Bermuda Islands: where they are, when to go and what to see

The Bermuda archipelago is located in the North Atlantic. Consisting of three hundred islets of volcanic origin, of which only twenty are inhabited, Bermuda together with Florida and Puerto Rico form the famous'triangle'. Its historical richness together with its natural beauty have made Bermuda one of the most popular tourist destinations. Here is some information on when to visit, and how to organise your trip.

Travel information: useful info

• Inhabitants: 69,839

• Capital: Hamilton

• Languages: English

• Local currency: Bermuda dollar (€0.87=1 Bermuda dollar)

• Climate: very mild, due to the influence of the Gulf Stream. Annual rainfall is fairly abundant and well distributed throughout the year. During the winter, from December to April, the temperature is mild, with lows around 15/17 degrees at night and highs around 20/22 degrees. Summer is hot and sultry, with highs around 30 degrees in July and August, but tempered by breezes.

• Vaccinations: Vaccinations are not required, but it is recommended that an insurance policy be taken out before departure to cover medical expenses and the possible repatriation by air (or transfer to another country) of the patient.

• Entry requirements: Italian and other EU citizens, as well as visitors from most countries, do not need a visa to visit Bermuda. Please note that your passport must have a residual validity of at least six months and you must be in possession of a return or onward flight ticket.

• Distance from Italy: 6,705 km, which can be covered in about 13 hours (not including stopover time)

Where to find us

Bermuda is the oldest British overseas territory, located in the North Atlantic. St. George's Town, the first capital, is the oldest continuously inhabited British settlement in the Americas from its founding to the present day.

How to get there

• From Rome: there are numerous airlines that travel on this route, among them are: Alitalia, EasyJet, Delta Air Lines, American Airlines and British Airways. The most economical flight solutions include 2 stopovers, the first at London Gatwick and the second at New York-John F. Kennedy airport, and these are always long stops ranging from two to five hours. Some may include an additional stop at Boston airport, which is about two hours from Bermuda. Overall, the flight takes between 15 and 17 hours.
  Flights Rome - St. George's from €582.00 - look at the offers

• From Milan: there are many companies that operate this route. These include British Airways, American Airlines and EasyJet, the latter for the Milan-London Gatwick route. Here, in fact, you change airline, switching to Norwegian Air UK Ltd, which then makes a stopover in New York, where you will have to take a third plane, with the company Jet Blu, which arrives at L.F. Wade International Airport. This with three stopovers is the cheapest travel option. Depending on the number of stopovers, the flight time varies from 17 to 18 hours. The airport is located near St George's Island and 17 km from the capital city of Hamilton.
  Flights Milan - St. George's from €591.00 - look at the offers

• Frommajor European capitals: the following airlines fly to the Bermuda Islands from London: Delta, KLM, Virgin Atlantic and British Airways, which in some cases also offers direct flights. The flight time ranges from 7 hours for a direct flight, to 19 hours with a stopover. Delta, Air France and British Airways, KLM and Transavia Aircaft, on the other hand, depart from Berlin, and the flights are all with 2 stopovers, with a travel time ranging from 15 to 18 hours. From Paris, on the other hand, Air Canada and Lufthansa must be added to the companies mentioned above. The scheduled stopover is one, but it can also include full-day stops. The journey time can vary from 15 to 30 hours, but it is from here that the most ecnomical flights depart. Remember that the stopover times mentioned are always to be considered long (in some cases up to 19 hours).

When to go? Info on climate and best time

• Climate: mild all year round. In summer, the heat and sultriness increase, the sea reaches a temperature of 28 °C and there is frequent evening rainfall. In winter, from December to April, the temperature is mild but good weather is not always guaranteed. There is no shortage of rain and windy days, the sea temperature drops to 19/20 °C.

• Best period: April and May seem to be the best months, especially May from a meteorological point of view, as it is still a little cool for bathing (air temperature around 24 degrees, sea temperature around 21 °C).

• Period to avoid: special attention should be paid to tropical storms and hurricanes, which generally occur from August to October, although the hurricane season runs from June to November.

• Advice: from December to April, light clothes, but also a sweatshirt or jumper, jacket and umbrella. From June to September, on the other hand, light clothes, a light sweatshirt and a light mackintosh for thunderstorms.

Which island to go to?

