This Is Guernsey

By Gemma Long

Braye Beach in Alderney.

ALDERNEY and Sark have been jointly ranked the second-best-kept travel secret in the world by Lonely Planet.

The magazine, which is part-owned by the BBC, published a list of 50 great travel secrets in its July edition. Included in the rundown were far-flung destinations in Georgia, Brazil, South Africa, Japan, Australia, Britain and many other countries.

Belgrade, Serbia, was ranked fifth and Capitol Reef National Park in Utah, USA, was fourth, while Lebanon’s capital Beirut was placed third. Only the undiscovered Spanish region of Almeria came between Alderney and Sark and the top spot.

Miranda Krestovnikoff, presenter of BBC2’s Coast, recommended the Channel Islands as havens for wildlife and birds.

Writing about Alderney, she said: ‘The atmosphere on the island today is what I imagine it was like in post-war Britain. There’s a great sense of community and common generosity, where everyone helps each other out.

‘I love the flavour of France that comes through, too – all the place names have French spellings but are said with English pronunciation, so you often feel like you are in an alternative France where everyone speaks English.

‘You can even see over to Normandy on a clear day.

‘Like Sark, it is a quiet, peaceful place where, even at the height of the season, you can find yourself alone on an absolutely beautiful beach. There are not many places in the British Isles today about which you can say that.’

Alderney States marketing manager Joanna Parmentier said: ‘I am delighted with the article about Alderney in Lonely Planet. The fact Alderney has come joint second with Sark in the list is fantastic.

‘I approached Lonely Planet and asked them to consider writing a feature on Alderney earlier this year. They originally offered to produce a mini-guide on Alderney, but then advised they would feature the island as one of the “10 Easy Trips” in the magazine instead.

‘However, I was really pleased when they then contacted me to let me know that a feature by Miranda Krestovnikoff was going into the July issue, with Alderney and Sark featuring as one of the 50 top secret places.

‘I had no idea that we had come second – it was a lovely surprise.’

Visit www.lonelyplanet.com/magazine for information on how to buy the July issue.

Article posted on 3rd July, 2009 - 1.00pm