If you''ve never visited it before, the small island of Jersey off the coast of Normandy could be just the place in which to take a relaxed and uncomplicated summer break. Although the general atmosphere and lifestyle of the inhabitants feels more European than British, the island is a British Crown Dependency and therefore part of the UK.

To start with, if you''re looking for a place to stay, there are a number of choices at your disposal. Renting a private house or apartment on the shore will allow you a degree of privacy unlike that which is offered in a hotel, although you might prefer the slightly cheaper option of one of Jersey''s numerous bed-and-breakfasts.

Accommodation aside, the island''s historical background is definitely something worth looking into. Neolithic carvings on display in various parts of Jersey demonstrate its early Iron and Bronze Age heritage, while snatches of medieval religious wall paintings can still be seen despite the general iconoclasm of the 16th century.

Jersey''s artistic heritage isn''t limited to the antique: around the turn of the nineteenth century, and moving on into the twentieth, a wide array of painters and photographers were captured by the island''s calm and distance from post-Industrial Revolution mainland Britain. Consequently, a few small and generally privately run museums are on offer to visitors, such as the Sir Francis Cook and Barreau-Le Maistre Galleries.

Although the island is far from large, it does have an active opera house, built at the turn of the nineteenth century and restored at the start of this one. This is, however, only one part of the rich tradition of performing arts on the island, most of which is confined to folk music.

In terms of sporting reputation, Jersey is hindered by its size; however, while it is not granted international representation in games between the various countries within the UK, it does participate independently in the Commonwealth Games, where it has enjoyed some success.

Perhaps the most popular group of sports on the island, and probably the most entertaining and fun to experience as an audience member, is the various motorsports on offer. Hill climbs, sand races and go-karting all feature prominently among both professional and amateur sportsmen, and the island even boasts as residents a handful of former F1 drivers.

Life in Jersey is slow, calm, and generally not characterised by stress. It is, however, far from dull, and there''s more going on than just offshore banking, cattle farming, or Bergerac. If anything, a visit to Jersey usually entails a set of wonderful vistas and some excellent water-sports for the outdoors types, and, for anyone else, just a bit of peace and quiet.

Zenobia Vuturo is a travel blogger who seeks out alternative travel destinations, they recommends Octopustravel.com for Jersey hotels http://uk.octopustravel.com/hotels/2/uk/jersey-hotels.