Celebrate the best of Bermuda

60 reasons to escape to this idyllic island in celebration of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee

Bermuda enjoys a growing culinary scene with more than 150 restaurants that range from elegant fine dining to casual pub fare

All the best things come in small packages and Bermuda is no exception. With miles of breathtaking coastline, more golf courses per square mile than any other nation in the world, and only seven hours on a direct British Airways flight from London Gatwick – Bermuda offers a perfect blend of heritage and culture all within just 21 square miles.

Bermuda’s heritage links with Britain mean this is the perfect place to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.

Having earned the reputation as the friendliest destination in the world, providing inspiration for John Lennon’s final album ‘ Double Fantasy’ and home to the world-famous  Dark and Stormy drink, this first-class destination will undoubtedly  exceed all expectations.

This summer make the most of the free Sizzling Summer activities – an array of historical, cultural and musical activities to enhance your dream itinerary.  Activities include everything from a taste of Bermuda’s delectable pepper jams and rum cakes through to live musical performances under the stars.

That’s not all: for a limited period only the Bermuda Department of Tourism has teamed up with 15 participating hotel properties and its major Tour Operator partners (British Airways, Purely Bermuda and Prestige Holidays) to launch ‘Compliments of Bermuda’. Take advantage of this exclusive promotion by booking before 15 April 2012 for travel before 6 May 2012 and receive $500 credit every night or $1,000 every ten!

The top 60 reasons to visit Bermuda

History and culture

• St. George Town is the oldest continuously-inhabited English town in the New World
• Founded in 1612, St. George was recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage site 
• St. Peter’s Church, in St. George, is the oldest continuously-operating Anglican Church in the Western Hemisphere. In addition, The Queen has redesignated the church as ‘Their Majesties Chappell’ in honour of the church’s 400 anniversary this year
• The Bermuda Gombey dance is a mixture of British, West African and indigenous New-World cultures. This unique island dancing sees male dancers perform in groups of 10 to 30 wearing costumes that represent the plumage of tropical birds
• John Lennon was inspired to write his final album ‘Double Fantasy’ in 1980 whilst visiting Bermuda
• Eco Tourism: Bermuda’s stunning natural beauty has been protected by the world’s first environmental laws
• With no neon signs and limited cars (visitors can’t hire cars on Bermuda), visitors can explore the island in a complete unique way – by boat, bike, bus or taxi – making it much more fun and environmentally friendly
• Open since 1928, the Lilli Bermuda Perfumery manufactures exclusive and rare perfumes. Visit the Perfumery and experience a free tour and a sample of the beautiful scents
• The City of Hamilton has been the capital of Bermuda since 1851, offering a mixture of great dining options, all-important shopping and a perfect opportunity to get immersed into Bermudian culture
• Pass along Somerset Bridge – the smallest operating drawbridge in the world

Golfing

• Bermuda has more golf courses per square mile than any other nation in the world
• Bermuda boasts seven courses of championship calibre
• Home to the internationally-televised PGA Grand Slam of Golf, Bermuda offers undulating greens, challenging fairways and spectacular ocean vistas
• Many of the hotels on the island have corporate memberships at many of the courses and can introduce a limited number of their guests
• November to March is the best time for a golfing holiday in Bermuda – not only are the hotel rates  more affordable but tee times are easier to obtain
• The Bermuda Golf Academy offers something for everyone with a  driving range and miniature golf course (along with other facilities)
• A number of celebrity personalities have played golf on the island enjoying the spectacular views including Gethin Jones, Gary McAllister, Sir Steve Redgrave and Peter Tory
• Over the years, Bermuda has also attracted luminaries of the sport and even politicians including U.S. Presidents Dwight D. Eisenhower, John F. Kennedy, George H. W. Bush, numerous members of the British Royal Family and British Prime Ministers Winston Churchill, Harold Macmillan and Edward Heath

Outdoor, adventure and sports

• Bermuda is considered the ‘wreck-diving capital of the world’ – no other destination offers such a treasure trove of nature and man-made mysteries ready to explore
• Bermuda is surrounded by a 200-square-mile coral reef plateau amongst the crystal turquoise waters
• With water clarity down to 46.7m/150ft, all you need is a mask, fins and snorkel to have an intimate look at the undersea world
• You don’t need a snorkel and mask to immerse yourself in the spectacular marine ecosystem… all is takes is a helmet for this interactive eco-friendly tour! Helmet or bell diving, originated and perfected in Bermuda, allows you to walk along the ocean floor with an experienced guide
• See more than 100 specifies of indigenous fish in ocean and reef environments at the Bermuda Aquarium, Museum and Zoo – a perfect day out for all the family
• Located 36.6m/120ft underground, the Crystal Caves of Bermuda are one of the largest cave systems on the island showcasing the dramatic stalactites and stalagmites which will astonish and inspire
• There is no such thing as a bad beach on Bermuda!
• With 100 island courts, tennis is a national pastime on the island for year-round play, night and day. You never know whom you might meet on the other side of the net – even luminaries such as golfing legend Jack Nicklaus has been spotted with a racquet in hand
• Discover Bermuda’s pink sands on horseback. Join knowledgeable trail guides from Spicelands, for a scenic adventure trail ride experiencing some of the most beautiful beaches in the world
• Since its opening by Princess Margaret in 1984, the Bermuda Arts Centre at Dockyard showcases work by local artists. Exhibits, which change frequently, include watercolours, oils and photography
• Involve yourself in the Cup Match Cricket Festival which takes place during July. This event alone draws thousands to not only the electrifying game of cricket, but also plenty of festivities with calypso, reggae, rap and outlandish fashion
• Two of the preferred de-stressing activities on the island are hiking and jogging – Bermuda offers more trails than you can imagine across parks, preserves, beaches, ponds and even along railroad tracks

