History On Ice

It’s been a wild Winter Games this year, hasn’t it? From the horrific tragedy on the Olympic luge to Tucker Murphy’s highly acclaimed Bermuda shorts, the storylines from Vancouver have been plenty. And as the Games are set to close this weekend—what I’m sure will be yet another colorful ceremony—let me offer just one more. It’s been well-reported that Bermuda had just one athlete in this year’s Olympics, the aforementioned Tucker Murphy who finished 88th out of 95 starters in Monday’s 15-kilometer cross-country skiing event. But did you know we almost had two? That indeed there was another Bermudian in this year’s Games, but she competed for France instead? As was first reported in the Bermuda Sun, pairs figure skater Vanessa James couldn’t find a local sponsor to make her Olympic dream come true, so she found her own way to the Games: Along with partner Yannick Bonheur, she won last year’s French National Championships, which qualified the duo for Vancouver making them the first black pairs skaters to ever compete in the Olympic Games. Pretty heady stuff. That's the pair at last year's International Skating Union competition, where they placed fourth. Unfortunately at their event in Vancouver the pair came in 14th, but I’m sure the thrill of competing on such grand stage was medal enough. At the very least, James and Bonheur have cemented themselves into Olympic immortality—a true athletic achievement that bypasses nationality and is way shinier than gold.

Show Your Love

Have you heard the news? Bermuda was nominated as a “Favorite Island Getaway In The World” in this year’s Budget Travel Readers’ Choice Awards, a distinction bestowed by the magazine’s editors based upon suggestions from readers themselves. The good news is Bermuda is currently in the lead behind Maui, St. Lucia and Kauai, respectively, but in order to stay number one the island needs your help. That’s right folks, it’s time to show your love for Bermuda. It’s very easy and just two clicks away. Go to Budget Travel’s Readers’ Choice homepage, scroll down until you reach the Destinations tab on the left, then click Favorite Island Getaway In The World. You’ll see some choices pop up at right; this is where you click on Bermuda and cast your vote. Easy, right? But in case you’re still unsure if Bermuda is indeed the world’s best island getaway, here are a few reasons to help earn your vote.

BERMUDA’S PINK SAND BEACHES. Okay, okay, that was fairly obvious, but really our beaches are just divine and unlike some of Bermuda’s Readers Choice competitors, unbelievably numerous and completely accessible. PROXIMITY TO THE EAST COAST. We’re just a 90-minute flight from New York City and less than two hours from most east coast gateways including Boston, Philly, D.C., Miami and Halifax, Canada. Currently in second place is Maui, which from Los Angeles would take at least twice the flying time to reach. OCEAN VIEW GOLF COURSES. You don’t even have to be a golfer to appreciate them. Take Port Royal for example, with sweeping ocean views from nearly every hole and one of the greatest holes in all of golf—the stunning sixteenth with nothing but the Atlantic between the tee and the pin. WORLD-CLASS WRECK DIVING. Bermuda is home to a thriving reef system, one that has claimed over 300 wrecks in the country's 400-year history, many of which are in a mere 30 feet of water. RICH COLONIAL HISTORY. The east end town of St. George’s was founded in 1609 and looks much the way it did when the island was first claimed by the British, boasting labyrinth alleyways and charming colonial architecture. WE’RE QUIRKY! Where else can you wear brightly colored shorts with knee-high socks while zipping around on a moped without a second glance? That’s right, only in Bermuda. So what are you waiting for? Go cast your vote for Bermuda today!

