Guernsey – A Little Island With So Much to Offer!

When an invitation landed in my inbox to spend a day exploring Guernsey with Prestige Travel, I didn‘t need asking twice!

An island I'd been keen to discover, fabulous food, beautiful scenery and a chance to learn more about a destination I could recommend to my clients. What's not to love?

And the best bit? Flying from my local airport, Southampton, which is so convenient for me.

Now, you might be thinking, can you really experience Guernsey in just one day? Well, you'd be amazed at how much we managed to squeeze in. Although I certainly wouldn't recommend visiting for just a day if you want to properly enjoy everything this lovely island has to offer!

A Quick Hop Across the Channel ✈️

Our day started with an early flight from Southampton with Aurigny, Guernsey's own airline.

With a flight time of around 45 minutes, you can be enjoying a completely different pace of life before you've even had time to finish your airport coffee!

One of the things I love about the Channel Islands is that they feel like a proper escape without the hassle of travelling too far. No long-haul flights, no jet lag and no need to spend half your holiday getting there.

Guernsey has that lovely combination of British familiarity and continental charm, with beautiful coastal scenery, pretty harbours, winding lanes and a wonderfully relaxed atmosphere.

Our first visit was to St Pierre Park Hotel, Spa & Golf Resort, a lovely option for anyone looking for a relaxing break with plenty of facilities.

Set in attractive grounds, it's particularly appealing if you enjoy a bit of pampering, a round of golf or simply somewhere comfortable to unwind after a day exploring.

Later in the morning, we visited The Old Government House Hotel & Spa, affectionately known as The OGH.

Now, this is somewhere I'd definitely consider for clients looking for something a little special.

Located in St Peter Port, this historic luxury hotel has plenty of character and an elegant, traditional feel. It's a great choice for couples, special occasions or anyone who enjoys a beautiful hotel within easy reach of the town's shops, restaurants and harbour.

And talking of restaurants...

Fabulous Food 🍽️

Anyone who knows me will know that food plays a rather important part in my holidays. I do like to make sure I thoroughly research the local cuisine!

We enjoyed a lovely lunch at The Olive Garden at The OGH, and it was a great reminder that Guernsey is a destination for food lovers.

With fresh seafood, locally caught fish, delicious dairy produce and an excellent choice of restaurants, there's plenty to tempt you.

Whether it's a relaxed lunch overlooking the harbour, a cosy pub or somewhere special for dinner, eating well is all part of the Guernsey experience.

And with the sea never very far away, fresh seafood is definitely one of the attractions for me.

Out on the Water 🚤

One of the highlights of our day was heading out on the water with Island RIB Voyages for their Herm Explorer Wildlife Voyage.

What a fabulous way to see the islands from a completely different perspective!

Guernsey is surrounded by beautiful smaller islands, each with its own character, and exploring by boat really brings home just how special this part of the world is.

The nearby island of Herm is particularly appealing. Think beautiful sandy beaches, turquoise waters and a slower pace of life. We were lucky enough to see the seals basking on the rocks.

And the wonderful thing is that you don't have to limit yourself to just Guernsey.

Island-hopping is so easy from here, with Herm, Sark and Alderney all offering something different.

You could spend a few nights on Guernsey and include a day trip to Herm, explore Sark with its peaceful, car-free lanes or venture further to Alderney.

For anyone who enjoys discovering somewhere new rather than spending their entire holiday in one place, there's so much potential.

Exploring Guernsey and What a Way to Do It! 🚙

After lunch, it was time to explore more of the island, and we certainly weren't doing it in an ordinary tour bus!

We were collected by Ant from Tour Guernsey in his Safari Land Rover for a guided adventure around the island.

This was such a brilliant way to discover Guernsey.

We travelled along tiny country lanes, stopped at beautiful coastal viewpoints and discovered some of the island's fascinating history.

And the scenery!

Gorgeous beaches, rugged coastline, pretty little villages and views that make you want to stop every five minutes for another photograph.

