Walking vacation in Bermuda
| country: | Bermuda |
| trip type: | Introductory walking vacations |
| departures: | 2008: 16 Mar |
| price: | CA $3495 (6 days) excluding flights. Single supplement CA $500 |
the amazing things you'll be doing
Endless summer and ageless tradition…the unique beauty of Bermuda. The Railway Trail traces a path through the island’s natural splendour. Pink sands and turquoise waters; marshlands and mangroves. At Somerset, the world’s smallest drawbridge opens onto a glimpse of history.
An unparalleled view of the Great Sound from the parapet of a 19th century fort. Migrating birds find sanctuary in the upland forest of Heydon Trust; all around, the heady scent of roses. A glass-bottomed boat reveals aquatic mysteries. Journey to the past in the New World’s oldest English-speaking town. The striking Martello Tower stands guard at Ferry Point.
From Abbott’s Cliff, a dazzling view of Harrington Sound. The warmth of island hospitality. Echoes of Old Britain in the splendid colonial architecture of Hamilton. Experience deeply.
An unparalleled view of the Great Sound from the parapet of a 19th century fort. Migrating birds find sanctuary in the upland forest of Heydon Trust; all around, the heady scent of roses. A glass-bottomed boat reveals aquatic mysteries. Journey to the past in the New World’s oldest English-speaking town. The striking Martello Tower stands guard at Ferry Point.
From Abbott’s Cliff, a dazzling view of Harrington Sound. The warmth of island hospitality. Echoes of Old Britain in the splendid colonial architecture of Hamilton. Experience deeply.
day-by-day itinerary
| Day 1: | We meet poolside at 11:00 AM at the Surf Side Beach Resort our accommodations for the week, located in Warwick Parrish on the Shore Road. The Surf Side features bright sunny rooms, a pool and a dining terrace overlooking the intensely turquoise water and beach. After introductions and a brief orientation, we take a short walk and picnic in Astwood Cove Seaside Park to experience a taste of Bermuda’s unique beauty. We’ll wander along Bermuda’s famed South Shore Park and Beaches to Horseshoe Beach, one of the island’s most popular beaches. We’ll return to Surf Side Beach Resort via the Railway Trails and Tribe Roads. The 21-mile Bermuda Railway Trail, of which we will walk half of by week’s end, was converted in the 1980’s to an ideal walking trail that runs almost the entire length of Bermuda. Our adventure begins in the intense beauty of our “outdoor classroom” for the week, Bermuda. (Walk up to 3- 4 miles or 5- 7 km) |
| Day 2: | We begin our day with a transfer to Ferry Reach picking up on the trail that winds along the seashore on St. George’s Island; we walk to a small sandy beach at Whale Bone Bay near Ferry Point Park anda chance to visit the Martello Tower. Our walk continues to the town of St. George, where we will embark on a historical journey in the oldest English-speaking town in the New World. The town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site based on the preservation of its many original stone buildings. This afternoon there is an option to continue to Tobacco Bay, protected from the Atlantic Ocean by craggy rock formations that offer wonderful scenery. You can also take time to explore on your own – relax in a cafe or pub by the sea, or “check out” the art galleries, craft shops, museum or the replica of the 1610 sailing ship, Deliverance. (Walk up to 3-4 miles or 5-7 km) |
| Day 3: | This morning we visit the Botanical Gardens where there is much to interest both the horticulturist and the casual nature lover. We retrace our steps to the Waterville Nature Trust property and along Pomander Row to Paget Marsh for some wonderful birding opportunities. We will walk along the Railway Trail to Darrell’s Wharf, where we will meet for an eco-tour on the water with Jesse James Tours in a glass bottom boat. After our 2 hour boat tour we’ll disembark in the capital of Hamilton for a bit a free time to enjoy the colonial charm of the city before meeting for dinner at a pubin the city. (Walk up to 3-4 miles or 5-7 km) |
| Day 4: | Upon arrival at the world’s smallest drawbridge in Somerset, we begin the morning with a glimpse of what Bermuda may have looked like a hundred years ago at Hog Bay Park. We will visit Fort Scaurwhich is a C19 fort that was built by Royal Engineers and a first defense for Dockyard. Perched on one of the highest hills in Bermuda, the view of the Great Sound is unequalled. We will enjoy a lush walk through the roses and Bermudian upland forest species of Heydon Trust, a sanctuary for migrating birds. In the afternoon, we head to Bermuda’s Royal Naval Dockyard, a 200-acre complex that was once a strategic outpost for the Royal Navy. You will have time to visit the craft market and other folk art attractions in this wonderful complex. We meet up tonight to share the day’s experiences over dinner. (Walk up to 3-4 miles or 5-7 km) |
| Day 5: | We begin our day with a transfer to Bailey's Bay in Hamilton Parish. Our first stop is at Abbot’s Cliff - overlooking the Harrington Sound. Our walk takes us through a scenic upland forest area and view points across much of central Bermuda that may take your breath away. We then wind our way down to a rugged, beautiful section of the railway trail along the North Shore. We take in a pretty working fishing cove, marshlands, brackish ponds and mangrove swamps on our way to Shelly Bay. After lunch we will transfer to the City of Hamilton and take part in a city tour of the parks, museum, the Anglican Cathedral and Parliamentary buildings. You will end your tour of this city with a deeper sense of architecture and history. Tonight we dine at a smart restaurant for our farewell dinner. (Walk up to 4.5 miles or 7 km) |
| Day 6: | This morning we stroll along the Western beaches and end our walk at Gibb’s Lighthouse Tearoom for alight lunch. We’ll then return to the Surfside, at approximately 3PM, and the end of our adventure with Tim and the beautiful islands of Bermuda. (Walk up to 2.5 miles or 4 km) |
small group adventure holiday
Typically you will be sharing your experiences with between 4-20 like minded travellers (depending on the trip, operator and how many others are booked on the trip) and you'll have a group leader with you. Whether you are travelling alone or with friends its good value, and a great way to meet new people! While itineraries are pre-planned there is some flexibility and you'll have plenty of privacy. This trip will appeal to travellers of all ages who enjoy meeting new people as well as seeing new places.how this holiday makes a difference
|
Endless summer and ageless tradition help to describe the unique beauty of Bermuda. On this tour we practice "no-trace" hiking which means we travel on durable surfaces and use existing trails to minimize the impact on the environment. Our guests use only reusable dishes and containers, our guides make ever effort to gather garbage along the trails we use. We practice a strict you pack it in; you pack it out policy and even supply our guests with potty packs while hiking.
Due to the delicate ecology of the remote areas we travel while in Bermuda, we promise small group travel with typically no more than 12 hikers at one time in an effort to reduce the impact on the landscape. While in Bermuda we will employ local guides, purchase food locally and stay in locally owned and operated small scale inns in our effort to enhance the economy of the smaller, more remote areas of this amazing place. |
Tourism can be good and bad for destinations & local people. We carefully screen every holiday against our criteria for responsible travel. 'Look behind the brochure' to find how each holiday makes a difference (see left). We don't claim to be perfect - there is no global accreditation - but we've lead the way since 2001 and screened 1000's of holidays. We invite every traveller to write a review about their experiences and responsible tourism. This valuable feedback is sent to the people who run the holidays. We keep a very close eye on it and take off holidays that don't live up to our standards. |