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Any suggestions on what to do; any customs I need to know about; any dress codes I need to know?

2007-02-11 07:29:27 · 6 answers · asked by Gotta Know 1 in Travel Caribbean Bermuda

6 answers

Bermuda is my favorite place in the world – I have been 9 times in the last 7 years. There is a reason my username is 12BNBDA.

The weather is warm, but since Bermuda is so far north, it is not hot year-round like it is in the Caribbean. I have been in January, March, April, May, June, September, and October, and the weather has always been nice. I have been able to get in the water every time except in January. The locals might think you’re crazy for getting in the water before the end of May or after the first of October, but it is actually tolerable.

As far as dress codes, there are a few things that you need to remember: in public (other than on beaches), bathing suits are generally frowned upon; as far as restaurants, for the most part, they are not jacket and tie, but some are - most are "smart" casual - no jeans; jeans are generally OK in bars/pubs. If you are staying at a hotel, check with your concierge on the dress code for wherever you are going. Bermuda is so small, any good concierge will know info on any restaurant off the top of their head.

Dining out is very expensive - if you are staying at a hotel, see if they have a meal plan - where I stay (Grotto Bay), they have a meal plan that is about $60/day and includes breakfast and dinner. It sounds expensive, but if you eat out for dinner, you will probably have to take a taxi, which combined with the price of the meal, will far exceed that.

There are no rental cars on the island, so you have 2 choices: rent a moped, or get a bus pass. Definitely get the bus pass (you can get 1-, 3-, or 7-day passes) – public transportation is very efficient, clean, and if you tell the driver where you want to go, he/she will let you know when you get to your stop. Just remember that pink pole stops go into Hamilton (the capital – see below), blue pole stops are going out of Hamilton. Make sure you get a schedule/map – very easy to read. The pass is also good for the ferries that go between Dockyard and Hamilton. I highly recommend that you do NOT rent a moped, unless you are used to riding a motorcycle on the wrong side of the road. I have seen a newlywed husband spend his entire honeymoon pushing his wife around in a wheelchair because of a moped accident, and the vast majority of accidents involve tourists. I did it once, but that was in the middle of winter when there was nobody on the island. Trust me, the bus and a few minute walk is better than having to have your relatives fly in just to get you onto the plane (saw that, too).

The Bermuda dollar is on par with the US dollar, and US dollars are accepted everywhere. Most merchants are good about trying to give you change back in $US, but try to get a couple of BDA coins – they are much prettier than US coins and a cheap souvenir.

There are 3 “main” areas of the island – Hamilton, St. George’s, and Dockyard. Department of Tourism offices are located in Hamilton (near cuise ship docks) and St. George (in the square), and there is a wealth of information available.

Hamilton is the capital and the only true city on the island. Start on Front Street. There is lots of shopping - but to be honest, there really is not a whole lot there that you can’t get at home – and since they have to import everything, some stuff can be pretty pricey – but there are a few things that are unique to the island and worth purchasing. Definitely check out the Island Shop – it is on Queen Street, which intersects with Front Street at the birdcage (where the policeman directs traffic – you’ll know it when you see it). It has a lot of really nice things, and I feel that it is the best place for gifts. For gifts/souvenirs, also try AS Cooper (they are building a mega-store, so their shops/departments are scattered throughout). For jewelry (or jewellery, as they spell it), your best bet is probably Crisson (best quality with lots of BDA-themed items) or Astwood-Dickinson. For T-shirts, my favorite is Flying Colours (next to the Island Shop).
Also in Hamilton, definitely go to the Cathedral – it is a beautiful, gigantic gothic cathedral – you can pay a couple of dollars and climb to the top of the tower – the view is worth it. You may also want to go to the BUEI - Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute - interesting, but better suited as a rainy-day activity. They have exhibits on sunken treasure, sea life, etc.

St George’s is the old capital and a pretty little town. There are several things to do there as well. St Peter’s church is oldest continually used Anglican church in the western hemisphere (or something like that), and is a pretty church, made with lots of Bermuda cedar. I suggest getting ice cream at Temptations Ice Cream Shoppe next door, and eat it on the steps in front of the church. Fort St Catherine is pretty much what it says it is – a fort – it’s pretty large, and they have turned it in to somewhat of a museum – if you have some time, go, but it’s a pretty good walk – the bus does not go up to the fort – you might want to take a cab. There is also a little town square where they do a reenactment daily – I believe it is around 11:30 or so – of public punishment – it’s actually pretty amusing, and I try to see it whenever I get the chance (they may not do it in the off-season). They also have stocks, which I guess is always good for a family photo. There’s some shopping, but it is mostly just a good little town to walk around in – quaint alleys, etc. – there is also a good size beach in Tobacco Bay – it has a snack shop, etc – but it is also a good walk (about 20 minutes from the dock).

Dockyard is the old naval dockyards – and there are really only 3 things to do there: the Maritime Museum/Dolphin Quest, the Dockyard Mall, and a snorkel park that is actually quite nice. My personal opinion of the best thing to do in Dockyard is to get on the bus and head up to the South Shore. This is where you will find the absolute best beaches, famous for their pink sand. Horseshoe is the most famous beach; but not my favorite. If you go, beware – it is a heck of a hike back up the hill from the beach, but in-season, there is a mini-bus that charges a dollar to take you to the top. My favorite beach is definitely Warwick Long Bay. I think it is more scenic and it is definitely less crowded. Elbow Beach is also pretty nice. There are lots of other little beaches along the way. All of the public beaches are part of the national park system and are clearly marked. If you get on the bus at Dockyard (which is the end of the line), take the 7 bus, and make sure you sit on the right side of the bus – it has the better view.

