Gardens of the Channel Islands & The Cream of Jersey
Combine two contrasting Islands in the stunning Channel Islands
From£2,399
United Kingdom
Channel Islands
12 nights
Breakfasts, 1 Lunch & 11 Dinners
May
Jun
Jul
Sep
Tour codes: 50130
Explore the world at a slower pace...
Call us on 01707 817311
Or, email us at [email protected]
Call us on 01707 817311
Or, email us at [email protected]
Combine two contrasting Islands in the stunning Channel Islands
From£2,399
United Kingdom
Channel Islands
May
Jun
Jul
Sep
Tour codes: 50130
This holiday includes an active sightseeing programme with unchallenging walks, either city tours or strolls on relatively easy terrain in the surrounding countryside. If in a mountainous area, the walks will be amongst the hills rather than up and down them. Local guides, winery visits, traditional villages and time to pause and watch the locals going about their lives are likely to feature.
Overview
This holiday is a combination of our 6 night holiday, Gardens of the Channel Islands, and our 6 night holiday, The Cream of Jersey. Only a short flight from England, Guernsey and Jersey are your bases for your holiday.
Guernsey is a small island located approximately 30 miles off the coast of France, forming part of the Channel Islands. It combines a rich and fascinating history with a vibrant modern mix of French and British cultures.
We stay in the parish of St Martin, only a 10-minute drive from Guernsey’s capital of St Peter Port. St Martin is a quiet rural village, ideally situated for the island’s popular beaches and south coast cliff views.
Two days of the holiday will be spent on the lesser known islands of Sark and Herm, reachable by boat from St Peter Port. Both islands have so much to offer and have a striking contrast. You will be visiting excellent gardens and have the opportunity to see unusual plants which grow in hotter climates. Cars are banned from both islands however bicycles are used to get around on the larger island of Sark and only quad bikes and tractors are used on Herm for staff and luggage transport. You will walk to many of the gardens taking in the various sights of the different areas of Guernsey and the wildflowers along the way.
Jersey is the largest of the Channel Islands, located in the Bay of St Malo just 19 miles from the French coast. The island is made up of 12 parishes and has a population of just over 100,000. It is only 5 miles long and 9 miles wide, and its southerly location and sheltered position means that Jersey has a generally temperate climate that is often warmer, with more sunshine hours than you might experience in the other British Isles.
We are based in the picturesque capital of Jersey, St Helier, a complementary blend of history and modern life. St Helier is a pretty parish with easy transport links and a variety of shops and services. We stay in the well-known four star Pomme d’Or, a historic hotel and the location of the annual celebration of the Liberation of Jersey. The balcony was where the Union Jack was raised in 1945 to mark the freedom from German occupation during World War II. The hotel has attracted many famous faces, including Victor Hugo, Dame Vera Lynn and Queen Elizbeth II.
We have carefully selected your programme for the week so you can get to know Jersey well and visit some of the most popular must-see sites, as well as including some leisurely walks. Jersey has a rich and varied history and we have included visits to many of the museums and sites that will allow you to explore and experience the island’s past and present.
Our exploration of Jersey includes a visit to Elizabeth Castle and its extensive grounds. We venture back in time during our visit to the extraordinary Jersey War Tunnels before visiting the tranquil picturesque Judith Queree Gardens. We taste delightful wines in the La Mare Wine Estate and a delicious afternoon tea at the Samares Manor Estate, a perfect way to relax, unwind and enjoy beautiful slow-paced Jersey.
We have arranged transport on each day to take you to and from these destinations in both Guernsey and Jersey. All you need to do is relax and enjoy the scenery. All entrance fees to all sites referred to in this itinerary are included.
Click the button below for a detailed Holiday Information Sheet containing all the particulars about this trip.
NOTE: Itineraries and Holiday Information Sheets can vary by a specific date chosen
Itinerary & Travel
Whilst every effort will be made to adhere to the outlined itinerary and advertised programme, local conditions can change due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances. This may mean that routes and timings need to be amended or the order of days may change, sometimes at short notice. All local transport costs, entrance fees and tipping to local providers are included in the cost of your holiday.
Accommodation
Below is a summary of the accommodation featured on this holiday across all departure dates. Please refer to the Itinerary for more detail about each night's accommodation for each departure date.
