Accompanied by a local guide, experience three of the main Channel Islands – Guernsey, Sark and Jersey.
Our six-night guided tour presents the ideal opportunity to see some of the Channel Islands’ greatest hits, meeting their people and taking in history, scenery, culture and food. In the company of an expert local guide, take in the fascinating island of Guernsey, home to cliffs and hidden coves, a mediaeval castle and more-recent WW2 history. Cross the water to the serene island of Sark, unsullied by much of modern life, before taking flight to Jersey, a very different island again, featuring more wonderful history and a character all its own.
With a maximum of 15 passengers per group, you can be sure of highly personal service from your knowledgeable, local tour leader on this carefully-designed McKinlay Kidd small group tour. Early booking is strongly advised as places are strictly limited.
Additional information
| Prices from | AUD$3,575.00 per person twin/double share |
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This tour begins in Guernsey with four nights there and includes a day-trip to the island of Sark. You’ll then fly to Jersey for two nights before returning to the UK mainland by air.
Day One – Meet and Greet in Guernsey
This holiday is designed while assuming you’ll fly from Southampton to Guernsey; however, we’ll be delighted to help get you here via your own specific route.
Once on Guernsey, it’s only a few minutes by taxi to your hotel.
Your Accommodation on Guernsey
Perched high on a hill above Fermain Bay on the island’s east coast, your hotel on Guernsey skillfully blends traditional and modern to hugely appealing effect. Cosseting en-suite rooms offer peaceful sanctuary, while the range of dining includes a fine-dining restaurant, a contemporary steakhouse/ bar and even a Mexican cantina.
Checked in, perhaps enjoy a stroll directly from your hotel to the water – though it’s a pretty steep incline; one for the intrepid – before dinner in the evening with your guide and fellow travellers, setting the scene for your week ahead. The sea air and superb views promote a restful night, ready for exploration to come.
Day Two – Getting to Know Guernsey
Enjoy breakfast in the bright restaurant, where the choices are quirky and plentiful – we love the huevos rancheros here – before stepping aboard the private coach and taking off on a full-day’s guided tour of the island of Guernsey.
Some of the places you may see include the eye-popping Little Chapel, one man’s labour of devotion, the Pleinmont Battery and any number of relic observation towers, sweeping sandy beaches at Portelet, Vazon Bay and L’Ancresse Bay, the eerie German Underground Hospital and the wonderful museum-like home of Victor Hugo.
On this day-long tour, your guide is on hand throughout, offering insightful commentary alongside personal stories, and you’ll stop for lunch at leisure along the way. In the evening, dinner is at leisure, perhaps in one of your hotel’s three distinctly different restaurants, while the busy centre of St Peter Port is just a few minutes away by taxi.
Day Three – Set Sail for Sark
Enjoy a hearty breakfast, before taking the short coach transfer to the harbour at St Peter Port, the island capital. Here, step aboard the small ferry for the 50-minute crossing to Sark, keeping your camera handy to capture any of the accompanying wildlife who often escort the boat.
Reaching Sark, it’s no exaggeration to say you step onto another world. One of the few motorised vehicles on the island is the tractor-bus that transports visitors up the hill to The Avenue, with its parade of higgledy-piggledy shops, crafting workshops, a gallery and museum.
There are no paved roads here, no street lighting and very few signs of modern life; just a sense of calm and a loosely ordered built and natural beauty.
Stroll south and get off the beaten-track to Sarkhenge and wonderful coastal views, then cross dramatic La Coupee to Little Sark for its archaeological sites and natural swimming pools.
Enjoy lunch on the terrace overlooking the garden at Sark’s best hotel, before heading back to the harbour for the return crossing to St Peter Port, arriving in late afternoon.
Take the early evening to yourself, perhaps for a drink in one of the capital’s pubs, before returning to your hotel.
