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BERMUDA BARGAINS

Opportunities abound for shoppers in
search of the perfect souvenir

While no man (or woman) may be an island, an island can be all a man or woman needs when it comes to shopping. That’s especially true if that island is Bermuda.

From the city streets of Hamilton and St. George’s to the rest of the 21-mile-long island, Bermuda offers only the best in shopping. Thanks to a wide range of unique high-quality options, a lack of sales taxand friendly and personal service, shopping in Bermuda can definitely be a rewarding experience to those in the know. Whether you’re searching for fine china or crystal, jewelry, perfumes, quality linen, arts and crafts, or simply a perfect souvenir, the shops of Bermuda are sure to oblige.

BERMUDA SPECIALTIES

Thanks to its unique location, culture, and long history, Bermuda has developed many special shopping choices over the years. One or more might just make for a perfect personal memory or gift.

When it comes to savoring the flavor of Bermuda long after you've returned, it’s hard to beat Gosling’s Black Seal Rum. Bermuda-based Gosling Brothers Ltd. first imported barrels of Caribbean rum into Bermuda back in 1860. Many different blends were tried until one was deemed perfect. This aged and very dark rum was called “Old Rum” and was sold only in draught form for the first 50 years of production.

Gosling’s Rum was sold only out of the barrel until World War I, when Gosling Brothers first started filling champagne bottles that had been recycled from a British Officer’s mess. The corks were sealed with black wax and eventually led to today’s name of Gosling’s Black Seal Rum. The rum is still created from the original family recipe of a blend of three-year-old rums and makes for an ideal (and tasty) Bermuda memory.

Other tasty treats from Bermuda include Mrs. Horton’s Black Rum Cakes, Outerbridge’s Sherry Peppers, Bermuda honey, and Barritt’s Ginger Beer. Available in original and chocolate, the light and moist Black Rum Cakes are created in a tiny bakery and are available in stores throughout the island. Outerbridge’s line includes original recipe condiments, soups, and more; the company's sherry pepper sauce is ideal for spicing up famed Bermuda fish chowder. Bermuda honey is sinfully delicious, and Barritts Ginger Beer is a unique blend of ginger roots from the Caribbean and Africa that’s been enjoyed on Bermuda for 125 years.

Also consider something carved from Bermuda cedar, which is indigenous to the island and was used by the early settlers and their descendants to create stunning furniture. Almost destroyed by parasites in the mid-1940s, the cedar is now Bermuda’s national tree and the island’s cedar carvers turn out some spectacular products.

WHERE TO SHOP

Thanks to a large variety of stores within easy walking distance, it's hard to beat the convenience of Hamilton shopping. Historically, the port city of has always offered some of the finest shopping found anywhere in the world. Bustling Front Street is filled with world-class shops, but Hamilton’s many side streets can be fertile ground for savvy shoppers.

Many British chain stores have branches in Bermuda. In addition, the city is home to a number of local, family-owned department stores that carry a variety of merchandise. World-famous Bermuda shorts, for instance. You simply can't leave the island without at least trying on a pair.

For jewelry as well, the Hamilton options abound. Be sure to visit Front Street’s Astwood Dickinson, which has been around sine 1904 and stocks virtually every famous name in jewelry. Prices usually are lower than in the United States, and Astwood Dickinson’s workshop also produces the unique Bermuda Collection of gold jewelry.

When it comes to china and crystal, two more Front Street establishments await the arrival of smart shoppers. William Bluck & Company Ltd. has been in business more than 150 years and is the only shop on the island devoted exclusively to china and crystal. Vera P. Card has an extensive collection of Swardovski and Lladro, as well one of the world’s largest collections of Hummel figurines.

The quaint port town of St. George’s is less busy than Hamilton, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t some great shopping opportunities, and its winding streets present plenty of options.

Many Bermuda department stores operate branches in St. George's. In addition, the town offers a number of colorful specialty boutiques. Take time to explore them. Who knows what treasures you'll find?

A.S. Cooper, William Bluck & Company Ltd., and Crisson Jewellers all have branches in St. George's, as do many of the chain stores also found in Hamilton and in resorts around the island. These smaller stores make for a more personal Bermuda experience.

Along with Hamilton and St. George’s, the rest of Bermuda has many great shopping stops. In addition to shops in resorts throughout the island, those who venture out to Royal Naval Dockyard will find a wide range of additional options.

Dating from the early 19th century, Dockyard once was Britain's largest foreign naval outpost. It was from Dockyard, in fact, that British forces launched the attack on Washington, D.C. during the War of 1812.

Britain closed the facility in the late 1950s. Today, it's Bermuda's premier shopping, restaurant and entertainment complex. You'll love browsing among the shops and boutiques, as well as at the Bermuda Craft Market, which is also here.

No matter which streets you stroll, chances are you'll find a bit of Bermuda to take home with you. From jewelry and handcrafts, rum to rum cakes, there's something for everyone on this quaint island paradise.