With idyllic beaches, fascinating relics and local businesses full of character, the island of Guernsey is not to be underestimated.
At approximately 24 square miles, what this Channel Island lacks in size is more than made up for with its charm and relaxing feel. Descending onto the island in a small propeller aircraft, outside my passenger window I'm met with views of clear blue waters, stunning cliffs and a busy port in the distance.
Despite being in the British Isles, you immediately get that abroad feeling without travelling thousands of miles, especially in the sunshine. Only a short distance away from home, I'm ashamed to admit I didn't know a lot about Guernsey and it wasn't particularly on my radar as a destination before my trip.
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But luckily this hidden gem is easily accessible from the UK - and now I can't recommend it enough. The Islands of Guernsey have never been easier to reach, with airline Aurigny now operating flights taking around an hour from Liverpool John Lennon Airport.
The airline is based in the Channel Islands and currently flies to destinations across Europe, as well as the mainland United Kingdom. Liverpool John Lennon Airport is often praised for its short queues, quick security and friendly staff - so it was hassle-free getting through to the departure lounge and there was even time to have a bite to eat at the new Sable & Co restaurant, which opened last month.
With Aurigny, it's five-steps up onto a small propeller aircraft, which to me is what I imagine stepping onto a private plane to feel like. The journey took an hour and before we knew it, we were in Guernsey and greeted by the sunshine.
The island is blessed with twenty-nine beaches and around thirty miles of coastline, so it was definitely a scenic route to the St Pierre Park Hotel, Spa & Golf Resort. A renowned island sanctuary, St Pierre Park has 131 bedrooms, a café bar and balcony, a banqueting suite and an award-winning spa, gym facilities and nine hole golf course.
The friendly team make an effort to get to know their guests and show pride in the island, suggesting their favourite places to visit throughout our stay. My room, a deluxe bedroom with stunning garden and lake views, boasts a large balcony, a flat screen TV, a hospitality tray and a cashmere mattress which offered the best night's sleep.
In their restaurant, the Guernsey Blue Bottle gin and nori cured salmon is an excellent way to start your dining experience. During your stay, a visit to the outdoor jacuzzi near the tennis court and a swim in their indoor pool is a must.
Located one mile away is St Peter Port - a charming town with cobbled streets, colourful bunting and floral baskets decorating the historic buildings. It beautifully blends its heritage with excellent restaurants and local shops and a great way to explore the area is through the different tours on offer.
Gold-accredited Guernsey tour guide Gill Girard is an excellent host and storyteller. Meeting at the Victorian Candie Gardens, Gill carries with her signed autographs from The Beatles from over 60 years ago.
Her father was the promoter who arranged for the band to perform on the island before they skyrocketed to fame and there is now a mural to commerate their 1963 performance - a lovely Liverpool link. Candie Gardens offers spectacular views across St Peter Port harbour and sister islands of Herm, Sark and Jethou.
From there, Gill took us on a short tour of St Peter Port town and Castle Cornet, an 800-year-old castle standing at the mouth of St Peter Port harbour. In the summer, concert nights and BBQ's also take place on the historic site - perfect for couples old and young, groups of friends and young families.
Netflix film The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, starring Lily James and Glen Powell, has brought more tourism to the island. If you love a souvenir and choose to pay in cash, you could also find yourself with a Guernsey pound note in your change, a souvenir in itself.
But a standout for me was visiting the Victoria Tower, a monument erected after Queen Victoria and Prince Albert's visit to the island in 1846. Offering panoramic views of Guernsey, the narrow staircases leads you to a great photo opportunity.
But what surprised me most was to enter, you're entrusted yourself with the key and responsibility to open, lock up and return it to the Guernsey Museum in Candie Gardens. Its a novelty I've never experienced visiting any other landmark in my life.
Around the town are also many nods to Victor Hugo, who wrote Les Misérables while exiled in Guernsey over 150 years ago. If you're looking for a place to enjoy your evening meal, a number of hotels on the island also have incredible venues to visit.
During our stay, we visited the Fermain Valley Hotel, sister to St Pierre Park, which has 49 bedrooms - including four treehouse suites were guests can be immersed in nature. On site is also a 25-seat cinema and an escape room and we ate at one of their three restaurants, the Buho Mexican restaurant. Vibrant in its décor, music and classic dishes, I'd recommend a margarita and the pork burrito, finishing off with churros and chocolate dip for dessert.
The second part of our Guernsey tour took us to The German Underground Hospital and Ammunition Store, the largest structural reminder of the German Occupation existing in the Channel Islands. It's almost invisible from the surface, except for the entrances and while its cold and dark down there - don't let that put you off.
Our tour group headed into the concrete maze, which is built under a low hill in the heart of the Guernsey countryside and we learned about wartime life on the island and the impact it had on a generation. The tunnels also played backdrop to 1973 drama Blockhouse, starring Peter Sellers and Charles Aznavour and you don't have to be a war or history enthusiast to be fascinated by it.
Before heading to the airport, we made one last stop to what became my favourite place in Guernsey. Decorated in beautiful broken china, I've never seen anything quite like The Little Chapel.
Located in a picturesque valley, the remarkable building is a labour of love built by Brother Déodat, who started work in 1914. Today, visitors see the third construction of the chapel and I would put it to the top of your priority list when visiting Guernsey.
A breath-taking Instagram opportunity inside and out, The Little Chapel can be walked around in minutes, but we spent ages just looking at the detail of all the different intricate pieces decorating the whole site. It's incredibly charming and peaceful and you can also light a candle while there.
Guernsey itself is a small island, but there's plenty more to see and I wanted more than my short stay. Visitors can also board the Travel Trident to Herm Island to see its unspoilt beaches or even visit the home of Victor Hugo, Hauteville House, which is a work of art in itself.
As we headed to the airport, I already knew I wanted to come back and see more of Guernsey. I had an ignorant preconception in my mind that Guernsey wouldn't have this much to offer.
But I can definitely say it's a great destination with a breadth of attractions, stunning bars and restaurants and something for everybody. As we embarked on our hour-long journey back to Liverpool, I knew it wouldn't be goodbye forever to Guernsey.
Aurigny operate three weekly flights from Liverpool – Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. The lead in fare one way is £59.99. To find out more, visit Aurigny's website here, or visit Liverpool John Lennon Airport's website here. For more information on Guernsey, see here.
