[50 Books of Summer]

Photo by Hans F. Meier/iStockphoto.com

Visitors to Bermuda in 2009 will see the introduction of several new and redesigned resorts as well as gala celebrations all through the year.  In case you haven’t considered the pleasures of Bermuda in some time, here’s a refresher about the charms that have captivated visitors for hundreds of years.  Bermuda has 21 miles of glorious landscape including quaint harbors, pink sand beaches and dozens of mid-size luxury resorts and inns.  Bermuda is one of the world’s top golf destinations with 9 championship courses – more courses per square mile than any other destination.  200 square miles of coral reefs will delight divers, who will find more wreck sites to explore than anywhere else on earth.  Shopping and dining have always been a top priority in Bermuda, and you’ll appreciate that Bermuda’s currency is on par with the US dollar.  Located just a two hour flight from major east coast cities, Bermuda makes a perfect long weekend escape destination.

There has never been a more exciting time to visit Bermuda and sink your toes into those warm, powdery pink sand beaches.  Here’s a recap of the events and new venues awaiting you lucky travelers:

Tucker’s Point Resort – is a brand new luxury resort, private club and residential community that celebrated it’s opening in April, 2009.  It’s dramatic ocean front location gives wonderful views of  Castle Harbour, Harrington Sound and the Atlantic Ocean.  Guestrooms feature a lovely balcony or terrace, gracious decor, top amenities and amazingly, a fireplace for ambiance.  8 restaurants offer every dining experience you could wish for from formal dining in elegant rooms, quiet wine room or library, less formal palm court, Winter Lounge, Chef’s kitchen table, or Terrace Grill.  Find all their information at TuckersPoint.com

Newstead Belmont Hills Resort – Open for just a year, this resort offers visitors a charming harborside boutique hotel with a dramatic infinity pool looking out over Great Sound.  Each residence offers views over the gardens, to the infinity pool, across to the city of Hamilton and out to Great Sound – wonderful!  Accommodations offer large living space with a kitchen, sitting room, bathroom and bedroom area.  Check out them out at Newsteadbelmonthills.com.

The Reefs – Long considered one of Bermuda’s best hotels, 2009 sees the completion of The Reefs Club – a private club of 19 luxury two and three bedroom residences which will be available for a brief time as one-time rentals.  The Reefs has also new and expanded services at it’s well respected La Serena Spa.  Find the info you’ll need at TheReefs.com

Upcoming events to look for:
Cup Match Cricket Festival – July 30-31, 2009
Bermuda Music Festival – October, 2009
PGA Grand Slam of Golf – October 19-21, 2009
World Rugby Classic – November 8-14, 2009
Bermuda Christmas Boat Parade – December 12, 2009

For all the vacation planning information you’ll need – visit BermudaTourism.com.  And the good news is that there is lots of ways to reach Bermuda.  Eight major airlines serve the island – American, Continental, delta, JetBlue, US Airways, USA3000, Air Canada and British Airways, and a number of cruise lines make stops during summer months.  With all the inbound service to Bermuda, prices stay competitive and reasonable.  If you haven’t considered a vacation in Bermuda latetely – it’s time.

Bolivia – Simón Bolívar
This 18th century revolutionary – a proper hero – freed half of South America from the Spanish monarchy’s rule. Simón Bolívar was one of the most important leaders of South America’s successful struggle for independence against Spain. Following the triumph over the Spanish Monarchy, Bolívar participated in the foundation of Gran Colombia, a nation formed from the liberated Spanish colonies. He was President of Gran Colombia from 1821 to 1830. Bolívar is credited with contributing decisively to the independence of the present-day countries of Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Panama, and Bolivia and is often revered as a hero.

Simón Bolívar

The United States of America – Amerigo Vespucci
This Florentine, who chartered a large chunk of South America, lent his name to the US.
He was an Italian explorer, navigator and cartographer. The continent of America derives its name from the feminized Latin version of his first name.

Amerigo Vespucci

Marshall Islands – John Marshall
This English caption fought in the Napoleonic Wars and the American War Of Independence. How he reached 71 is anyone’s guess!

John Marshall

Mauritius – Maurice of Nassau
He trained several commanders in the English Civil War, plus his dad was the brilliantly named ‘William the Silent’.

Maurice of Nassau

Philippines – Philip 2nd of Spain
He was King of Spain, King of Naples, Lord of the Seventeen Provinces and married to Queen Mary of England.

Philip 2nd of Spain

Saudi Arabia – Muhammad bin Saud
The first head of the House of Saud had a hand in introducing a system of government still used in Saudi Arabia today. Nice CV!

Seychelles – Jean Moreau de Séchelles
This 18th century French politician never visited his eponymous paradise.

Jean Moreau de Séchelles

Bermuda – Juan de Bermúdez
If you’re going to be a 16th century Spanish navigator and famous for one thing, then it may as well be discovering a beautiful island.

Juan de Bermúdez

Cambodia – Cambu Svayambhuva
Possibly known as The Unpronounceable One, Svayambhuva was an ancient sage from whom the country’s kings claim to be descended.

Cook Islands – Captain James Cook
Captain James Cook was an English explorer, navigator and cartographer, ultimately rising to the rank of Captain in the Royal Navy. Cook was the first to map Newfoundland prior to making three voyages to the Pacific Ocean during which he achieved the first European contact with the eastern coastline of Australia and the Hawaiian Islands as well as the first recorded circumnavigation of New Zealand

Captain James Cook

Falkland Islands – Anthony Cary, 5th Viscount Falkland.
Anthony Cary was a Scottish nobleman and English politician. He was the son of Henry Cary, 4th Viscount Falkland.

Anthony Cary

Columbia – Christopher Columbus
Not ‘The Goonies’ writer, but the Genoese navigator, colonizer and explorer whose voyages across the Atlantic Ocean—funded by Queen Isabella of Spain—led to general European awareness of the American continents in the Western Hemisphere.

Christopher Columbus

Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) – Cecil Rhodes
Cecil Rhodes as an English-born businessman, mining magnate, and politician in South Africa. He was the founder of the diamond company De Beers, which today markets 40% of the world’s rough diamonds and at one time marketed 90%. He was an ardent believer in colonialism and imperialism, and was the founder of the state of Rhodesia, which was named after him. Rhodesia, later Northern and Southern Rhodesia, eventually became Zambia and Zimbabwe respectively.

Cecil Rhodes