Bermuda Bed and Breakfasts

B&Bs in Bermuda, a subtropical jewel a short journey from the U.S. East Coast

Bermuda, a self-governing U.K. territory, is situated in the Atlantic Ocean, just 570 miles east of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina. With a land area of less than 21 square miles and a population density of nearly 3,200 persons per square mile, it is one of the smallest and most densely populated countries in the world.

Here's a parish-by-parish look at Bermuda bed and breakfasts.

• St. George's Parish, including the town of St. George

• Pembroke Parish, including the city of Hamilton (the capital of Bermuda)

• Paget Parish and Warwick Parish, two of Bermuda's central parishes

• Southampton Parish and Sandys Parish, the westernmost parishes in Bermuda

More About Bermuda

Home to about 64,000 people, this subtropical island is composed of seven principal islands connected by bridges and a causeway -- St. George's, St. David's, Main, Somerset, Boaz, Ireland North and Ireland South -- and about 120 other islands. The Main Island is a mile wide on average and 14 miles long.

Visitors to Bermuda, also known as the Somers Isles, needn't look far to find scenic trails, parks and beaches. Many communities feature walking tours focused on historic sites and guided hikes along Bermuda's Railway Trail or through its nature reserves.

Among the many water-related activities available are glass bottom boat tours and other cruises, swimming, snorkeling, helmet diving, scuba diving, jet skiing, water skiing, parasailing, kayaking, fishing, sailing and boating. On land, visitors can enjoy horseback riding, biking, tennis and golf.

Each month offers special events, such as the Christmas Boat Parade in Hamilton Harbour in December, the Bermuda Festival of the Performing Arts during January and February, Open Houses and Gardens and the Grand Art Festival by the Sea in May, Concerts in the Park during the summer months, and the Bermuda Jazz Festival in September.

Although its colorful cottages, beautiful coral reefs and blue-green waters provide the appearance of a tropical paradise, Bermuda boasts a temperate climate. From December through April, the average high ranges from 68 to 71 degrees Farenheit; from June through September it varies from 81 to 86 degrees.

If you don't mind temperatures dipping into the 50s at night and missing out on some of the water sports and sightseeing opportunities, you can enjoy a quieter and more affordable trip by visiting in the off-season of November through March. (December was the perfect time for my husband and me to visit since he likes cooler temperatures and I dislike crowded places.) For those who prefer travelling by cruise ship, cruise season extends from April through October.

While visitors are not allowed to rent automobiles, they can rent mopeds or scooters to explore Bermuda's 155 miles of roads. Rather than hiring a taxi, my husband and I opted to travel by bus and ferry, which offered scenic rides, affordable transportation, and more opportunities to meet friendly Bermudians.