Travel in Jersey

Amid the New York City’s din, it’s good to remember that cool breezes and refreshing waters are just a train ride away.

I saw the photographs before I boarded the behemoth cruise ship, so my biggest priority once I arrived was getting in a go-kart and speeding around a cruise ship racetrack like it was a real-life Mario Kart course. When my turn on the track was done, however, I discovered that there was a surprising element to the Norwegian Bliss that was being overshadowed by its deck-topping showstoppers—its sophisticated sense of style.

The massive red sandstone St Magnus Cathedral  looms over Kirkwall, the capital of the Orkney Islands. Inside lie the bones of Magnus Erlendsson, the Viking Earl of Orkney who, in the early 12th Century, was murdered on the island of Egilsay on the orders of his cousin, a rival chieftain named Haakon.

Banish boredom and the are-we-nearly-home-yet blues with five of our favourite British experiences for children, including safari parks,underwater adventures, and a healthy dollop of monkey business.

With international travel rules changing day-by-day, it's no wonder that many of us are hoping to avoid disappointment by holidaying closer to home this year. As summer 2021 shapes up to be the season of the Great British Staycation, there's never been a better time to plan a UK break. Sign up for our newsletter to receive a free chapter of our Rough Guide Staycations Cotswolds — Cotswolds.

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.

The cliff-fringed Isle of Man is one of the most beautiful spots for nature in Britain, with coastal footpaths, pebbly coves and picturesque glens to explore. Despite its position in the Irish Sea – almost equidistant between England, Wales, Ireland and Scotland – it’s not technically part of Britain, but a Crown dependency, with its own government and Gaelic-based language. A visit to the Isle of Man is great for an adventure a little closer to home.