EXCURSIONES EN TIERRA

Enjoy a carefree and immensely scenic ride on an electric bike from St. George’s to Cooper’s Island Nature Reserve, where you will be free to enjoy the beach as you please.

Departing from the ship pier, enjoy the high-speed tender service across the mouth of the Great Sound before arriving thought the narrow ‘Town Cut’ into St. George’s, settled in 1612. UNESCO has designated St. George’s a World Heritage site as it is an authentic example of an English colonial town in the New World.

After an orientation, instructions and observed test ride by your guide, you will be ready for your electric-enhanced bicycle riding experience. You’ll find the extra boost in your pedal power offered from the bikes allows for an effortless ride over hilly terrain and across bridges to pristine Cooper’s Island Nature Reserve. Once occupied by the U.S. military and later used as a NASA space tracking station, this serene 12-acre reserve is now protected public land that is extraordinarily beautiful.

Before long, you will reach Clearwater Beach, where you will have time to enjoy the lovely coastal setting however you please. You might take a refreshing swim in the shallow waters, stretch out on the sand and enjoy the serenity, and walk to the nearby salt marsh to observe the wildlife. Herons, egrets and kingfishers are abundant, before the return ride back to the St. George’s to meet your return tender back to the ship. Participants must have intermediate to advance riding skill level with the desire for fun and adventure!

OVERVIEW

Observe the wonders underwater through the transparent bottom of your kayak while paddling through the sheltered waters off Ely’s Harbour in the West End. After a brief orientation to ensure that you maximize the experience, you will ease into a two-person kayak and paddle off into the harbor’s typically calm and clear waters. You will glide past shores lined with environmentally friendly mangroves, pause to admire the dramatically eroded cliff known Cathedral Rock and gaze out over Wreck Hill, where the Sea Venture supposedly wrecked in 1609 stranding its English crew and passengers. You may also paddle around the beach-rimmed islands that dot the natural harbor and stop to swim. Even so, the most unusual part of this adventure is watching the marine life through the kayak’s clear bottom. You may see brightly colored blue angelfish, striped sergeant majors, princess parrotfish and spotted eagle rays, all of which are native to Bermuda.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Paddle around Ely’s Harbour and observe the marine life through the kayak’s clear bottom.
• Look for schools of brightly colored fish and other native species such as eagle rays.
• Pause at coastal wonders such as Cathedral Rock and paddle past mangrove-lined shores.
• See the spot where the first inhabitants of Bermuda were shipwrecked.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Enjoy a panoramic drive along Bermuda’s picturesque southern shore with stops along the way at the most alluring attractions. After crossing the world’s smallest drawbridge, you will travel past a lengthy nature reserve in surprisingly bucolic Somerset Village, around the Great Sound and on to Gibbs Hill Lighthouse. Climb the spiral staircase of this whitewashed beacon – the world’s oldest cast-iron lighthouse – and you will be treated to 360° views of southern Bermuda. As you will notice while pausing at some of the loveliest beaches that rim the southern shores, they feature pink sand. The magnificent pastel hue comes from a combination of white limestone sediment and red single-cell organisms called foraminifera. Pastels also dominate Hamilton, Bermuda’s winsome capital, especially along Front Street. The colors beautifully complement the harbor’s turquoise water. During free time in Hamilton, you might shop in the one-of-a-kind stores or simply meander about enjoying the stylish ambiance.

