The Bermuda Department of Tourism and the New England Sports Network are working together by way of a marketing agreement with the Boston Red Sox. That's how NESN Red Sox reporter Heidi Watney learned so much about Bermuda over the last couple of seasons. She had never visited though until this November. See photos.

Already she's planning her second visit.

"I could go for the all-star break," Heidi explained. "A lot of the players will go to the Cape or go up to New Hampshire, just to get out of Boston for a couple of days, but you don't want to go far because you only have three, maybe four days.

"You can hop on a flight here. It was only like an hour and a half. That's less time than it takes you to get to the Cape."

Heidi travelled to Bermuda with her sister Kelly and mother Paula. They stayed in a villa overlooking the Atlantic Ocean at the Tucker's Point Hotel & Spa. As spectacular as the two-year-old resort is, the spa is typically what gets tongues wagging.

"It was phenomenal," Heidi said. "We went on the first day we got here and it was the best massage I have ever had."

Heidi's Bermuda itinerary appeared to be less focused on relaxation and more focused on education. She crisscrossed the island - shopping in Dockyard, swimming with dolphins at Dolphin Quest and jet skiing across the Great Sound.  See Heidi's initerary.

She can tell you why the roofs are white and that St. George's is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

But what she may enjoy talking about most of all is the friendliness of Bermuda's people. She met many of them, including Johnny Barnes, who spends every weekday of his life on Bermuda's most traveled roadway waving hello to people as they commute into Hamilton for work. Occasionally, he blows kisses to the ladies.

The Watney girls were on the receiving end of one of them.

"We pulled over, he gave us each a postcard and said a little prayer for us for safe travel," Heidi said.

"He was really a highlight. Just to have a man who everyday goes out and greets people and is so friendly is really remarkable. It's not something you would see in the states very often."

Tourism officials were thrilled Heidi wanted to do so much while she was here and were even more overjoyed she had a great experience.

Bermuda Tourism Director Billy Griffith said: "Heidi is an outstanding on-air reporter who now can speak from a first-hand perspective of her own experiences here in Bermuda and help entice Red Sox viewers to visit the island for themselves. Her endorsement is much appreciated and we expect it will resonate amongst her viewers and fans."

For all that Heidi did and saw in Bermuda there wasn't enough time for golf, scuba diving or history gawking in St. Georges - three activities likely to be on her itinerary the next time. She can also count on some friendly faces.

"Everyone seems to have a cheerful disposition," Heidi said. "Who you encounter on your visit makes a big difference."

Tucker's Point Hotel & Spa