The Bermudas actually include 150 islands, though most are hard to find without a detailed map. A British colony since 1684, Bermuda is the main island of a chain that can only be described as a slice of heaven on earth.
Bermuda is named after 16th century navigator Juan de Bermudez, who is credited with discovering the string of islands in 1503. Bermuda was largely avoided as strange sounds emanated from the island, which is perched atop an extinct submarine volcano. Travelers believed the high-pitched cries of the Bermuda Petrel were the cries of devils and steered clear. After they realized that there was no devilish threat, 17th century businessmen found Bermuda to be a valuable portand it also became a top-rated travel destination.
Today, Bermuda celebrates a vibrant culture with a calendar that is jam-packed with events that connect the party-hearty locals with visitors. Those looking for some excitement can attend one of the many parades featuring majorettes and the colorful gombey dancers.
More sedate events like photo exhibits and gallery showings are also quite popular. Want a beer? You won''t have to travel too far to find a British pub; just check the nearest corner! But don''t forget to stop for high tea, a custom that comes with all the late-afternoon formality of British tradition.
The weather in Bermuda is exactly what you''d expect in paradise. The climate averages about 77? F year-round. The higher elevations tend to be more humid while the atolls, caressed by the trade winds, are cooler.
Golfers, divers, tennis players, shoppers and beach bums basking in the sun on the pink sand beaches cherish the consistent Bermuda weather. If you''re a beachgoer, one glance at the map will reveal a cozy cove or bayside locale where you can enjoy watersports or just get a tan.
Hit downtown St. George and you''ll find a range of stores and duty-free shopping that makes souvenir hunting as heavenly as the island you''re on. Here you can find everything from a thirst-quenching beer to fine china and linen.
During certain holidays, you''ll hear the beat of the drum and almost out of nowhere a street full of colorful gombey dancers will appear. With feathered hats that reach to the sky, gombey dancersa West Indian-influenced group named after the drum they useparade down the street, celebrating the strength of the human spirit.
Bermuda is a myriad of colors, but there is no blue that can compare to the color of the ocean. Coves and underwater paradises attract all comers, from beginning snorkelers to veteran divers.
The Bermuda Maritime Museum on Ireland Island is worth the trip. Plan a tour of Ireland Island to see Bermuda''s largest fort, housed inside the six-acre Maritime Museum. It was built to defend the Royal Naval Dockyard. Opened by Queen Elizabeth II in 1975, the entrance to the fort was built over a moat for strategic purposes. While on Ireland Island, visit Black Bay and enjoy a late afternoon picnic.
At the Bermuda Aquarium, Museum and Zoo, you can see more than 100 species of Bermuda fish in ocean and reef environments, including an incredible 145,000-gallon North Rock exhibit. See animals from the Caribbean, Australia, Asia, Madagascar, and the Galapagos Islands at the zoo.
The Bermuda Perfumery is a North Shore Road fixture that greets visitors with wafting scents of jasmine, oleander and frangipani. Founded in 1929 by Madeline and Herbert Scott, the "Lili Perfumery," as it was known then, manufactures perfume in the ancient enfleurage process, using locally grown flowers. Don''t miss the lush gardens and nature trails on the premises.
Many bird watchers flock to Bermuda on yearly pilgrimages to discover rare species of the winged variety. Of the more than 350 species of birds found in Bermuda, the Bermuda Petrel and the shocking yellow Great Kiskadee are tops on the list.