#643 Saint George's, Bermuda

St. George's Town was first settled in 1612, the first permanent British settlement on the islands of Bermuda and its capital until 1815. Some claim it is the oldest continually inhabited English city in the New World. Originally called New London, it was a stopping place for the ships of the Virginia company on their way to Jamestown and other settlements.

Ordnance Island is connected to St. George's by a short causeway, and much of the waterfront is reclaimed land.

With quaint names and narrow alleys, the town is fun to visit, and prettily decorated in a traditional style, with the typical Bermudian water-collecting roofs on display.

The main town square, King's Square, is bounded by the 1782 Town Hall to the east, the Bermuda National Trust Museum to the north-west, and Ordnance Island.

The location of hangings, Ordnance Islands guns signify its past, but is now used as a cruise ship terminal.

A replica of the Deliverance, one of two boats built by survivors of the 1609 shipwreck Sea Venture that was stranded (deliberately sent onto the reef) on Bermuda on their way to Jamestown, VA, and led to the first settlers of the islands.

Other historic landmark sites to see in the town include the first stone building, the 1620 State House, the Old Rectory, St, Peter's Church, the Tucker House, and the Mitchell House (housing the St. George's Historical Society Museum, and the Featherbed Alley Printshop Museum), along with the oldest structure on the island, the L-shaped Bridge House. Along with its fortifications, it was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000.

The unfinished church is above and behind the town on a hill. Construction began in 1874 after the town's main church, St. Peter's was damaged in a storm. The local populace was divided, however as to whether to repair the old church or construct a new one, so it was never finished. In 1926 a bad storm significantly damaged what was there. It is closed to the public for safety reasons, but you can peek through a window like me!

Source: http://www.bermuda-attractions.com/bermuda2_000027.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._George's,_Bermuda
http://www.bermuda-attractions.com/bermuda2_000028.htm
http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/983

#650 Grace Bay, Turks and Caicos Islands

The 11 or so kilometers of soft white sand that make up Grace Bay's beach are reported to be one of the best beaches in the Caribbean - in fact in 2011 and 2012, TripAdvisor users voted it the best beach destination in the world. If one was counting large resorts (30+), the presence of such a variety of places to stay would certainly convince you: from the Seven Stars, to Grace Bay Club, Club Med, the Somerset, the Venetian, Windsong, the Alexandria, the Sands or the all-inclusive Beaches, this is the destination for the island of Providenciales, plus there are also many smaller resorts and private residences.

Trying to capture its loveliness is difficult as every image seems similar - it's just so perfect. What is it that makes it great? The reef prevents any large waves so it is calm and safe -- surf lovers can look elsewhere on the island. The waters are a perfect, beautiful turquoise and blue, apparently from the purity of the white sand (which is so fine it acts like a glue on your feet!). There is world-class diving on the wall of the surrounding reef -- it is part of the third-largest barrier reef system in the world. Perhaps its so great because it seems no one has heard of it?

It got its start when Club Med built an exclusive hotel in 1984, and as it was a deserted beach until then, it was idyllic (only nearby Turtle Cove had begun to be developed). 

Note: The Turks and Caicos Islands are part of the British West Indies, a territory of Britain.

Source: TripAdvisor's #1 Turks and Caicos attraction: http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g147399-d148331-Reviews-Grace_Bay-Providenciales_Turks_and_Caicos.html

http://news.travel.aol.com/2011/04/05/tripadvisor-names-top-beach-destinations/
http://www.gracebay.com/
http://www.traveller.com.au/secrets-out-where-to-find-the-worlds-best-beach-1z9f4
http://www.visittci.com/providenciales/about