Sandhamn, Sweden The Skärgården holds a special place in many Swedes’ hearts. The 30,000 islands of this Swedish archipelago are scattered along the country’s eastern coast and are a popular weekend and summer retreat. It’s a national ritual to abandon your hectic city life and head for somewhere remote for carefree summer days. It’s all about getting out into the fresh air; hiking, biking, swimming in the bracing Baltic waters, kayaking and foraging for berries and mushrooms. Sandhamn Island on the outer reaches of the archipelago is a relaxed but fashionable retreat, dotted with historic pilot cottages, fishing huts, deserted beaches and a pretty harbour – think along the lines of a Swedish Martha’s Vineyard and you won’t be disappointed. Regulars flock to Sandhamns Värdshus (+46 857 153 051; sandhamns-vardshus.se),
which has been a feature of the island for decades; overlooking the harbour, it’s the perfect place to sample the local seafood. Stay in … Set in a former yacht club building, Seglarhotell, or Sailors Hotel, has sweeping views over the Baltic from its seaside perch.
Double rooms from SEK2,390 B&B. (+46 857 450 400; sandhamn.com) Get there … Mermaid offers regular ferry links from Stockholm, with crossings costing from SEK290 return. (+46 812 000 4045; stromma.se)
Jersey, The Channel Islands The UK’s most southerly outpost, Jersey has an alluring intermingling of cultures, being 160 kilometres from the mainland yet only 16 kilometres from French shores. Anyone old enough to remember the classic TV series Bergerac that saw actor John Nettles whizzing around the island in his burgundy Triumph Roadster will agree that
Jersey’s scenery is spectacular; its coastline, quiet country roads and pretty towns are all part of the appeal. Sensitive planning laws have ensured that Jersey’s landscape is delightfully unspoilt. Measuring just 14 by eight kilometres, it is easily explored over a few days – one of the highlights is its 80 or so kilometres of designated “Green Lanes”
criss-crossing the island, where walkers, cyclists and horse riders take precedence over cars with a speed limit of 25km/h. Then there is the capital St Helier, the 13th-century Mont Orgueil castle, the sweeping sands of St Ouen’s Bay and the dramatic splendour of La Corbière lighthouse. History buffs will know that the Channel Islands were the only part of the UK to be occupied by German forces in 1940 during the Second World War – get a fascinating insight at the Jersey War Tunnels, which is one of its most popular visitor attractions. Potatoes, luscious milk and cream, black butter, crab and the elusive Ormer – a rare type of sea snail found in the surrounding waters – are just a few of the gourmet finds on Jersey, so it’s no surprise the island is becoming an increasing draw for foodies. Stay at … One of the island’s classic establishments, The Atlantic Hotel has farreaching views of St Ouen’s Bay and perches on the edge of Les Mielles Nature Reserve with its network of sand dunes known as Les Blanches Banques. Doubles from £150 B&B. (+44 1534 744 101; theatlantichotel.com) Get there … Aer Lingus flies to Jersey from Dublin and Cork.
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