I visited the island paradise in the sun after an hour's flight from the UK | Europe | Travel

I can press my face against the window and take in the most spectacular views. The arc of white sandy beaches extends to the north coast, with huge cliffs forming powerful walls to the south, with bright blue water ribbons surrounding them all. Flying to Guernsey gives you the feeling of fleeing to an equator oasis, but this Channel Island gem is only 30 miles west of France's Normandy coast and offers an hour-long flight from the UK.

The largest island in Bailwick, Guernsey, includes five other inhabited islands. Aldaany, Elm, Jeto, Liho, Sark and many small islands and rocks are easily reached by flights run by the Channel Islands-based Aurigny Airlines from 10 UK airports. Flying in Aurigny will bring you several steps into a small aircraft that will make you step into a private plane before landing in the sun-scattered island paradise 60 minutes later.

It's never far from Guernsey's, which is measured at just 24 square miles. It was lovely to check in at my hotel, St. Pierre's Park Hotel, Spa & Golf Resort, just 3 miles north of the airport.

Located within Guernsey's largest hotel and 35 acre garden, this luxurious home features 131 bedrooms, an award-winning spa, gym facilities and a nine-hole golf course. Our friendly team strives to get to know our guests, show pride on the island, and suggests favorite places to visit throughout my stay.

My room boasts a large balcony, flat screen TV, hospitality trays and cashmere mattresses, with views of the garden and lake.

That night, under the sparkle of the chandelier at the hotel restaurant, I enjoyed a beautiful guernsey blue bottle of gin and a roasted salmon.

The dining room was residing in Hortville House, named after Victor Hugo, who wrote Les Miserables and Notre Dame's Hunchback during his 15 exile from 1856.

To complete the luxurious experience, during your stay, visit the hotel's outdoor jacuzzi near the tennis court and enjoy a relaxing swim in the indoor pool.

The hotel's luxurious spa includes a dual aspect volcanic stone sauna, a marble steam room and five treatment rooms.

The handsome St. Peter Port is just a mile away and is an attractive place for a walk, with cobblestone streets, colorful buntings, flower displays and historic buildings. A tax-free island, it is also an ideal place to shop at a discount.

And if you choose to pay in cash, you can realize that your change is a Guernsey pound note, which itself is a souvenir. But if you really want to know the history of the island, you'll go with someone you know…

Gold-recognized Guernsey Tour Guide Gilgirard is an excellent host and storyteller. Gill, a meeting at Victorian Candy Gardens, has signed a signature from the Beatles for over 60 years. Her father was the promoter who arranged for the band to perform on the island before they gained fame, and there is a mural in the garden to commemorate the 1963 performance.

The restored 19th century pleasure garden features some of the oldest greenhouses in the UK, offering spectacular views of St. Peter Port Harbour and Guernsey's Sister Islands. From there, Gill leads the group on a tour of St. Peter Port City and Castle Cornet, an 800-year-old castle standing at the mouth of the harbour.

At the royal fortress, visitors can stroll through the gardens of its untouched era, which has acquired hundreds of years of history in the museum. There is a daily reenactment of stories from Guernsey's past by historical action companies, and there is the opportunity to assume the role of a king, princess or knight for a child.

Also, concert nights and barbecues are held in the summer months.

Another outstanding attraction for history fans like me is the Victoria Tower. This is a monument built in 1846 after Queen Victoria and Prince Albert visited the island.

The narrow staircase, offering panoramic views of Guernsey, leads to unforgettable photo opportunities. But what surprised me most is that upon entry, the visitors themselves are left with the key and responsibility of opening, locking up and returning to the Guernsey Museum in Candy Gardens.

It's novelty that I've never experienced visiting any other landmark.

Part 2 of my Guernsey tour takes me to the German underground hospitals and ammunition stores, the biggest structural reminder of World War II occupation that exists in the Channel Islands.

Except for the entrance, it is barely visible from the surface, and although it is cold and dark, please do not postpone it.

The tour group then heads out into a concrete maze built under a low hill in the heart of the Guernsey countryside to learn about wartime life on the island and its impact on generations. The Tunnel also performed the background of the 1973 drama Block House, starring Peter Sellers and Charles Aznavaur.

If you're looking for a place to eat, the island has plenty of hotels with great restaurants to sample.

During my stay, I visited the Ferman Valley Hotel, a sister in St. Pierre's Park. It features 49 bedrooms, including four tree house suites where guests can soak in nature, as well as a 25-seat cinema and escape rooms.

Here we sample the joys of Buho Mexican Restaurant, one of three restaurants. It is full of decor, music and classical cuisine. I recommend the margarita and pork burrito. Finish with churros and chocolate dip for dessert.

Before heading to the airport, I make a final stop in what will become my favorite place in Guernsey.

Decorated with beautiful broken China, I have never seen anything like a small chapel.

Located in St. Andrew in the picturesque Les Vauxbelets Valley, this remarkable building is a labor of love built by the Deodat brothers, who began work in 1914.

Today, visitors are looking at the third construction of the chapel.

The small chapel inside and outside of breathtaking photo opportunities can be roamed in minutes, but I spent years looking at the details of all the different intricate pieces that adorn the entire site.

It is incredibly charming and peaceful, allowing visitors to light the candles while they are there. This seems right to celebrate a wonderful stay on this small but beautiful island.

Origny flies one way to Guernsey from £59.99 from Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol, Edinburgh, Exeter, Gatwick, Manchester, Southampton, Leeds Bradford and London City. aurigny.com

Rooms at St. Pierre Park Hotel in St. Peter Port, Guernsey start at £149 for one night guest rooms. Handpickedhotels.co.uk/stpierrepark

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