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Bermuda private guide

fancycroozer

By fancycroozer,
in Bermuda

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vatechfan

vatechfan

Posted
Posted
Another question - where do you guys have lunch on your tours?

 

I think most people stop at the Swizzle in but I'm not looking for a long, sir down lunch. My group really wants to try the traditional fish sandwich on the raisin bread with coleslaw but we'd be happy going to a stand/stall to get a quick bite and back on the road.

 

Can anyone suggest a place?

 

Just got back from Celebrity Summit trip to Bermuda. Hired Louis Foggo as our island tour guide (recommend - he was really terrific) for a 4-5 hour island tour. Specifically asked him to take us for an "authentic" fish sandwich lunch. Louis timed our tour to begin in Dockyard to St Georges (all sights along the way), ending with lunch take-out to a picnic in a Hamilton park (then Hamilton on our own time with ferry back to Dockyard). Louis highly recommended Art Mel's for an authentic Bermuda fish sandwich. Art Mel's is a take-out place about 10 minutes drive from Hamilton, and is very well known throughout Bermuda. You can find reviews of Art Mel's on other sites. Two slices of inch thick raisin bread - fresh and delicious (got ours toasted); with more than generous amount of lightly fried fish. You can top with cole slaw, tartar sauce, ketchup or hot sauce. On advice of Louis and locals waiting in line, we went with tartar sauce and cole slaw - we were told the hot sauce was very hot! Sandwich is about 4.5 inches tall, and about 4-5 inches wide. Order extra tartar sauce to dip pieces of the fish in, as you will not be able to get your mouth around the sandwich and locals "pick" it apart to get it down to manageable size. More than plenty for 2 people to share; cost was $11.50. We also ordered 1/2 size fries (excellent) and it was plenty enough for two people to share for lunch. We all agreed that it was the best meal we had in Bermuda and the park/picnic was perfect (Cabinet Gardens - on Court St, between Front and Reid Streets).

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sellwingri

sellwingri

Posted
Posted
Just got back from Celebrity Summit trip to Bermuda. Hired Louis Foggo as our island tour guide (recommend - he was really terrific) for a 4-5 hour island tour. Specifically asked him to take us for an "authentic" fish sandwich lunch. Louis timed our tour to begin in Dockyard to St Georges (all sights along the way), ending with lunch take-out to a picnic in a Hamilton park (then Hamilton on our own time with ferry back to Dockyard). Louis highly recommended Art Mel's for an authentic Bermuda fish sandwich. Art Mel's is a take-out place about 10 minutes drive from Hamilton, and is very well known throughout Bermuda. You can find reviews of Art Mel's on other sites. Two slices of inch thick raisin bread - fresh and delicious (got ours toasted); with more than generous amount of lightly fried fish. You can top with cole slaw, tartar sauce, ketchup or hot sauce. On advice of Louis and locals waiting in line, we went with tartar sauce and cole slaw - we were told the hot sauce was very hot! Sandwich is about 4.5 inches tall, and about 4-5 inches wide. Order extra tartar sauce to dip pieces of the fish in, as you will not be able to get your mouth around the sandwich and locals "pick" it apart to get it down to manageable size. More than plenty for 2 people to share; cost was $11.50. We also ordered 1/2 size fries (excellent) and it was plenty enough for two people to share for lunch. We all agreed that it was the best meal we had in Bermuda and the park/picnic was perfect (Cabinet Gardens - on Court St, between Front and Reid Streets).

 

So glad to hear this! We booked him for a private tour in 2 weeks.

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Sprasa03

Sprasa03

Posted
Posted
Louis highly recommended Art Mel's for an authentic Bermuda fish sandwich. Art Mel's is a take-out place about 10 minutes drive from Hamilton, and is very well known throughout Bermuda. You can find reviews of Art Mel's on other sites. Two slices of inch thick raisin bread - fresh and delicious (got ours toasted); with more than generous amount of lightly fried fish. You can top with cole slaw, tartar sauce, ketchup or hot sauce. On advice of Louis and locals waiting in line, we went with tartar sauce and cole slaw - we were told the hot sauce was very hot! Sandwich is about 4.5 inches tall, and about 4-5 inches wide. Order extra tartar sauce to dip pieces of the fish in, as you will not be able to get your mouth around the sandwich and locals "pick" it apart to get it down to manageable size. More than plenty for 2 people to share; cost was $11.50. We also ordered 1/2 size fries (excellent) and it was plenty enough for two people to share for lunch. We all agreed that it was the best meal we had in Bermuda and the park/picnic was perfect (Cabinet Gardens - on Court St, between Front and Reid Streets).

