When it comes to planning a beach vacation, deciding where to stay, what to eat, and what to do are essential parts of the planning process. For me, warm weather, beautiful beaches, fresh fish (preferably enjoyed on said beautiful beach), and welcoming locals are a must. Enter: Bermuda.

A quick flight from most East Coast cities drops you right into one of the most beautiful islands you’ll ever visit. Known for its pink-sand beaches, Bermuda is much more than a place to sip a piña colada or a Dark ’n Stormy. One of Britain’s oldest colonies, Bermuda is steeped in history and tradition. Its downtown, Hamilton, is full of vibrant colors and unique local shops (remember: Bermuda is home to the Bermuda short) and restaurants that pull you inside for a taste of local delicacies.

With a surge of millennial visitors from both Great Britain and the United States, Bermuda has so much to offer. For some, it’s the island’s seven lush golf courses; for others, it’s snorkeling along vibrant coral reefs and shallow shipwrecks. For me, a restorative weekend away (with the help of Vogue’s global spa guide) was just what the doctor ordered. That said, the island is also a great place to bring the whole family, offering plenty of activities for all ages.

If you are looking for the ultimate getaway, Rosewood Bermuda has it all. Nestled in Tucker’s Town—second home to many celebrities—the Rosewood has an expansive, tucked-away beach with the utmost privacy, four pools, several restaurants, tennis and pickleball for paddle enthusiasts, and on-site childcare so parents can enjoy a little R&R themselves. With just 88 rooms on the property, it has the feel of a small hotel, paired with the amenities of a full-scale resort.

Be sure to check out the Pan Am Sky Club Murals located inside the restaurant, Island Brasserie. The 80-foot-long mural encompassing the entire restaurant is a piece of history. Originally in the Pan Am Building (now MetLife) in New York, and commissioned by Juan Trippe in 1965. The mural, by Hong Kong resident Gerard D’Alton Henderson depicts various ports of call of mid-19th-century Clipper ships and whaling vessels. In 2005, the mu,ral was transported panel by panel to the Tucker’s Point Hotel & Spa, now the Rosewood Bermuda.

Drop your bags at the Rosedon Hotel, a stately historic mansion steps away from the capital of Hamilton that has been in the same family for three generations. The luxe Relais & Chateaux property has revived its 40 rooms while retaining its lovely old-school charm (male staff members wear Bermuda shorts and kneesocks, and traditional British afternoon tea is served every afternoon).

And if you’re looking for something more intimate and modern, check out The Loren Bermuda. This beachfront escape is smaller by comparison but does not skimp on style. Its contemporary design showcases the beauty of the ocean from every angle. The pool sits right next to the beach, making it easy to go from swimming in the coral-blue ocean to lounging poolside.

If you’re looking for a truly unique experience, The Loren offers dinner on the beach featuring Lionfish, an invasive species in Bermuda. They may look beautiful, but these fish are eating species native to the island and, in fact, can be quite dangerous to humans as well. Divers enter the water at sundown, catch their meal, and then deliver it to a chef who prepares it beachside. Watch as they expertly debone and filet the lionfish, then prepare it as the freshest ceviche you may ever get to try.

Where to Eat

Everything from sauces to the bread is made in-house at the industrial-chic Devil’s Isle. The produce is clean, organic, locally sourced—and delicious. Get the Nourish Bowl (greens, roasted cherry tomatoes, fermented fennel, and coconut oil-roasted beets) or the rockfish tacos with mango and chipotle aioli. Carnivores will love the juicy natural burger, ground in-house and served on a home-baked ciabatta bun. Drinks are innovative and playful, such as the Parasol, a bracing blend of Prosecco, St. Germain elderflower liqueur, Lillet Blanc, vermouth, honey, and lemon.

When asking locals where to eat, several recommended Tom Moore’s Tavern for an authentic Bermudian dinner. Its white tablecloths and sharp, attentive staff highlight seasonal produce and fresh, locally caught fish. For a special occasion or end-of-vacation celebration, you won’t be disappointed.

For a more casual meal, The Pickled Onion in the heart of Hamilton has been serving visitors and locals alike since 1988. The menu includes fresh fish chowder (a staple across the island), rockfish tacos, and pickled nachos. Grab a seat inside or out and enjoy the hustle and bustle of the city.

Where to Shop

For elegant, beautifully tailored Bermuda shorts— a garment originally created for British officers stationed on the island during World War II—proceed directly to TABS. Founder and designer Rebecca Singleton offers them in over 30 vibrant colors (we’re partial to Coral Beach). You’ll also find Isla Botanica, nature-inspired fragrances & body care that can help you bring the scents of the island home with you.

Salt + Cedar’s new minimalist storefront on Hamilton Street carries green beauty products such as Leahlani and SunTegrity sunscreen. Founder Andrea Fubler, a former holistic nutritionist, seeks out woman-owned companies. One is Tricia Lines, a small-batch body care company from Bermudan Tricia Lines Hill. Her lotions, washes, and scrubs use natural, organic ingredients that remind her of growing up on the island—such as lemon mint, which smells like an ocean breeze blowing in a Bermuda orchard.

What to Do

With 75 miles of dramatic coastline, Bermuda has no shortage of beaches—but Rachel Sawden, a model who has lived on the island her entire life, says the best ones are hidden gems that you can only get to by boat. She recommends renting a Boston Whaler—a small boat that you can pilot yourself with a quick lesson (no captain necessary!) at the water sports shop of the Grotto Bay Hotel in Hamilton Parish. Ask them for directions to Frick’s Point Beach, which (unless you’re the owner of one of the mansions that line the beach) is only accessible by water. “It’s a shallow bay, and the waters glow electric blue in the sunlight, and it’s usually flat calm,” she says.

Then head east to Castle Island, where you can explore a 17th-century fort, and to Charles Island with its blissfully quiet beach. “Getting there requires a very small boat that can fit under the causeway, so you'll be a world away from the large charter boats and the other tourists,” Sawden says. She also recommends Grape Bay Beach, a local’s secret with powder-soft sand. “It’s accessible only at the end of two private residential roads, and one of the few beaches that has surf-able waves in the winter.”

Grab a cold-pressed juice at OM Juicery, where owner Preston James Ephraim takes “live juice” to another level. In the morning, he meets with local Bermudan farmers and selects their newly picked produce, which is transformed within hours into a jewel-toned libation.

Then bike the Bermuda Railway Trail, a former train track that’s now a National Park with a ridiculously scenic eighteen-mile cycling path that winds through quaint parishes and rocky, sea-splashed coastline. Start at the beautifully preserved historic town of St. George’s, a UNESCO World Heritage site with rows of houses the color of Jordan almonds. Rent a bike at Oleander Cycles and, after exploring the town, recharge with an espresso at the bright, modern Victoire Café and Cycle Club.

Bermuda’s waters have more shipwrecks per square mile than anywhere else in the world. Book a private charter from Traveler Charters and freedive through dozens of shipwrecks, among them the HMS Vixen, a gunboat from the Royal Navy that sank in 1896. Or snorkel the vast coral reefs that teem with an astonishing array of wildlife: blue angelfish, neon-bright parrotfish, placid green turtles, and, if you’re lucky, delicate, otherworldly seahorses.