HIGHLIGHTS

• See the considerable highlights in southern Bermuda, both natural and manmade.
• Cross the world’s smallest drawbridge and stop at the world’s oldest cast-iron lighthouse.
• Pause on occasion to admire the naturally beautiful pink-sand beaches along the southern shores.
• Enjoy free time in Hamilton, Bermuda’s wonderfully traditional capital.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Walk the cobblestone streets of thoroughly charming St. George, the oldest inhabited town of English origin in the New World. Because of that distinction, UNESCO named St. George a World Heritage site and it is well worth exploring. The guide will elaborate on the town’s intriguing past as you tour one landmark after another, beginning with the Tucker House, a family home that hasn’t changed one iota since being built in 1750, you will then learn about the origins of the island at the Towne Hall. The Mitchell House was built even earlier and is now a museum full of extraordinary artifacts. As you explore the State House, you will hear details about Bermuda’s Parliament, which met there for nearly 200 years until Bermuda’s capital moved to Hamilton. Other highlights include St. Peter’s Church, the Globe Hotel – the headquarters of a notorious Confederate arms runner during the Civil War – and Somers Garden, a lush greenspace named for Admiral George Somers, who is considered to be the founder of Bermuda.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Take a meandering walk-through St. George, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
• Tour historical homes and buildings that haven’t changed enormously over the centuries.
• Meander through Somers Garden, a palm-shaded urban park known for its tranquility.
• Hear fascinating stories about Bermuda’s history, which dates to the early 1600s.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Zip through the streets and back alleys of historical St. George on an electric trike for an effortless exploration of this UNESCO World Heritage site town. After a briefing on how to operate the trike and a trial run, you will be ready to take off on a one-of-a-kind journey through downtown. Pedaling or balancing isn’t required like on a conventional bike so you can concentrate on the sights along the way. The exact route will depend on the conditions and traffic, but you can expect to see many of the most historical landmarks. They include where the rum runners operated during Prohibition, the Unfinished Church – which was started in 1874 and is still only partially built – and the site of Joseph Rainey’s barbershop before he returned to America to become the first African-American to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives. The guide will describe the importance of each attraction during the 3-mile ride.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Ride through St. George, Bermuda’s first capital, on an electric three-wheeled trike.
• See many of the town’s most fascinating attractions and hear descriptions of each one.
• Admire the 17th- and 18th-century architecture that lines the streets of St. George.
• Take the tender to and from St. George, which occupies Bermuda’s northeastern tip.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Hear enlightening commentary about the British overseas territory of Bermuda on a scenic drive to a resort in Somerset Village, where you will indulge in a traditional English tea. The British influence will be apparent most everywhere you go, beginning with the Royal Naval Dockyard. It was established as a British base of operations between Nova Scotia and the West Indies after the English were defeated in the American Revolution, and it was used militarily until abandoned in the 1980s. Bermuda’s first settlers were British – although they arrived inadvertently after being shipwrecked in 1609 – and the self-governing archipelago still follows a parliamentary system based on the United Kingdom’s. Heydon Chapel is perhaps the earliest reminder of England’s presence as it was built in 1620. You might contemplate all that you have seen and heard about Britain over a spot of tea, scones and cakes at the waterfront Willowbank resort.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Settle in for a wonderfully scenic drive and hear commentary that highlights the attractions.
• Recognize Britain’s deep influence in Bermuda, which is still a British overseas territory.
• Enjoy the quintessential English experience – a traditional tea with cakes and scones.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

After tendering to St. George, you'll first spend some time with Long Story Short tour company, to take a stroll through the quaint, historic Town of St. George, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with over four centuries of history and unique architecture dating back to the 17th century. Learn about the role Bermuda played in the American Revolutionary War. See the oldest Anglican Church outside the British Isles. And soak up the charm of beauty in the brick-laid streets and winding alleys of Bermuda's first capital. You'll pass by some incredible structures including the Unfinished Church and Fort William, the site of the Gunpowder Plot of 1775, as you head to Bermuda's #1 snorkeling destination and beach bar, Tobacco Bay Beach! At the beach, you'll be greeted with a delicious welcome drink before enjoying lunch on the shaded deck. Spend the afternoon lounging, swimming, and soaking up the sun before being transported back to the ocean-side dock for your ferry ride.

Explore the geological wonders and eerie formations in Crystal Caves and then spend hours relaxing at a series of beaches linked by footpaths and surrounded by a nature reserve.

After departing from the pier, you will enjoy a leisurely tender ride to St. George’s Island, the northernmost point of hook-shaped Bermuda. A short scenic drive will bring you to Crystal Caves, which were discovered in 1907 when a teenager tried to retrieve his cricket ball from a hole and found it led to a huge series of caverns.

You will have the opportunity to explore the wonders underground, which include a crystal-clear lake and a profusion of white stalactites eerily illuminated for added drama. Parts of the caves are accessed along a pontoon boardwalk that floats atop the lake, allowing a closer look at the geological formations underwater. As an alternative, you may remain above ground and meander the gardens and browse the gift shop.

. Continuing, you will soon arrive at the Clearwater Beach & Cooper’s Island Reserve, a secluded wedge of undeveloped land on Bermuda’s eastern end. The area contains six interconnected beaches, an idyllic setting to enjoy hours relaxing in the sun, doing whatever you please.

You may take a refreshing swim in the shallow waters, observe the marine life while snorkeling or simply lie back in a lounge chair and enjoy the serenity.

