Located about 500 miles due east of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, the island of Bermuda has become a popular stopping point for various cruise lines. Although the Spanish first discovered the island in the early 1500's, it did not become a settlement until the English ship, the Sea Venture, which was headed to the English settlement of Jamestown, Virginia, wrecked off of the shores of Bermuda.

Today, the island is a dependent British territory with its own government. Not only does the island boast a wonderful climate, cobalt blue waters and pristine beaches, but also Bermuda is considered to be one of the wealthiest as well as safest countries in the world making it a very attractive tourist destination. The cruise season runs from April through October with only certain cruise lines being permitted to travel there in order to avoid overcrowding on the island.

Hamilton is the hub of Bermuda, serving as both its capital and commercial center. While it’s not a large city (population 15,000), it has a surprising amount of hustle and bustle - at least compared to the rest of the island. Locals refer to it simply as ‘town’ - ‘going to town’ means, without a doubt, going to Hamilton.

The city’s pulse is located in Front St, a harborfront road lined with turn-of-the-century Victorian buildings in bright pastel lemon, lime, apricot and sky blue. Many buildings have overhanging verandahs, where you can linger over lunch and watch the boats ferry across the harbour.

Attractions include the Bermuda Cathedral, a weighty neo-Gothic building that is one of the city’s dominant landmarks; the Bermuda Historical Society Museum, which contains models of the ill-fated Sea Venture; and the Bermuda National Gallery, containing works by Thomas Gainsborough, Joshua Reynolds and Winslow Homer.

This unspoilt town overlooking St George’s Harbour was Bermuda’s first capital and remains its most fascinating sightseeing area. The town is steeped in period charm as befits a place that was Britain’s second settlement in the New World. Many of its original twisting alleyways and colonial-era buildings remain intact, and several centuries-old structures have been preserved and set aside as museums.

Attractions include Kings Square, where the attractive Town Hall (1782) overlooks the pillory and stocks once used to publicly chastise those who offended colonial mores. Nearby is the ducking stool where gossips and other petty offenders were forced to endure the humiliation of being dunked in the harbor.

The Old State House dates to 1620 and is the oldest building in Bermuda. Although modest in size, it incorporates Italianate features and has a stately appearance apropos to its former role as colonial Bermuda’s parliamentary house. To the north is Somers Garden, named after Admiral Somers who, quite literally, left his heart in Bermuda.

The Bermuda National Trust Museum occupies a stately colonial structure and concentrates on the role Bermuda played in the US Civil War when St George enjoyed unprecedented wealth from helping the southern states run the northern naval blockade.

The original St Peter’s Church, a thatch-and-wood affair constructed in 1612, was one of the oldest Anglican churches in the western hemisphere. The present structure dates from the early 1700s and is a fine building with open timber beams, marble memorials honoring early governors and a mahogany altar that’s the oldest piece of Bermudian furniture on the island.

Whether it is magnificent beaches, nature reserves or historical points of interest, each of the nine parishes has something great to offer vacationers. To get a feel for what the island looks like as a whole, head over to Palm Grove. A map located in the pond shows each of the parishes divided by grass sections. Various Desmond Fountain statues surround the pond. Palm Grove is located in Smith’s Parish. Also located in this parish is Spittal Pond.

Over 25 species of waterfowl claim this as their home between the months of November and May. Fort St. Catherine, located in St. George’s Parish, was built in 1613, although renovations continued well into the 19th century. The underground tunnels make this an eerie place to visit. Bermuda as a whole is also a water enthusiast’s paradise. Water related activities include swimming, wind surfing, snorkeling, sailing, deep-sea fishing and diving.

Tennis and golf remain the island’s most popular sports. Bermuda has something for everyone and vacationers will not be disappointed. As most cruise vacations to Bermuda last seven days, vacationers will have plenty of time to see and do many things. If seven days is too short, there is always another cruise vacation in your future.

Tag: Bermuda