WHY GO: The caves, the beaches and the beautiful towns. It's like a fantasy island...
FOR HOW LONG: A week is perfect
WHAT'S MY BUDGET: $$$ - it's a trip to save up for
GETTING AROUND: Super easy. They have a great ferry service operating to all the major cities (Hamilton, St. George and Dockyard) Buses run very frequent and you can enjoy the sights on the way! But even better, if you're feeling fearless the scooters are the way to go!
LANGUAGE: Once again, no problems here. It's all easy English.
Bermuda is just straight up, wonderful. It has the friendliest locals which just makes the island. The pastel coloured houses set the tone and will make you instantly fall in love. And all it's hidden treasures and pink beaches, will make you never forget the feeling.
When I woke up in Bermuda, I was determined to make the most of my time there. So I immediately went for the brave and fearless option and rented a scooter from my hotel. I was staying at the Fairmont Southampton, literally the most beautiful hotel I've ever stayed in! After a quick five minute test around the grounds I was given the OK, a helmet, a map and I was on my way!
Bermuda is a tiny country. If you too, haven't got as much time to soak in the luxury as you would like, (I mean who does, as you'd probably like to be there forever.) And you want to make the most of your time. And if you're prepared to get up early... then I'm pretty confident this could be the most perfect day. If you're up for it, then here's my ten stop scooting road trip around the island! Pack a small picnic to put in your basket, and here we go!
STOP ONE: Of course, the best place to start your day, the famous Horseshoe Beach. I've seen a lot of beaches in my short time, but this one stands out from rest! The stunning pink sand, and clear sea, is enough to make you want to stay forever. If you can, I would recommend going when the cruise ship isn't docked... because then it can get very overcrowded with tourists.
STOP TWO: Before you move on, it would be a sin to not go by Elbow Beach just next door.
STOP THREE:
The Royal Navy Dockyard - I again, only had time for a quick whiz round on the scooter enjoying the sites of the cruise ships and tiny local shops and restaurants. However, if you're a history lover then you'll probably want to make these museums more of a priority. There's also a dolphin aquarium, jet skis - so again, something for all! STOP FOUR: Clarence Cove... Now this place I was recommended by the scooter rental man. He said cliff jumping and that was it, I was sold! If cliff jumping isn't your thing, then don't let it put you off this stop. You can still explore the caves, and get some great snorkelling in at the incredible hidden beach... (I even saw a turtle, and it that isn't a good enough reason, then I don't know what is!)
On your scooter just follow the winding narrow road, and you'll easily find the entrance to the beach. Then walk down and you'll find the cove. After a good 10 attempts, I finally plucked up the courage to jump. It was totally worth it. The water was so clear and exactly what you need after a hot scooter ride. But the best bit, was the cave you had to then swim into to get back out. How did I find this out?! Luckily, a local was sitting on the cliff when I got there, he showed me the entrance and where it was safe to jump. So if you're tempted to have a go, ask some others before you get jumping!
STOP FOUR: Flatts bridge. A great spot to take a break, delve into your picnic watch the fast moving current and admire the idyllic water houses.
STOP FIVE: One of the main attractions in Bermuda is of course, the crystal caves. However, like everything else on this luxury island, the price of the caves is not cheap... ranging around $30 per cave. Just by chance, I spoke to the lady in the Bailey's Bay Ice Cream Parlour next door, (I recommend the pistachio), she told me to visit the Grotto Hotel which is just a minute down the road. You can walk through the lobby, into the gardens, and there's caves in the grounds. The best bit. They're FREE! So, that's exactly what I did, and wow, I was not disappointed. After you walk down the steep steps, you are spectacularly amazed by the huuuge water cavern. I was the only one in there, and I even got to go for a swim. Unforgettable.
STOP SIX: Finally, it's time for a beer. UNESCO's historic St George Town is the perfect place for a beer and bite along the water side. The town is filled with so much history, you could easily enjoy a good few hours here, walking round the narrow lanes and taking it all in. It's only a small village but it has art galleries, historical buildings and lots of the transport is horse and carriage. If you haven't got time to get lost, start at Market Square, there's a tourist centre there so you can pick up some leaflets and pocket maps to help you find your way round.
STOP EIGHT: The two beautiful secluded beaches, Clearwater and Turtle Beach. Not many tourists know of these spots, so they're real hidden gems in Bermuda. You'll easily find them on a local map so make sure you don't miss them of your trip. It's the perfect place to get your feet in the sand and soak up the sun for an hour or so.
STOP NINE: Time to wake back up with a quick coffee, and get up to Gibbs Lighthouse to take in the incredible views and watch the sun go down. STOP TEN: If you've got any energy left to burn, ditch the scooter and finish up the look in the capital city, Hamilton. This is the main tourist attraction in Bermuda. You'll find high end shops, grand golf courses, and plenty of cafes and restaurants, so if that's your thing, it's worth spending a day there too. But, for now, the city is known for it's night life, so it's the perfect place to end your day having a few drinks and reminiscing on the perfect day!
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