Earlier this year I was invited to Bermuda to join Garden and Gun as they celebrate the launch of their new book Southern Women. Garden and Gun would host a wonderful weekend in Bermuda, surrounded by female entrepreneurs from shop owners to artists and chefs and everything in between. I was honored to be invited to such a gorgeous destination, better yet a place filled with inspiring women from all walks of life. I am so lucky that I get to share my little travel diary with you all!
Bermuda is just a short flight out of Atlanta, less than 3 hours and it’s in the middle of the Atlantic surrounded by the prettiest turquoise blue waters. As soon as we landed we could feel all the tropical vibes, from a bright colored airport, laid back and extremely kind people. I knew that the weekend was off to a beautiful start!
Since Bermuda is a pretty small island, you could pretty much get anywhere on the island within 30 minutes and another fun fact, you can’t rent any cars or get an uber since they limit 1 car per household, but not to worry, there are taxi’s and most of your arrangements can be made with your hotel concierge or downloading the app HITCH to arrange a taxi pick up.
Thursday:
Once we arrived at The Loren, we were greeted by the kindest staff and got to enjoy a glass of champagne while a large group of us checked in. Sipping on a glass of champagne, chatting up a storm with all the ladies and enjoying the breathtaking terrace views, it was heavenly.
That evening upon our arrival, a gorgeous cocktail party was hosted by G&G where we got to meet all the amazing women who played a huge role in creating the book and all the wonderful women who came on the trip to do just that, celebrate women and all their accomplishments. It was just such a lovely and inspiring evening filled with laughter, cocktails and encouragement.
Friday:
Our morning started with the birds chirping in the background, we opened up our patio to feel the ocean breeze as the sun was rising. I had signed up for a Perfume Making Workshop later on that morning so I was quite eager to get my day started and lets just say the morning walk to pick up breakfast and a large cup of coffee was exactly what I wanted. The workshop was hosted at the Lili Bermuda in historic St. George. Learning the science and passion behind Isabelle’s (owner of Lili Bermuda) perfume making brought out my inner science nerd and I couldn’t help but learn as much as I could about the craft.
If you are in the area and want to continue exploring historic St. George, be sure to check out the famous St. Peter’s Church and some of the local shops:
- Bermuda Linens and Gifts
- The English Sports Shop
- La Garza
After our workshop, we headed for lunch at Wahoo’s for a big group lunch. We sat on the patio and got views of the gorgeous water and wild life. Their menu was delicious and you must try their Pina Colada’s they are made with fresh pineapple and local rum. And I can’t even begin to talk about the fresh seafood, felt like I could eat their entire menu over and over again. A few other restaurants that other’s raved about were:
- Mama Angie’s
- Seaside Grill off of North Shore Rd.
- Devil Isle’s Cafe in Hamilton
- Pink Beach Club at The Loren
After meeting up with Arnel back at The Loren, we grabbed a quick snack and some drinks before heading down to the beach for a gorgeous walk and sink our feet into the water just a bit. We also got to lounge at the pool and enjoy some more ocean views which was just what we needed after a long day. If you are staying at The Loren, then you will have plenty such as enjoy the:
- Fitness Center
- Sisley Paris Spa at The Loren
- Ocean Front Pool
I was super excited to end the evening over at the Coral Beach Club for another exquisite dinner and a private show by Holly Williams. Coral Beach Club situated on a hill top and has a beautiful staircase leading to the most perfect ocean blue waters and the softest sand. If you are like me and love exploring other inns and hotels near by then definitely check out:
- The Coral Beach Club for their bright yellow outdoor seating
- The Hamilton Princess for their vibrant pink exterior
Saturday:
Saturday morning was filled with a gorgeous walk to the beach to watch the Sunrise and grab breakfast before we enjoy Flatts Village. I ended up meeting with Meredith a local photographer who is a total girl boss, loved exploring Flatts Village with her and learning more about the island. Flatts Village is what one might think of when they think of Bermuda, surrounded by pastel colored homes, boats docked and beautiful waters. A few other must seee/do things at Flatts Village:
- Grab a bite at Village Pantry
- Bermuda Aquarium, Museum and Zoo
- Rustico Restaurant and Pizzeria
Next stop was a private candle making workshop hosted by the creator of Limestone & Cedar Co. She is beautiful inside just as she is on the outside and I love how environmentally friendly her candles are. She uses recycled beer bottles and soy wax to create non toxic candles. We ended up learning more about the craft of candle making and the story behind her business. It was so inspiring to be surrounded by so many extraordinary women. The best part of it all was we got to do it under a gazebo under the most beautiful weather conditions. I could have sat there all day making candles!
Our finale dinner was made by Nina Compton whom we had the pleasure of meeting on our drive over to the hotel. She owns two restaurants in New Orleans and is also featured in the Southern Women book. Her love for food and culture is not only seen but fully captured in the one of a kind cuisines she creates.
Sunday:
On our last morning in Bermuda Arnel and I made reservations at The Pink Beach Club for Sunday Brunch and it made me want to book another trip back to Bermuda. We made sure to dip our feet in the soft pink sand before we loaded up the car and headed to the airport.
While our trip was short, it was unforgettable and I was so deeply inspired by everyone. I am so thankful for Garden & Gun for this wonderful opportunity.
*All images were taken by Meredith Andrews and Nhuri Bashir.
xoxo
LOH
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