WITH the island nestling just 14 miles off the French coast in the bay of St Malo, visitors to Jersey could be forgiven for thinking they are actually in France.
Virtually every hamlet and every street has French names. But the allegiance of residents to the United Kingdom is evident at every turn, not least the spectacular statue of islanders waving the Union Jack in Liberation Square in the main town of St Helier to commemorate its release from the bondage of the invading German army in May 1945.
My first visit to this beautiful island just nine miles long and five wide was all too short.
One can easily understand why it is a popular destination for UK visitors wanting to enjoy some sunshine in the summer yet not wanting to travel too far from home.
Daffodils were in full bloom, blossom on the trees and early Jersey potatoes were being harvested on my two-day break in early March, flying from Inverness via Gatwick and onwards to St Helier.
The earlier onset of spring in Jersey was evidence enough that the island was moving swiftly towards a summer which boasts average temperatures of 20C - just the sort of weather where young families can enjoy the delights of a traditional seaside holiday and for the elderly and middle-aged tourists to sit back and take life at a gentler pace.
A hired car got us round most of the island during our short stay. But a reliable and inexpensive island bus service is an option.
The maximum speed limit is 40mph. It is not a place you would want to drive at speed anyway. There is so much to take the eye with historic buildings, contrasting architecture and stunning coastline.
The island has 360 miles of roadway and 100 miles of designated cycle routes.
Of its resident population of 90,500, 50 per cent are native islanders, 30 per cent British and 20 per cent other nationalities.
Apart from the beauty and contrasts of its spectacular coastline, which provides ample opportunity for those who like to explore on foot, the island is awash with history of conflicts from Norman times through to Napoleonic times and the German occupation during the World War II.
It was fascinating to find fortifications at strategic coastal promontories, used to repel invaders, beside modern day defences constructed by the invading German army using forced and slave labour.
The story of that period of Jersey's history is best told at the Jersey War Tunnels, just a few miles from St Helier. Constructed between 1941 and 1945, the tunnels were excavated as a bombproof storage and repair facility before being transformed into a hospital.
Apart from the seaside activities, a must visit for families is the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust where the kids can see everything from gorillas to meerkats.
Jersey has its own government, its own legal and tax systems. St Helier is a thriving businesses and banking centre.
Prices for food and drink are on a par with the UK, with a fine selection of top quality restaurants.
But buying property on the islands doesn't come cheap. Single bedroom apartments will fetch £230,000.
The good news though for people hiring cars is that petrol does come cheap at £1.04 a litre.
Some Brownie points too for carrier Flybe. Our 4.20pm flight out of Jersey was delayed until 6pm because weather conditions on the mainland impacted on their schedule. They delayed the 7.20pm flight north by a few minutes to ensure we weren't stranded. Well done Flybe!
A top quality hotel with stunning sea views
OUR base for the Jersey break was the Radisson Blu Waterfront Hotel which is located on a breathtaking site beside one of several marinas providing shelter for the big boat population of the island.
This top quality hotel boasts 195 of the best en-suite rooms you could hope for, many with splendid sea views. Ours overlooked the Elizabeth Marina and Castle which is cut off from the shoreline at high tide in St Aubin's Bay.
Each room offers complimentary WiFi, tea and coffee making facilities and air conditioning for when the mercury goes up in the warm summer months.
Being so close to France, and of course with its own locally produced food on the island, the menus reflect the best of both English and French cuisine with plenty of seafoods dishes.
Live music is provided at weekends in the Martello Bar and inevitably there is a terrace where you can go out and savour the atmosphere of the seafront setting while you enjoy your meal.
Rooms are big, spacious and, as one would expect, spotless. Staff are ever willing to help and offer advice on places to go.
For winding down in the evening there is a spa with swimming pool, steam room and, for the more energetic, a gymnasium. There's also a salon and treatment rooms for the women wanting to spoil themselves.
There's no shortage of free parking spaces and you are just five minutes walk from a vibrant shopping centre. Couldn't fault this hotel.
FACT FILE
We stayed at the Radisson Blu Waterfront Hotel - a stunning setting and our spacious room overlooked a marina and across St Aubin's Bay towards Elizabeth Castle. A full buffet breakfast is included, as well as use of the hotel's pool, gym and steam room. Prices in March for a couple sharing a room ranged from £119 per night bed and breakfast to one-bedroom suites at £174.
There is a top quality terrace restaurant.
Flybe operate flights from Inverness to Jersey seven days a week, with fares available from £99.99 each way including taxes and charges. Book now via www.flybe.com - the direct route runs from June 11 to September 24.
