For first-rate beaches, shopping, and ambience, check out Guernsey.

There are some terrific deals on airfare to London these days. The lowest we've seen is $145 each way from Newark on Virgin Atlantic. But American Airlines and British Airways both have some good bargains too. If you have firm dates, check www.kayak.com for the best fares.

If you've "done" Britain before, and you're looking for a new destination, maybe you should consider Guernsey. One of the Channel Islands, Guernsey is technically an independent British Crown Dependency. But that's neither here, not there. What is of interest to travelers is how much Guernsey packs into just 25 square miles.

Terrific shopping, top-notch restaurants (it‘s only 20 miles from France, after all), beautiful scenery, Britain's best weather, and good beaches -- 27, in all -- make Guernsey an appealing destination for almost anyone. To get there, you can take a quick flight from London, Manchester, or Southampton. Or take a ferry from Portsmouth, Poole, or Weymouth. The Condor Fast Ferry takes just over two hours.

St. Peter Port is the island's main harbor and it's a cross between and quaint fishing village and Monaco. Guernsey's independence allowed it to establish it's own tax code, and as a result, Guernsey has attracted more than it's share of offshore investment. Beautiful boutiques line the narrow, cobbled streets that wind their way up the steep hill. And there are lots of good bistros and pubs. Don't miss the local spider crab.

The town also has a 12th-century church, a hill-top castle, and the house where Victor Hugo wrote The Toilers of the Sea. You'll find traces of the French, British, and German occupations all over the island.

With more than 100 miles of coastline, Guernsey has sandy beaches, secret coves, tide pools, quaint harbors and gorgeous cliff walks. There's even good surfing and windsurfing on the west side of the island.

If you don't want to rent a car, the public bus service covers the whole island, and you'll likely meet some locals. You can also rent bikes in St. Peter Port and there are 11 graded cycle tours. The bike rental shops all the information you need.

Les Rocquettes and the Old Government House Hotel are good choices in St. Peter Port. On the west side of the island in St. Martin, Coco Bay hotel offers great beach access and fantastic sunsets, Head into town for scrumptious fish and chips.

For more information about Guernsey, visit www.visitguernsey.com

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