In Appreciation Of…The Rum Swizzle

There are many things I love about Bermuda—the island’s powdery pink sand beaches, its ocean view golf courses, the friendly people I meet each day—but there’s one aspect that hardly gets enough attention: the Rum Swizzle. What? You’ve never heard of a Rum Swizzle? The woodsier, more savory version of a typical rum punch? Then consider this your master class in cocktailing, but first a bit of history. The Swizzle was first invented in 1932 at the similarly named Swizzle Inn in Bailey’s Bay, Bermuda. Originally a quiet country pub, it has now become Bermuda’s most beloved dive bar—a patina-ed watering hole with ramshackle furniture, graffiti-covered walls and wooden rafters plastered with business cards tacked up by drunken patrons. It’s a fun place as the popular slogan suggests: “Swizzle Inn, Swagger Out.” And while you can easily order up a Rum Swizzle at any bar in Bermuda, for the original, you’ll have to go to Bailey’s Bay. So, what’s in this mysterious cocktail? To learn how to make one all you have to do is watch the above video. It was filmed by Voyage.tv, a new travel website loaded with HD videos and Q&A forums where people like you can ask people like me questions about locations worldwide (No, really. I’m the Resident Editor of its Bermuda page. Check it out!). If you’ve got five minutes to spare it’s a great way to learn how to make Bermuda’s national cocktail. If not, then consider this your cheat sheet from a retired professional bartender: Fill a shaker with ice, pour in a three-count of Gosling’s Black Seal rum, a three-count of Gosling’s Gold rum (or Mount Gay), a two-count of Triple Sec, a one-count of Bermuda falernum (or simple syrup), add equal parts orange and pineapple juice (about 5 ounces each), the juice of a lemon and a dash of Angostora bitters. Shake until frothy and serve in small cocktail glasses, ala the Swizzle Inn. Wanna take it up a notch? Add some apricot brandy and call it a day. You can thank me later.

Calling All Brides To Be

It’s beginning to look like giveaway city here in sunny Bermuda. Yesterday I told you about how you can win a five-night stay at Southampton’s The Reefs Hotel & Club by voting for your favorite contest submission online (really, it’s just that easy; go here to find out more). A luxurious ocean view room with meals daily is a fantastic prize, but in case you’re planning a wedding instead of a vacation then listen up, because today’s giveaway is a whopper. In order to celebrate the hotel’s 125th anniversary this year, the Fairmont Hamilton Princess in cooperation with Destination Weddings & Honeymoons magazine is giving away a fabulous destination wedding for one lucky couple getting married in 2010. What’s included? A better question would be what’s not included, because you and your guests will hardly have to reach for your wallets if you’re the lucky winner. Here’s what you’ll get: A ceremony and reception at The Fairmont Hamilton Princess in Bermuda for up to 20 people (or $10,000); 10 double occupancy hotel guest rooms; 20 JetBlue airline tickets departing from New York's JFK or Boston Logan; and a $1,000 Saks Fifth Avenue gift card for a total retail value of—wait for it, wait for it—$45,000. I told you it was a whopper of a prize. So, how do you win? All you have to do is submit a brief essay (500 words max) about why you want to have your dream wedding in Bermuda. In contest parlance: “Tell us how the Fairmont Hamilton Princess is the perfect location to host your Ultimate Dream Destination wedding and what getting married in Bermuda means to you.” That’s it. All submissions must be received by May 31, 2010 and potential winners will be notified by email on or before June 15. For more information about the contest click here. And to learn more about the historic Fairmont Hamilton Princess click here. Finally, for a little inspiration on what makes Bermuda such a special place for a wedding have a quick read here, but really, who wouldn't want to get married at the Pink Palace? Just picture you and your sweetie standing beneath that limestone moon gate and go get writing. Your dream wedding awaits.

This Could Be Your View

Remember when I told you about how you could win a free vacation to The Reefs Hotel & Club in Southampton? In case you don’t remember, the hotel formerly known as The Reefs—still the top resort in the Atlantic as voted by the readers of Condé Nast Traveler in 2009—sponsored a contest where entrants were asked to share their favorite memories of the hotel and of Bermuda in 300 words or less. The stories would be narrowed down to a small pool of finalists, then a winner would be chosen by the public after the hotel posted a select few online. Unfortunately the deadline has passed to submit stories, but the good news is you can still win a fabulous vacation for two, just by voting for the winner. That’s right folks, there are TWO prizes at stake: A five-night stay in an ocean view deluxe room including breakfast, afternoon tea and dinner daily for the winning storywriter and another trip for two at The Reefs Hotel & Club for one lucky voter. So how do you win? All you have to do is vote for your favorite story. There are seven finalists—a mix of lovey-dovey tales including how one now-married couple met while waiting in line at customs or when a husband surprised his wife by arranging to renew their wedding vows on the beach. Very cute stuff. I won’t publicly announce my favorite story—heck this is a contest after all, the last thing I wanna do is sway public opinion—but let’s just say it’s filled with love and pink sand memories, just like most Bermuda vacations. So what are you waiting for? Choose your favorite story by February 28 for a chance to win a fabulous trip for two to The Reefs Hotel & Club. And forget about multiple clicks: Only one vote per email will be counted. Vote away!