Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
BERMUDA
IN DEPTH
Even some diehard fans compare Bermuda to certain
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beauty queens—beautiful but dull. We prefer to think
of it as “tranquil.” If you're looking for exotic local color
or sizzling rum- and reggae-filled nights, look farther south
to the Caribbean. But if you need to escape the stress and strain of daily
life, go to Bermuda.
This quiet island is one of the best places in the world for a honeymoon
or a celebration of any romantic occasion. The joint may not be jumping,
but it's the most relaxing—and safest—of the foreign islands, with a rela-
tively hassle-free environment where you can concentrate on your tan,
minus the annoyance of aggressive vendors and worries about crime. If
you're into sunning and swimming, it doesn't get much better than Ber-
muda between May and September. Pink sand and turquoise seas—it
sounds like a corny travel poster, but it's for real. As Mark Twain said,
“Sometimes a dose of Bermuda is just what the doctor ordered.”
Frankly, Bermuda is predictable, and its regular visitors wouldn't have
it any other way. The tiny island chain has attracted vacationers for
decades, and there aren't many secrets left to uncover. But those sandy
pink beaches remain just as inviting as ever, no matter how many times
you return.
Even to friends of Bermuda who make an annual pilgrimage to the
island, the Bermudians can be a bit smug. They know their island is more
attractive than Chicago, New York, Los Angeles, or Miami, and they're not
above reminding you. Bit of an imperial attitude, isn't it? Exactly.
Some critics claim that Bermuda has become Americanized. That's true
of islands much farther south, such as The Bahamas, but not of Bermuda.
Indeed, the island and its population steadfastly adhere to British customs,
even if, at times, that slavish devotion borders on caricature. (The after-
noon tea ritual is pleasant enough, but the lawyers' and judges' powdered
wigs are a bit much—those things must get hot in a semitropical climate!)
Some visitors find all the British decorum rather silly on a remote island
that's closer to Atlanta than to London. But many others find the stalwart
commitment to British tradition colorful and quaint, enhancing the unique
charm of the lovely, wonderful place that is Bermuda.
If you're looking for some of the best golf in the world, Bermuda is your
mecca. It has the scenery, the state-of-the-art courses, and the British
tradition of golfing excellence. Even the most demanding player is gener-
ally satisfied with the island's offerings.