Wining and dining

• Bermuda enjoys a growing culinary scene with more than 150 restaurants that range from elegant fine dining to casual pub fare
• The island’s signature dish is fish chowder, utilising freshly caught local seafood
• World-famous home of the Rum Swizzle, The Swizzle Inn is Bermuda’s oldest pub and restaurant where the motto is, “Swizzle Inn – swagger out”!
• Offering the best sunset views on the island, enjoy Blackbeard’s Hideout terrace overlooking their private beach at Achilles Bay
• Opened in March 2007 and owned/operated by British chef Jonny Roberts, enjoy the latest fine-dining experience in Hamilton at the Bolero Brasserie
• Experience Bermuda’s only authentic Irish Pub, Flanagan’s, located on Front Street in the City of Hamilton – enjoy Irish fare for lunch or dinner and top it off with a Guinness stout
• A real English pub… it doesn’t get more authentic than the Frog & Onion Pub. As well as a large selection of ‘Pub Favourites’, they are proud to be the home of The Dockyard Brewing Company where you can try their 5 original brews available in a sampler
• Dark ‘n’ Stormy, consisting of dark rum and ginger beer over ice, is an alcoholic highball style cocktail popular on the island with locals and tourists alike
• The traditional Bermuda rum cake is an enjoyable treat on the island baked with internationally award-winning Black Seal rum
• Bermuda lobster is in season from September to March and fresh variations on the crustacean are available island wide. Other local specialities include freshly-caught wahoo, rockfish and conch

Weddings and honeymoons

• Kiss under the Moongate – the horseshoe-shaped arches found in gardens all over the island will, according to local legend, assure a long and happy life together. Couples are encouraged to walk through the limestone archways, make a wish, seal it with a kiss and  look forward to a prosperous future together
• Embrace Bermuda’s traditions, by enjoying two wedding cakes – one for the bride and one for groom
• Golf-themed, beachfront, caveside or a sunset serenade, Bermuda offers the resources, locations and experience to make any themed wedding excelled all expectations
• With no car to hire on the island, brides and grooms travel to and from their weddings by horse-drawn carriage
• Start your marriage off on the right foot by planning early and well. Make use of the on-island professional wedding consultants who will work with you to ensure everything is just how you dreamed it would be
• Bermuda is close to home, but feels like a million miles away
• Bermuda is consistently voted among the world’s leading wedding destinations – image saying "I do" on a cliff overlooking the ocean with the sound of the surf caressing the shore
• Bermuda Bride Wedding Planning Consultants has just been honoured by Destination Wedding and Honeymoon Magazine on their a-list of top 25 destination wedding planners
• Bermuda boasts more churches per square mile than any other country so there are plenty of religious venues to choose from, some of which are hundreds of years old
• With no rainy season and temperatures averaging 80F/29C from April to October and 70F/21C from November to March, it is always a brilliant time to get married on-island

As an added bonus

• Only seven hours on a direct British Airways flight from London Gatwick
• Despite popular perceptions, Bermuda is situated in the North Atlantic Ocean opposite the Carolinas not the Caribbean!
• Easy to get around being only 21 square miles
• The island’s mid-subtropical climate make it a pleasant destination to experience 365 days a year
• Earned the reputation as ‘the friendliest destination in the world’ – the Bermudian people are undoubtedly the island’s top attraction themselves
• The island is thriving with culture, a rich history and an abundance of activities
• Through the summer there are a host of free ‘Sizzling Summer’ activities – historical, cultural and musical activities to enhance your adventures around this beautiful island. Activities include everything from getting a taste of Bermuda’s delectable pepper jams and rum cakes through to live musical performances under the stars
• Bermuda makes it easy for Britain to ‘Feel the Love’ through their on-island rewards programme which rewards ‘ friends of Bermuda’ who bring  visitors to the island
• The tourism department's website is a fantastic resource to aid in planning your dream holiday with endless itinerary and activity suggestions
• Explore the ‘Best of Bermuda’ – a free travel and holiday guide featuring an interactive location/wi-fi enabled map. Easily search, browse and find Bermuda’s most popular activities, golf courses, beaches, hotels, shops, restaurants, nightlife and much more

To return to the hub, click here.