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| *Travel Tips>>>Bermuda Travel Tips |
A question for those who have been to Bermuda...? |
Travel Info I have read a lot of travel advice online about what to wear in Bermuda, but I wanted some personal advice from those who have been there. How formal do I have to dress to go to medium- priced restaurants? Are tank tops and shorts allowed for girls for walking down the street? Do I HAVE to wear a sweater at night (like some sites suggest)? Does my boyfriend HAVE to wear a collared shirt for dinner or will a simple v-neck do? The travel tips I have read so far have been extremely on the formal side, and I'm having a hard time believing it. Any other travel advice aside from apparel would also be welcomed ^_^. Travel Tips If you are staying at a hotel or guesthouse, check with the concierge or owner about dress code for particular restaurants - Bermuda is so small, any good concierge will know info on any restaurant off the top of their head. But, for the most part, for medium-price restaurants, most have a "smart casual" dress code: no jeans/tshirts/tank tops for either sex, nice pants and a collared shirt for man, a dress or nice pants/skirt and shirt for women. Tank tops and shorts are allowed for girls walking down the street. You do not HAVE to wear a sweater at night - I would suggest that you take one with you, because depending on the time of year, it can get quite cool at night. Your boyfriend would definitely be better off wearing a collared shirt - he would not want to take the chance of being turned away. Do not wear just a swimsuit anywhere other that on the beach or at the pool. In public areas, including hotel lobbies and common areas, if you are going to or coming from the beach, wear some sort of cover up. Bermuda is a bit more formal than most other islands - most likely due to it being a British Crown Colony. Part of the reason that they tend to "cover up" more is because the climate is so unique. While most of us in the US tend to think of 65 degrees as warm enough for shorts, on a 65-degree day in Bermuda, you will likely see people wearing wool sweaters - it's just that their internal thermostats are different, and for them, 65 is chilly. But by the same token, they understand that tourism is one of their largest industries and that tourists are going to be more casual and wear more lightweight clothing. As far as any other travel advice, there is a ton that I could give you. A lot of it varies from season to season. I would be more than happy to give you anything you need from the second your plane lands or ship docks until the second you leave. Feel free to email me for more info, but here is my standard Bermuda reply (or, should I say, essay - my love for the island knows no bounds): Bermuda is my favorite place in the world 鈥?I have been 9 times in the last 7 years. There is a reason my username is 12BNBDA. The weather is warm, but since Bermuda is so far north, it is not hot year-round like it is in the Caribbean. I have been in January, March, April, May, June, September, and October, and the weather has always been nice. I have been able to get in the water every time except in January. The locals might think you鈥檙e crazy for getting in the water before the end of May or after the first of October, but it is actually tolerable. Dining out is very expensive - if you are staying at a hotel, see if they have a meal plan - where I stay (Grotto Bay), they have a meal plan that is about $60/day and includes breakfast and dinner. It sounds expensive, but if you eat out for dinner, you will probably have to take a taxi, which combined with the price of the meal, will far exceed that. There are no rental cars on the island, so you have 2 choices: rent a moped, or get a bus pass. Definitely get the bus pass (you can get 1-, 3-, or 7-day passes) 鈥?public transportation is very efficient, clean, and if you tell the driver where you want to go, he/she will let you know when you get to your stop. Just remember that pink pole stops go into Hamilton (the capital 鈥?see below), blue pole stops are going out of Hamilton. Make sure you get a schedule/map 鈥?very easy to read. The pass is also good for the ferries that go between Dockyard and Hamilton. I highly recommend that you do NOT rent a moped, unless you are used to riding a motorcycle on the wrong side of the road. I have seen a newlywed husband spend his entire honeymoon pushing his wife around in a wheelchair because of a moped accident, and the vast majority of accidents involve tourists. I did it once, but that was in the middle of winter when there was nobody on the island. Trust me, the bus and a few minute walk is better than having to have your relatives fly in just to get you onto the plane (saw that, too). The Bermuda dollar is on par with the US dollar, and US dollars are accepted everywhere. Most merchants are good about trying to give you change back in $US, but try to get a couple of BDA coins 鈥?they are much prettier than US coins and a cheap souvenir. There are 3 鈥渕ain鈥?areas of the island 鈥?Hamilton, St. George鈥檚, and Dockyard. Department of Tourism offices are located in Hamilton (near cuise ship docks) and St. George (in the square), and there is a wealth of information available. Hamilton is the capital and the only true city on the island. Start on Front Street. There is lots of shopping - but to be honest, there really is not a whole lot there that you can鈥檛 get at home 鈥?and since they have to import everything, some stuff can be pretty pricey 鈥?but there are a few things that are unique to the island and worth