Jersey is the largest of the group of islands known as the Channel Islands. It is much closer to France than England and although it is owned by the Crown, perhaps surprisingly it is actually outside the European Union. Irish and United Kingdom residents can visit with ease. Other travelers will probably get away with showing a passport but should check with their travel agent just in case anything different applies. But if you're visiting from the UK, don't worry about changing currency as Jersey is quite happy to accept both English and Scottish notes.
When you visit the island, it is quite likely that you will stay in St Helier, the largest town on Jersey and centre for many of the attractions you are likely to visit.
There are plenty of shops in St Helier which cater to locals and tourists alike. You'll also find a wide range of restaurants and bars where you can spend a pleasant time eating and drinking as well as enjoying the relative tranquility of the island.
St Helier is also home to the Fort Regent leisure centre, which features all the latest health and fitness equipment so that you can work off any large lunches that tempted you!
Fort Regent also hosts the majority of the concerts and other events that are staged on the island, so be sure to check out its schedule at the time of your visit.
If you want to hire a vehicle to explore the island, there are various car rental places on Jersey or, if you are more adventurous, you could think about hiring a scooter instead. Just remember that many of the island's 350 miles of roads are narrow.
There are plenty of beaches on the island, so if all you want to do is relax and soak up the sun then you will be spoilt for choice. The island's climate is mild and summers are normally the sunniest that you will find anywhere in the British Isles.
If you like to surf, then you should most definitely make sure that your hotel is close to St Oeun's Bay. The area caters for everyone from beginners upwards to the people who flock there for the international surfing tournaments.
If you find surfers a distraction from your sunbathing, choose St Brelade's Bay instead. This is a large sandy beach with the emphasis on family fun, including fun boats and canoes to keep the children active.
Jersey was taken by the Germans during World War Two. History fans should look at the Channel Islands Military Museum, housed in what used to be a German bunker that formed part of the "Atlantic Wall". There are hundreds of artifacts that document the course of the occupation of Germany and you can even see an Enigma machine on your visit.
More energetic visitors to the island may want to learn to skydive.
Or you could just mess around on the ocean in one of the RIB (rigid inflatable boat) trips that will allow you to bounce over the waves whilst you admire the dolphins, puffins, seals and a myriad of seabirds.
