The Innovative Traveler: Travel Alert - Discount Travel to Bermuda

For those going to Bermuda this spring, check out The Reefs Resort for a chance to win an identical stay in 2009. Dates run from April 1st to May 22nd and drawings will be held in April and again in May. So whether or not your visit is five nights or ten, you can win a matching vacation during the same period for 2009. Guests receive one entry for each night of their stay. So the longer you stay, the better the chances are of winning.

I just went to Bermuda for the first time last summer and loved it. It's only an hour and a half flight from New York and the customs line was seamless. Coming back, you go through US customs at the Bermuda Airport, which means no annoying lines back in the States.

Keep in mind that Bermuda is actually not in the Caribbean, regardless of centuries of misconception (and apparent refusal to look at a map). It's even listed on numerous travel sites as the Caribbean, despite the fact that it's just East of South Carolina . Take note that nothing pisses the locals off more, so don't tell everyone how completely and totally awesome it is to finally be in the Caribbean after a long winter.

Another common misconception? The weather. Although Bermuda is full of pink, sandy beaches, you'll experience similar weather as you would in the Carolinas. So if you're looking for warmth and still want to take advantage of The Reefs Hotel offer, consider staying at the end of May. Otherwise you'll join flocks of tank-top toting tourists who not only believe they they've just landed in the Caribbean, but are outraged it's not 90 degrees and sunny on February 1st.

Also, keep in mind tourists are not permitted to rent cars on Bermuda. It's probably for their own good since the roads are narrow, driving is precarious, and roads are lined with volcanic rock making for a bumper car situation. The island is small and with the ever growing volume of tourism in Bermuda, extra cars would result in a gridlock nightmare. Tourists can rent mopeds (which is scary to witness), but I strongly recommend just using the public bus and ferry system. Everyone uses it, it's relatively cheap, the drivers are friendly, and it covers the entire island. You can pick up a day or weekly pass at the Hamilton Station to use on both the bus and ferries. Most of the area hotels and attractions like the Aquarium will sell single tokens as well. Taxis are also available.

Some of the island perks include interchangable currency. You can use both Bermudan dollars and US dollars, even mixing the two for a single purchase. You'll also get a variety of change back. Their colorful bills and oversized coins makes the US dollar quiver in comparison. (Not that it takes much to make it quiver).

Among some of Bermuda's finer points, check out Horseshoe Bay for some semi-secluded relaxation. The main beach is rather crowded, but there's plenty of caverns and coves to keep you tucked away. Just walk across the street to Tio Pepe's Restaurant when you're finished swimming and jumping off volcanic rock. A single pizza and small salad can easily serve two for about $20. Cold beers are also plentiful.

But there's even more incentives to visit Bermuda and stay at The Reef including a 6th night free between April 1st and May 22nd. Or try the Spring Fling package and stay four nights, with a daily breakfast, afternoon tea, gourmet dinner, round-trip airport transfer, service charges and taxes, beginning at $2138 for two adults from April 1-30.

When in doubt, just throw some alcohol on top of the whole thing and call it a day. As an opening day special after four months of renovations, guests arriving April 1 will enjoy complimentary cocktails at 4:00pm in the newly expanded and renovated bar and lounge. Fancy.

For information and reservations, call 800-742-2008 or visit www.TheReefs.com

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