Bermuda is an archipelago of islands of volcanic origin consisting of 181 islands with a total area of 53.3 square kilometres. The largest island is Great Bermuda, sometimes simply called Bermuda. Eight of the larger, inhabited islands are connected by bridges. Those of most interest to tourists are:

1. Sandys Parish: this administrative division includes the islands of Ireland, Boaz and Somerset, which are located at the south-western end of the archipelago. An area particularly suitable for couples, or those who want to enjoy the tranquillity, it boasts a number of natural beauty spots including the beaches at Mangrove Bay and Somerset Long Bay . The major centre is Somerset, an old village with modest colonial-era houses. The area is connected to the mainland by the Somerset Bridge.

2. Greater Bermuda: the largest island of the archipelago, the natural paradise par excellence, famous for its rosy-coloured beaches and crystal-clear sea. The largest number of tourists are concentrated here, and all forms of entertainment can be found here.

3. Saint George: located to the east of Greater Bermuda, the island has a number of historical and archaeological sites of great interest, as well as natural beauty. The historic centre of the town of the same name, for instance, has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Nearby is the first stone building erected in Bermuda, the oldest Anglican church in our hemisphere and the Bermuda Trust Museum.

What to see and do: beaches and places of interest

1. Tobacco Bay and Church Bay: when you go to a natural paradise like Bermuda, you can't not snorkel. Here the activity is made more interesting by the presence of numerous shipwrecks, some 300 including the Hermes, which is practically intact. Not to mention the magnificent coral reef. In fact, Tobacco Bay and Church Bay remain the most popular destinations for these types of activities.

2. South Shore Park: a park of about 2.5 km, enclosing what are described as the most beautiful beaches in the archipelago.

3. Saint George Island: a must-see for its archaeological and historical sites. These include Old State House, the first stone house built in 1620; the Unfinished Church; the Old Presbytery and the Bermuda Museum. In addition, the historic city centre of Saint George is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

4. Bermuda Aquarium - Natural History Museum and Zoo: a multi-purpose conservation and educational centre for marine and terrestrial creatures, the aquarium, located in the village of Flatts, boasts over 200 species of fish and marine invertebrates from shallow coastal waters, northern coral reefs and the deep ocean. The zoo, on the other hand, houses more than 300 birds, mammals and reptiles from the oceanic islands in natural habitats, while the Bermuda Museum of Natural History showcases Bermuda's geological formation, displaying the island's diverse habitats and the impact of human life in a small island environment.

5. Bermuda Botanical Gardens: Located in Paget Parish, they house an extensive collection of subtropical fruit trees, banyan trees, hibiscus and an aviary, as well as an aromatic garden designed for blind visitors. Free access is available on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

6. Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute: located in Hamilton, it hosts a series of interactive exhibits and displays exploring mysteries and life in the ocean. Exhibits include the Treasure Room, which displays artefacts found by legendary diver Teddy Tucker.

7. Holy Trinity Cathedral: located in Hamilton, it is an Anglican church built in 1844 using Bermuda limestone and Caen stone, imported from Normandy in France. About 44 metres high, the tower offers a stunning panoramic view of Hamilton City and as far as Bermuda's North Shore.

8. Crystal & Fantasy Caves: natural caves with deep underground pools of clear water, incredible formations of stalactites, stalagmites, crystallised soda ash and a network of passageways connecting the caves with the ocean. The caves are located in Hamilton, near the castle harbour.

9. Dockyard Glassworks: specialises in the production of handmade glass, including sculptural glass created using Italian technique and beautiful blown art glass. Visitors can watch the master craftsmen at work. The Dockyard glassworks is open to the public daily from 9am to 5pm and stays open until 9pm when there are cruise ships in the harbour.

10. Dolphin Quest: gives visitors the incredible opportunity to swim with dolphins. The facility is also involved in a variety of educational programmes, and supports marine scientific studies aimed at protecting the ocean and its inhabitants.

How much does a holiday in Bermuda cost? Prices, offers and tips

The inhabitants of the archipelago care a lot about their islands, so don't hope to find car rentals because there are none. On the other hand, there are many taxis available at very affordable prices given the absence of traffic: a taxi ride starts at €4.80 while, per kilometre, the meter increases by €1.50. As far as accommodation is concerned, on the other hand, the average price per night is about €66.00, in a one-star hotel, while, as far as lunch and dinner are concerned, it is very close to Italian prices. The average price of a meal in an inexpensive restaurant for one person is about €22.00, while the price of a 500 g loaf of bread in a supermarket goes up considerably to €5.80.

• Where to stay: Hotels and B&Bs from €153.00 per room - see offers

• Low cost flights: from €591.00 - look at the offers

• Flight+ hotel: Return flight + stay 14 days / 13 nights in a 3-star hotel or b&b from €3,324.00 - look at the offers