Hiding in the Atlantic, Bermuda is often overlooked for its Caribbean counterparts farther south. In fact, it’s the closest resort getaway for many Americans. The 21-square-mile, subtropical island is about 600 miles off the coast of North Carolina, making it the perfect destination for a long-weekend escape. Its palm-lined streets, aqua waters, and pink sands entice visitors year-round. For consistently sun-fueled days that are ideal for enjoying all Bermuda has to offer by land and sea, we suggest booking your trip between May and October. Here’s what to know before you go.
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How to get there
Though many travelers associate the island with cruising (a popular option for getting here), those who want to get the most out of four days in Bermuda should opt for a 90-minute flight to the island from an East Coast hub. There are year-round flights from Boston, New York City, Newark, Philadelphia, and Miami. Upon arrival, few attractions are more than 30 minutes away—though you’ll feel “a world away” as the island’s slogan boasts.
St. Regis BermudaCourtesy Image
Where to stay
St. Regis Bermuda: As Bermuda’s newest resort, and the island’s first new luxury hotel brand in 50 years, the St. Regis Bermuda is a revered retreat at the east end of the island. The 120-room hotel overlooks a private inlet known as Gates Bay where the island’s founders were shipwrecked in 1609. Today, the property’s protected beach is lined with loungers and cabanas for guests to wile away a carefree afternoon. If you prefer a day by the pool, a pair of gorgeous infinity pools overlooks that spectacular beach where Bermuda’s selling point is never out of view. Take a short taxi into St. George’s for a walk around the historic town. Then, walk up to Fort St. Catherine to appreciate the protective fort system in place from the 17th century. Or pop over to Tobacco Bay for a taste of the local scene—where Sunday afternoon parties are the place to be.
The Loren: Centrally located with easy access to one of Bermuda’s pinkest sand beaches, The Loren is a posh hideout with a delightful program of culinary and cocktail events to keep guests experiencing something new every night. All 45 of the oversized, suite-style rooms are outfitted with large balconies to enjoy Bermuda’s south shore palette of turquoises from sunrise to sunset.
Rosewood Bermuda: This upscale resort is an island stronghold, having redefined the island’s luxury offerings upon opening in 2009. Though the property is suited for every traveler, from honeymooners to families, it’s a natural magnet for golfers. Set on 200 acres of groomed fairway, Rosewood Bermuda offers direct access to the 18-hole, Par-70 Tucker’s Point Golf Course, originally designed by Charles H. Banks and redesigned in 2002 by Roger Rulewich. The guest rooms were completely renovated in 2018, as were the public spaces, including the addition of a 12,000-square-foot spa.
Beach it: It’s tough to plan any itinerary in Bermuda without factoring in its spectacular beaches—a definitive experience whether swimming, walking, beach-hopping, or simply lazing. Most of the finest strips of sand line the island’s south side. A few favorites are Horseshoe Bay, Warwick Long Bay, and Cooper’s Island Nature Reserve.
Downtown HamiltonDarryl Brooks / Shutterstock
Stroll through downtown Hamilton: The pastel storefronts and tiered white roofs of Hamilton make it hard to believe it’s a capital city—let alone a global insurance hub. Of course, as a visitor, you’ll be more interested in popping into the colorful souvenir shops, local boutiques, and British-style pubs reflecting the island’s Commonwealth ties. Don’t forget to pick up a rum cake or bottle of Goslings rum to bring a taste of the island home to your loved ones.
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Golf: From Port Royal to Mid Ocean and Tucker’s Point, Bermuda has one of the world’s highest concentrations of pro-standard golf courses. Whether you’re a scratch golfer or a casual player, you’ll enjoy the varied greens and sweeping views accompanying them. Just be sure to secure an early tee time before the heat of the day sets in.
Go diving: As divine as Bermuda’s blue waters are to admire by land, they’re an entirely different world when experienced below the surface. Scuba diving outfitters like Dive Bermuda and Blue Water Divers and Watersports are found throughout the island, encouraging all levels of divers to go deeper—but you don’t need to be scuba certified to appreciate the island’s coral reef system. Snorkelers, helmet divers, and mere floaters can enjoy the marine life brimming just a few feet under.
Bermuda’s rum swizzle always packs a punch.Courtesy Image
Where to eat and drink
Swizzle Inn: Yes it’s touristy, but the Swizzle Inn (sharing a name with the island’s favorite rum drink) is a Bermudian institution—and reputedly the best place to slurp a swizzle on the island. On any given night, you’ll find just as many locals as visitors here slurping back jugs of this potent concoction. Dine here for lunch or dinner. Just be prepared to “swagger out” (as their slogan warns). This rum cocktail mixed with a variety of fruit juice and grenadine packs quite a punch.
Seabreeze: Al fresco dining is one thing, but beachfront terrace dining is in a category of its own. The latter is what you’ll be savoring at Seabreeze on Elbow Beach. The tapas restaurant is known for its sushi and accompanying small plates served with an equally luscious view. Come at sunset for a particularly magical setting.