OVERVIEW

Cruise along Bermuda’s western shore in a sleek catamaran and enjoy free time snorkeling and swimming off one of the sandbars. While cruising, you will hear entertaining stories about the history of Royal Naval Dockyard and how Bermuda has evolved since its founding in 1612. The scenery will be extraordinary the entire way, but especially once the catamaran anchors in the shallows. You will be free to swim in the crystal-clear waters and snorkel the coral reefs, which are teeming with marine life. Bright blue tangs, queen triggerfish and reddish squirrelfish are frequently spotted. You may even catch sight of hawksbill and green sea turtles gracefully swimming by. If you are looking for a little more activity, kayaks and paddleboards are available. Another highlight will be stopping to feed the fish gathered around the H.M.S Vixen, a ship that became an artificial reef after the British Royal Navy intentionally scuttled it in 1896.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Take in the gorgeous scenery while cruising a catamaran along Bermuda’s western shore.
• Relax on a sandbar and swim in the crystal-clear shallows if you wish.
• Behold countless tropical fish and perhaps even sea turtles if you opt to snorkel.
• Feed the fish around the wreck of a 19th-century ship that has become an artificial reef.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing with a swimsuit underneath.
• Bring a towel, hat and sunscreen.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Enjoy a thoroughly relaxing catamaran cruise with a favorite island-inspired drink in hand and stop along the way for a refreshing swim in the sea. As you skirt along the gorgeous western coast of Bermuda, the scenery will be absolutely breathtaking. Depending on your mood, you can sit in a shaded area, bask in the sun or move about the catamaran as you please. To add to the ambiance, tropical music will be playing and the drinks will be flowing. You might start with a dark ‘n’ stormy cocktail or a tasty rum swizzle, the national drink of Bermuda. Depending on the conditions, the captain will drop anchor in secluded cove or another sheltered hideaway, allowing you to relax without a care in the world. Although you will be welcome to stay onboard, it will be hard to resist swimming in the turquoise waters or just floating around on a foam noodle.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Take in the gorgeous scenery while cruising a catamaran along Bermuda’s western shore.
• Enjoy the carefree atmosphere onboard with music playing and a cool drink in hand.
• Bask in the sun, sit in the shade and move about the catamaran as you please.
• Take a refreshing swim and float round on a foam noodle once the catamaran anchors.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing with a swimsuit underneath.
• Bring a towel, hat and sunscreen.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Cruise around Harrington Sound on a 30-foot catamaran and learn about the unique ecology of this large body of water that at first glance appears to be a land-locked lake. As you will discover, an almost imperceptible channel connects the sound with the ocean so the water is briny and tidal. The biodiversity is remarkable, as is its natural beauty. As you cruise around the sound – which was named after a 17th-century English countess that ironically never set foot in Bermuda – you will pass sea caves, dramatic cliffs and secluded inlets. You will hear about their formation, stories about the early settlers that lived along the coast and the marine life that inhabits these sheltered waters. You will get a close-up view of the creatures that live below the water’s surface in the Bermuda Aquarium, Museum & Zoo, where you may observe sharks, neon-colored parrotfish and moray eels.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Learn about the unique ecology of Harrington Sound while cruising around this lake-like waterway.
• Pass sea caves, cliffs and inlets that add to the sound’s natural beauty.
• Browse Bermuda’s aquarium and observe the local marine life up close.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Learn about the mysterious Bermuda Triangle – where dozens of ships and airplanes have supposedly vanished without explanation – and browse a museum that sheds some light on those enigmas. Bermuda is the northern tip of the triangle, whose other points are Miami and Puerto Rico, and the waters in between are legendary for their unnatural occurrences. You will gaze out over the sea from Fort Scaur, a late 19th-century fortress that offers an extraordinary 360° view of Bermuda. The Unlock the Secrets exhibit at the Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute may unravel some of the most puzzling aspects of the Bermuda Triangle. Another exhibit will allow you to investigate some of the triangle’s strange phenomena on a simulated dive to an airplane graveyard at the bottom of the sea. A driving tour through Hamilton will reveal the official northern point of the Bermuda Triangle, after which you will pause for photos of one of the island’s most beautiful pink beaches.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Delve into the mysteries of the Bermuda Triangle on a panoramic drive around the island.
• Browse museum exhibits that offer theories behind the disappearances within the triangle.
• See the northernmost point of the Bermuda Triangle in Hamilton, the island’s capital.
• Behold Bermuda’s natural beauty from Fort Scaur and on one of the island’s pink beaches.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.