Last month four writers -- who specialise in writing about family holidays -- flew to Bermuda with their children, as guests of the Department of Tourism, to gauge the merits of Camp Bermuda.

Camp Bermuda is a new programme by the Tourism Department that is designed to sell Bermuda as a fun family destination.

And in last Saturday's edition of The Toronto Star, Canadian writer Diane McDougall-Tierney praised the programme in an article titled "Bermuda beckons families''.

"My six-year-old son Matthew kid-tested the Camp Bermuda programme,'' she wrote. "He gave it two (ice cream covered) thumbs up.'' Ms McDougall-Tierney described several of the Island's "awesome'' events, attractions and resorts in the half-page article.

And she described Bermuda as a "high-quality'' destination which looked as if it was "manicured by professional gardeners''. But she warned Canadian travellers to expect to pay "premium prices'' for a Bermuda vacation, "especially if you don't shop around''.

While conducting her tour of the Island last month, The Toronto Star writer told The Royal Gazette that she was surprised that "formal'' Bermuda was going after family vacationers.

Ms McDougall-Tierney had said: "The trip has been very interesting. I did not expect Bermuda to be so family-orientated. It has always seemed to be very formal. It is surprising to see hotels and places of interest catering to families. Bermuda has always seemed to be a honeymoon destination.'' And she joked: "Once the kids get here and tear everything apart, maybe you'll change your mind about wanting them here.'' She had said Canadians would find Bermuda more expensive than Americans, and would look to package deals to make the vacation affordable.

In May, the Ministry of Tourism inaugurated the Camp Bermuda summer-season programme after announcing the $500,000 project during the budget debate.

Camp Bermuda -- a collaborative effort between Government and the private sector -- offers the family traveller in the US and Canada activities built around attractions such as the Maritime Museum, the Aquarium and Dolphin Quest, as well as heritage sites such as St. George's.

And families can participate in historic re-enactments such as the War of 1812's taking of Washington -- an invasion that was launched from Bermuda's shores. The Island's hotels and other business signed on to the programme and some such as the Southampton Princess and the Sonesta are offering free accommodation to children under 16.