purchasing. Definitely check out the Island Shop 鈥?it is on Queen Street, which intersects with Front Street at the birdcage (where the policeman directs traffic 鈥?you鈥檒l know it when you see it). It has a lot of really nice things, and I feel that it is the best place for gifts. For gifts/souvenirs, also try AS Cooper (they are building a mega-store, so their shops/departments are scattered throughout). For jewelry (or jewellery, as they spell it), your best bet is probably Crisson (best quality with lots of BDA-themed items) or Astwood-Dickinson. For T-shirts, my favorite is Flying Colours (next to the Island Shop). Also in Hamilton, definitely go to the Cathedral 鈥?it is a beautiful, gigantic gothic cathedral 鈥?you can pay a couple of dollars and climb to the top of the tower 鈥?the view is worth it. You may also want to go to the BUEI - Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute - interesting, but better suited as a rainy-day activity. They have exhibits on sunken treasure, sea life, etc. St George鈥檚 is the old capital and a pretty little town. There are several things to do there as well. St Peter鈥檚 church is oldest continually used Anglican church in the western hemisphere (or something like that), and is a pretty church, made with lots of Bermuda cedar. I suggest getting ice cream at Temptations Ice Cream Shoppe next door, and eat it on the steps in front of the church. Fort St Catherine is pretty much what it says it is 鈥?a fort 鈥?it鈥檚 pretty large, and they have turned it in to somewhat of a museum 鈥?if you have some time, go, but it鈥檚 a pretty good walk 鈥?the bus does not go up to the fort 鈥?you might want to take a cab. There is also a little town square where they do a reenactment daily 鈥?I believe it is around 11:30 or so 鈥?of public punishment 鈥?it鈥檚 actually pretty amusing, and I try to see it whenever I get the chance (they may not do it in the off-season). They also have stocks, which I guess is always good for a family photo. There鈥檚 some shopping, but it is mostly just a good little town to walk around in 鈥?quaint alleys, etc. 鈥?there is also a good size beach in Tobacco Bay 鈥?it has a snack shop, etc 鈥?but it is also a good walk (about 20 minutes from the dock). Dockyard is the old naval dockyards 鈥?and there are really only 3 things to do there: the Maritime Museum/Dolphin Quest, the Dockyard Mall, and a snorkel park that is actually quite nice. My personal opinion of the best thing to do in Dockyard is to get on the bus and head up to the South Shore. This is where you will find the absolute best beaches, famous for their pink sand. Horseshoe is the most famous beach; but not my favorite. If you go, beware 鈥?it is a heck of a hike back up the hill from the beach, but in-season, there is a mini-bus that charges a dollar to take you to the top. My favorite beach is definitely Warwick Long Bay. I think it is more scenic and it is definitely less crowded. Elbow Beach is also pretty nice. There are lots of other little beaches along the way. All of the public beaches are part of the national park system and are clearly marked. If you get on the bus at Dockyard (which is the end of the line), take the 7 bus, and make sure you sit on the right side of the bus 鈥?it has the better view. Other places to go: Flatts: This is one of my favorite places on the island. There is a nice Aquarium/Zoo, and a cute little Harbor. Not much to do other than the Aquarium, but it is just a nice quiet place to explore. Bailey鈥檚 Bay: this area has what is arguably the most famous restaurant in Bermuda, the Swizzle Inn. It鈥檚 been around forever, and it just seems to be "the" place to go. Make sure you take a business card or two to tack up on the wall, and of course, you must have a Rum Swizzle or a Dark 'N Stormy. Bailey鈥檚 Bay also has the best ice cream/sandwich shop - Bailey鈥檚 Ice Cream. Bailey鈥檚 ice cream is great (and also what they serve at Temptations in St George). Get a cone and walk around the corner to the Crystal and Fantasy Caves 鈥?an underground cavern that is pretty cool. Gibbs Hill lighthouse: make sure that you check with the Tourism Board office to see if this has reopened 鈥?the railing was damaged by a hurricane a couple of years ago, and it was closed 鈥?but if it has reopened, it is definitely worth the climb to the top 鈥?the views are awesome. Verdmont: if you鈥檙e into the historical preservation thing, this is one of the oldest houses on the island, furnished with 17th or 18th-century items. Be aware of your surroundings 鈥?crime is pretty rare, but is picking up. Most of the people are very nice and friendly, and the island is very clean 鈥?you will not see the poverty that you see in the Caribbean. Take lots of film or a big memory card, and I always take an underwater camera or two 鈥?great for snorkeling. Others Believe it. Bermuda out of all the islands has the most old British influence and remains that way, even though a place like British Virgin islands is quite the opposite. Bermuda in contrast to a lot of other islands is very formal, but moreso to being conservative, rather than decked out. It is common for locals to wear linen suits, dresses, complete outfits rather than just a tank top and shorts. This wear is usually beach wear and not usually found just walking down the street, even amongst children. Teenagers on the other hand... I wouldnt say its very formal, but it is very covered up. So you don't necessarily have to have the bfriend wear a tie or collared shirt, but make sure he is dresses a very casual formalwear. I was sent there every other summer to visit family. |
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