Guernsey, known officially as the Bailiwick of Guernsey, is a picturesque island British Crown dependency situated in the English Channel just west of the French Normandy coast. Guernsey was historically part of the Duchy of Normandy, and has over the centuries been subjected to invasions by the Aragonese, the French, and even the Germans in World War II. Nowadays the islands of Guernsey enjoy a quiet economy that is bolstered by tourism and banking.
The capital of Guernsey, St. Peter Port, has a number of key sights that draw tourists to the town each year. Aside from it's beautiful beach area, St. Peter Port is also home to Castle Cornet (the fortress that guarded St Peter Port's harbour), the Town Church, the Royal Court House, the St. Peter Port shopping area (including the Arcade and the Pollet), and Hauteville House (where Victor Hugo spent his years in exile). Vale, another of the larger urban settlements on Guernsey, is also well worth a visit - Vale Castle and Bordeaux Harbour are amongst the highlights.
Getting to Guernsey is relatively easy, with good air and sea connections to mainland Europe and the United Kingdom. Guernsey Airport, major hub of FlyBe and Blue Islands, sees close to a million passengers every year. Alderney Airport, smaller than Guernsey and situated further away from St. Peter Port on the island of Alderney, is also linked to the United Kingdom by Aurigny Air Services and Blue Islands.
Car hire is recommended for exploring some of the more remote regions of the islands - Europcar and Value Rent-a-Car are based at the major airport.
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