Bermuda

This family-friendly mid-Atlantic island has something of an exotic, illicit past: known by sailors as the Isle of Devils, Bermuda was a haven for pirates, a gun-running base during the American Civil War, and a rum-running refuge during Prohibition. Its uninhabited shores were discovered in Elizabethan times, and Shakespeare shipwrecked his characters there in The Tempest. Today, Bermuda is better known for its pink-sand beaches and British colonial charm.

What to do:

The Bermuda Railway Trail is a perfect walk for even the youngest hikers, because the land was cleared and leveled for train tracks; it also has countless entry- and exit-points, which connect it to other national parks, farmland and main roads. At Lover’s Lake Nature Reserve the rocky, barren shores provide ideal nesting grounds for longtails, the bird that is one of Bermuda’s symbols. Another wildlife conservation area to see is Paget Marsh, a natural wetland that is teeming with native and migratory birds. The Town of St. George, Bermuda’s former capital, is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site; it has winding cobblestone streets and impressive 17th-century buildings, but the kids will particularly love the harbor: here, local actors put on shows featuring the ducking stool - the traditional punishment for "nags and gossips" - and visitors occasionally end up in the stocks on King’s Square (for a minute or two, anyway). Near St. George is St. David’s Lighthouse, a perfect spot for picnicking. At the opposite end of the island is the Royal Naval Dockyard, once a British military installation but now home to the Bermuda Maritime Museum and Dolphin Quest, a live show that’s performed daily.

Where to Stay:

The Fairmont Southampton Princess (1-800-441-1414) is an island institution. It boasts one of the prettiest beaches in Bermuda, a full menu of activities from water sports to golf, and a complimentary Explorer’s Club that’s just for kids; doubles start at $259. The Mandarin Oriental hotel chain is known for luxury, but its special packages for families at its Elbow Beach (1-800-223-7434) are worth considering for value: accommodations for two adults and two children in a junior suite - with breakfast, a four-hour babysitting credit, paddle-boat rental, and other lures - starts at $350 per night.

For More Information:

Visit www.bermudatourism.com.

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