 

well that's great to hear cause last I heard Art Mel's wasn't open! I will suggest to my tour guide (Dennis Hollis) that he take us there.

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  • 3 weeks later...
choice

choice

Posted
Posted

As frequent cruisers we often use private tours to see various sites. Before we book we check for references, complaints and the experience of others. On our recent Celebrity Summit cruise to Bermuda we wanted a four hour afternoon tour of the island with a knowledgeable licensed guide. Bermuda makes the process easier with fixed rates by the hour. We chose Millard Lightbourne, a blue flag licensed guide, based on many positive reports. He answered our email questions promptly, and accepted our offer for day, date and pickup location.

 

Millard contacted us before the tour to confirm the exact pickup location and to say he may arrive early. He greeted us warmly, helped us into his air conditioned minivan and then discussed his plans as well as our wishes.

 

Millard was exceptional! He knows his country, its history and hundreds of facts and figures. He speaks with passion and love of Bermuda. When we asked to divert, skip a site or stop for a break he did so without hesitation. Our tour lasted five hours but we were charged for four.

 

We were in good hands with Millard. Honest, trustworthy, reliable and knowledgeable about Bermuda, he will tailor your tour as you wish. We recommend him highly. millard@northrock.bm

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IrishMoe

IrishMoe

Posted
Posted
IrishMoe. DH & DD used Heidi last week. They both thought she was wonderful. Hopefully you will be able to have the Bermuda favorite for lunch; they got fish sandwiches on raisin bread and couldn't stop talking about how yummy it was. Enjoy her. Good choice.

 

Took we awhile and just found time to post again since we returned from our cruise. We had a great day with Heidi. Saw just about everything to see on the Island. Heidi was indeed a wonderful tour guide. Took us to a few beaches we had not had the pleasure of visiting before. Good insight for a next return. Yes the lunch was indeed the fish sandwich. So fresh and can I say HUGE!!! More than plenty for two people. While we were enjoying lunch we got to see a giant sea turtle that had been rescued and was now going to be released. Highly recommend her to anyone.

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cruiselover48

cruiselover48

Posted
Posted
We are on the Summit on the 8/28 sail and want to tour the island. We have been there before and did the local bus trips but think we missed things. Please recommend either a tour guide for 2 or 3 or 4 couples. Hopefully we can join in.

 

We are also on this sailing. We are touring with Ricky's tours on Wed. We booked on line $60 pp. Roz

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grandmaR

grandmaR

Posted
Posted
Get off the ship and ask for Quinton Sherlock, Best taxi Driver around. Informative tour, Beach and shopping time too. I took the taxi tour for 5 hours. $50 per hour on weekends.

 

$50 per hour for 5 hours would be $250. That's the difference between a taxi and a guide which is per person for a set time.

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Charles4515

Charles4515

Posted
Posted
Get off the ship and ask for Quinton Sherlock, Best taxi Driver around. Informative tour, Beach and shopping time too. I took the taxi tour for 5 hours. $50 per hour on weekends.

 

 

 

Taxi tours are $50 per hour for 1-4 passengers, $70 per hour for 5-7 passengers. That is any day, not only weekends. As for the driver you mention being the best taxi driver around, does that mean you tried every taxi driver in Bermuda to compare him to? I doubt it.

 

As for getting off the ship and asking for a particular driver that could work out, it might not. That driver might not be available. I think people reading this thread are more interested in reserving a guide in advance.

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luckyinpa

luckyinpa

Posted
Posted
This was an amazing experience for my husband and myself. We were on Oceania's Regatta cruise with 2 1/2 days in Hamilton Harbour. We were lucky to get an opening due to a cancellation. Heather is an experienced pilot and a lovely young lady. She is Canadian and did her flight school in Canada. She is a great guide as well, as she knows so much about the island. This is the best way to see it all. She even flew us over our ship so we could take pictures. We did not have a car, so Heather explained in detail how to get there by local transit. So easy to do, cheap, and lots to see from the bus as well. Time and money well spent. Highly recomend her!

