Discover the Beauty of the Isle of Man
Explore the Isle of Man with Come Dan With Me...
Would you believe it if you were told you could be dipping your toes in turquoise waters without having to leave the British Isles? Well, I might not have believed it either until I jumped on a Loganair flight from Manchester and hopped halfway across the Irish sea to the Isle of Man.
The Journey
The headrests on Loganair’s aircraft seats are adorned with various tartan covers which could not be more on brand for ‘Scotland’s Airline’. I had just enough time in the air to enjoy a Tunnocks caramel wafer — a Loganair classic — and a soft drink before I was treated with my first ever glimpse of the land of Manx. Passing through the island’s tiny airport on arrival was a breeze: with no need to clear customs and no bag to pick up, I was landside and on the bus to my hotel in no time. From the moment I touched down, I was enchanted with the island’s quirky vibe and lush landscape.
Travelling Around the Island
During my short two-night stay I travelled around the island on buses, trams, and electric trains from the 19th Century thanks to my Go Explore pass by Bus Vannin. However, If you want to do lots of exploring over a small period of time, I’d suggest hiring a car as the relatively small distances on the island take longer to cover than you might think.
Things To Do
Endless fun can be had on ‘‘The Rock’ (as the island is known locally), including quad biking, paddleboarding, and diving, to name but a few exhilarating activities. Despite the high-adrenaline temptation, I opted to let the train take the strain and hop on the 19th century electric train to Laxey from the end of the promenade in Douglas — the island’s capital. The scenic views over the countryside and Irish Sea as the train slowly wound its way up to Laxey were a treat for the eyes. I then followed the stream down to Laxey Beach whose golden sands appeared to stretch for miles into the distance. If you like beaches but hate the crowds, then you’ll definitely prefer Laxey over Benidorm.
Evenings on the Isle of Man
I ate very well both evenings during my stay. A particular favourite was the Queenie pancake from The Boatyard in Peel. If you love a sunset like me, then you should definitely head to Peel Hill. The lucky ones among you might get less clouds than I did and maybe even spot a dolphin or two. I’d also recommend spending an afternoon or an evening in Douglas to stroll along the North Quay and check out some of the town's many cafés, restaurants, and, of course, bars and pubs.
Final Comments...
The only complaint I have is that I didn’t have long enough on the island to take it all in. I will definitely be heading back in the not-too-distant future. And, thanks to Loganair’s direct flights from Birmingham, Edinburgh, Liverpool, Manchetser, London City, and London Heathrow, I’m spoiled for choice with options to fly back.
