Silversea Luxury Cruises A ST PETER PORT

Discover the charm and history of St. Peter Port, including the iconic, ancient Castle Cornet on this half-day tour. Take a guided walking tour of the harbor with your knowledgeable local guide, and then enjoy the chance to see the legendary, 800-year-old Castle Cornet and its many museums housed within.

Join your local guide on a tour to the center of the town of St Peter Port, which has a fascinating history. A busy port since Roman times, the deep, safe anchorage and relative remoteness from France has made the town the Channel Islands' premier port. It is a picturesque town with cobbled high streets and narrow alleys and regency buildings.

From the harbor, with its forest of masts and bustling Fish Quay, see Castle Cornet, originally built on an island and now reachable by a raised walkway built in the 19^th Century. Built on the site of Neolithic and Bronze Age settlements, the castle has been built, partially destroyed and rebuilt many times with Medieval, Tudor and World War 2 remains.

The castle dates from the 13th century when it began as a fortification against the French after the island decided to side with England following the loss of Normandy. It has been used as a garrison, arsenal and prison. Castle Cornet guards the entrance to Guernsey's Harbor and offered defense of the seaway between the islands of Herm, Jethou and Guernsey and towards Sark over many centuries.

See and hear the key highlights of the Castle with your guide before spending some time in the "Story of Castle Cornet" exhibition, or exploring the castle and perhaps some of their four small gardens within the castle walls - including the apothecary's garden, kitchen garden and ornamental gardens. The Castle contains several interesting museums including the Maritime Museum, the Story of Castle Cornet Museum, the 201 Squadron RAF (Guernsey's Own) Museum and the Militia Museum.

Following the exploration of Castle Cornet, you may choose to return with your guide or make your way back on your own time to St. Peter Port harbour and the ship.

Discover the charm and history of St. Peter Port, including the iconic, ancient Castle Cornet on this three-hour tour. Take a guided walking tour of the harbour with your knowledgeable local guide, and then enjoy the chance to see the legendary, 800-year-old Castle Cornet and its many museums housed within.

Departing the ship, begin your St. Peter Port walking tour and learn the incredible history of this bustling place that has been an active port since Roman times. The harbor's remoteness from France and safe anchorage have made it a major destination among the Channel Islands. Keep your camera handy as you stroll the cobblestone streets, charming alleys and regal buildings of this picturesque harbor.

Castle Cornet

Your walking tour leads you to Castle Cornet, where you may opt to take another guided tour or explore the place at your leisure. Castle Cornet was originally built on a smaller island, but was connected to Guernsey with a raised walkway made in the 19^th century. The tiered castle appears as a fortified village just beyond the forest of masts in the bustling Fish Quay.

Castle Cornet has seen many iterations over the centuries, as it has been built, destroyed and rebuilt from Medieval to Tudor to World War 2 and has remnants of these and other periods. The original castle was begun in the 13^th century as an English fortification against the French following the loss of Normandy. Over the centuries the castle has served as a prison, a garrison and even an arsenal.

Militia Museum

There are several museums with fascinating museum collections on this small fortified island, including the 201 Squadron RAF (Guernsey's Own) Museum and the Militia Museum. Spend an hour and a half at Castle Cornet, visiting the "Story of Castle Cornet" exhibition or perhaps just wandering the buildings and four small gardens, including an apothecary's garden and a kitchen garden.

Following the exploration of Castle Cornet, you may choose to return with your guide or make your way back on your own time to St. Peter Port harbour and the ship.

Enjoy a roving walking tour with an opportunity to take in the charms of lovely Guernsey. Take a 25-minute drive by coach to arrive at the starting point for your coastal walk. Begin down a picturesque country lane towards Moulin Huet Bay where, in the summer of 1883, Pierre-Auguste Renoir famously spent many hours and produced a well-known series of 15 paintings inspired by the spectacular scenery.

Admire the wonderful views as Renoir did over a century ago before following the cliff path past bird-watching hides, World War Two bunkers and Doyle column, a monument erected in honor of Sir John Doyle, the former Governor of the island. This section of coastline is both a haven for seabirds and wildflowers, and traces of ancient fortifications can also be found.

The walk ends at the Jerbourg hotel where stunning views across to Jersey and France can be enjoyed while savoring a genuine Guernsey cream tea.

Re-board the coach for the short journey back to the pier.

Experience the splendid natural beauty and flavours of Guernsey during this panoramic, half-day cliff-walking excursion.

Guernsey, Guided Cliff-Walk, Country Lane and Moulin Huet Bay

Depart the pier for the short drive to the starting point of your panoramic cliff-walk. Upon arrival, begin your guided trek on-foot down a picturesque country lane towards Moulin Huet Bay. It was in this area that Pierre-Auguste Renoir spent many hours painting, and produced a series of 15 paintings in 1883 whilst enjoying the spectacular scenery.

