Ten Foot Square Caribbean

Visiting a different place for the first time is always an exciting thing. For most people, though, time may be of the essence. As such, it is best to have a rough plan on what you are going to do and what places you are going to visit on your vacation.

Bermuda is not that big of a country yet in order to get the most out of your first visit, it is still a good idea to allot about 4 to 5 days. With this time span, you would be able to get an overall feel of the Bermudian culture and environment. What follows is a suggested plan for such a vacation. If you do not have much time, then just adjust your itinerary and pick out which suits your interests most.

A trip to St. George is never to be missed. Sightseers always find this historic town fascinating, to say the least. You would feel as if you had stepped back in time as you go down roads and lanes with peculiar names. If you’re a sucker for punishment, you would enjoy seeing the stocks, a ducking stool, and a pillory interesting. From St. George, you can take the Number 7 Bus to either Elbow Beach or Warwick Long Bay for an afternoon at the beach. These two activities can be done in a day!

You shouldn’t miss a day in Hamilton as well, especially if you want to go shopping. Most of the best shops and restaurants can be found in the main city. More than that, you can also have more sightseeing trips here. Just try to avoid days when cruise ships are docking in. Otherwise, everything will be too crowded. Again, after spending some time in town, you may want to wind down at the beach. Bermuda’s powdery pink sand is the perfect companion to relaxation.

Another place you shouldn’t miss visiting is the Royal Naval Dockyard. It is located in the Ireland Island. While you are there visit the Maritime Museum as well. You can take the ferry from Hamilton to Somerset first and amble around the Island. It would be a good idea to rent bicycles if you are up to it as you can use it to go around.

For more beach days, you should visit Horseshoe Bay beach. I am sure you will spend a lot of time there as it is just fantastic. This is located in Southhampton Parish. You can lounge at the beach or explore the numerous caves in the area. Don’t miss the Gibbs Lighthouse while you’re there.

Though most people think of Bermuda as a single island, this is not the case at all. You should organize an island hopping tour if you have the time. This way, you can see most of Bermuda on a single day. The best thing to do would be to rent a Boston whaler with an outboard engine. You can hire a guide to help you out as well.

Traveling to another country always involves a blend of excitement and nervousness. Both can be attributed to the fact that you are going out of your comfort zone, to somewhere where you have never been before. Naturally, you expect certain things to be different. That is what brings about the excitement and sense of adventure. At the same time, these anticipated differences may be a source of minor concern. Here are some general things to keep in mind as you prepare for your trip to Bermuda. Hopefully, you won’t be at a loss when you get there.

Documents/Return Ticket
All visitors who are allowed entry to Bermuda must have a return ticket on hand. An alternative would be any exit ticket going to another country. It may be obvious but it is worth mentioning – you would need your passport to enter Bermuda. In the absence of a passport, you would need your birth certificate or US re-entry permit.

Money, Taxes and Tipping
An old saying goes “There are only two certain things in life – taxes and death.” Traveling to Bermuda is not exempt from the former. When you leave Bermuda, you will have to pay $20 for passenger tax at the airport. If you are on a cruise ship, your tax will be $60, collected by the liner.

Furthermore, be prepared to pay a 7.25% Hotel Occupancy Tax at whichever hotel you stay in. As for tipping, some hotels do not include “gratuity” in their bill. As such, you are expected to tip about 15% of the service given you.

Most major credit cards are accepted in Bermuda establishments. More like than not you will not encounter any problems regarding this, and the availability of cash machines as well.

Dress Code
Though beaches evoke a sense of casualness, Bermuda is the epitome of British reserve. Beach wear is allowed only on the beaches themselves. There are no nude beaches in Bermuda. When in public places, such as hotel lobbies, swim wear must be covered. Going out in public with hair curlers on is generally not acceptable. One more thing, going bare feet in public places is also a no no.

As for the night life, it is better to check the dress code for the specific restaurant or establishment that you are going to visit. Dinners usually require formal or at least semi-formal attire. Lunch time is generally more laidback and casual sportswear is acceptable.

