Escape to tropical Bermuda

A string of islands make up the archipelago of Bermuda, a British territory situated in the Atlantic Ocean around 1,100 miles northeast of Miami, Florida. This place delivers tropical scenery straight out of a travel magazine, thanks to soft pink beaches, clear blue lagoons, and interiors dotted with flower meadows and towns painted in every shade of the rainbow.

A series of wrecks and dive sites make this place a haven for scuba enthusiasts, and history lovers will appreciate the architecture. St George, the UNESCO-protected town on Great Bermuda is a prime example of the charming, colonial buildings brilliantly preserved from days gone by. On holiday in Bermuda to rest and recharge? A good choice of luxury hotels offer up poolside lounging, spa treatments and leisurely dinners with an ocean view.

Bermuda is blessed with 34 beautiful beaches. One of the most popular is Warwick Long Bay – so-called because it’s Bermuda’s longest beach, a half-mile slither of pink sand shaded by cedar trees and fronted by a reef brimming with the likes of parrotfish, trumpetfish and blue angelfish. Horseshoe Bay is another favourite, but it’s worth arriving early to sidestep the crowds. Come for sunrise and watch the sky change colour over the neighbouring rock formations.

Stepping into this underground network of caves and subterranean lakes is a little like stepping into a dream. The stalactites and stalagmites down here are centuries old and look like hundreds of melting candles strung up above clear blue grottos. Tours set off from both Hamilton and St George’s and take you 120 feet underground, so they’re not for the faint hearted.

This lively port is on the westernmost tip of Ireland Island, and it’s also known as the West End. The largest port in Bermuda, it’s where you’ll find the Maritime Museum, snorkelling opportunities, and a huge range of restaurants, boutiques, and bars. It’s also seriously pretty here, with sunny squares and winding streets overlooked by colonial architecture.