 

blueskybermuda@gmail.com

441.516.3305

http://www.blueskyflights.bm

 

this looks like fun as long as you are within the weight limits :)

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  • 1 month later...
aztekpm

aztekpm

Posted
Posted

We just returned and had Lewis as a guide. He was fantastic and gave us a fabulous tour. I truly recommend a private tour over a bus tour, many we spoke to weren't 100% happy with the times they had at places (the long and the short) and how they zoomed by other sites they wanted to see. We had a 5 hour tour and hit every spot on the island we wanted too, except St. David. Oh well, next time :D

 

However and just as an FYI, his van is a little older and not pristine, if that might bother you. It didn't bother us, though, my mother did comment to us after the tour that he needed to clean his van ;)

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Laurab23

Laurab23

Posted
Posted
We had a tour with Heidi Cowan this week. She was terrific. This was our 5th trip to Bermuda but we saw things that were new to us. Heidi also knows so much history. Well worth the $100.Don't forget- the fish sandwiches are delicious.

 

Heidi is excellent. The most informative tour I have ever taken.

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cruizinisthebest

cruizinisthebest

Posted
Posted

I've been reading the comments and the many recommendations for tours, taxis. I would appreciate it if someone could give me adevice on who to use.

 

I have been to Bermuda before on business trips. Twice but it was many years ago. In July we will be there via ship for just one day. I know most cruisers are there multiple days, but that's not an option for us. We want to visit the caves, the swizzle inn (original), and spend st least two hours at a beach. I was thinking Warwick Bay but not sure how close that is to the caves and swizzle, which I believe are close together.

 

We have from 9:30am-4:00pm I would say as our ship is scheduled to dock from 9-5. Should we schedule something in advance or see if we can hire a driver once we get off? Someone on another page recommended a private tour, but when I inquired the price was over $400. And I think the bus/ferry would take up valuable time.

 

Any suggestions would be much appreciated.

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CTKaren

CTKaren

Posted
Posted

Personally, I think that might be a lot to fit in seven hours but doable if you get off the ship as soon as you can.

 

My suggestion is to see if you can find online the taxi rates. Not for a tour but just to get from the pier to the Crystal Caves. Go their first and then do an early lunch at the Swivel Inn which is right across the street. Then taxi back to either the Pier or Horseshoe Bay (depending on time). If you think you maybe short on time, the Snorkel Bay beach is within walking distance to the ship. It is a nice beach, maybe not as stunningly beautiful as many of them, but still an ok beach.

 

As for Horseshoe Bay, usually there are cabs waiting to take people back to the pier. About $7 per person.

 

Love Bermuda....have fun!

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cruizinisthebest

cruizinisthebest

Posted
Posted
Personally, I think that might be a lot to fit in seven hours but doable if you get off the ship as soon as you can.

 

My suggestion is to see if you can find online the taxi rates. Not for a tour but just to get from the pier to the Crystal Caves. Go their first and then do an early lunch at the Swivel Inn which is right across the street. Then taxi back to either the Pier or Horseshoe Bay (depending on time). If you think you maybe short on time, the Snorkel Bay beach is within walking distance to the ship. It is a nice beach, maybe not as stunningly beautiful as many of them, but still an ok beach.

 

As for Horseshoe Bay, usually there are cabs waiting to take people back to the pier. About $7 per person.

 

Love Bermuda....have fun!

Thank you. Maybe I should cut beach time down to an hour. So you think it's best to go to a beach last?

 

Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk

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njhorseman

njhorseman

Posted
Posted (edited)
Personally, I think that might be a lot to fit in seven hours but doable if you get off the ship as soon as you can.

 

My suggestion is to see if you can find online the taxi rates. Not for a tour but just to get from the pier to the Crystal Caves. Go their first and then do an early lunch at the Swivel Inn which is right across the street. Then taxi back to either the Pier or Horseshoe Bay (depending on time). If you think you maybe short on time, the Snorkel Bay beach is within walking distance to the ship. It is a nice beach, maybe not as stunningly beautiful as many of them, but still an ok beach.

 

As for Horseshoe Bay, usually there are cabs waiting to take people back to the pier. About $7 per person.

 

Love Bermuda....have fun!

 

I strongly disagree. A taxi from Dockyard to Crystal Caves will cost about $75 including tip for 1 -4 passengers. The return about the same. And after spending all that money you don't gain a huge amount of time (maybe 30 minutes in each direction) versus taking taking the ferry and bus because the caves are on the opposite side of the island.

 

Regardless, for someone have only one day in Bermuda about the last place I would recommend going is the caves. You'll end up spending all your time travelling without knowing what you're travelling through, and underground in a cave, which could be anywhere in the world. There is nothing about the caves that says "Bermuda".

 

A five hour taxi tour would cost $250 for 1 -4 people, 6 hours for $300, and you could see a heck of a lot more of Bermuda in the process, and a good guide will tell you about everything you see and recommend where to stop and spend some time during the tour.

Edited by njhorseman
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