New tourism experiences for Bermuda

MORE than 20 home-grown ideas, out of a total 55 approved experiences, will receive investment funding from the #Bermuda #Tourism Authority for the first time in 2018. The 23 newly supported tourism experiences is the largest crop of successful new applicants since the process to find home-grown ideas began in 2014.

Newly supported experiences include Bermuda by Dune Buggy, a low-noise, electric vehicle tour experience that will travel via public roadway in the west end making stops at key sites. Meantime, a water transport mobile app known as WaterRide Transport also won cash investment for its innovative approach as a water shuttle. The Bermuda Triangle Beach Experience at Clearwater Beach is also on the list, the brainchild of the same Bermudian proprietors behind the Tobacco Bay Beach Experience.

Culinary experiences Sip & Savour Bermuda Food Tours and Wild Herbs N Plants of Bermuda were successful too and local performers will take centre stage in an expanded version of Made in Bermuda, a home-grown entertainment showcase.

About 70 percent of the investment for 2018 will go to experiences characterised as sports and adventure, while the remaining 30 percent is in the arts and culture realm. Bermuda’s success attracting younger, more experiential travellers over the past two years has raised the adventure-related demand.

Go Holiday news : www.govillasandcottages.co.uk
All your holiday needs: IN PRINT - ON-LINE - DiGiMAG - SMARTPHONE -TABLET - BLOG - TWITTER - G+ - FACEBOOK

Picture Credit: GoToBermuda 52607281@N07/5978621830 via photopin

Bermuda hailed a success after 35th America's Cup

BERMUDA'S successful delivery of the 35th America’s Cup has elevated the destination to a strong position for attracting future sports tourism events and has already helped officials land new events for the island.

Since 2016, nine America’s Cup legacy events – some of them recurring – have been added to Bermuda’s sports tourism calendar. These events coming to the island were positively influenced by the 35th America’s Cup and the 2015 Louis Vuitton America’s Cup World Series in #Bermuda.

“Using the momentum of the America’s Cup to set the stage for future tourism growth has always been a goal of the Bermuda Tourism Authority. Bermuda is well on her way to accomplishing that goal,” said Bermuda Tourism Authority Chief Executive Kevin Dallas.

Meantime, in the wake of America’s Cup, the Bermuda #Tourism Authority is actively vetting the feasibility of many other sports-related events, including future Superyacht and J Class Regattas similar to the America’s Cup-related events that took place in Bermuda in June. 

 The 2017 Superyacht Regatta attracted about twice the number of entrants that raced in San Francisco during the 34th America’s Cup, while the convergence of eight J Class boats in Bermuda was the largest gathering in history – even more than raced at any one time in the 1930s and 1940s when the majestic sailing vessels competed for the America’s Cup.

Go Holiday news : www.govillasandcottages.co.uk
All your holiday needs: IN PRINT - ON-LINE - DiGiMAG - SMARTPHONE -TABLET - BLOG - TWITTER - G+ - FACEBOOK

Picture Credit: Pintrest

Spectate from the water

BERMUDA'S crystal clear waters are this month providing the perfect stage for the 35th #America’sCup. The action will take place on the Great Sound, where the best sailors on the fastest #yachts in the race’s 166-year history will battle it out for the oldest trophy in international sport.

It’s not too late to enjoy a piece of the action. Prestige Holidays has a week-long package that includes the much sought after on-the-water spectator tickets and will offer unbeatable locations for viewing the race up close.

The Spectator Boats will have radio commentary playing during the on-water action, so passengers on board will know exactly how each race is playing out. Every boat in the fleet will also have a cash bar and snacks to buy on board. 

Go Holiday news : www.govillasandcottages.co.uk

All your holiday needs: IN PRINT - ON-LINE - DiGiMAG - SMARTPHONE -TABLET - BLOG - TWITTER - G+ - FACEBOOK
Picture Credit: americascup.com

Plain Sailing

THE 35th America’s Cup will be hosted for the first time in #Bermuda between May 26 and June 27, at which time the most elite sailing teams in the world will go to battle for yachting’s most sought-after trophy and title.

With 181 islands and 64 miles of coastline, it is not surprising that sailors travel back to Bermuda time and again.

Nestled neatly in the Atlantic Ocean, Bermuda offers some of the best snorkeling in the world, crystal clear turquoise waters and dazzling pink-sand beaches. The month of June offers excellent racing conditions, creating the perfect competitive atmosphere for the time-honored #AmericasCup.

