Log In

Reset Password

Travel trips: beach and city breaks for a long weekend

View of the Toronto skyline. The city is a good choice for a food-focused break and a place where you can keep yourself busy all day but never feel rushed (Photograph by Dillan Paynes/Wikipedia)

A long weekend doesn't have to mean going to the same place every time.

With BermudAir's expanding network, Leanna Lambert, head of public relations and partnerships, believes three or four nights is enough time for Bermudians to swap the island for everything from a city break to a Caribbean beach.

“One of the best things about our network is that there really is a long weekend destination for every type of traveller. If you're craving a city fix, Westchester is a fantastic option because you're just a train ride from Manhattan but can also enjoy the charm of surrounding towns. Montreal is perfect if you want great food, beautiful architecture and a European feel without crossing the Atlantic.”

And the choices expand further during winter with seasonal routes to warmer destinations.

“A few nights in Turks and Caicos or Grand Cayman can feel like a proper escape, while Belize and Guatemala offer a mix of adventure, culture and incredible natural beauty.”

For Ms Lambert, that's what makes shorter trips increasingly realistic.

“Not every getaway needs to be a ten-day vacation that's planned months in advance. If you're in the mood for a shopping weekend in New York, a food-focused escape in Toronto, exploring the waterfront in Boston or soaking up some sunshine in Fort Lauderdale, there are plenty of options that work well over just a few days.”

For food, however, Montreal gets her vote.

“You could spend an entire long weekend doing little more than eating and drinking your way around the city and still not scratch the surface.”

She suggests starting with pastries and coffee in Old Montreal, visiting local markets and ending the day at one of the city's restaurants or wine bars.

In winter, Grand Cayman is a close second, combining its strong culinary scene with beach time and sunset cocktails.

And for a slower escape, she doesn't hesitate.

“Anguilla, every time. Spend your mornings walking along Shoal Bay, enjoy a long beachfront lunch, read a book under an umbrella and watch the sunset with your feet in the sand. There's no pressure to do anything except relax.”

And if that becomes a little too relaxing, St Maarten is a short ferry ride away for shops, beach bars and a change of pace.

For city lovers, Westchester provides easy access to New York City as well as the option of heading north into the Hudson Valley, while Toronto offers sport, concerts, theatre, shopping and restaurants.

But whatever the destination, Ms Lambert's advice for a successful long weekend is not to turn it into an endurance test.

“Pick two or three things you really want to do and leave some room for spontaneity. Sometimes the best memories come from finding a neighbourhood café, stumbling across a local market or spending an afternoon somewhere you hadn't planned to visit.”

And if she could leave tomorrow?

“If we're talking right now, I'd probably choose Toronto. It's one of those cities that has a little bit of everything. It's the kind of place where you can keep yourself busy from morning to night, but it never feels rushed.”

Come January, the answer changes completely.

“There's a very good chance I'm heading straight to Turks and Caicos. A few days of sunshine, turquoise water, long beach walks and absolutely no alarms feels like the perfect winter reset.”

Southwestern beach at Grand Turk. Turks and Caicos is described as the perfect place for a winter reset (Photograph by Jersyko/Wikipedia)
Royal Gazette has implemented platform upgrades, requiring users to utilize their Royal Gazette Account Login to comment on Disqus for enhanced security. To create an account, click here.

You must be Registered or to post comment or to vote.

Published September 18, 2026 at 7:52 am (Updated September 18, 2026 at 8:18 am)

Travel trips: beach and city breaks for a long weekend

Users agree to adhere to our Online User Conduct for commenting and user who violate the Terms of Service will be banned.