American tourists don't always have the best reputation abroad, but it can be amusing to see how other countries view US culture.
21.07.2023 - 07:51 / roughguides.com
Inextricably linked with Britain, yet more likely to borrow a cup of sugar from its closest neighbour, France. Not quite British, definitely not French, but with influences from both – this tiny island is unique. Visitors are lured here by its rich history, visible in its ancient remains and castles, its wartime relics and museums. They come for its picturesque walking, cycling trails and outdoor fun for kids, as well as luxury spas and a wealth of watersports right on its doorstep. But most of all, tourists flock here for the beautiful coastal backdrops and sun-kissed sandy beaches – this is the sunniest spot in the British Isles, after all.
There’s a lot to discover about the Channel Islands’ largest little island. Here are 19 fun and interesting facts about Jersey to get you started. And for more inspiration about Jersey, take a look at our Rough Guides Staycations Jersey.
It might be the big daddy of the Channel Isles, but at just nine miles (14km) east to west and five miles (8km) north to south, it’s fair to say Jersey is a pretty diddy island. However, a whopping 20 miles (32km) of its coastline is made up of fine sandy beaches.
Although small, Jersey has one of the largest tides in the world. At low tide, twice a day, the island almost doubles in size, with miles of extra sandy beach and rockpools galore – a perfect playground for kids and great for small marine creatures who thrive in the warm shallow water. At Portelet Bay you can walk to Île au Guerdain, (otherwise known as Janvrin’s Tomb, after a plague-ridden sea captain was buried there), and along the causeway at St Helier to Elizabeth Castle. Just watch out for the sudden rush of water at your feet as the tide advances.
St Aubin harbour in Jersey © Jack Cousin/Shutterstock
Check out the maps listed below to discover the highlights and best places to visit while walking and driving in fabulous Jersey locations. You'll find full descriptions of the routes, plus much more, in the Rough Guides Staycations Jersey guidebook:
At a distance of only 14 miles (22 km), the coast of Normandy is closer to Jersey than mainland Britain, 100 miles (160 km) away. And the close proximity to its neighbour has meant ties with France going back a thousand-odd years.
Until the Battle of Hastings in 1066, the Channel Islands formed part of the Duchy of Normandy. But once King Harold met his gruesome end at the hands of the Norman army, and William the Conqueror became monarch of England, the islands became part of the Anglo-Norman realm.
It stayed that way until 1204, when King John lost Normandy to France. As the Channel Islanders chose to remain loyal to the English crown, he granted them self-governing privileges, amounting to a certain financial and political
American tourists don't always have the best reputation abroad, but it can be amusing to see how other countries view US culture.
Brian Parsa was enjoying a vacation in Europe last month with his girlfriend when, suddenly, everything fell apart.
Landscapes as green and lovely as everyone says. Literary giants in Dublin; Titanic history in Belfast. A pint and good craic in a traditional pub. The lure of Celtic legends.
”Hong Kong is a photographer’s dream,” says Geraint Rowland. “It’s got impressive architecture and the busy streets teem with life, day and night.” The Wanderlust Travel Photo of the Year winner was blown away by the territory. As part of their dual-destination photo commission, the four winners of the UK’s biggest travel photography competition were first guided around Hong Kong and its many islands. They soon discovered there were plenty of opportunities to point their lenses, whether the neon skyscrapers, the old neighbourhoods from which the city evolved or one of the 260 outlying islands, whose slower pace of life, unusual wildlife and natural landscapes offer a contrast to that famous urban bustle.
It’s no longer something to keep hidden.
Halfway through my international journalism program at City, University of London, COVID-19 hit. I was forced to move back in with my parents in rural Wales for three months. I then made the impulsive decision to fly to any airport that would take UK travelers. I found myself on the last flight out to Belgrade, Serbia.
I'm a pretty goal-oriented traveler. I fill my days with as much sightseeing as I can handle. Forget the hotel pool. I'm checking off national landmarks and natural wonders from a carefully researched list.
Grupo Xcaret is excited to introduce the inaugural Xcaret Culinary Festival, a first-of-its-kind event in Riviera Maya. In a groundbreaking culinary festival, distinguished chefs from around the world, including internationally renowned and Michelin-starred chefs, will join forces with the finest Mexican culinary experts to celebrate the art of Mexican cuisine. The event will showcase a captivating array of dinners, tastings, pairings, and presentations, blending innovation with the rich traditions of Mexican gastronomy.
The most iconic structure in the United States is not the Empire State Building, but like the emblematic skyscraper, it’s located in New York. The Statue of Liberty, known throughout the world as a symbol of the United States’ most important values: freedom and democracy, remains mysterious to many. From its color to its origins and its weight, there is plenty people want to know about Lady Liberty (a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1984) before they pay it a visit.
It may be hard to believe, but there’s a place in England where the sand is fine and white, the sea is turquoise blue, and the sun shines more than just about anywhere else in the country. In this dream-like place, you can surf, you can sunbathe (and even get a tan), you can hike coastal paths, valleys, and moors, and you can stuff you face with cream teas and pasties. You guess it, Cornwall, England, is a must-see when in Britain. Lucky for you, it’s only a direct train ride away from London.
There are few tourism destinations out there that have avoided the scourge of high-rise condos, Quarter Pounders, and traffic lights. And if that destination happens to be our planet at its most beautiful? Forget about it.
Several US tourists have gone viral on TikTok for claiming that Europeans don't drink water. Europeans, meanwhile, say these tourists are ignorant.