Day Four – Castle Cornet and the Afternoon at Leisure
This morning, in the company of your local guide, clamber the battlements and gardens of Castle Cornet. Steadfastly protecting the island for some 800 years, the castle has survived and thrived through sieges of the Hundred Years’ War, the English Civil War, many years of conflict with the French, and more recent occupation. Drink in the fabulous views of Guernsey, Jethou, Herm, Alderney, Jersey and even the northern coast of France as your guide brings the story of the castle to life.
Take this afternoon to yourself, perhaps for a little shopping and lunch in St Peter Port, even staying for dinner, before a good night’s sleep at your hotel, ready for tomorrow.
Day Five – Short Flight to Jersey
A full day ahead, starting with an early breakfast, before the short transfer back to Guernsey airport for the brief flight to Jersey. Just 20 minutes in the air and you’re landing on the largest of the Channel Islands, to be met by a coach and local guide for a full day’s exploration.
There’s a certain stridency about Jersey, an unmistakable bustle that goes along with its vast golden beaches, craggy cliffs and rich history both ancient and more modern. It’s easy to get away from the flutter and fuss, though, to discover unspoiled corners and coastal drama, including wonderful La Corbiere, endless St Ouen’s Bay and one of many castles and forts that encircle the island.
Of course, the German occupation during WW2 looms large here, the story brought to vivid life in the Jersey War Tunnels, surely one of the British isles’ most affecting museums.
Your Accommodation on Jersey
In a commanding position in the centre of island capital St Helier, your historic hotel on Liberation Square overlooking the marina has been a mainstay of island life, welcoming guests for almost 200 years, and ‘enjoying’ a brief spell as the Germans’ HQ during the WW2 occupation.
Inside, as well as comfortable and spacious rooms, you’ll find several dining options, and a popular bar. Of course, all of St Helier is right on the doorstep should you choose to spend an evening out.
Day Six – Stroll St Helier, then Take to the Beach
A gentler pace today, as you take a morning to explore at your own speed. Perhaps a late breakfast, followed by a little shopping in this most modern island town.
After lunch, meet up with your fellow travellers and guide to continue your discovery of the island by coach.
In the early evening, join another local expert guide on the beach at La Rocque at Jersey’s southeast corner. At low tide, the island experiences one of the world’s most dramatic transformations as it doubles in size, revealing an intertidal seabed, where the ocean disappears to the horizon.
You’ll explore rock pools, cross sand bars and gullies, as well as the nearby oyster beds in the Royal Bay of Grouville, followed by the opportunity to sample delicious fresh Jersey Oysters.
Day Seven – Onward Journey Home
Travel the short distance to Jersey airport by coach in time to catch your flight back to the UK mainland. We’ll be delighted to tailor-make the journey to suit your specific plans.
Pricing
AUD$3,949 per person sharing a twin or double room in September and AUD$3,575 per person in October.
The supplement for a single traveller is AUD$985 based on single occupancy of double/twin rooms.
The price per person includes:
- Six nights’ bed and breakfast in hand-picked four-star hotels.
- One welcome dinner in Guernsey. Lunch on Sark.
- Flights from Southampton to Guernsey, Guernsey to Jersey and Jersey to Southampton (inbound and outbound flights can be tailor-made to your requirements for a surcharge).
- Return ferry-crossing from Guernsey to Sark.
- Entry to Castle Cornet.
- Private touring on Guernsey.
- Private touring on Jersey.
- A private beach walk and oyster tasting on Jersey.
- The services of McKinlay Kidd’s tour leader, accompanying the group and providing expert guiding and assistance throughout.
- Transfers as described.
Not included:
- Meals other than those described above
- Drinks
- Gratuities and tips
All accommodation is carefully selected and researched by us; contact us for more detailed information. We will do our best to accommodate room preferences subject to availability at individual properties.
This tour will operate with a minimum of four and maximum of 15 passengers on each departure date.
Limited to only 15 guests per departure – book now!
01-Sep-2024 – Open for booking
06-Oct-2024 – Open for booking
