UK Travel Search: Channel Islands Travel Office & Information Guide - Comprehensive Travel & Tourism Information Directory & Search Engine for Channel Islands. |
Although British since 1066, The Channel Islands are not part
of the United Kingdom and are administered locally. The islands
are just of the French coast of Normandy and are still considered
a tax haven because of their low tax rates, their own currency
and no VAT on goods. The main islands are Jersey, Guernsey,
Alderney, Sark and Herm. Other minor islands like Brechou, Jethou
and Lihou are only worth noting because of their quaint names.
A Perfect Holiday Destination:
The islands are perfect for holidaymakers who don't want to do much but relax. The weather is mostly warm and sunny, it has fine sandy beaches and
good - actually superb - restaurants serving wonderful local seafood. Accommodation choices are excellent and range from sophisticated hotels and spas and health retreats to warm and friendly seaside guest houses and self catering cottages. The islands are very popular with all types of holiday makers including the more traditional visitor market of yachties, families and couples. Recently however the Channel Islands have become something of a very popular short break 'recharge the batteries' holiday destination for stressed out big city UK singles and couples. Basically, it's a great value destination (by UK standards) for walking, cycling and unwinding in idyllic surroundings with peace and quiet, excellent world class facilities and very well priced restuarants with excellent food and wines - with NO VAT taxes applicable on prices.
Transport on the Islands:
Bus:
Guernsey's recently revised bus services are designed to offer a real alternative to the private motor vehicle. The new network provides a frequent, reasonably priced service, connecting most visitor attractions via the island's most popular routes. A timetable and metromap, detailing services and connections, is available from the Visitor Information Centre online. A single fare of fifty pence applies to all journeys.
Rental Car:
With a low duty on petrol, free parking and lower rates than in much of the rest of Europe, self-drive hire cars are popular in Guernsey. Before venturing onto local roads, visitors should obtain a leaflet from the Police Station pointing out local peculiarities. These include 25 and 35 mph speed limits, filter junctions and 'Stop' warning arrows. Do not forget to set your parking clock! More Info here:
Bicycles:
Bicycles can be rented throughout Guernsey, but the island of Sark is possibly the only part of the British Isles where the bicycle is truly 'King of the Road'. Cars are forbidden on Sark and typical traffic noise consists of horse-drawn carts and hungry seagulls. In Guernsey, the Ruettes Tranquilles are ideal for two wheels and some coast roads include designated cycle lanes. Cliff paths and green lanes are reserved for walking only. VisitGuernsey has details on eleven designated trails. More Info on Bicycles here:
History and Political Background: (Courtesy Wikipedia - the Free Encylopedia)
The Channel Islands are not represented in the UK Parliament and each Island has its own primary legislature, known as the States ("Chief Pleas" in Sark). Laws passed by the States are given Royal Sanction by The Queen in Council, to which the Islands' governments are responsible.
In 2001 responsibility for links between the Channel Islands (together with the Isle of Man) and the Crown passed from the Home Secretary to the Lord Chancellor's Department, replaced in 2003 by the Department of Constitutional Affairs.
In addition, Acts of the UK Parliament may be extended to any of the Channel Islands by Order-in-Council (thus giving the UK Government the ultimate responsiblility for good government in the Islands). By constitutional convention this is only done at the request of the Insular Authorities, and has become a rare option, the Islands usually preferring nowadays to pass localised versions of laws giving effect to international treaties.
Matters reserved to the Crown (i.e. the United Kingdom government) are limited to defence, citizenship, and diplomatic representation. The Islands are not bound by treaties concluded by the United Kingdom (unless they so request) and may separately conclude treaties with foreign governments (except concerning matters reserved to the Crown). The United Kingdom conceded at the end of the 20th century that the Islands may establish direct political (non-diplomatic) contacts with foreign governments to avoid the situation whereby British Embassies were obliged to pass on communications from the governments of the Bailiwicks that were in conflict with United Kingdom government policy.
The Islands are not part of the European Union but are part of the Customs Territory of the European Community by virtue of Protocol 3 to the Treaty on European Union.
Channel Islanders are full British Citizens - but not all are European Citizens. Any British citizen who applies for a passport in Jersey or Guernsey receives a passport bearing the words 'British Islands, Bailiwick of Jersey' or 'British Islands, Bailiwick of Guernsey'. Under the provisions of Protocol 3, Channel Islanders who do not have a close connection with the UK (no parent or grandparent from the UK, and have never been resident in Great Britain or Northern Ireland for any 5 year period) do not automatically benefit from the EU provisions on free movement within the EU and consequently their passports receive an endorsement to that effect. This only affects a minority of Islanders.
Jersey is the largest island and has many good, safe beaches with surfers heading to Watersplash (St Ouen's Bay). St Helier, the capital, is basically a
business/finance centre but the Jersey Museum is worth checking out. A 'must' is Gerald Durrell's Jersey Zoo, a conservation and breeding centre for
endangered species. The German Underground Hospital is interesting and there are several castles around the island. For those wanting to potter
about there are potteries, a lavender farm and a steam museum.
Guernsey is a bit more laid back than Jersey and is a popular holiday spot. St Peter Port the capital, is a pretty town set on the harbour. Victor
Hugo (Les Mis�rables and The Hunchback of Notre Dame) was exiled there from 1855 to 1870. His home, Hauteville House is a tourist attraction.
Incidentally, Hugo took up with a mistress, Juliette Drouet, in 1833 and he visited her daily before and after his exile.
She wrote him one to three letters every day, nearly 17,000 in her lifetime. Hugo described The Channel Islands as "little bits of France dropped
into the sea and picked up by Britain." Fortifications around the island date from Neolithic times to World War Two. There's a German
underground hospital and a military museum.
Alderney is the quietest island (and that's saying something!) because it doesn't attract as many day-trippers. It offers white sand beaches, cycling
and cliff walks. There are 19th century forts as well as German fortifications. St Anne, the capital, has a small, interesting museum.
Sark is traffic-free (there is a tractor and a trailer) and is Europe's only feudal state with its constitution dating back to Elizabethan times.
Consequently there are a few strange laws like women not being entitled to a divorce. There is no income tax, which makes it an attractive little
tax haven. The scenery, both coastal and inland (which only covers a couple of miles until its coast again) is beautiful. And, while
you wouldn't say the nightlife rages, the pubs don't seem to shut from Monday to Saturday.
Herm is also a pretty little island and even bicycles are banned. It's perfect for those seeking pleasant walks, shell collecting on white, sandy
beaches or taking a dip in a clear, clean sea. It only takes a couple of hours to walk around the whole island.
There are numerous daily flights from Britain to Jersey and Guernsey, with a daily flight from London City Airport to Jersey.
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