Bermuda Honeymoon

Consider a honeymoon in Bermuda, where you can sunbathe on stunning pink-sand beaches, stroll quaint village streets lined with pastel-painted cottages and hike hilly green landscapes dotted with ancient forts overlooking the vivid blue and turquoise waters of the Atlantic Ocean.

As Mark Twain wrote in The Innocents Abroad: “You go to heaven if you want to; I'd druther stay in Bermuda" – a catchphrase that remains true today given that Bermuda offers everything you could possibly want on a relaxing island holiday.

Spanish sailor Juan de Bermudez first discovered Bermuda around 1503. However it was settlers from England who first settled here, originally bound for the Virginia colony but blown off course and shipwrecked in 1609.

Things to do and see
A British Crown Colony from 1684 to 1968, Bermuda now enjoys a measure of internal self-government, although Britain continues to exert control over defence and foreign policy. Consequently, Bermuda has a distinct British culture: watch Parliamentary debates by members wearing powdered wigs (on Fridays), see ‘bobbies’ directing motorists who drive on the left (naturally), then enjoy a cricket match and savour traditional high tea every afternoon in this thoroughly British outpost.

Choose to sunbathe, swim and snorkel from several gorgeous pink-sand beaches that fringe secluded coves and wide bays. These include Elbow Beach and Horseshoe Bay Beach; the latter is probably the most photogenic of Bermuda's beaches.

Enjoy up to 60m of visibility while diving reefs, coral gardens and old shipwrecks, hook up a fishing charter or hire a Boston Whaler to explore some of the 138 islands and tiny islets that make up this 5700ha island group.

Tee-off from one or more of the seven 18-hole golf courses on the island, play tennis on more than 100 courts and choose from several hiking trails that meander through unspoiled native preserves, such as Paget Marsh, a 10ha area that has remained virtually untouched since the pre-settlement era.

Alternatively, walk or cycle the Bermuda Railway Trail, which follows the old rail route for 35km, crossing three islands and almost the entire length of the Bermuda archipelago.

In historic St George Town, lose yourself in a maze of narrow alleyways and winding side streets lined with tiny walled cottages and colonial churches. Visit Peter’s church, a whitewashed stone church erected in 1620 – the oldest continuously used Anglican church in the western hemisphere.

Founded in 1612 and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, St George Town was the second English town established in the New World (after Jamestown, Virginia).

In the waterfront capital of Hamilton, discover picturesque streets lined with white and pastel-coloured Victorian buildings. Browse for china, crystal and jewellery in the shops along Front Street, down a refreshing pint at an English-style pub and enjoy fresh seafood chowders at a choice of fine dining restaurants.

Don’t expect to see McDonalds: they and other American fast food franchises are banned in Bermuda. Visit the Underwater Exploration Institute to ponder a range of colonial artefacts recovered from numerous shipwrecks and experience a 3.6km-long simulated dive in a submarine.

Elsewhere, explore the massive fortifications and examine fascinating historical exhibits at Fort St Catherine, built in 1614 and facing the white sands of St Catherine’s Beach, where the shipwrecked crew of the Sea Venture came ashore in 1609 (the original band of settlers who went on to colonise Bermuda).

Visit nearby Gates Fort, which dates to 1620 and sits on a rocky promontory at the entrance to St George’s Harbour, providing great views over the islands. Wander the subterranean passages of Fort Scaur, explore scenic trails that wind through the surrounding parkland and enjoy a picnic with panoramic views of Ely's Harbour and Great Sound.

Learn about Bermuda's nautical heritage at the Bermuda Maritime Museum at the Keep, a large 19th century fortress at the Royal Naval Dockyard that has been transformed into an entertainment centre. After a 185-step climb to the top of Gibbs Hill Lighthouse – the oldest cast-iron lighthouse in the world – be rewarded with panoramic views of Bermuda and its shoreline from the open-air balcony.

See the Double Fantasy flower that inspired John Lennon at the Botanical Gardens in Paget Parish, as well as a colourful array of plants and flowers in the 14ha of manicured lawns.

See animal life including turtles and seals, Galapagos tortoises, parrots and pink flamingos, at the Bermuda Aquarium, Museum & Zoo. This popular attraction features the fascinating North Rock Exhibit – a live coral reef teeming with reef and pelagic fish species washed by ocean surge in a massive 530,000-litre tank.

Then take a guided tour through the subterranean lakes and caverns of Crystal Caves, viewing translucent stalactites and stalagmites and the crystal clear waters of Cahow Lake.

Accommodation
Bermuda offers a wide range of accommodation options to suit all budgets, including several luxurious 5-star retreats where you can be truly spoiled with a range of creature comforts. Try the Cambridge Beaches Resort & Spa, a tastefully decorated upscale resort surrounded by lush manicured gardens on a peninsula overlooking five pink-sand beaches fringing Mangrove Bay.

Or stay at the elegant Elbow Beach Hotel, a family friendly, full-service resort surrounded by landscaped gardens and overlooking the pink sands of Elbow Beach. Another good option is the Pink Beach Club and Cottages, a graceful complex of pink-sided, white-roofed cottages set in a lush garden facing Pink Beach on the South Shore.

Bermuda’s towns are easily explored on foot, while sights elsewhere can be reached by taxi or by efficient island buses and ferries that provide access to all the major landmarks. There are no hire cars on Bermuda.

Best time to visit Bermuda?
Anytime is a good time for a Bermuda honeymoon. Bermuda is sub-tropical with a mild climate and generally sunny, clear skies year round. Summer, from May to mid-October, averages 27°C with cool evening breezes.

July and August are the hottest months of the year, when the temperature can reach highs of around 31°C. Spring, from March to May, averages 24°C. Winter, from November to March, averages 17°C with a high of 21°C.

There is no rainy season as such, and while occasional showers may be heavy, the skies usually clear quickly. For more climate info: Bermuda Weather Guide

Location – Bermuda is located in the Atlantic Ocean, around 1000km off the coast of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina. Although well north of the West Indies, it is often grouped with Caribbean destinations.

Getting there By air, Bermuda International Airport receives daily flights from London, New York, Atlanta and Miami. How to get the Bermuda . . .