BERMUDA

Bermuda, it's been said, is the Caribbean for those who don't want to travel to the West Indies. Bermudians, of course, will gently point out that their beloved islands are not in the Caribbean at all but in the Atlantic, about 900 miles east of North Carolina, as the seagull flies. Nonetheless, the place has the look and feel of a Caribbean isle, albeit a very genteel one - like a British-style Hamptons gone tropical.

You can certainly do as little as you wish on a Bermudian holiday, and stay in great comfort at long-established resorts or small, intimate hotels. However, for those whose idea of a vacation combines equal parts exercise and recovery, the island offers a veritable ESPN menu of activities. There's golf, horseback riding, and the national pastime of tennis, which you can play on the more than 100 courts. Offshore, divers can explore the 400-plus shipwrecks - some dating back to the 17th century - while enjoying visibility to 90 feet. And for the downtime between activities, you can always retreat to Bermuda's legendary pink-sand beaches to plan your next workout.

BEACHES The southwestern shore's Horseshoe Bay, a long, romantic stretch of fine pink sand created by shells, coral, and calcium carbonate, is the island's most popular and most photographed strand. If you're looking for something a little more secluded, head to nearby Chaplin Bay. But check the tide; when it's high the beach there almost disappears. GOLF Wind, water, and wonderful views can take their toll on your score at the Mid Ocean Club, which has consistently ranked among the world's finest courses since opening in 1922. It's a private club, so an introduction by a member is required; if that fails, you can always head to the public Port Royal Golf Course, a Robert Trent Jones design that has won high praise from Jack Nicklaus himself.

SHOPPING Ships first carried cargoes of English china, Irish linens, and Scottish tartans to Bermuda three centuries ago. Today those and other desirable products continue to arrive on the island, where shopping has long been a favored activity. The emphasis is on quality, not bargains, because high tariffs limit discounts. And though British woolens may seem an odd choice for the summer shopper, off-season sales make them a good bet - right along with those all-season favorites, Bermuda shorts.