The British alternative to island hopping through Greece – with white sand beaches and world-famous skies
A GROUP of islands in the English Channel might prove to be the perfect alternative to an island hopping holiday through Greece.
One place Brit holidaymakers could substitute for Greece lies in the English Channel.
The Guernsey Islands are made up of five small islands including Guernsey, Sark, Herm, Alderney, and Lihou, and they’re said to have the most hours of sunshine in the British Isles.
Not only are they home to plenty of pristine white beaches, but the climate on the islands is also pleasant.
While Guernsey does have its own airline, which operates direct flights to the UK mainland, Brit holidaymakers can opt for a more authentic island hopping adventure by reaching the Channel islands on a ferry from the mainland.
According to Discover Ferries, Brit holidaymakers can travel from Portsmouth to Guernsey with Condor Ferries.
Tickets cost £240, each way, for a family of four, with an adult ticket costing £90 and a ticket for a child coming in at £30.
Ferry journeys are cheaper for passengers travelling on foot, with one-way tickets costing £50 for a full-paying adult and £40 for a child.
Guernsey
Despite being only nine miles long and three miles wide, there’s plenty to keep Brit holidaymakers entertained on Guernsey.
Often likened to the Caribbean, the Channel Island has golden beaches, crystal-clear waters and exotic landscapes.
There are thought to be 27 beaches on the island, including Le Grand Harve, Shell Beach, Ladies Beach, and Petit Bot Bay.
Popular activities on the island include surfing, dolphin-spotting, scuba diving, surfing and wildlife-watching.
On land, there are plenty of walking and cycling routes too.
Other activities include visiting Castle Cornet (an 800-year-old castle) sampling some Guernsey ice cream at one of the beach cafes, and exploring the island’s history at the Little Chapel.
Herm
While Guernsey certainly has enough to keep Brit holidaymakers entertained, it wouldn’t be an island-hopping trip if another ferry wasn’t involved.
Only three miles from Guernsey, holidaymakers can reach Herm from Peter Port Harbour in Guernsey, with a journey taking just 15 minutes and costing £8 per person.
Herm is one of the smaller channel islands, with only 60 people living on the island throughout the year.
The island is made up of several beautiful beaches, including Shell and Belvoir – both of which are white sandy beaches with clear blue waters.
As well as spending the day at the beach, visitors can also try and spot seals, puffins and dolphins.
Sark
Often described as the “jewel of the Channel Islands“, Sark can also be reached on a ferry from Guernsey, with journeys taking between 35 to 50 minutes.
Just 20 miles from France, the famous French author Victor Hugo once called Sark a “sort of fairy castle, full of wonders”.
The tiny island is home to just 562 people, with cars banned across the two-mile destination.
Expect a mix of English and French culture, despite the majority of its history being under English rule, apart from a brief period in the 1500s when it was captured by France as well as being occupied by German soldiers for five years during WWII.
But there are a number of attractions for tourists to explore, including Sark Henge, a much smaller version of Stonehenge as well the War-Time Exhibition.
In 2011, Sark was designated the world’s first dark sky island by the International Dark Sky Association, making a visit to the as Sark Observatory for stargazing.
If you still have your heart set on a holiday to Greece, you might want to head to a lesser-known island instead.
Lesser-known Greek Islands
At the end of last year, travel expert Jennifer Greene named Paros as an underrated Greek island to visit in 2024.
Paros is sandwiched between Mykonos and Santorini, and it is arguably as beautiful as the pair.
Jennifer told Insider: “Mykonos and Santorini draw the biggest crowds, but Paros is a much quieter destination.
“The lack of an international airport tends to keep it that way, but a gentle ebb of chic new hotels is attracting more tourists.
“The fishing village is home to beaches, wineries, and marble quarries. For an offbeat side trip, you can also hop on the boat to the even smaller island of Antiparos.”
But Paros isn’t the only lesser-known Greek island that’s flown under the radar in recent years.
The overlooked island of Patmos attracts famous faces like Julia Roberts, David Bowie, Richard Gere, and Tom Hanks, but is yet to become popular with British tourists.
Not only does it see temperatures reach 22C in the winter, but it’s also home to colourful beaches.
Best staycation locations for 2024
1. Bristol
The arty harbour city was the top spot on the list and is bursting with culture and trendy cafes scattered along the River Avon.
A bubbling hub for creatives, Bristol is the birthplace of street artist Banksy, and you can admire some of his best early works on a free walking tour.
2. Hull
The Humberside port city started to get recognition last year, and it has a thriving nightlife scene – if that’s something you’re after.
The old town is crawling with history and classy buildings, whose walls have many stories to tell and The Deep is a fascinating aquarium attraction.
3. Isles of Scilly
Just off the Cornish coast, it’s easy to see why the archipelago made it into the top three.
Here, you can expect golden sandy beaches where you will be able to spot dolphins beyond the shoreline, as well as seafront pubs serving up hearty grub.