Barracuda: Located on a side street in downtown Hamilton, Barracuda serves up some of the island’s freshest catch in a fine-dining setting. On a hot day, the air-conditioned atmosphere is definitely where you want to be—and as far as local flavor goes, the Bermudian scene here is also pretty hard to beat. After dinner, head downstairs to Hog Penny, a British pub hosting live music late into the night.
Blu: On the way to Bermuda’s west end, you’ll discover Blu—a hidden gem for tourists perched above Belmont Hills Golf Course overlooking the harbor. The top-end eatery serves an indulgent menu of steak, fresh fish, and sushi—all worthy of a terrace reservation with a bottle of fine wine (from an extensive list of them). You’ll want to time your meal with sunset as the views here are unparalleled.
Art Mel’s: This back-of-town fast food joint is a local favorite—especially after a night of copious rum. Art Mel’s double-decker fish sandwich (fried local fish wedged between a raisin bun smeared with tartare and hot sauce) is the closest thing to a regional delicacy that Bermuda offers. If it’s too far out of the way on your quick weekend trip, be sure to scout out a fish sandwich somewhere. Most restaurants flaunt them on the menu, all providing their own delicious twist.
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There’s no doubt when the weather turns colder as we settle into winter, stouts take center stage. And while we enjoy all its iterations: standard stout, imperial stout, and robust barrel-aged stouts, we think this malty, chocolate-filled beer’s close cousin deserves a little respect as well. Of course, we’re talking about the oft-overlooked porter. And the best porters, oh buddy, they’ll have you rethinking your seasonal bevvie of choice.
For those uninitiated, the porter style had its genesis in England like many other iconic beer styles. It first appeared in the 1700s and is (you guessed it) named after porters—individuals tasked with transporting luggage.
A confusing origin story
“Stout is the direct descendant of porter. In the 1700s, it was common to use the word ‘stout’ to refer to a bolder, higher-alcohol version of any beer style, much in the same way we use the word ‘imperial’ today,” says Zach Fowle, advanced cicerone and head of marketing for Arizona Wilderness Brewing Co. in Phoenix, AZ. “Porter was the most popular beer of the day, and over time, “stout porter” became a popular variant. But by the late 1800s, demand for regular porters evaporated, and stout porter shortened simply to stout.”
But more has changed between the 1800s and today than just our penchant for wearing top hats. “Today, most brewers seem to market beers as either stout or porter based on vibes, rather than on any notable stylistic differences,” he says.
Specifically, porters are known for their dark, almost pitch-black color and rich, sweet flavor profile. If you were to drink a porter and a stout side by side, you might even have difficulty discerning the differences between the two.
Stout versus porter is an enduring topic of discussion in the brewing industry. “While there’s no debating the porter came first—and stout used to be called stout porter, so it was a stronger version of a porter—the lines have become very blurred over the years,” says Rob Lightner, co-founder of East Brother Brewing in Richmond, CA.
“I would venture that even among professionals, a blind taste test would often yield inconclusive results,” says Lightner.
The difference between porters and stouts
Porters tend to be on the milder, more chocolatey end of the spectrum, Lightner says, whereas stouts are typically a little stronger and more roasty. Of course, this isn’t a hard and fast rule
Fowle agrees, “Porters tend to be fruitier, sweeter, and less bitter than stouts, with cocoa and caramel flavors in balance with dark malt bitterness. And stouts are usually hoppier, drier, maltier, and more coffee-forward—and may even have a touch of acidity.”
Whether or not they fit neatly into boxes, one thing’s for sure: both make for incredible cold-weather brews.
“As the nights grow longer, drinking a light, summery beer just doesn’t seem right,” says Fowle. “Porter is the perfect style for the transition to winter: warming and toasty yet not too heavy, with flavors of coffee, chocolate, and pie crust that correspond with autumn weather and holidays.”
It’s the perfect time to broaden your repretoire. Sweet, robust, warming, and well-suited to the season, here are the best porters to drink now.
Courtesy image
1. Deschutes Black Butte Porter
There are few porters more well-respected than Deschutes’ iconic Black Butte Porter. It’s brewed with Cascade and Tettnang hops as well as 2-row, Chocolate, Crystal, and Carapils malts as well as wheat. This 5.5% ABV year-round offering is great for cold-weather drinking because of its mix of roasted malts, coffee, and chocolate. It’s a robust, subtly sweet beer perfect for imbibing on a crisp fall night.
The key to 360-degree muscle: 90-degree eccentric isometrics. It might seem like we’re throwing a lot of geometry at you, but the concept behind time under tension (TUT) is simple, says Joel Seedman, PhD, owner of Advanced Human Performance: “Perform the lowering phase of a movement in a slow, controlled fashion, usually 3 to 5 seconds; pause in the stretched position, typically around 90 degrees; then perform the lifting phase in a powerful yet controlled fashion.” Believe us, a time-under-tension workout can humble even seasoned lifters…Eccentric isometrics are like the pressure cooker of training.
“Rather than mindlessly performing slow-tempo reps, you’re using the increased time under tension as a means to fine-tune your body mechanics and alignment, which requires more mental engagement and focus,” Seedman adds.
