Not so ‘Hidden Gems’ any more

Tours hosted by Hidden Gems of Bermuda are fast becoming a ‘must-do’ tourist activity.

The company, which is barely a year old, has just signed a partnership deal with Rosewood Tucker’s Point. It means that Hidden Gems has had to take on extra staff.

Owned by Ashley Harris, the company has won over tourists and locals alike with its eco-friendly, intimate tours. Ms Harris takes small groups of people — not more than 10 in any tour — off the beaten path of the usual Bermuda attractions to reveal the secluded beauty of the island.  

The partnership deal with Rosewood, will see Hidden Gems conduct different tours on Monday, Wednesday, Friday for the those staying at the resort from 10- to 18-years-old. 

Each Sunday, Ms Harris will guide guests of Rosewood Tucker’s Point around the property for a truly unique tour of the resort’s hidden spots and imparting her inside scoop from a Bermudian perspective.

She told the Bermuda Sun: “At the end we either go cave swimming or we go reef snorkelling on the property. We will go into Church Cave to swim or weather dependent, we go snorkeling.”

Ms Harris added that Tucker’s Point has the only endemic yellowwoods in Bermuda. 

“We take them up to the top of the tower and they get a panoramic view of the island, which is like going up to the top of one of the lighthouses. 

We also take them to a sinkhole called Coffee Chine. It’s a beautiful area that used to be a cave and we introduce them to all the caves on the property.”

On Monday, she will take the younger crowd to Tom Moore’s Jungle and Admiral Cave.

The Wednesday expedition features St David’s Lighthouse and Cooper’s Island, while Friday’s tour will feature Southlands and Fort Hamilton. 

Butterflies

She said the special surprise on Friday is the butterfly garden at Brighton Hill Nursery. 

“They have a gorgeous butterfly aviary with so many butterflies flying around,” she added.

Ms Harris said each of the children’s tours lasts between two to three hours.

“This is an addition to my regular tours. We are expanding quite quickly. We now have two buses going out, almost every day. It’s been crazy busy and so fantastic.”

It’s been a hit on TripAdvisor with Hidden Gems receiving the maximum five-star review. 

“This has been phenomenal, what’s happened over the last 10 months,” she said. “Every day I come home, there are e-mails from people wanting to book. I’m not going to lie, I am very overwhelmed by the response.”