The Moorings is offering spectators a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to view all the world-class racing action and excitement from the deck of their own state-of-the-art sail catamaran. Sailing enthusiasts and America’s Cup fans alike are invited to charter their own private crewed Moorings 4800 or Moorings 5800 yacht, complete with personal captain and gourmet chef, for the ultimate America’s Cup experience.

moorings.com/americas-cup

Go Holiday news : www.govillasandcottages.co.uk

All your holiday needs: IN PRINT - ON-LINE - DiGiMAG - SMARTPHONE -TABLET - BLOG - TWITTER - G+ - FACEBOOK

Bermuda open for business

WITHIN 24 hours, #Bermuda had bounced back from one of the strongest storms in the island country’s long history. Hurricane Nicole, a dangerous Category 4 storm, hit Bermuda Thursday, October 13 toppling trees, flooding neighbourhood streets and knocking out power to 90% of the island. However, strict building codes and a tireless commitment to hurricane preparedness paved the way for a wide-ranging recovery effort immediately following the storm.

“Bermuda bounces back quickly from storms thanks to a community spirit that is evident island-wide. Hospitality is in our blood - we take care of our visitors on-island and are ready to welcome new visitors from our airline and cruise ship partners, said Victoria Isley, Chief Sales & Marketing Officer. “Bermuda is on track this year to welcome the most visitors to the island since 2008 – and to be back online within 24 hours of such a major storm is a testament to Bermuda’s dedication to visitors.” For example, hotels such as the Fairmont Southampton and Grotto Bay entertained guests during the storm with a Hurricane Party and Rum Cake Bingo respectively. The Hamilton Princess was fully operational through the storm, including Marcus restaurant. And planes touched down in Bermuda Thursday, October 14 with new visitors ready to soak up island life in Bermuda.

Go Holiday news : www.govillasandcottages.co.uk

All your holiday needs: IN PRINT - ON-LINE - DiGiMAG - SMARTPHONE -TABLET - BLOG - TWITTER - G+ - FACEBOOK

Picture Credit: fermicat www.flickr.com/photos/85879122@N00/29082205646 Rainbow!  via photopin.com

All-aboard

The Learn to Sail #Bermuda courses are designed for those taking their first sailing experience or those seeking to improve their skills, ranging from half a day up to five-day courses for ages five and above. Junior lessons are available year-round and adult #sailing is available from September to May.

At the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club, prices start from £110 per person, based on two people taking a three-hour lesson or £450 per person for a week-long course.

www.gotobermuda.co.uk/Bermuda_Sailing/Sailing_in_Bermuda

Go Holiday news : www.govillasandcottages.co.uk

All your holiday needs: IN PRINT - ON-LINE - DiGiMAG - SMARTPHONE -TABLET - BLOG - TWITTER - G+ - FACEBOOK

Picture Credit: 65447217@N00/27711821720 From the top of the lighthouse via photopin.com

All-aboard in Bermuda

IN RESPONSE to the growing demand for accessible #sailing – and to celebrate being home to the 35th America's Cup in 2017 – the #Bermuda Tourism Authority has launched a learn-to-sail programme. In association with the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club and the Royal Hamilton Amateur Dingy Club, visitors can follow some of the world's greatest sailors, including Sir Ben Ainslie, and sail on the Atlantic waters of Bermuda's Great Sound.

The Learn to Sail Bermuda courses are designed for those taking their first sailing experience or those seeking to improve their skills, ranging from half a day up to five-day courses for ages five and above. Junior lessons are available year-round and adult sailing is available from September to May.

At the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club, prices start from £110 per person, based on two people taking a three-hour lesson or £450 per person for a week-long course. 

www.gotobermuda.co.uk/Bermuda_Sailing/Sailing_in_Bermuda

Go Holiday news : www.govillasandcottages.co.uk

All your holiday needs: IN PRINT - ON-LINE - DiGiMAG - SMARTPHONE -TABLET - BLOG - TWITTER - G+ - FACEBOOK

Picture Credit: John Hoey from Framingham, MA, United States - Welcome to Bermuda (1), CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org

10 things you’ve always wanted to know about Bermuda, but …

... were too idle to ask …

1. Founded in 1612, St. George Town – a UNESCO World Heritage site – is the oldest inhabited English town in the Americas.

 2. There are no neon signs

3. Visitors are not permitted to hire cars

4. Bermuda has more golf courses per square mile than any other nation

5. Presidents Dwight Eisenhower and Jack Kennedy, and Winston Churchill, have played golf there

6. The ocean around Bermuda are great for snorkelers; water is clear down to 150ft

7. There are 100 tennis courts on the island

8. Temperatures average 80F from April to October and 70F from November to March.

9. The island is in the North Atlantic ocean, not the Caribbean

10. Bermuda is 21 square miles, surrounded by 200 square-miles of coral reef

Go Holiday news : www.govillasandcottages.co.uk
All your holiday needs: IN PRINT - ON-LINE - DiGiMAG - SMARTPHONE -TABLET - BLOG - TWITTER - G+ - FACEBOOK

Picture Credit: From Top: "Bermuda Flag" by Version 1: Made by Caleb Moore via Wikimedia Commons; "SPITTAL POND NATURE RESERVE, BERMUDA" by JERRYE AND ROY KLOTZ MD (Own work) via Wikimedia Commons  ; "Bermuda-Harbour and Town of St George" by Aodhdubh at en.wikipedia from Wikimedia Commons