Health
The climate in Bermuda is very mild and is not really a major concern for the average healthy person. If you suffer from hay fever, there is no need to be worried as the climate is also quite favorable to people with this condition. Pollen does exist but is quickly blown out onto the ocean by the wind.

Medical care is not a problem as they have excellent facilities in Bermuda. However, in case you need to seek medical attention while on vacation, be prepared to spend a certain amount of money. Travelers are not required to have special vaccinations to enter Bermuda.

User submitted article from Joe

The Bahama Islands are a great place to visit in the Caribbean. Only a short flight from Southern Florida, these Islands have emerged with great tropical resorts and amenities that fit everyone’s needs.

On my first visit to the Bahamas, my wife and I stayed at a Sandals Resort located in Nassau. This four star resort is an all inclusive that has everything you could ever imagine.

At first I was skeptical of the quality of the property, food, and beverage we would receive, but after being there only twenty-four hours, my mind had changed. Everything was above and beyond my expectations. The resort allowed its guest to be as active or passive as you choose. You could be involved in all the fun events that went on, or you could find yourself a secluded hammock where you could read, sleep, or sit and sip on a variety of tropical drinks.

I had a try at kayaking, and taking out a catamaran while visiting the Island, and we constantly went from the pool, to the beach, and back to the pool again. The tropical drinks kept flowing and the gourmet food was very good. For one price, you can eat, drink, and participate in almost all of the activities the resort has to offer.

Our accommodation, which we chose to go the least expensive, was upgraded to an ocean view from our balcony. We would sit and relax on the deck and watch the sunrise and fall.

The staff, all of which does not work for tips, could not be any more friendly and helpful than we would expect. Sandals does not allow for tipping. They only ask that if you have a favorite person during your stay, you fill out a card at the end of the trip to let the management know. Staff get rewarded internally through recommendations from guests.

My trip to the Sandals in the Bahamas was not my first visit, and won’t be my last.

If your Piña Colada is best taken while lounging on some of the better strips of beach southeast of Miami, then the Caribbean is waiting for you! Spend time in crystal clear waters that offer a host of water-based activities from snorkeling and scuba diving, parasailing, windsurfing, water skiing, and even cliff diving. Then continue your spring break with parties galore on the beach, on the strip, and on the bars everywhere.

Jamaica offers two superb spring break locations, each with a distinctive flavor and mood. Negril, for the casual traveller, perfect with its laid back atmosphere so much favored by those who really want to leave their books behind, and Montego Bay, for a somewhat faster paced vacation experience. Either way, expect to spend your nights captivated by the hypnotic rhythm of live reggae music as you party in its birthplace. As spring break is a strong draw to local business, expect some famous personalities to perform in one of the many shows there, which will probably turn out into one of the better party evenings of the week.

Jamaica is also a culinary delight as well, so make sure you indulge in their famous gastronomic offerings. Check out the chicken jerk rub, the famous Jamaican patties, and some other local offerings you can ask about from the restaurant chef. And of course, you have to try out the local liquor; straight up, on the rocks, or mixed into your favorite cocktail drink.

Nassau has a range of offerings favored by the higher-heeled set. The beaches are powdery white, the water is crystal, and the drinks are real thirst quenchers; especially if you have just spent quite a lot of time under the sun, or under the water. In Nassau, expect to spend a lot of your waking hours close to the water’s edge as this is really the best thing to do there.

For a more serene experience, Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic is a good alternative. Far from the throngs of people who crowd the popular beaches in the top spring break destinations, Punta Cana offers a self contained location where most activities can be done within the resort. Dolphins are accessible and a swimming excursion with them can easily be arranged. Perhaps the best way to describe Punta Cana is to call it an island paradise.

As the Caribbean is primarily a sun and sand destination, expect to come home with quite an assortment of beach souvenirs. Straw hats, local tee shirts featuring names and logos of famous bars, beaches and resorts, orange flip flops, souvenirs and treasures whose value is primarily in the memories associated with its purchase.

Use the Caribbean spring break vacation to bond with your friends, to try some exciting activities and water sports that you’ve never tried before, and to make sure you get completely recharged to give you a fresh start as you get back to school, the books, and to the other details we call life.