Bermuda (32 20 N, 64 45 W) Ask 10 people where Bermuda is, and 9 of them will probably tell you it’s somewhere in the Caribbean. Most people are surprised to learn that Bermuda is only 508 miles due east of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina. In fact, lucky New Yorkers can have breakfast at home, and fly to Bermuda in time for lunch. In just two hours time, you can find yourself soaking up the rich culture of this self-governing British territory.
Unlike other island destinations, Bermuda is more than just great weather, pink sand, turquoise water, and pastel houses. Thanks to a fusion of African, British, and West Indian influences, Bermuda has a truly unique culture. Bermudian businessmen can be seen sporting Bermuda shorts and knee socks with their jackets and ties. You can take in a game of cricket, or enjoy high tea at one of the posh hotels. You can mingle with the locals in many pubs and restarurants, while quenching your thirst with a Dark & Stormy, the local drink made from dark rum and ginger beer. If golf is your thing, you can play a round of golf at one of many the lush golf courses. -- Bermuda has more golf courses per square mile than anywhere else on earth. In addition to Hamilton, the capital of the island, don’t forget to explore the town of St. George, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This historic town will give you a good idea of what an early British settlement looked like, complete with cobblestone lanes, forts, and churches .
It’s worth noting that when exploring this 21 square mile island, it’s best to leave the driving to someone else. Due to the left-side driving, and the windy roads, Bermuda can be tricky to navigate, especially after a few cups of the Dark & Stormy. So many visitors have had accidents on their rented scooters, that the locals refer to the ensuing injuries as “road rash ” Keep in mind that you can't rent a car on the island but, Bermuda has a great bus system, and plenty of taxis (although the taxis are expensive). Whenever possible, take the quick and thoroughly enjoyable high speed ferry to get from one part of the island to another. If you’re nice, you might get invited into the wheelhouse by one of the captains.
Who knows – you just might bump into one of the many famous people who call Bermuda home away from home – Catherine Zeta-Jones, Michael Douglas, Ross Perot, and NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg.
HAMILTON- JUNE 10: Young boys swimming near a pier in Hamilton, Bermuda, June 10, 2005. Bermuda was first settled in 1609 by shipwrecked English colonists headed for Virginia. Tourism to the island to escape North American winters first developed in Victorian times. Tourism continues to be important to the island's economy, although international business has overtaken it in recent years. Bermuda has developed into a highly successful offshore financial center. A referendum on independence was soundly defeated in 1995. (Photo by Chi Modu/diverseimages/Getty Images)
HAMILTON- JUNE 7: This photo of cannons at Fort Hamilton in Hamilton, Bermuda was taken on June 7, 2005. This imposing old fortress has a moat, 18-ton guns, and underground passageways that were cut through solid rock by Royal Engineers in the 1860s. Built to defend the west end's Royal Naval Dockyard from an attack by land, it was outdated even before its completion, though it remains one of the finest surviving examples of a mid-Victorian polygonal fort in Bermuda.
HAMILTON- JUNE 9: A view of the Atlantic from Hamilton, Bermuda, June 9, 2005. Bermuda was first settled in 1609 by shipwrecked English colonists headed for Virginia. Tourism to the island to escape North American winters first developed in Victorian times. Tourism continues to be important to the island's economy, although international business has overtaken it in recent years. Bermuda has developed into a highly successful offshore financial center. A referendum on independence was soundly defeated in 1995. (Photo by Chi Modu/diverseimages/Getty Images)