I didn’t know a lot about Bermuda before I first visited as the guest of Bermuda Tourism, and that’s my fault. I was busy and while I was really excited to visit for the first time, I hadn’t done the normal research I conduct before any trip. While that had left me unprepared, it was also great to experience the island without any preconceptions, which is what made my morning walk through the incredibly beautiful town of St. George’s even better.
St. George’s was founded in 1612 and is the best place to see and learn more about the history and traditions of the island. I went to undergraduate college in Williamsburg, Virginia, a hotbed of colonial charm and that’s what I was reminded of most when I first saw St. George’s. Centuries old buildings painstakingly preserved and English style gardens that could have been as easily seen in the Mother Country.
The sun was shining as is common on the island, and the morning was a wonderful time of exploration, finding colorful corners of the UNESCO protected town and understanding firsthand what brings so many people to visit Bermuda time and time again. Sure the beaches are amazing and a boat ride around the island is fantastic, but the easy, laid back village feeling of St. George’s is what transports Bermuda from just another island retreat to a robust and fascinating travel experience.