Jersey, Channel Islands Destination Guide

Jersey, Channel Islands Destination Guide Overview of Jersey Jersey is both the largest of the British Channel Islands and the most southerly. It is most well-renowned for its mild winters and long hot summer days, which is why it is arguably the most popular of the Channel Islands. This tiny island in the English Channel, measuring 45 square miles (118km²), was once part of mainland France. As small as it may be, it has had a great influence over the ages, giving the world the Jersey dairy cow and the ubiquitous knitted sweaters known globally as 'jerseys'. Today it offers a wealth of history and sheer scenic beauty. It's famous for sporting well-kept fields and an unspoilt coastline of majestic cliffs, exposed bays, sandy beaches and rocky coves. Inland the island is criss-crossed by a network of 'green lanes' where walkers, horse-riders and cyclists have precedence over cars. Norman farmhouses, narrow winding lanes, French street names, gourmet cuisine and tidy fields reflect the island's French connections. Yet, in all other respects it remains resoundingly British. The capital, St Helier, is a pleasant town of squares and pedestrianised streets. Here, the Channel Islands' low rates of duty and absent V.A.T make shopping a popular pastime. As you stroll the streets, listen for the noonday gun fired from picturesque Elizabeth Castle overlooking St Aubin's Bay, and call at the fascinating Maritime Museum. Other not-to-be-missed sightseeing attractions on Jersey are the poignant German Underground Hospital at St Lawrence, and the Jersey Zoo, founded by Gerald Durrell, which is more a haven for endangered species than a regular zoo. Those lucky enough to visit in August will catch the world-famous Battle of the Flowers parade, held regularly since 1902. It's great fun when everyone good-naturedly pelts each other with flowers in the streets, while fantastic floats decorated with millions of flowers pass by. Key Facts Language: English is the official language, though visitors will be astonished by the variety of regional accents. Passport/Visa: If a visa is not required, travellers should hold a return or onward ticket, or proof of funds for the duration of stay. Passports must be valid for the period of intended stay in the UK; nationals of the EU require a passport valid on arrival. It is highly recommended that passports have at least six months validity remaining after your intended date of departure from your travel destination. Immigration officials often apply different rules to those stated by travel agents and official sources. For visitors who are visa exempt up to a maximum stay of 6 months, the period of stay will be determined by the Immigration Officer on arrival. Currency: The currency is the British Pound (GBP), which is divided into 100 pence. ATMs are available in almost all towns and Visa, MasterCard and American Express are widely accepted. Foreign currency can be exchanged at bureaux de change and large hotels, however better exchange rates are likely to be found at banks. Electricity: The electrical current in the UK is 240 volts, 50Hz. Flat, three-pin plugs are standard. Travel guide by wordtravels.com © Globe Media Ltd. By its very nature much of the information in this travel guide is subject to change at short notice and travellers are urged to verify information on which they're relying with the relevant authorities. Travmarket cannot accept any responsibility for any loss or inconvenience to any person as a result of information contained above. Event details can change. Please check with the organizers that an event is happening before making travel arrangements. We cannot accept any responsibility for any loss or inconvenience to any person as a result of information contained above. Page 1/11 Jersey, Channel Islands Destination Guide Travel to Jersey Climate for Jersey The Channel Islands' climate is a maritime one, with moderate temperatures experienced throughout the year. Sheltered by England and France, the islands are spared the strong winds of most offshore locations. Winters tend to be damp and cloudy, while summers are warm and sunny. Jersey is well known for experiencing the most annual sunshine in the whole of the British Isles. The summer months, between May and September, are the best time to visit Jersey, when sun is plentiful and temperatures comfortably warm. July and August are the hottest months, when temperatures have been known to exceed more than 72°F (22°C). Although rain is possible at any time of year, summer is also the driest season in Jersey. The driest months are between June and August, while the wettest months are between October and January, in winter. Winters in Jersey are relatively mild and the average temperature during January, the coldest month, hovers around the 48°F (9°C) mark. However, it is not unheard