Wildflowers, Pea Stacks, Cliff-Tops, South Coast Cliffs, and Petit Port Bay

Next, proceed for the long, gradual climb past an abundance of wildflowers and splendid views of the pea stacks leads to the cliff-tops, which offer breath-taking panoramic vistas overlooking the south coast cliffs. Your guided cliff-walk tour continues past the pretty Petit Port Bay before ending at the clifftop Jerbourg Hotel.

Jerbourg Hotel, St. Peter Port and Guernsey Cream Tea

Upon arrival at the Jerbourg Hotel, enjoy a cup of delicious Guernsey cream tea, re-board your coach and commence the short drive back to the pier.

Embrace the splendid beauty and flavours of Guernsey during this half-day island drive, and a stop for morning coffee.

Little Chapel

Depart the pier for a short drive to visit the quaint Little Chapel. Situated along a tree-lined path in the quiet countryside, the Little Chapel is beautifully adorned with pebbles, shells and many pieces of coloured broken china. As you climb the steps around the Little Chapel and perhaps enter the tiny interior, you can appreciate the dedication shown in the creation of this unique religious symbol.

Gold and Silversmith Workshops

Next, a visit is made to the renowned gold and silversmith workshops, which are located in an attractively converted barn dating

from 1582 and situated amidst five acres (two hectares) of landscaped gardens. During your self-guided visit, you can observe

the smithing process and browse the elegant showroom for items available for sale.

Island Tour and Refreshment

Continue on a scenic drive of the West coast of the island. Along the way, see the picturesque harbour, waterfront and wonderful, 18th-century hillside Georgian houses lining St. Peter Port. Your drive journeys through the centre of the island. Admire some of the estimated 1,400 species of wild plants that flourish in Guernsey's mild climate, and pass by an abundance of greenhouses. Upon reaching the west coast, drive past splendid stretches of sandy beaches, rock pools and rocky cliffs. Finally, stop at a local hotel for a cup of tea or coffee served with Guernsey fruit bread, or 'gache' before returning to the pier.

Explore Guernsey's military past and discover the hardships of life under German Occupation with a half day excursion to La Valette Underground Museum. From 1940 to 1945, the Channel Islands were under German occupation, during which time the Guernsey people endured great hardships. For Adolf Hitler, possession of the Channel Islands was a first step towards invasion of mainland Britain, and he issued orders for the permanent fortification of the Channel Islands. Many of the massive concrete towers, gun emplacements and bunkers remain today as reminders of the five years of military occupation by the German Armed Forces.

Drive a short distance from the pier and begin the excursion with a visit the infamous Little Chapel, originally built in 1914 and decorated with in a style known as "Picassiette," a French terms used to describe a mosaic of seashells, pieces of china, ceramics and colored glass. One of the smallest chapels in the world, measuring only 9ft x 4.5 foot, it truly is a site not to miss.

Drive 20 minutes down the west coast to the La Valette Underground Museum, which tells the history of Guernsey's German Occupation years. This award-winning museum is uniquely placed within a series of air-conditioned tunnels originally built by German Forces as a fuel storage facility for their U-Boats. Be immersed in the Bailwicks' military past on a self-guided visit of the museum, which features fascinating exhibitions and an impressive collection of military and occupation memorabilia. A life-size street, bunker rooms, an armory of weapons and communications equipment as well as files of local propaganda newspapers help tell the story of Guernsey's military past and give a unique insight into life for its inhabitants during the occupation.

After your museum tour, there is the chance for you to walk at your leisure back to the pier or be transported via coach.

Explore the hardships of life in Guernsey under occupation by German forces during this memorable, half-day excursion to the La Valette Underground Museum.

La Valette Underground Museum, and World War I and World War II Memorabilia

Depart the pier for the short drive to the La Valette Underground Museum. Upon arrival,visit the museum for a self-guided tour, which houses a massive collection of World War II memorabilia from the German occupation of Guernsey, as well as World War I memorabilia. It is all housed in the original building and contains many excellent displays, including a life-sized street, bunker rooms, an armoury of weapons and communications equipment, files of local propaganda newspapers, and a brief audio-visual introduction, which effectively sets the scene. The museum tells the story of the islands being occupied by German forces; it offers a truly unique insight into the lives of the islanders who lived during those times, and the way they were treated.

West Coast Drive, Vazon Bay, Fort Hommet, Gun Emplacements, and Little Chapel

Next, re-board your coach and drive to the beautiful west coast of Guernsey, which winds around the coastal road to Vazon Bay and Fort Hommet. From here, you can see one of the many coastal gun emplacements that remain today as a reminder of five years of military occupation by the German Armed Forces. Leaving the west coast, re-board your coach and head to the Little Chapel, the smallest consecrated church in the world. Following your visit, re-board your coach and commence the short drive back to the pier.

Make a visit to a quaint cider farm and take in some of the best and most scenic views of Guernsey along the way. Nestled in the Fauxquets Valley in the heart of Guernsey countryside and with distant views of the English Channel, the Meller family farm has become established as the home of Rocquette Cider. The family still live at the farm in its picturesque setting amongst the orchards, and the team works from the offices in the barn. One can always find a member of the family on a quad bike or tractor tending to the trees, fences, hives and sheep.

