What comes to your mind when you hear the word Bermuda? You probably think of the Bermuda Triangle, or maybe even Bermuda shorts. While both have their place, Bermuda really stands for picturesque towns, lovely weather year round, and the ultimate tourist destination of the very well to do. Most people also think that Bermuda is a beautiful island paradise in the Caribbean, but this is, in fact, a common misconception. Bermuda is actually in the western Atlantic Ocean, about 650 miles off the coast of North Carolina, and under 800 miles away from New York City!

Bermuda was uninhabited until 1609. Juan de Bermudez was the first explorer to discover the island chain and, as a result, it bears his name. Most early Spanish explorers avoided the islands, calling them the "Islands of the Devils." But an English ship ran aground here and discovered that Bermuda was heaven, not hell. Today, Bermuda consists of nine parishes, with Hamilton, fairly centrally located, amongst the nine. Visitors to Bermuda often feel that Bermuda has a quaint English feel to it. And for good reason, since the island is a British dependent, although it does have self-government. Officially, Queen Elizabeth II is the head of state here.

Hamilton is the capital city of Bermuda. It was named after Henry Hamilton, the governor of Bermuda from 1788 to 1794. Hamilton was actually Scottish, and could trace his ancestry back to Mary, Queen of Scots. Hamilton is on the eastern end of Great Bermuda Island. It is home to some of Bermuda's wealthiest residents, and the wealthy really know how to play! Gorgeous golf courses, exquisite dining, and breathtaking vistas are down every nicely manicured road and around every corner. Of course, all of this beauty comes with a price. The cost of living in Bermuda is fantastically high, so be prepared to spend a little more than usual. Hamilton is very tourist friendly, with festivals and events year round. There is a good chance that whenever you plan your vacation, you will run into some kind of celebration.