The Channel Islands Small Group Tour

This holiday is designed 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

Despite its situation close to the centre of the island capital, your four-star Guernsey hotel enjoys a peaceful setting, overlooking leafy parkland. This offers the feeling of a quiet seaside retreat, and yet it’s just a short stroll down the gentle hill to the heart of St Peter Port, regarded as one of Europe’s prettiest harbour towns.

This evening you’ll meet your guide and fellow travellers for a welcome dinner of the finest and freshest local food in the stylish hotel restaurant, giving you the chance to get to know each other before your week together.

Enjoy breakfast in the bright restaurant, where the choices are quirky and plentiful before stepping aboard your 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 Fort Grey Shipwreck Museum.

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 at hotel, while the busy centre of St Peter Port is just a short walk away

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.

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.

This morning, after landing on Jersey, you’ll make an immediate coffee stop at a beachside cantina, before making your way to the wonderfully atmospheric Jersey War Tunnels, surely one of the British isles’ most affecting museums, telling the dark story of the occupation.

Later, head a little inland to Jersey’s own award-winning wine estate for a guided tour and  tasting. With lunch at leisure in the cafe beforehand, at this beautifully presented site you’ll discover a fascinating combination of history and tradition. Comprising historic buildings and manicured gardens; extensive vineyards and orchards; a winery, distillery and estate kitchens which produce a wonderful array of genuine Jersey produce.

From here, it’s a short hop to your hotel.

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.

A day of even more Jersey adventure. After breakfast, make your way to the northeast corner of the island for a visit to St Catherine’s Breakwater, a superb feat of civil engineering offering the chance to stroll away from the island and almost into the ocean.

Meandering southwards, your next port of call is dramatic Mount Orgueil Castle,  the 800-year-old fortress looming large over multi-pastel-coloured Gorey. This sturdy Mediaeval  symbol of Jersey’s national character is home to a network of staircases, towers and secret rooms where you’ll discover gruesome tales and hidden treasures.

Learn the story of the castle through specially commissioned artwork, climb the turrets, and if you’re feeling particularly intrepid,  descend to the cellar to study the ‘witchcraft’ exhibit.  High on the battlements, drink in the commanding view of the surrounding hillsides and distant French coast.

Take lunch here at the cafe, alfresco if weather permits, before continuing around the southeast corner of the island as you loop back towards St Helier for an evening at leisure.

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 afternoon, 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.

Back at your hotel, meet with your fellow travellers for a farewell dinner.

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.