Long Story Short Offering New Summer Tours
Kristin White, owner of Long Story Short, is offering a new slate of tours for the coming summer season, many of which include partnerships with other St. George’s based businesses.”
Ms White said, “Since opening my shop in 2012, I’ve always found the other St. George’s entrepreneurs to be very open to collaboration. We have joint marketing initiatives and events, and I’ve worked alongside all of the restaurants for my food tour.”
The spokesperson said, “Her popular bicycle tours now have the option of an upgrade to an electric bicycle, courtesy of Pedego Electric Bicycle, which has been in the East End since 2018.
“Their tour and rental centre is just down the street from Long Story Short, making it an easy stop for guests who want to avoid tackling the St. George’s hills or distance to St. David’s on her traditional bicycles.”
Pedego owner Michael Paynter said, “Over the last year as we’ve expanded our fleet, we’ve also been sure to increase our focus to better include the local market [rather than solely visitors], and partnering with people like Kristin has been a key part of that, increasing our exposure.
“And with our electric bikes, Kristin can expand her tours to the wider St. George’s parish. It’s a win/win for both of us.”
Long Story Short is also offering two experiences alongside Wild Plants and Herbs of Bermuda.
Ms White said, “Doreen Williams-James, owner of Wild Plants & Herbs, is such a treasure. I’ve taken her foraging tour myself several times and always walk away with something new.
“I’ve been talking to her about doing a joint experience for a while, so I’m very excited that 2021 will finally see this happen.”
The spokesperson said, “The Viking Cruise line excursion includes a history tour with Kristin, and then the group will visit the garden of Bermuda National Trust property Old Rectory for a talk by Doreen, where she will show the guests some of Bermuda’s wild plants and discuss their health properties.
“The other joint experience, which will be hosted every weekend, is a small-group, half-day exploration that includes a history tour in St. George’s, followed by a Pedego electric bicycle ride to Cooper’s Island for a foraging tour and lunch with Wild Plants and Herbs.
“Guests will have the option to swim or further explore the nature reserve before riding back to St. George’s.”
Ms White said, “I’ve just heard that the Viking tour is sold out for all 8 weeks, so this is a definite affirmation for me that I am heading in the right direction with my tours by partnering with other businesses to ensure our participants receive a multi-faceted experience.
“I hope the History + Foraging tour will also prove to be popular with both visitors and residents.”
The spokesperson said, “Kristin also mentioned a weekly general ‘Town Tour’ which includes a bit of history plus art and shopping, and will visit the town’s galleries and stores.”
Ms White said, “There are so many amazing businesses here, so it just makes sense to me that whenever I have an audience, I should be talking to them about everything the town has to offer.”
Earlier this year, it was announced that Long Story Short would receive some investment funding from the Bermuda Tourism Authority, which Ms White says was instrumental in moving forward with the collaborative tours.”
Ms. White said, “Receiving this funding meant the partnerships formed to provide new tours can consistently operate as our visitor numbers increase. I could go ahead with tours for the summer season, and also do some forward planning for the fall/winter period, when I’ll look to reintroduce my Haunted History tour and perhaps add a mini-car tour as well.”
Tashae Thompson, Assistant Director Experience Development, Bermuda Tourism Authority, said, “We are delighted to support the Long Story Short collaborative experiences. Our Experience Investment Programme was designed to create a platform for Bermuda’s tourism innovators to have the freedom to create authentically Bermudian, memorable experiences that our visitors crave.
“Immersive cultural experiences like these will be key drivers in reviving Bermuda tourism, enhancing visitor satisfaction, and driving visitor spend. We salute Kristin and her associates on a thoughtfully developed slate of adventures that will create jobs and unforgettable moments for our visitors.”
Tours begin in mid-June, and can be booked here.
