There’s a lot about Bermuda which has been highlighted by movies and tales of the legendary Bermuda Triangle. The funny story is that on the way to the airport, I actually had the driver ask me to be careful – in case there really was such a thing as the Bermuda triangle! I couldn’t believe this age-old myth is still being believed by people today. I’m obviously alive and well enough to tell the tale that Bermuda is more safe, friendly and beautiful than I could have even imagined.

History of Bermuda

One of the highlights of this trip for me was being shown around by our very talented guide, Kristen White, who runs tours on the Island and is just one of the friendliest, charismatic Bermudian women you’ll ever meet. YOU want to go on a journey with her, only to be infected with her positive vibes!  Here’s a little about what she taught us about her beautiful home with a little help from Wikipedia.

Bermuda was originally discovered in 1503 by Spanish explorer Juan de Bermúdez. In 1609, the English Virginia Company, which had established Jamestown in Virginia two years earlier, permanently settled Bermuda in the aftermath of a hurricane, when the crew and passengers of Sea Venture steered the ship onto the surrounding reef to prevent it from sinking, then landed ashore. Bermuda’s first capital, St. George’s, was established in 1612.^[1]

The Virginia Company administered the island as an extension of Virginia until 1614; its spin-off, the Somers Isles Company, took over in 1615 and managed the island until 1684, when the Company’s charter was revoked and Bermuda became an English Crown Colony. Following the 1707 unification of the parliaments of Scotland and England, which created the Kingdom of Great Britain, the islands of Bermuda became a British Crown Colony.

When Newfoundland joined Canada in 1949, Bermuda became the oldest remaining British colony. It has been the most populous remaining dependent territory since the return of Hong Kong to China in 1997. Bermuda became known as a “British Overseas Territory” in 2002, as a result of the British Overseas Territories Act 2002.

Our Bermuda Itinerary

Evening: The weekend will officially kick off with welcome cocktails at The Hamilton Princess & Beach Club—get ready to meet your fellow travellers for the weekend, plus our local host Kristin White, and on-trip Traveler editor. After, we’ll head to a private al fresco dinner with local forager and chef Doreen Williams-James. The one-woman-show behind Wild Herbs ‘N Plants Bermuda, she’s known for finding obscure endemic ingredients and using them to create innovative farm-to-table meals—but her stories about foraging across the Island, and family tales of how traditional dishes were developed, are reason enough to share a meal with her.*Included: Airport transfer, welcome cocktails, dinner, accommodation

SATURDAY, JUNE 8

Morning: Breakfast is on your own terms today. Grab something to eat in town (tap our on-trip editor for their favourite spots), or opt-in to the spread at The Hamilton Princess & Beach Club. Then, throw on your best beach hat and grab a book, because we’re hitting the water for a few hours on a private catamaran with Sail Bermuda. We’ll explore the Island from coast to coast, with stops at secluded beaches, snorkelling over a shipwreck, and, for the adrenaline junkies on board, the chance to cliff jump at Admiralty Park. Plus, local female-owned cafe Salty Lime will be serving a fresh, Mexican-influenced lunch and drinks on board. Is there a better way to spend Saturday morning? Nope, we didn’t think so.

Keep an eye out for the former Royal Naval Yard, in Bermuda’s west end.

Nhuri Bashir/Courtesy Bermuda Tourism Authority

Afternoon: Back on dry land, we’ll have a few hours of free time before dinner. Head into town for a couple of hours of exploring (your guide will have plenty of tips), or stick around and enjoy the hotel. A few local events will be going on as well, such as the annual Rosé Festival (yes, really) in the Botanical Gardens.

Evening: The Hamilton Princess & Beach Club is known for its dining offerings, the crown jewel of which is Marcus, a restaurant from Chef Marcus Samuelsson, best known for New York’s

Red Rooster. Our set menu will highlight the best of Samuelsson’s menu—think fresh produce, seafood, and meat with distinctively Bermudian spices—which will be finished with a dessert course from pastry chef Fhonthip Jones. Come ready to spend a few hours lingering over the meal with your fellow travellers.

*Included: Catamaran excursion, lunch, dinner, accommodation

SUNDAY, JUNE 9

Morning: We’ll hit the town bright, and early, as our guide, Kristin is going to take us for a walking (and eating) tour of the east end of the Island. First, we’ll get to taste a traditional codfish breakfast before Kristin weaves us through St. George’s most notable sights. Good thing we have that photographer on board because this town—a UNESCO Heritage Site—has no shortage of gorgeous architecture and colourful buildings.

Depart: After checking out and saying our goodbyes, transportation will be arranged to take everyone back to the airport for the journey home. Hopefully, with some new memories—and future travel buddies—under our belts.