The newly refurbished 4 star La Barbarie Hotel is a cozy, small hotel situated in a rural location with easy access to the stunning cliff walks, Saints Bay and the secluded coves of the South coast of Guernsey. The hotel is family owned and the excellent service and standard of accommodation together with the excellent quality meals makes this hotel so special.
La Barbarie was converted to a hotel in 1950 and the old quiet charm has been retained. The heated outdoor swimming pool and patio provide a prefect secluded spot for relaxing or for a quiet drink before or after dinner. You can also relax in the newly refurbished modern and comfortable lounge bar.
En suite hotel room facilities include:
Please note that there is no lift in the hotel.
We stay in the impressive four-star Pomme d'Or Hotel. This grand hotel was built in 1837 and remains to be managed by the Seymour family. Set amongst the backdrop of the yacht marina and the Liberation Square, the Pomme d'Or Hotel's is centrally located in St Helier. It is the location of the annual celebration of the Liberation of Jersey after its balcony saw the Union Jack raised in 1945 to mark the freedom from German occupation during World War II. The hotel has attracted many famous faces, including Victor Hugo, Dame Vera Lynn who opened the Liberation Suite on the 45th anniversary of the Liberation of Jersey, and a visit from Queen Elizabeth II on the 60th anniversary of the Liberation of Jersey.
The Cafe Bar serves light lunches and afternoon tea, so maybe treat yourself to a delicious cake or an evening wine after a day’s exploration in Jersey? The hotel's Wharf Bar is located on the corner of Conway and Wharf Street and is open to hotel guests and locals.
All guests have free access to the Leisure Club in the Merton Hotel, only a short walk away. Here you will find a swimming pool, spa pools, sauna, and steam room. There is also a fitness centre.
We stay in classic en suite rooms decorated with soothing colours and wooden furnishings.
En suite hotel room facilities include:
Trip Information
All Adagio holidays are expertly designed to allow you to immerse yourself in the destination. Leisurely exploration of the must-see, as well as lesser known, highlights together with relaxed enjoyment of local food and wines is what we have in mind.
There may be days of sightseeing on foot around a spectacular city or unchallenging strolls on easy terrain in open countryside interspersed with winery visits, guided tours, boat trips, cafe stops and traditional restaurants.
We use a mix of privately hired vehicles, taxis, and public transport which gives us some flexibility in our itinerary. We have a wonderful programme of walking, sightseeing and visits planned to let you fully experience the area along with opportunities to relax at our wonderful hotel and enjoy your surroundings.
Holiday Budgeting
Local transport costs, entrance fees and tips to local providers are included in your holiday price. You may wish to budget for any meals and drinks not included in the holiday arrangements, non-included entrance fees and any optional excursions you may choose to participate in locally. A general guideline for lunches and drinks is £10-£20 per person per day.
Local Transport Costs
All local transport costs in conjunction with the advertised activity programme are included in the holiday cost. There may be occasions where additional visits or excursions are added to enrich your experience, these will be paid for locally by you if you choose to participate. Local transport can be a mix of private hire coaches, taxis, local buses and ferries depending on the itinerary.
Money Locally
The currency in Guernsey and Jersey is the pound. They also have its own notes which are at par with the UK pound. Channel Islands notes and coins are not accepted in the UK although they can be reconverted or paid into some UK clearing bank accounts. ATMs are widely accessible in Guernsey and there are none on Sark or Herm, so we advise you to withdraw money before travelling to the islands. ATMs are widely accessible in Jersey.
Tipping
We include tips in the holiday cost and your Adagio Leader will take care of making sure tips are given to hotel and restaurant staff and to local guides and drivers. If you feel that someone has gone out of their way to make your holiday enjoyable or help you in anyway, please feel free to give a personal tip to the person should you wish. If you are having an independent lunch or other service not included in the holiday arrangements, tipping is at your own discretion.
Group Size
We believe that the best things come in small packages, and our Adagio holidays prove just that. We limit our groups to a maximum of 18 persons, plus the Adagio Leader, so that everyone has the opportunity to mix, share their love of travel and return home with new friendships. Small groups also have less detrimental local impact, allows us to use public transport on some days, eat at small local restaurants and, we believe, offers a better experience.
