Travel Bermuda - Your Complete Information Guide To This Quintessential Island

In the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, 570 miles eastbus. They connect Hamilton with Paget, Warwick and
of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, lies an island filledthe Somerset/Dockyard area. Moped rentals are
with pink sand beaches, pastel cottages andavailable by the 1/2 day, day, week and long-term.
quintessential British traditions. With a landmass ofThe cost varies according to length of rental and
only 21 square miles, it is one of the smallesttype of cycle. Horse and Carriage tours are a nice
territories in the world. Bermuda actually consists ofway to see Bermuda. By day the drivers will point
around 140 islands, of which 8 of these are linked byout the sights, and for the evenings it is very
bridges to form a continuous fishhook shaped arearomantic.
of land that runs 22 miles in length and only 2 milesThe currency here is the Bermuda dollar and it has a
across at its widest point. This is the Bermuda that1-1 ratio to the US dollar. Both currencies are equally
most everyone knows because the other islands areaccepted at all establishments but the US dollar is the
uninhabited and some are only rocks.currency of choice because unlike the Bermuda dollar,
Bermuda is a different island in many ways fromit's exchangeable everywhere in the world. Average
those that you generally think about such as theroom prices vary as such: Low - $100/120 Mid - $120
Caribbean. It is very polite and slightly restrained in180 High - $200+, average meal prices are: Low - $5
the sense that you won't find laid-back locals10 Mid - $10/25 High - $25-30. All hotels in Bermuda
wandering around barefoot and offering youare subject to a 7.25% hotel tax which is added to
piña coladas. It is somewhat formal in dress, asyour bill at check-out and there is also a departure
you'll see the female residents in stockings and heelstax but this is included in the price of your air ticket.
and the men in jackets, ties, Bermuda shorts, andWhen it comes to tipping, most restaurants add a
knee socks despite the beautiful weather. Golf and15% service charge to your bill, so just check to see
tennis are popular pastimes and you will find thatif it is there so that you don't end up tipping twice
most visitors, as well as Bermudians, are over 40. Itand of course, if it's not there, this is the average.
is a wonderful and charming island that offers manyHotels also generally add a service charge and this is
things to see and do with great places to go.10%. For taxis, a tip of around 10% is average.
Bermuda weather is very temperate, not too hotBermuda has more sights to see than you will be able
and not too cold. It is a semi-tropical island thatto visit in a single vacation, here are a just a few of
doesn't have a rainy season and there is no onethe highlights. Visit the awesome underground of
month that receives an excess of rain. Showers canBermuda, with one of the highest concentrations of
be heavy at times but you'll find that the skies clearlimestone caves in the world, it offers a dream world
quickly and that it doesn't usually affect your outdoorthat has even been the inspiration for many creative
plans. The temperature rarely rises above 85 F, (29.5achievements including Hensen Associates "Fraggle
C) perfect for sun bathing, swimming and all waterRock" muppets. Make sure to take a visit to the
sports and there is always a cool breeze at night.Crystal Caves or Leamington Caves, both are along
May to October are the warmest months with anthe Harrington Sound Road. The Royal Naval
average high of 82 F and an average low of 74 F.Dockyard which began in 1809, can be seen today
The coldest part of the year runs from January torestored as an entertainment and shopping complex,
March with average highs of 69 F and lows 60 F.with restaurants, crafts market, arts centre, Bermuda
The Department of Tourism promotes 2 seasons forMaritime Museum, historic Commissioner's House,
Bermuda weather; summer's "beach and sizzle" andcinema, and the Clocktower shopping mall. The
winter's "golf and spa." In summer, the island is filledBotanical Gardens which feature over 1000 varieties
with activities; hotel barbecues and evening dancesof plant life spread out over 36 acres of landscape
to set off your daytime sightseeing trips, and theand are open all year from sunrise to sunset. Take
public beaches never close. During the off-seasontime to visit the Bermuda Aquarium, Natural History
which runs from Nov-Mar, you'll find that the paceMuseum and Zoo where you can take self guided
slows down significantly. Some of the sightseeing,tours if you choose and learn about Bermuda's
dive, snorkeling, and water-skiing boats arebeginnings, whaling industry, captivating undersea
dry-docked and only taxis operate tours of the island.exploration, and fragile environment. The aquarium,
There are also a few hotels and restaurants that willmuseum and zoo are internationally recognized as a
close, although having said that, most hotels incentre for the preservation and reintroduction of
Bermuda do stay open and you'll find the pricesthreatened species.
slashed up to 40%. This is a great time to travel withIf diving and snorkeling are your thing, you will find
perfect weather for golf and tennis, you can still rentsome 350 shipwrecks that are scattered among the
boats, tour the islands and the best part? You canreef formations, making it an ever changing, living
travel Bermuda and take full advantage of themuseum under the sea. Another great way to see
uncrowded beaches, shops, restaurants, and walkingthis amazing world is through a Glass Bottom Boat
tours and totally enjoy the beautiful sunny days.Tour, offered during the days and nights. And let's
If you're looking to rent a car while you travelnot forget the endless array of the beautiful
Bermuda, you are going to be out of luck, as thereBermuda beaches. With their pink sand and limestone
are no car rentals available there! You can get arounddunes, you will find that the beaches on the
with public buses, ferries, rent a moped or scooter,south-shore are more scenic than those on the
you can use taxis - or even hire a horse and carriage.north-shore. The most popular, also the most
The bus system is fantastic, running on schedule allcrowded by tourists and locals is Horseshoe Bay
day, although there is no late system. Exact change,Beach. Your best bet is to pick up "Bermuda's Guide
tokens or tickets are required. Tokens can beto Beaches and Transportation," a free publication
purchased at some hotels and guest houses,available at most hotels and in all Visitors Service
sub-post offices, and at the Central Terminal inBureaus. It combines map and bus/ferry schedules,
Hamilton on Church Street. You can also get multi-dayshowing you the locations of the beaches and how
Transportation Passes for three or seven days thatto reach them.
allow for unlimited bus trips which will save you someWhether you are looking to visit a bustling city like
money. Metered taxis can be found at the airportthe capitol of Hamilton, which offers plenty of
and most large hotels and they can also double asshopping and sightseeing during the day; dinner, drinks
tour operators if you want to put together yourand dancing by night to a lazy day on the beach, to
own sightseeing tour of the island. Bermuda taxithe World Heritage Site and historic Town of St.
operators are among the world's finest and theirGeorge; Bermuda will cater to all of your needs. It
knowledge and commentary can make for ancan be a relaxed vacation destination or an
unforgettable tour. You can rent them by the day,international business center. It is a mix of ancient
hour or mile. All taxis are metered and the tariff isand new worlds, friendly people and there are so
fixed by law so rates are the same for all: $4 for themany things for you to take part in and enjoy.
first mile, $1.40 for each additional mile and higherWhatever your desire, Bermuda is sure to welcome
rates after 10 pm. Ferries are a scenic way to getyou.
around and can sometimes be much faster than the