I just found out my fiance is taking me to Bermuda for my birthday this weekend. We get there tomorrow afternoon and leave Sunday- very short trip! We're staying at the Fairmont Hamilton. What are some must-sees while we're there?? Thank you!

Well that's the best birthday present! Since it's a very short stay, I would try not to do too much and enjoy the beaches. Horseshoe Bay will be next to the Fairmont Southampton Beach - you will have a ferry access to the Fairmont Southampton from the one in Hamilton. Horseshoe Bay is a public beach which has everything you will need. You can rent loungers and umbrellas, there is a snack bar, lockers and washrooms. The beach at the Fairmont Southampton is nice, but you will love Horseshoe. You can walk along the trails there and there is a nice little cove that you might be able to enjoy to yourselves. There is a restaurant right across the street from Horseshoe called Tio Pepe's - you just can't go in beachwear, but it is casual. Gibb's Lighthouse is up the road - you can go up to the top and see the views and you can also have sandwiches there. I would go to St. George's - it has a European flair and there are cute little shops and restaurants. You can get to there by ferry. The ferry dock in Hamilton is on the waterfront just up a bit from where you will be staying. It is very cheap and is a great way to see the island. The crystal caves are interesting to see. You can get there by bus - the station in Hamilton is not far from where you are staying - just a few minute walk. Our favourite restaurants in Hamilton are Portofinos and La Trattoria. Great Italian food at reasonable prices - you can get wood-oven pizza at La Trattoria. The Lemon Tree Cafe is just up the road from you as well - we love popping in there for muffins and an iced tea - you can sit out in the nice gardens out back. When you get to the airport, stop at the Information Booth - they have tons of those little advertisement cards for sightseeing/acitivies/restaurants - there will be somebody there to help you. You can book a kayak or snorkelling trip. As for scooters, they are a great way to see the island - you can get a double seater. Do not get one if you are nervous - plus they drive on the other side, which you have to remember. I would not use one in the east end - from Hamilton back to St. George's - the traffic is very heavy. They are nice to use along the south shore beaches once you're out of Hamilton. If you go to Oleander Cycles in Southampton, they have a track that they make you drive on and they watch you to make sure you are confident on them. Have a Happy Birthday!

hi sp! thanks so much for your helpful information- i am so excited! i also have a question about dress code- i read elsewhere that halter tops are not considered appropriate. does that mean anywhere on the island? are tank-tops or tube tops inappropriate as well? thanks again!

katie

All those tops are really just for the beach. When you're out, you don't have to be really dressed up, just don't wear any of that. When going to restaurants, if you're wearing a t-shirt, where just a plain one - nothing with something silly splashed across the front. At dinner, they like men to wear collared shirts - some restaurants men have to wear jackets - but you probably won't be going anywhere like that - those are the really expensive places. I normally where capri's at dinner or dressier shorts - not like jogging shorts - with a nice top. Check out www.frommers.com and go to his Bermuda link and then have a look at the restaurants and you will see which ones are more casual. He also has a lot of other good tips. Have a great time and remember to check out that Information Booth - right after you get through Customs, you go into where you get your luggage - as soon as you walk in there, the booth is on your right. Like I said, there's loads of stuff there. Have a great time, you will be blown away by how pretty the island is.

Katie, I think you posted a similar question on the TA forum. I answered you there. For what it is worth, I think you can't go wrong with sp's advice and taking the more liberal posture suggested by teh TA poster could leave you feeling "out of place". Save the super casual and pretty bare for the beach. Have a wonderful time. Your fiance is one very special guy!

PS Happy birthday, Katie!

thank you all so much for your help and your birthday wishes i'm definitely very lucky to have my fiance! i just have a couple of strapless, knee-length dresses that are of nice quality that i wasn't sure were appropriate after reading (and potentially misinterpreting!) some other posts about dress.

oh, also, do you recommend having reservations for dinner? thanks again! you're all so helpful

Your strapless dresses will be fine. You will see what we mean about the dress code when you're there - you will actually like it - it's nice for a change. Reservations for dinner depends on where you go. If you see a place you like when you're out and about during the day, just go in and ask if they're required - or it may say so on the door. We have never needed them at any restaurants that we've gone to - maybe it's more with the upscale restaurants.

You will be in an ideal location for exploring. A fun thing to do is to take the bus to St. George's and on your way back, stop at the Swizzle Inn for lunch. The other thing you can do is to take the ferry from Hamilton harbour over to the Royal Dockside. have fun.

Reservations would be essential this time of year for Ascots, Fourways, Waterloo, Horizons dining rooms, the dining rooms at the Reefs. If you have a splurge night consider Fourways or Waterloo. Waterloo is next door to your hotel, Fourways will be a short ferry ride and five minute walk up the hill.
Your dresses will be perfect for a Bermuda evening and you will probably look terrific...after all you will be in Bermuda, celebrating your birthday with a wonderful generous guy. Have fun!