Scenic Island Drive

Begin with a scenic drive of the island, introducing you to the charming island of Guernsey, which in only 25 miles square, presents a surprising variety of beautiful and historic attractions. Located near the coast of France but staunchly British throughout the centuries, Guernsey has a culture of its own, one that combines the best of English tradition and French lifestyle. On your journey see stunning and colorful scenery and hear exciting stories about the history of the island.

Rocquette Cider Farm

Arrive at Rocquette Cider Farm and be welcomed by your local farm guide before taking you on a guided walk of the Orchard. Your guide talks you through the cider process from growing the apples, harvesting, distilling and packaging the cider. Feed the rainbow trout in their own dam and walk amongst the local sheep to the Tasting barn. Here, you can sample the ciders and fruit liqueurs with snacks before moving on to the Farmhouse Hotel for a Rocquette themed lunch menu.

Lunch

The Farmhouse Hotel is a family-run boutique hotel set in extensive grounds, minutes away from sandy beaches and spectacular cliff walks. Their award-winning menus are known throughout the island. Enjoy your lunch before returning to the pier by coach.

Experience the locations featured in the best-selling book, The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, written by Mary Ann Shaffer and her niece, Annie Burrows.

Depart the pier by coach with views of Castle Cornet and Havelet Bay, continue up the Val des Terres and proceed to the Jerbourg area of La Bouvee. It is on this southeast cliff-top that many scenes from the book are set. See where Dawsey. Amelia & Isola lived (albeit in a fictional story), as well as the rutted lanes, foggy meadows and farmhouses where the colorful characters conducted their lives. Walk to a panoramic viewing point where, on a clear day the other Channel Islands and France are easily spotted, and where Elizabeth met her German lover Christian and watched the German warplanes flying over to drop their bombs on London. Listen to the guide recount real-life tales of heroism, triumph over adversity and sheer determination shown by the people of Guernsey during the long period of German occupation.

Re-board the coach and drive to the Little Chapel that Dawsey took Juliet to see. Built by Brother Deodat, it is now regarded as the smallest consecrated church in the world. To impress his Bishop, Brother Deodat decided to cover the Little Chapel with many different types of shells and broken pieces of pottery. Leaving the Little Chapel, drive down to the west coast for a local refreshment of tea or coffee and a piece of Guernsey Gache,

Continue to White Rock Pier opposite a nearby memorial dedicated to local residents who perished in a German bombing raid on June 28, 1940. En route, see the many German fortifications as well as the Witches' Stone and Les Trepieds Dolmen that Dawsey showed Juliet. The harbor played host to one of the darkest days in Guernsey's history: German planes dropped bombs upon what they thought were vehicles carrying troops, but were actually just trucks filled with tomatoes, causing the deaths of 34 innocent civilians. After a photo stop at the memorial, re-board the coach for the return journey back to the pier.

Discover the story behind the best-selling book, The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, during this scenic, half-day sightseeing excursion.

Guernsey, Jerbourg, La Bouvee, and the Channel Islands and France Viewpoint

Depart the pier for the short drive to the Jerbourg, area of La Bouvee. En route, take in lovely views of Castle Cornet and Havelet Bay, then ascend the Val des Terres. Upon arrival in Jerboug, where many scenes from the book, The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society, are set on the southeast cliff-top, take a guided stroll to La Bouvee. Here, see where Dawsey. Amelia and Isola 'lived', as well as the rutted lanes, foggy meadows and farmhouses where the colourful characters in the book conducted their lives. Walk to the viewpoint for splendid vistas of the other Channel Islands and France on a clear day, where Elizabeth met her German lover Christian and watched the German warplanes flying over to drop their bombs on London.

Little Chapel, West Coast, Guernsey Pearl and Refreshment Stop

Next, re -board your coach and drive to the Little Chapel that Dawsey took Juliet to see. Built by Brother Deodat, it is now regarded as the smallest consecrated church in the world. In order to impress his Bishop, Brother Deodat decided to cover the Little Chapel with many different types of shells and broken pieces of pottery. Juliet was delighted to be able to step inside this beautiful little church. Leaving the Little Chapel, drive down to the west coast, and stop at Guernsey Pearl for refreshments and a slice of Guernsey gâche.

Witches' Stone, Les Trepieds Dolmen, White Rock Pier, and World War II Memorial

Afterward, re-board your coach and head to the White Rock Pier, opposite a nearby memorial dedicated to local residents who perished in a German bombing raid on 28 June 1940. En route, see many German fortifications, as well as the Witches' Stone and Les Trepieds Dolmen that Dawsey showed Juliet. The harbour played host to one of the darkest days in Guernsey's history. German aircraft dropped bombs upon what they thought were vehicles carrying troops, but were actually just trucks filled with tomatoes, causing the deaths of 34 innocent civilians. After a photo stop at the memorial, re-board your coach and commence the short drive back to the pier.