Today (Monday 19 April) the new ”18m Guernsey Airport terminal building becomes operational, an impressive ”18m gateway to the island built by Hochtief and designed by Kensington Taylor. Visitors to the island, and residents for that matter, will no longer have to run the gauntlet of the grim edifice dating from 1945. The light and airy two-storey building includes a restaurant, bar and caf” as well as Internet facilities and a large duty free shop. It is a fine gateway bound to impress the many visitors arriving for financial business and of course holidaymakers too.
The Bailiwick of Guernsey consists of Guernsey, Alderney, Sark, Herm, Jethou, Brecqhou and the privately owned island of Lihou. Guernsey can best be described as quieter than Jersey, although both islands have suffered in recent years with a decline in tourism and many hotels turned into apartments. Guernsey, even in April, does give the impression of being a prosperous island, now having its own national airline, Aurigny, the carrier seen more and more in the UK as it develops from its original concept as an inter-island carrier to a true regional operation. FlyBE is the other serious operator into the island.
The Channel Islands are not part of the European Union. There is no VAT and duty is minimal but don”t expect your restaurant bills to be cheaper than on the mainland. The catering standards however are excellent, particularly sea food. Car hire is about the cheapest in Europe and whilst petrol is expensive you can”t go very far and the legal top speed is 30 mph. Guernsey issues its own notes and coins, which are equal value to Sterling. Change your money before returning otherwise you will have to go to a bank when you get home,
What to do on Guernsey? Well for one thing you will have no language problems although surprisingly English has only been the official language of Guernsey since 1948, the unique Franco/Norman patios used up to then dating back to well before 1066 when William Duke of Normandy (and the Channel Islands) defeated the Anglo Saxons at the battle of Hastings. When the children of the islands returned from six years of evacuation after WWII they only spoke English.
For an island of only 25 square miles (with a population of 60,000) there is more than enough variety for a weekend break or a longer holiday. On the whole the weather is better than the UK mainland although there can be problems with flights when the fog comes down. However your accommodation is guaranteed. The new arrivals can”t get in either. For many locals and visitors the re-built Beau Sejour Leisure Centre is the place to be with its 25 metre six lane main swimming pool and 10 metre beginners area. A large area is set aside for indoor sports and roller-skating, there are five squash courts, 12 badminton courts, and seven outdoor courts for those who prefer tennis. The impressive theatre, within the complex, plays host to visiting entertainers from the UK as well as more modest local amateur productions. St Peter Port, the main town (seen) is a busy complex.
For the future the islands government has voted recently to award Guernsey”s first casino licence to the St Pierre Park Hotel, an impressive property first opened in 1983 with an indoor pool and spa complex. As things stand the hotel will close soon after Christmas 2004 and re-open for Easter 2006 incorporating the casino, new bedrooms and a purpose-built sports complex. The hotel has a lovely par three golf course and for the more serious golfing enthusiasts there are a further two courses on the island, the Royal Guernsey, a par 70 links course at the north eastern end of the island with beaches on either side, and La Grande Mare, par 67, part of a hotel and country club complex. Whilst the St Pierre Park is closed the Old Government House will remain supreme as the best hotel on the island but highly recommended, at a slightly lower level is the Moores Central Hotel, right in the centre of the main town of St Peter Port, and Les Rocquettes, on the outskirts, but with an impressive swimming complex ideal for youngsters. For those requiring something more modest La Michele at St Martins might very much fit the bill. Sixteen cosy bedrooms all with en-suite facilities, colour television, direct-dial telephone, tea and coffee making facilities plus restaurant and heated outdoor swimming pool.
If you are not into sports, eating or water borne activities, nor history (and here Guernsey scores with over one thousand years of comings and goings, everyone leaving their mark particularly so the Germans, the island not liberated until after Berlin fell), walking is an activity to indulge in. The island has a really interesting variety of coastal and inland walks and is actively promoting what is termed ”The St Peter Port Trails” for which a fine complimentary book is published. Or you can take a professionally guided tour. The various routes take you past (and into if you want to) a variety of buildings and homes including Castle Cornet, the island”s ancient fortress, Victor Hugo”s house (seen left) and the Guernsey Brewery.
Guernsey is different. The flight time, even from Manchester, is short and the island is very welcoming. It”s a something of a time warp, but nothing wrong with that. The pace and attitude is of England 50 years ago. But your mobile phone will work!
http://www.guernseytouristboard.com