Other places to go:
Flatts: This is one of my favorite places on the island. There is a nice Aquarium/Zoo, and a cute little Harbor. Not much to do other than the Aquarium, but it is just a nice quiet place to explore.
Bailey’s Bay: this area has what is arguably the most famous restaurant in Bermuda, the Swizzle Inn. It’s been around forever, and it just seems to be "the" place to go. Make sure you take a business card or two to tack up on the wall, and of course, you must have a Rum Swizzle or a Dark 'N Stormy. Bailey’s Bay also has the best ice cream/sandwich shop - Bailey’s Ice Cream. Bailey’s ice cream is great (and also what they serve at Temptations in St George). Get a cone and walk around the corner to the Crystal and Fantasy Caves – an underground cavern that is pretty cool.
Gibbs Hill lighthouse: make sure that you check with the Tourism Board office to see if this has reopened – the railing was damaged by a hurricane a couple of years ago, and it was closed – but if it has reopened, it is definitely worth the climb to the top – the views are awesome.
Verdmont: if you’re into the historical preservation thing, this is one of the oldest houses on the island, furnished with 17th or 18th-century items.

Be aware of your surroundings – crime is pretty rare, but is picking up. Most of the people are very nice and friendly, and the island is very clean – you will not see the poverty that you see in the Caribbean.

Take lots of film or a big memory card, and I always take an underwater camera or two – great for snorkeling.

2007-02-12 02:16:08 · answer #1 · answered by 12BNBDA 3 · 1 0

I have been to Bermuda twice on cruise ships. Bermuda has some of the best beaches anywhere; pink sand beaches that you can easily find a deserted spot on. In my two visit it seemed to me that the majority of the people visiting the island were those on the two or three cruise ships which docked there during my stay. There are a few hotels in the town of Hamilton and about a dozen other properties/beach hotels, but they are nice. There are NO slums and ghettos in Bermuda like you may see on other islands. All of the houses are well maintained and painted in pastel colors. All of the public beaches are great. Be sure to go to Elbow Beach and Long Beach. Royal Caribbean, NCL and Holland America have cruise to Bermuda from many cities on the each coast. When you cruise there its less expensive than flying and staying in a hotel because,you stay and eat on the ship. You will probably want to eat on ship anyway because meals (and everything else) are expensive since everything has to be imported.

A five, six, or seven day cruise to Bermuda is plenty enough time to see and enjoy everything there. There is not a lot to do in Bermuda other than water sports and golf. There are two main towns Hamilton, the largest (where most cruise ships dock for at least a day) and St George (also a port stop) which is like a small town and has just a few shops. The third place ships may dock while there is The Kings Dockyard.. The Dockyard is on the far end of the 22 mile long island and has a small mall with shops and a museum. The Crystal Cave and Fantesy Caves are worth visiting as a tour, or on your own. I also visited one of the lighthouses, for lack of anything else to do. You can visit one of the many forts on the island like Fort St Catherine if you like that type activity.

In the town of Hamilton we took a walking tour which took us to the Cathedral of the Most Holy, a maritime museum and a nice garden/park a few blocks from the port. There is shopping in Hamilton and restaurants, but not much else. The best way to get around in Bermuda is to buy a transportation pass (may be able to get it on ship) which will let you take the busses, and the ferry, all over the island. There is a big bus depot just a couple blocks from where ships dock in the town of Hamilton. You can take the busses to the beach, they are not very far away and easy to get to from the bus stop. You want to go to Elbow Beach and Long Beach, both open to the public. If you want to snorkel, the Tobacco Bay Beach near the town of St George is great, and its walking distance (about 3/4 mile)( from town.

2007-02-14 11:20:38 · answer #2 · answered by TINKERTOY ..... the 1 & only 7 · 0 0

Bermuda! How I envy you! I hope they still offer afternoon tea and sandwiches. it's been a long time since I stayed in a hotel there. In fact, all the hotels I stayed at are gone (i.e. Bermudiana, Invurarie, Belmont). I have cruised there, however, and I can tell you we loved to take a taxi tour of the island, visit the perfume factory, aquarium, and just ride the buses. Carriage rides are always fun as well as glass bottom boat trip. I don't think they offer rum swizzel boat any more (my personal favorite). St. George's is a must with its history and beautiful scenery. Hamilton has changed quite a bit - Triminghams is gone as well as Horse and Buggy Pub, but times change and we learn to change with them. We're coming in May our 39th anniversary and are looking forward to it. Dress codes are casual now, they used to be stricter. Whatever you do, have fun and enjoy one of the most beautiful places on earth.

2007-02-12 01:26:35 · answer #3 · answered by Eileen R 3 · 0 0

Check out fodors.com or frommers.com for some good tips.

A few from experience:
1) When eating out, tips are almost always INCLUDED.
2) Take plenty of $$$
3) The bus system is reasonable and easy to use.
4) The old railroad trail is beautiful.
5) If you like beach glass, ask about the "glass beach". It's a little hard to find, in Southampton parish.

2007-02-11 07:35:57 · answer #4 · answered by ckm1956 7 · 0 0

Just pair those up with some different shoes, shirts, and bagsand no one will even notice. Anyway, cant you wear your same jeans twice in a week? If you really dont, get a spray-on tan or something at your drugstore

2016-05-23 22:06:49 · answer #5 · answered by Karen 4 · 0 0

Be sure to bring rain gear. It rains off and on this time of year. A light coat is all you need. It hasn't been cold. It's a pretty casual place at night so don't worry about a coat and tie.

2007-02-11 11:05:44 · answer #6 · answered by Melissa O 2 · 0 0

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