of for temperatures to drop below freezing during the winter. Snowfall on Jersey is rare, and some years pass with no snowfall on the island at all. Health Notes when travelling to United Kingdom There are no specific health risks associated with travel to the UK and food and water can be considered safe. The British National Health Service is excellent, while a number of countries have reciprocal health agreements with the UK including Australia, New Zealand and EU countries. Visitors from other countries such as Canada, South Africa and the United States are advised to take out comprehensive travel insurance. Safety Notes when travelling to United Kingdom It is generally safe to travel throughout the UK. Customs in United Kingdom Handshaking is customary when introduced to someone new. Smoking is banned in all enclosed public spaces, including pubs, restaurants and public transport. Queue barging is frowned upon and there is strict etiquette on escalators: stand on the right, walk on the left. Visitors may find Londoners more rushed and less friendly than locals in other parts of the country, particularly on London transport where tourists are often the only people who talk. Duty Free in United Kingdom When arriving from a non-EU country, travellers can bring the following goods into the UK tax or duty free: 200 cigarettes, 100 cigarillos, 50 cigars or 250g of tobacco, 4 litres of still table wine, 16 litres of beer, 1 litre of spirits or strong liqueurs or 2 litres of fortified wine, sparkling wine or other alcoholic beverages of less than 22 per cent volume, £340 worth of all other goods including perfume and souvenirs. When travelling from another EU country to the UK visitors do not have to pay tax or duty on goods purchased in said EU country provided tax was included in the purchase price, the items are for personal use and have been transported to the UK by the visitor, and do not exceed 3,200 cigarettes, 400 cigarillos, 200 cigars, 3kg of smoking tobacco, 110 litres of beer, 10 litres of spirits, 90 litres of wine and 20 litres of fortified wine. Note that although Gibraltar is part of the EU, it is outside the Community Customs territory and allowances for outside the EU therefore apply. In the case of Cyprus, only goods under the effective control of the Government of the Republic of Cyprus are treated as EU imports. Page 2/11 Jersey, Channel Islands Destination Guide Doing Business in United Kingdom The four countries of the United Kingdom, although culturally and historically different, generally keep to the same business practices. Politeness and punctuality are key to good business relations and initial meetings are often conducted formally and impersonally, becoming more open and social as things progress. Business cards are exchanged at introductions, and dress is formal with dark suits preferred. Business hours are generally 8am to 5pm Monday to Friday with an hour taken at lunch. The communication style can be difficult to adjust to: the British people respect politeness to a point that often obscures their ability to say exactly what they mean. As a result, travelling business people may need to learn to 'read between the lines' and to take cues from tone of voice and facial expression. Humour is also an integral part of the British system of communication, and is used to diffuse a tense situation and to cultivate relationships. Never assume that an attempt at humour undermines a person's ability to do their job, or discredits the importance they attach to a deal or negotiation. Furthermore, don't be fooled into thinking that the British propensity for irony and sarcasm equates with an informal work environment. Be tactful during meetings, avoid becoming emotional and illustrate your experience with the subject at-hand. Performance and initiative are looked upon favourably, whereas academic pretension is given far less credence. Meetings are often used as platforms for debate, rather than moments of confirmation, so don't be surprised if not much progress is made. Be sure to respect and appeal to all parties involved as the British have recently begun to take a far flatter approach to management and the responsibility of decision-making. And if things go well, purchase a pint or two for your clients or colleagues; though gifts are borderline inappropriate, a round of drinks will rarely be refused. Communication in United Kingdom The international country dialling code for the UK is +44. Mobile phone coverage is extensive and free wifi is widely available in pubs and coffee shops. Tipping in United Kingdom Tips of 10 to 15 percent are expected in restaurants and upmarket hotels in the UK if a service charge hasn't been included. Hotel service staff receive an optional amount, while taxi drivers are usually given 10 to 15 percent of the fare.

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