Bermuda is a beautiful and rich island that possesses a charming, old-fashioned, yet calm and exotic, aura. In having visited this beautiful land twice—once for a wedding and a second time for pleasure—I would like to share my positive experience with you.

Officially, the Bermuda Islands (or the Somers Isles) are a British overseas territory in the North Atlantic Ocean. Located off of the East Coast of the United States, with a population of approximately 67,837, Bermuda is the oldest and most populous remaining British overseas territory, settled by England a century before the Acts of Union created the Kingdom of Great Britain. Bermuda's first capital, St George's, was settled in 1612 and stands as the oldest continuously inhabited English town in the Americas.

The weather year-round is typically great (especially to a Canadian), with temperatures ranging from as low as 16 degrees to as high as 30, and inhabitants can witness beautiful sunsets from most every charming English-influenced home. In keeping with the British regime, the roads are narrow, with cars required to drive on the left-hand side. I have to say that I was nervous at first as a passenger; not only did my cousin-in-law drive on the ‘wrong’ side of the road, but he also drove opposite a lane that was narrowly situated beside ours, giving me the impression that our car would get scraped every time we passed another. But suffice it to say, Bermudians can drive well, and in fact, nearly every resident owns a moped, a sensible means of getting around this island’s tiny streets.

While there, a special cousin of mine held a wedding reception on one of the beautiful beaches in Bermuda. A beautiful white tent situated on Jobson’s Cove was surrounded by white sand, facinating boulders and rocks, aqua-blue ocean, and clear sky. Later a bonfire roared underneath the stars. Bermuda’s idyllic beaches clearly set the perfect scene for memorable moments shared with loved ones.

On my leisure days, I took a ferry from one of the parishes, Paget, to Hamilton. I enjoyed the 10-minute ride, always on a sunny, warm day with a nice ocean breeze blowing on my skin. Once I arrived in Hamilton’s downtown area, I ventured out to visit the posh boutiques, such as Louis Vuitton, and the department stores, such as Browns & Co. My favorite stop was a visit to Bird Cage Café, which integrates a bookstore into its location and features a balcony with a breathtaking view. Some great restaurants to visit include Lobster Pot, which only serves Bermuda spiny lobster during the months of the year that feature the letter ‘r’ in their names (it is actually illegal to catch Bermuda lobster during the months of May to August); and Pickled Onion, which features tasty Jolly Rancher-flavored martinis and creamy, flavorful pasta. Even though the cost of food and clothing is quite high in Bermuda, the quality one finds definitely makes it feel justified.

Bermuda is a picturesque island rich in beautiful scenery, great food, entertainment, high-quality shopping, and more importantly, warm and relaxing moments that can be enjoyed both with others and alone.