AYCJ Bermuda

On our last free flight on the Jet Blue All You Can Jet Pass, we headed across the country for a "dark and stormy" weekend on the pink sand beaches of Bermuda.

There are a few things you need to know about Bermuda before you go:

1. Bermuda is only 1 1/2 hours off the coast of Boston.  I am shocked at how close this beautiful island is from the US.  How did I not know this when I lived on the East Coast? 
2. There really are pink sand beaches.  And the water is clear, calm and refreshing...not too hot, not to cold.
3. Visitors are not allowed to rent cars, so taxis or scooters are the most common forms of transportation, although buses and bikes are also available.
4. There isn't much English food on the island, even though it is a British territory.  Don't come here for a pint and some crisps.
5. Everything - meals, transportation, groceries, clothes - is expensive.

So about those pink sand beaches...they are subtle.  It's not a hot pink sand beach, it's sort of a pink tint in a beige sand, but it's definitely pink.

Where to Stay

Grotto Bay Beach Hotel (11 Blue Hole Hill, Bailey's Bay, CR04, Bermuda, 800-582-3190 or 441-293-8333, Fax: 441-293-2306, dburrows@grottobay.com) - This hotel, very near to the airport, sits on its own protected beach, with excellent swimming (including a sunken ship to snorkel over about 20 yards from shore) and stalagmite caves to visit on the property.  Close to a scooter rental shop, bus stop and one of the two Swizzlers locations on the island, it's a great, lower cost option.
Of course, there are two beautiful Fairmont resorts on the island, so definitely consider those, especially if you are going to golf...the Fairmont Southampton has a course on-site.


Fairmont Southampton Hotel - 101 South Shore Road, Southampton, Bermuda, SN02, http://www.fairmont.com/southampton, TEL (441) 238-8000
FAX (441) 238-8968, southampton@fairmont.com

Fairmont Hamilton Princess -76 Pitts Bay Road Pembroke, Hamilton, Bermuda, HM 08, http://www.fairmont.com/hamilton, 866-540-4447, 441-295-3000, Fax 441-295-1914, hamilton@fairmont.com 


 
Recipe for Dark and Stormy
(Courtesy of Caribbean Travel Magazine - http://www.caribbeantravelmag.com/blogs/islands-easiest-cocktail-recipe)

Perhaps our favorite discovery on Bermuda is this refreshing drink that seems to be having a sort of renaissance lately.

1.5 ounces Gosling’s Black Seal rum (or dark rum of your choice)
Ginger beer (this is key, there are lots of different types of ginger beer out there, not all good)
Wedge of lime
Put ice in a highball glass, add rum and fill with ginger beer to taste. Garnish with lime wedge.

Resources