E04. TWO completely self sufficient 2 bedroom apartments located in the old town of St. Georges, with views over the harbour.

The closest beaches are  a ten minute leisurely walk to Tobacco Bay or St Catherine's Beach.

The town of St. George has now been declared a World Heritage site which makes it a very attractive location for visitors. The former capital of Bermuda will take you back nearly 400 years to 1612. The town is the oldest continuously occupied settlement in the English New World. The extraordinary atmosphere of the town is captured not in its gentrification but in the fact the folks live in these ancient buildings and that the ongoing matter of everyday business has somehow been managed within the confines of a pretty town with winding roads and oddly shaped  buildings perched curbside. Its history embraces many roles: a thriving frontier town, military and naval outpost and colonial capital to name but a few. Crammed now with pretty shops and attractive cafes, it is centered on a beautiful waterfront square, with museums and galleries just steps away, including a replica of the Deliverance. This tiny ship bore the early settlers on to Jamestown, Virginia after a year of collecting food and ship building to escape the island they were shipwrecked upon. There is a fine golf course behind the town, gardens and churches to explore and dazzling beaches in the area. Buses run into Hamilton and beyond, and there is a ferry service into Hamilton as well: please check the schedules on the homepage of www.bermudarentals.com for times of departure and return. As the island is only 22 miles long, even at the sedate pace of 14 to 20 miles an hour, you can explore the entire island comfortably from your taxi, on the mopeds or by public transportation. The Mid-Ocean Golf Course is about 15 minutes away by taxi. Good shopping, restaurants, the waterfront, museums, churches, beautiful beaches and the St. George's golf course are all located within walking distance. St. George's has every convenience for the visitor combined with a beautiful harbour setting. There is a mini-bus service provided in the St. George area for a nominal charge, and the main bus service is about a 5 minute walk and will take you to all points on the island. For the independent adventurer, there are several cycle liveries close by for those wanting to rent scooters or pedal bikes. Boat and land tours are available as well and a ferry service runs between St. George and Dockyard 7 days a week. Dockyard is splendid collection of buildings dating from the early 1800's used by the British Navy to re-provision their ships. Now converted to museums, shops and artisans studios, a trip to Dockyard is a must- and to get their by ferry will combine the pleasures of a cruise, with stunning scenery and a fascinating glimpse into Bermuda's colonial past.

Local Stores, etc. Somers Market  Across the bridge to Main Street and turn right, 50 yards to junction. Open 8a.m. to 10p.m. On Sundays you cannot buy alcohol in stores. Nearby is Robertson’s Drug Store, the Post Office and two Banks with 24 hour ATM’s. The Visitors’ Information Centre at Café Latte on Water Street is very useful with plenty of information.For unusual souvenirs or gifts try “Seaglass” or “Amos Art Studio”, both located at the western end of Water Street, the narrow bricked street leading west from the town square and opposite Dowling’s gas station.
Internet service is available at Cafe Latte, also on Water Street or, if you have a wireless laptop, try near “Tavern By The Sea” and, anyway, you should be able to pick up a wireless DSL signal in the apartment.
HOLIDAYS! – Alcohol may not be purchased from stores on Sundays so you need to shop on Saturday for necessities to last until Monday or beyond any holidays. On holidays stores, Banks and Post Office are closed. Public Transport operates on Sunday schedules on holidays. : Taxis are available (call 296 2121) but are expensive and you need to order well ahead, especially if it is raining.  Bus service to and from Hamilton is good and cheap. Bus # 10 or #11 from the bus stop outside the liquor store on York Street above Cafe Latte- about 300 yards away. The most economical way is:

1.        To buy a set of tickets from the Post Office (Water Street),

2.         Buy tokens from Liquor store next to bus stop (double ticket price) or Visitors’ Information Centre at Café Latte on Water Street.

3.         Pay exact cash fare on entering bus .

 Ferry service to Dockyard and Hamilton runs from outside this building. This is an excellent way to get around. Check schedule and fares at Visitors’ Information Centre.

 Rental bikes. Mopeds are available but not recommended due to our increased traffic, narrow roads and your insistence on driving on the right! Seriously, choose bus, ferry or taxi please.

Golf and Beaches: Bermuda has 9 golf courses, some public, some private. See the yellow pages or www.bermudagolf.org

The St. George’s Golf Club is within walking distance up Queen Street (or take mini bus from Town Square).

Mid Ocean Club, a renowned and challenging course (for member’s and their invited guests) is a 15 minute taxi ride away. This is the venue for the P.G.A. Grand Slam Tournament in October, 2007. Plan ahead and you may get to play a round. Sorry, I am not a member!

Adjacent is the Tucker’s Point Golf Club for members and their guests. Other golf courses are located towards the middle and west of the island.

Beaches: some of the finest in the world and nearby too! In St. George’s you can walk over the hill to Tobacco Bay, Fort St. Catherine beach or discover the tiny Achilles Bay at Blackbeard’s Hideout. Alternatively, a 10 minute taxi or mini bus ride will take you to Southside (former U.S. military base) and Clearwater beach as well as Turtle Beach. Make arrangements for return transport. Further afield, along the south shore in Warwick and Southampton Parishes there is a string of connected beaches including Horseshoe Bay where there are refreshment and changing facilities. At any of our beaches always obey any warning signs posted during stormy weather.

Water sports/ Fishing : For charter fishing check “Tenacious” docked next to the bridge or call Sloan on 735 9444 or www.atlanticspraycharters.bm  Alternatively, “Reel Hot” is operated by Nick New on 537 6040 or www.reelhotcharterfishing.com  Both captains are very experienced and knowledgeable.For water sports including scuba diving, boat and equipment rentals check Blue Hole Water Sports at Grotto Bay Beach Hotel on 293 2915 or www.bluewater.bm. Guided jet ski tours are also available from the White Horse Tavern or adjacent to Dowling’s gas station at the end of Water Street.

Dining :There is a wide variety of restaurants in or around Hamilton and St. George’s. The Yellow Pages and other brochures are good references but nearby are:“Tavern By The Sea”. Informal pub/ restaurant with indoor or outdoor seating. Take out pizza is good too. No reservations needed.

“White Horse Tavern”. Just across the bridge. Similar to T-by-Sea.

“Café Gio”. 50 yards up Water Street. Popular with locals and visitors. Semi casual, indoor/ outdoor, reservations essential.

“The Carriage House”. 50 more yards. More formal. Reservations.

“Griffins” at the St. George’s Club, timeshare resort up the hill opposite far end of Water Street. Semi casual; reservations.

“Blackbeard’s Hideout”. (April – October) across from Fort St. Catherine and beach.

 The “George and Dragon”, upper level, is a newly reopened restaurant on the town square.

“Mulligan’s” restaurant at the St. George’s Golf Club – very good and somewhat underrated for lunch or dinner.

 “Swizzle Inn”- Infamous casual pub/ restaurant on main road west of the Causeway on way to Hamilton just past Grotto Bay Hotel. No reservations. “Swizzle Inn, Swagger Out!”. These details provided by one of our hospitable homeowners!

Photos by A. Lopez.