping costs), so prices for the goods you find at home will usually be significantly higher. Bring plenty of toiletries for the week – it can be a shock to find that the $2 tube of toothpaste at Stop & Shop in the U.S. costs $4.50 in Bermuda! There are some good buys here and there, especially on goods from the UK that you might not be able to find in the U.S., such as china, crystal and cashmere. There are many jewelry stores on the island as well – some offer good deals.

Front Street in Hamilton is an enjoyable shopping experience – lots of stores, some tacky, others most definitely not – along the waterfront. Among ‘must visit’ stores, we recommend Trimingham’s, Bermuda’s largest department store - especially for the requisite Bermuda shorts; Calypso for stylish ladies fashions and accessories; the Michael Swan Gallery for unique posters and art; and the Gosling's Black Seal store for rum-themed merchandise (the duty-free prices are great!). Other large department stores are Smith’s and Coopers, located nearby on Front Street. Reid Street is where the locals shop for clothes, computers, TV’s, etc. There are a number of touristy shops here, but not as many as along Front Street. There are no malls on the island per se but there are some pedestrian 'malls' connecting Front Street to Reid Street and Reid Street to Church Street that contain a number of different stores for browsing.

Outside of Hamilton, there are many small boutique shops in St. George’s, plus branches of the major department stores. Somerset Village and the Clocktower building at Dockyard have a smaller assortment of unique shops – including a craft 'fair' featuring locally made products.



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If you have any questions about things to do in Bermuda, please do not hesitate to ask us. Feel free to use the message board to coordinate activities with other guests (e.g. charter a boat or coordinate a snorkeling trip) prior to your stay.

If you would like to receive a packet of information from Bermuda's Department of Tourism, including detailed maps and brochures on what to see and do, you can request this through their website: www.bermudatourism.com

Bermuda Links

Bermuda On-Line
Lonely Planet Guide
Bermuda Tourism

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