Some 600 miles from the coast of the USA and some 1,000 miles north of the Caribbean lies Bermuda, Britain’s oldest colony. The 150 small islands, the largest joined by causeways and bridges, make up this serenely beautiful and colourful sub-tropical garden paradise. The islands, only 21 miles long, are encircled by delightful coves, inlets and beaches of fine pink coral sand all lapped by the clear blue waters of the Atlantic. Isabelle was invited to Bermuda in April 2006 and was delighted to discover its calm laid back approach to life and its beautiful beaches, food and people. Read Isabelle’s report to find out more, or call one of our travel consultants on 0121 250 2211 or 01543 412768 to book your holiday to Bermuda.

First Impressions
The island was green and lush and as I travelled to the first hotel I passed many green gardens and pale pink, yellow, blue and green houses which all added to Bermuda’s charm. 

	Hamilton Our first hotel, The Fairmont Hamilton Princess, is situated on the edge of the harbour and within easy walking distance of the town which is filled with bars, shops and restaurants. The hotel is perfect for those who do not want a beach holiday but still enjoy a pool and fitness centre. The hotel also has its own shopping centre.  Fairmont Hotels offer a complimentary ferry service to its sister hotel in Southampton, which is about 6 miles away from Hamilton and is one of the highest points in Bermuda.
	Cambridge Beaches After three days in Hamilton I moved to Cambridge Beaches in Sandys, which is situated on the other side of the island and is ideal for beach lovers. Cambridge Beaches is still only about 10 minutes away from the dockyards, which is the main shopping area. Cambridge Beaches is a fabulous hotel with a lovely, safe beach and all the usual amenities.
	Other hotels I visited many hotels ranging from small bed and breakfasts to five star luxury hotels. As Bermuda is so small, everywhere is within easy reach so you don’t need to worry about being too far out of the towns or too far away from the beach. My favourite hotels in Bermuda are the Granaway, Greenbank and Surf Side (see photo to the left), which are the smaller hotels, as the staff were very welcoming and they felt really homely and more personal. Activities Bermuda has more than six golf courses from 2,737 yards (18 hole, par 3) to 6,561 yards (par 71) and tee times can be booked in advance. Other activities to be enjoyed include horse riding, tennis, squash, windsurfing, diving and bird watching.

Summary
The Bermudians are very friendly and helpful and the island has something to offer everyone. It is particularly ideal for honeymooners or anyone who fancies a totally relaxing holiday. The island is beautiful, safe and clean and the people are courteous and offer a good quality service, plus the ocean is never more than a mile away. 

Cars on the island are limited to one per family and everyone else drives a moped. The speed limit is 40 miles per hour which complements the relaxed pace of life on the island. The food was extremely good with plenty of fresh fish. The cost of eating out is more expensive than the UK but reasonable. Most Bermudians wear Bermuda shorts, which is also seen as acceptable evening wear with a jacket and tie.

Bermuda is ideal for a two centre holiday as flights to Bermuda from New York take less than two hours.

The climate in Bermuda is sub tropical so there is no rainy season and the average temperature is around 68 degrees Fahrenheit (20 degrees Celsius) and the daily sunshine ranges from 5 hours to 10 hours.

All too soon I was on the plane home. Bermuda is a fantastic holiday destination and I can’t wait to go back!