If you want to forge functional muscle mass and strength while simultaneously bulletproofing the joints and connective tissue, give this 10-move, full-body eccentric isometrics workout a go.
Directions
Perform the following moves as 90-degree eccentric isometrics following the above protocol. Use heavy weight, but not at the detriment of proper form. Rest 60 to 90 seconds between sets and 2 minutes between circuits. Perform once every 2 to 4 days for optimal results.
Best Time-Under-Tension Workout for Total-Body Strength
Circuit 1
Marius Bugge
A. Barbell Back Squat
Set a squat rack up with heavy weight, then grasp bar and step under it. Squeeze shoulder blades together, then stand to unrack bar and step back with feet shoulder-width apart. Inhale, hinge at hips and slowly bend knees to 90 degrees. Pause, keeping natural arch in low back, then extend through hips to powerfully stand. 3 x 4-6 reps
Marius Bugge
B. Renegade Row
Start in the top position of a pushup with hands shoulder-width apart on moderate-to-heavy dumbbells (shown). Explosively drive right elbow back to row dumbbell toward ribs while balancing on opposite hand and feet. Pause, then slowly lower weight, stopping a few inches above floor. Switch sides after all reps are done. 3 x 5 reps each side
Circuit 2
Marius Bugge
A. Dumbbell Bentover Row
Stand with feet hip-width apart, holding two moderate-to-heavy dumbbells in front of thighs, palms facing you. Push hips back and hinge torso forward so it’s nearly parallel to floor, soft bend in knees. Dumbbells should be near shins. Drive elbows back to row weights toward ribs. Pause, then slowly lower down for 3 to 5 seconds. 3 x 4-5 reps
Marius Bugge
B. Incline Dumbbell Chest Press with Legs Raised
Set an adjustable bench to a 30- to 45-degree angle and lie back with dumbbells in either hand. Engage core and lift legs off floor, flexing feet. Press weights overhead, palms in. Slowly lower to 90 degrees, staying tight and compact. Pause, then drive weights up directly over chest. 3 x 4-5 reps
Circuit 3
Marius Bugge
A. Dumbbell Bulgarian Squat
Stand lunge-length in front of a flat bench, holding heavy dumbbells in each hand by your sides, palms facing in. Rest the ball on top (shoe’s laces) of your right foot behind you on the bench. Slowly lower your body until your front thigh is parallel to the floor. Pause, then drive through your heel to stand. Switch sides after all reps are complete. 2 x 3-4 reps each side
Marius Bugge
B. Single-leg Romanian Deadlift
Stand with feet hip-width apart holding dumbbells or kettlebells. Drive right leg up, foot flexed, knee aligned with hip, making a 90-degree angle. Hinge at hips as you slowly lever your torso toward floor, lowering weights and driving right leg back for counterbalance. Hold, then squeeze glutes to reverse. 2 x 3-4 reps each side
Circuit 4
Marius Bugge
A. Pullup
Hang from a pullup bar using an overhand grip with legs extended and feet flexed. Engage lats and draw shoulders down your back, then pull yourself up until chin is higher than hands. Pause at the top, then slowly lower. Pause at bottom, then reset before your next rep. 2-3 x 4-5 reps
Marius Bugge
B. Kneeling Overhead Barbell Press
Hold a bar with moderate-to-heavy load at shoulder level with forearms perpendicular to floor. Kneel at end of bench with feet flexed to grip edge for support. Inhale, engage your core and glutes, then press the bar overhead, pushing your head forward so it passes your face, exhaling at the top. Slowly lower until elbows are at 90 degrees, then hold to maintain tension. Begin your next rep from here. 2-3 x 4-5 reps
Circuit 5
A. Dumbbell Pushup
Place hands on dumbbells (this provides greater range of motion) at shoulder width and feet wider than shoulder width with just toes touching the ground. Keep head neutral and hips high to increase tension on core, chest and tris and reduce stress on spine. Slowly lower to the floor. Stop once elbows hit 90 degrees, pause, then push up to start. 1-2 x 6-8 reps
B. Biceps Curl
Stand with feet hip-width apart with moderate-to-heavy dumbbells in each hand hanging by sides. Engage biceps to curl the weights up, keeping upper arms still. Pause at the top, then lower slowly. Don’t let arms drop all the way down to keep greater time under tension on biceps. 1-2 x 6-8 reps
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If you haven’t picked up a jump rope since elementary school, you’re missing out on a fantastic cardio workout. Not only will you burn a ton of calories in a short amount of time—200 to 300 calories in 15 minutes—but jump ropes can also improve your coordination and agility. Better yet, jumping rope doesn’t require much space, so it’s easy to do at home, and it’s often more mentally stimulating than jogging or swimming.
Choosing a Jump Rope
When deciding which jump rope is best for you, it’s important to determine what your goals are. While lightweight speed ropes are popular for cardio-focused training, weighted or drag ropes will be best for those focused on strength training.
No matter what your training goals are, we’ve got you covered with this roundup of 10 jump ropes from top brands including Crossrope, TRX, Rogue, and more.
The Best Jump Ropes of 2022
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