Your Leader
An Adagio Leader will accompany you throughout the holiday. They are all experienced travellers with a love for exploring and will help capture the true essence of the destination with their stories, knowledge and insights. They are well-organised, pay great attention to detail and enjoy being with people. They are there to help make your holiday as enjoyable and stress free as possible.
Leaders Evening Briefing
Your Adagio Leader will discuss the programme for the following day with the group at each evening briefing. This will be your opportunity to find out more details and ensure the planned activities suit your walking ability. Also, if you have any questions or concerns on clothing or lunch arrangements, this can be discussed then. If you wish to opt out of the organised group programme, this is fine, just let your Leader know.
Getting to your Holiday
We fly from Southampton to Guernsey with Aurigny Air or Blue Islands. The flight takes approx. 45 minutes. We return from Jersey with Aurigny Air to Southampton Flights are also available from other local airports at a supplement.
On day 7 you will be transported by coach to either the airport or the ferry port for your journey to Jersey, depending on which mode of transport you have chosen. Included in the cost of your holiday is a ferry transfer to Jersey. If you wish to fly to Jersey, please contact us on 01707 331133 to speak to our travel team. There is a supplement payable of £25 per person (subject to quote at the time of booking). Transfers between the airport or ferry terminal and the hotels are also included. All transfers are about 15 minutes each.
Details of your baggage allowance will be confirmed in your travel documents, sent to you approximately 10 days before departure. We include a transfer from Guernsey airport to La Barbarie Hotel and return. The transfer time is about 10 minutes.
If you intend joining and leaving the party in Guernsey and Jersey, we assume, unless you have advised us otherwise, that you will meet and leave the party at La Barbarie Hotel and Pomme d'Or Hotel. If this is not your intention, please let us know in writing at least 5 weeks before departure. We can provide you with transfers however you must notify us of your flight details.
Booking Your Own Travel Arrangements
If you wish to organise your own flights from either a non-UK or UK regional airport, or travel by rail or car to your holiday destination, 'land only' reductions are often available. If you choose to do this, before finalising any independent travel arrangements, please check with us first - especially if doing so 12 weeks or more before your intended date of travel. If you do intend to join your holiday locally please do tell us at least 14 weeks in advance.
If you are joining and leaving your holiday overseas we assume, unless you advise us otherwise, that you will join and leave the holiday at the hotel. Although airport/train station transfers are not included for those making their own independent travel arrangements, if you wish to join the group at the overseas airport/train station, depending on your flight/train arrival time, you may be able to be included on the group's transfer. Please contact us at least 5 weeks before departure for more details.
Please note that your flight/train must arrive within 30 minutes of the group flight/train to be able to join the group transfer. We also need your flight/train number, arrival time and departure point so that your Adagio Leader is able to meet up with you.
Luggage Allowance & Tickets
When booking a flight or rail inclusive holiday with us, details of your travel arrangements and baggage allowance will be confirmed in your travel documents, sent to you approximately 10 days prior to departure.
Personal Details Check
Please ensure that the personal details we have on file for you are up to date and that you have provided the information we need to secure your holiday travel and accommodation arrangements.
Please check your passport details, date of birth and any other important details necessary for us to accurately manage your holiday booking are correct at the time of booking (including health and dietry requirements). You can view and update information already provided, and add details not yet asked for, by using the Manage My Booking facility on our website www.adagio.co.uk, or by calling our Sales and Reservations team on +44 (0)1707 386700. When you receive your booking confirmation please check the details as soon as possible.
General Passport Advice
It is a good idea to carry photocopies of the personal details pages of your passport page (with your photo on). Should you lose your passport, this may assist with the issue of replacement documents and your return to your home country. Passport and visa requirements can change at any time. It is your own responsibility to ensure that you inform yourself from a professionally qualified source on, and comply with, such requirements.
General travel and destination advice for UK nationals is available from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office at www.fco.gov.uk/travel and at www.gov.uk/travelaware.
Entry Requirements in the Channel Islands
You do not need a passport if you are arriving in the Channel Islands direct from the United Kingdom, however, all carriers will require some form of photographic identification. We therefore advise you to bring either your passport or a photocard driving licence.
If you are arriving in the Channel Islands from outside the United Kingdom or Republic of Ireland, irrespective of your nationality, you must have a valid passport.
