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Jan
10
A trip to the Isle of Man
Located in the Irish Sea between England and Ireland, the Isle of Man is a magnificent place of beauty and history. Just 30 miles long and 10 miles wide, this unique autonomous island has something for everyone, whether you favour diving to see shipwrecks, exploring Viking castles, bird watching or playing golf. The Isle of Man also has an airport that processes more than a million visitors to this wonderful travel destination each year.
Flights to the Isle of Man
Ronaldsway Airport is situated in the south of the isle, east of Castletown. A good selection of airlines serves flights to cities in the UK and to limited transatlantic destinations. There are also various charter flights operating to cities across Europe. If you are looking for a cheap flight to the Isle of Man try lastminute.com. Transportation to and from the airport is via buses and taxis. Bus number 1 runs to Douglas, Castletown and Port Erin every hour. A taxi stand is placed near the entrance of the terminal where taxis are on hand at a fixed tariff.
Those arriving by car will find that Ronaldsway Airport is well signposted from anywhere on the island and no point is more than an hour’s bus ride or drive away. Being so small, the Isle of Man is perfect for exploring by car. No matter where you stay, you can easily head to the mountains, beaches or to Douglas on a daytrip.
The Isle of Man
Sightseeing in the Isle of Man
The Isle of Man has numerous attractions to offer visitors. Featuring historic castles with a Gaelic ambience, the island’s capital, Douglas, is the centre of activity and is small enough to wander around on foot, though many tourists enjoy using the charming horse-drawn trams to get around.
Castletown is a short drive from Douglas and boasts the outstanding medieval fortress of Castle Rushen. Residence of lords and kings for many centuries, this landmark has been restored and now transports visitors back to the days of its former inhabitants. Castletown is also home to a lively port, an open-air market, the Nautical Museum and a charming old grammar school.
Further highlights on the island include Laxey Wheel, a 70m-tall water wheel offering stunning views of the rural surroundings. Old tramcars run to the summit of Snaefel, the highest mountain on the isle. Each June, motorcycle enthusiasts come to witness the famous high-speed TT (Tourist Trophy) races on the island’s public roads.
Fun by night – eating, drinking and partying
The town of Douglas is the island’s centre of activity and a stroll along Strand street will take you to the waterfront. Lining the bay are hotels, quays and entertainment facilities including the 1893 Edwardian Gaiety Theatre and the new Summerland Leisure complex which houses a cinema, nightclub and spa suite.
Douglas is also the isle’s hub for nightlife; however, fine dining is provided throughout the island, with a great variety of seafood on hand such as regional delicacies including Queenies (a kind of scallop) and Manx kippers. Be warned you may need a shower to remove the smell after indulging in the latter. In the pedestrianised streets of Castletown, you will locate plentiful homey restaurants and pubs.
Fun by day – shopping and activities
Shopping on the Isle of Man is a real pleasure, whether you head for the modern shopping centres along Douglas’ Strand street or mix with the locals in the picturesque marketplaces. Other leisure activities include scuba diving, pony trekking, golfing, fishing, sailing and hiking in the verdant glens.
The highlight of the island’s calendar is the famous high-speed TT (Tourist Trophy) races, held each June. Thousands of motorcycle enthusiasts come to witness the races and the Isle of Man takes on a carnival like atmosphere.
Daytrips
This small island nation is teeming with exciting activities and impressive sites and attractions. There is a plethora of walking trails, which cross the lush green countryside, and paths winding along the dramatic coastline. The month of October sees the Walking Festival, which is designed to be an adventurous fun filled family day.
The Isle of Man offers an array of rare and exotic birds and wildlife which can be easily seen in the untouched natural wonderland. Birdwatchers will be enthralled by the number of fascinating birds that are usually hard to find. There are guided tours that provide a day of trekking with opportunities to view and photograph the wonderful wildlife.
For those wishing to explore the underwater world, the Isle of Man provides a host of fascinating marine life. Diving is possible year round although in the wintertime it can be cold. There are several dive companies on the island offering lessons for beginners with all equipment and transfers included.
Must-see attractions
One of the Isle’s must see attractions is the fascinating Manx Museum, which is filled with Manx history, archaeology and development from early times. There are great facilities at the museum including multimedia displays that explain the history of Mann in an interesting way. The museum is open year round from Mondays through to Saturdays.
Peel Castle, located by the seaside, is one of the island’s most important historic monuments still standing today. The site has several buildings including St Patrick’s Church, the Lords of Mann and St German. Built some time in the early centuries, the castle was the ruling seat for the Norse Kingdom of Mann.
The House of Manannan is a great place to visit to see the Viking and maritime traditions of the island. The beautiful grounds offer superb views of the surrounding waters as well as a great vantage point to Peel Castle. The House of Manannan is open daily, year round.
Best time to go
The best time to visit the Isle of Man is during the summer when temperatures are warmer, with clear sunny days. The long days bring spectacular sunsets and daylight late into the night. During the winter, the Isle of Man is still a good place to visit but be prepared for cold, wet and windy weather. The summer period usually sees tourists come from Europe and England so it is best to book your accommodation well in advance to avoid disappointment.
Rainy day suggestions
For those rainy days when you cannot enjoy the outdoors, the Isle of Man has a multitude of activities to enjoy. The Broadway cinema is home to the latest in cutting edge visual and sound equipment and plays all the recent Hollywood films. The Manx Aviation and Military Museum has a great collection of 20th century planes as well as historic information about their use.
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