One thing that really struck me was how varied Guernsey is for such a small island.

You can be wandering through the charming streets of St Peter Port one minute and enjoying spectacular coastal scenery the next.

Our tour also included some of the bunkers that remain from the German occupation during the Second World War.

Guernsey has a fascinating, and at times very moving, history, and these reminders of the occupation are an important part of the island's story.

Having a local guide who could share stories about island life and its history made the experience so much more interesting.

It's exactly the sort of experience I love recommending to clients. You learn so much more than you would simply driving around on your own.

The Little Chapel ⛪

Another stop on our tour was Guernsey's famous Little Chapel.

And when they say little, they really do mean little!

This tiny chapel is beautifully decorated with colourful pieces of broken china, shells and pebbles, creating the most intricate mosaics.

It's one of those quirky attractions that you really have to see for yourself.

A lovely little stop and something completely different.

Finishing the Day With a Gin Tasting! 🍸

Well, it would have been rude not to!

Our final stop was the Vivier Bunker for a gin tasting with local distiller Luke Wheadon.

What a fabulous and rather unusual setting for a tasting.

The bunker is another reminder of Guernsey's wartime history, but today it provides a very different experience!

It was a lovely way to finish our day, learning about locally produced gin and enjoying a taste of another side of the island.

After that, it was back to the airport for our evening flight to Southampton.

And just like that, our Guernsey adventure was over.

So Why Would I Recommend Guernsey?

What surprised me most was just how much there is to see and do on this relatively small island.

Yes, it's perfect for a short break, but I genuinely think you'd be missing out if you only allowed yourself a couple of days.

There's enough to keep you busy for a week or longer, especially if you include some island-hopping.

And although Guernsey is often thought of as a summer destination, it's somewhere I'd happily recommend throughout the year.

In spring, the island comes alive with flowers and beautiful coastal walks.

Summer is perfect for beaches, boat trips, alfresco dining and exploring the neighbouring islands.

Autumn is a lovely time for walking, enjoying the scenery and making the most of the island's food scene.

And even in winter, Guernsey makes a wonderful cosy escape, with lovely hotels, spa facilities, restaurants and plenty of history to discover.

Of course, if you're dreaming of long sunny beach days, summer is your best bet, but there's certainly no need to restrict a visit to July and August.

Who Would Love a Holiday in Guernsey?

I can see Guernsey appealing to so many different types of travellers.

Couples looking for a romantic break with lovely restaurants, beautiful hotels and coastal walks.

Food lovers who enjoy fresh seafood, local produce and discovering great places to eat.

Families wanting beaches, outdoor adventures and somewhere that feels safe and relaxed.

Walkers and nature lovers who enjoy spectacular coastal paths, wildlife and fresh sea air.

History enthusiasts who want to discover more about the island's fascinating past.

And of course, island-hoppers who want to combine Guernsey with Herm, Sark or Alderney for a holiday with a difference.

My Final Thoughts 💜

I arrived in Guernsey knowing it was a lovely destination, but I left feeling that it's somewhere more people should be considering.

Beautiful scenery, fascinating history, gorgeous beaches, fabulous food, lovely hotels and some really special experiences.

All just a short flight from Southampton!

A huge thank you to Prestige Travel, Visit Guernsey and everyone who made our day so enjoyable. It was a fantastic opportunity to see the island first-hand and discover what makes it so special.

As a travel agent, these experiences are invaluable. There's nothing quite like visiting a destination yourself, seeing the hotels, meeting the local experts and getting a proper feel for a place.

It means I can recommend holidays with that extra bit of personal knowledge rather than relying on a brochure.

And Guernsey? Well, it's certainly somewhere I'd love to return to, preferably for a little longer next time!

Fancy discovering Guernsey for yourself?

Whether you're looking for a few nights away, a luxury hotel and spa break, a family holiday or an island-hopping adventure, I'd love to help you plan it.

And remember, my personal travel planning service doesn't cost you anything extra.

Roberta x