We include delicious breakfasts in the hotels plus 11 dinners are taken in our hotels. There are a variety of choices and dishes are freshly made with locally sourced ingredients. Dinner is not included on one evening so you can explore more of St Helier and its wonderful local restaurants and dishes. We include an afternoon tea at Samares Manor and one lunch at the La Mare Wine Esate. Lunches for the remainder of the holiday are not included in the price and normally these can be taken as a picnic or in a restaurant or café. We suggest you allow at least £7 per day for lunches.
Footwear
Comfortable, broken in, walking boots or shoes with a good sole are recommended for this holiday. Walking shoes or other comfortable footwear will be suitable for sightseeing days.
General Kit List
We recommend you bring the following items with you:
Water To Go
An alternative to bottled water from single-use sealed water bottles is filtered water from a refillable bottle containing its own water filter such as a Water-to-go bottle available from www.watertogo.eu. Just fill up from any water source and save the environment from disposable plastic bottles.
We have negotiated an exclusive 15% discount with our partners Water-to-Go for you as a thank you for helping the environment. Please go to their website at www.watertogo.eu and enter the code RWH17 when ordering. In addition, Water-to-Go will match the discount with a donation to our charity, Heart & Sole, which will allow us to continue to make a difference in the countries you visit on our holidays.
Travel Document Checklist
To ensure your holiday gets off to a good start, please make sure that you bring the following documents and information with you:
The Map Shop
If you cannot find the maps or books locally we recommend:
The Map Shop
5 High Street
Upton upon Severn, Worcs
WR8 0HJ
England
Tel: 01684 593 146
Website: www.themapshop.co.uk
E-mail: [email protected]
If you key many of the local places mentioned in this holiday fact sheet into YouTube, you will find a vast array of spectacular footage of the area.
Further Health Advice
For further advice please visit:
You might wish to take a small bottle of antibacterial hand gel with you for times when you're unable to wash your hands.
Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend that you take out travel insurance to cover you in the event of eventualities such as unexpected cancellation, accident or illness. Guernsey’s Health Service is not part of the UK National Health Service, therefore medical insurance is strongly recommended. Please check your policy to ensure that cover is provided to travel to the Channel Islands.
EHIC Cards
Please take your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) with you; it will help you in the event of you needing medical assistance during your holiday. Please note that the EHIC has an expiry date, so please check that your card is valid for the duration of your holiday. Please note however the EHIC should not be considered a substitute for medical or travel insurance.
For more information please visit ehic.org.uk.
Responsible Travel
We're committed to operating responsible tours in all our destinations as best we can. Our holidays are designed for you to discover the essence of the country you are visiting. Travelling in small groups not only gives you an up close and personal experience of your destination, but minimises your impact on the immediate environment. We feel that the most important starting point to protect the environment is to be out in it. For more details visit our website.
Ramblers Holidays Charitable Trust
Unlike many tour operators we have our own trust through which RWH Travel Ltd’s (inc Adagio) profits are channelled back into a variety of outdoor, walking-related or environmental conservation projects in the UK. The focus of the Trust’s financial support is Britain’s leading walking charity, The Ramblers, and their role in promoting the benefits and importance of walking to the British public.
In addition the Trust welcomes applications for small grants from local organisations in the UK who need support for walking-orientated activities. This includes the establishment of footpaths and bridleways, funding for rebuilding bridges and renovating huts, as well as bursary funding for the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award for children who could not otherwise afford to do it. Please visit the ‘About Us’ section of our website and click on the Charitable Trust link for more details.
Heart and Sole
We appreciate that we are in a fortunate position to be able to use our profits to help make a difference to people's lives. Heart & Sole is a venture managed by our office staff, whose aim is to reach the heart of the communities in the countries we visit. Through Heart & Sole, we hope to make more of a long term, direct impact to these communities, particularly in less developed countries where even a small amount goes a long way.
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January
Avg. Rain: 70mm
February
Avg. Rain: 51mm
March
Avg. Rain: 51mm
April
Avg. Rain: 46mm
May
Avg. Rain: 49mm
June
Avg. Rain: 51mm
July
Avg. Rain: 58mm
August
Avg. Rain: 65mm
September
Avg. Rain: 62mm
October
Avg. Rain: 75mm
November
Avg. Rain: 74mm
December
Avg. Rain: 73mm
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