Bermuda and New York ' How Do They Compare?

As travel destinations, New York and Bermuda are miles apart ' 690 miles in fact, as the crow flies ' but this doesn't stop them being complementary locations. A combination of the relaxing island retreat of Bermuda and New York's glamour and vibrancy in a single holiday might be the best of both worlds.

Two Island Destinations

Since there are scheduled flights from London to Bermuda via New York, combining visits to Bermuda and New York is ideal. Stopping off in New York for a few days will mean that you get time to see what this magnificent city has to offer.

Imagine the contrast of experiences that the two locations offer brought together in one holiday. A package known as a 'two centre' or 'twin centre' creates something more of a travel experience than the conventional single-resort getaway, without the hardship of organising multiple journeys and hotels. Indeed, the twin centre format is a great way of breaking up long air flights if you don't enjoy long haul, but still want to see these great destinations. The flight time between Bermuda and New York is under two and a half hours. Plus you can fly home direct from Bermuda or vice versa!

Light, Colour and Creatures

So how does the island city compare to the Atlantic islands? For starters, almost a hundred and fifty islands make up the landmass of Bermuda; New York's three islands are comparatively crammed and busy.

While Tiffany's is the place to see the famous and bedazzling jewellery of New York, Bermuda hides its crystals underground. If you visit the Crystal Caves (one of the Islands' many attractions) you can see the white illuminated stalactites hanging above the caves' blue pools. This is not the end of the remarkable local colour to be seen; believe it or not, Bermuda has pink beaches. The pale pink sand ' which is especially beautiful at sunset ' is formed from particles of red coral and shells eroded and washed in from the reefs around Bermuda. New York on the other hand, can compete with its bright pink and red neon lights of Times Square, a bustling and colourful intersection awash with theatres, themed restaurants and glitz.

Surprisingly, in terms of animals, Bermuda fares poorly. The islands are home to hundreds of species of birds, but no mammals to speak of; whereas in New York you can find elephants, lions, leopards, hyenas and many more dramatic creatures. I'm speaking, of course, of the stage menagerie in the top-rating Broadway show, The Lion King, a spectacle that is particularly popular in the winter months.

Contrasting Climate

It is worth pointing out that in the winter months the climates of the two locations are very different. Bermuda will have mild winters at the same time that the Eastern Seaboard of the US will be expecting snow. It is for this reason that, even in winter, the 'two centre' holiday is a good option. January is a time when you can expect an average high of a comfortable 20 degrees centigrade in Bermuda, while New York's snowy streets are abuzz with the New Year Sales.

John Dixon is Managing Director of Prestige Holidays and visits Bermuda at least twice a year. He has been providing luxury holidays to Bermuda and New York and many other destinations for over 30 years.