At the close of summer 2019, Good Housekeeping is taking readers on an exclusive tour of the gorgeous island gardens of Guernsey and Sark.
The Channel Islands are home to beautiful flora, and boast a range of charming private and public gardens which you will explore during the trip.
I'M IN. I WANT TO VISIT THE ISLANDS
These islands also possess a rich and distinct history, which you will discover by visiting the Millenium Tapestry, a community project which tells the story of Guernsey’s past, as well as the Guernsey Folk and Costume Museum.
On this exclusive tour, you will take a horse-drawn carriage from the port to the centre of Sark, an island of only two square miles. Sark prohibits motor vehicles, making it a tranquil isle full of peaceful gardens and pretty meadows to explore. Its night skies are not to be missed, and weather permitting, you will stargaze after dinner at the luxurious Stocks Hotel.
Back in Guernsey, you will explore the capital St Peter Port, which has welcomed wealthy ship builders, privateers and merchant adventurers to its harbour since Roman times, and is a great place to shop. There’ll also be a chance to tour the famous Victorian-style Candie Gardens.
Other highlights include the streams and ponds of La Petite Vallée, where traditional and exotic planting follows terraces down towards the seashore, and the inspiring Guernsey Prison gardens, where inmates attend horticultural classes and grow their own onions, peppers, pumpkins and chillies.
You'll also learn about one of Guernsey’s main exports - freesias - and visit homes of handicraft Oatlands Village and Bruce Russell & Son jewellers.
Read more about the gardens of the Channel Islands and book your place on this charming tour now.
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The 10 best weekend bags for your next mini break
This duffle bag/backpack hybrid has been a game changer for our senior homes and lifestyle writer, Megan Geall, as it can easily transport days' worth of outfits and belongings. There’s also a chest buckle for better support and security – perfect for when you’re carrying heavy loads!
The design feels very high quality and we love the two end compartments for keeping everything separate. There’s plenty of storage inside too, including two mesh pockets and a laptop compartment. It also comes with laundry and shoe bags, so you’ll have everything you need to stay organised on the go.
This Helly Hansen backpack would make a thoughtful unisex gift for travellers. Thanks to the roll-top design, the main compartment is adjustable and easy to fasten. It also comes with a laptop sleeve and padded straps, making it a great pick for those who commute via public transport or bike.
It’s not the biggest backpack so is best suited to light packers or one-night stays but it’s an affordable buy.
After splashing out on a weekend away, the last thing you need is to spend a fortune on your luggage. That’s why we love this affordable, yet practical, bag from Eastpak. It’s lightweight and versatile with carry handles and an adjustable, detachable shoulder strap.
It folds away easily and comes with a compact pouch for no-fuss storage when it’s not in use. Plus, it's the ideal cabin-friendly size if you want something to fly with.
Popular luggage brand Fjällräven specialises in durable designs, and this weekender is no exception.
With a 30L capacity, it can be worn in three ways: crossbody, as a hold-all, or as a backpack. The handles are a little rough and they’re not the strongest, but while it may look small, it can hold a lot. Plus, there’s a 17” laptop compartment and the expandable front section is handy for keeping passports and phones within quick reach.
We love the versatility of this bag. As well as top handles, it has a detachable shoulder strap, a side handle, and a sleeve handle to attach it to your suitcase so you can breeze through the airport.
The handy shoe compartment is separate from the main bag, and there are two pockets on the front that offer a lot more extra space than you’d initially think. There’s also a laptop compartment and interior pockets for valuables. It’s not the smartest-looking bag on this list but it’s practical, durable and more affordable than most.
Part of the brand’s ‘Featherlight’ collection, this weekend bag weighs in at least than one kilogram, so even if you fill it to the brim with your favourite outfits, it shouldn’t weigh you down. However, the polyester twill material does feel cheaper than a traditional duffle bag – something to keep in mind if you typically opt for a thicker fabric.
The bag comes with a 16” laptop pocket, an interior and exterior pocket, and a shoe compartment at the bottom. We also love the adjustable crossbody strap, which feels sturdy and secure and (most importantly) comfortable!
This is more of an overnight option than a weekend bag, but it’s super affordable, can be easily adjusted from handbag size to an overnight bag, and comes with a matching cosmetic bag for storing your beauty essentials.
There’s also a sleeve for attaching it to your suitcase so you can free up your hands in the airport.
Sleek and sophisticated, travelling with this weekend bag certainly won’t cramp your style. It’s made with a water-sealed base and waterproof lining and features padded handles, and an adjustable shoulder strap made of coated cotton.
There are also pockets on the inside and outside for storing valuables or items that need to be within easy reach, and the 32L capacity means there’s plenty of room for everything you might need for a weekend getaway.
Our tech editor, Simon Cocks, says Stubble & Co's Hybrid backpack is fantastic for a long weekend getaway. It opens like a suitcase for packing, and the 30L capacity allows you to fit a lot in.
It weighs just 1.5kg and has smart features like a dual-access top pocket, a padded laptop and tablet compartment, and water-resistant zips. It might be a little bulky if you're travelling light, but if you've got a lot to carry, it's a comfy all-in-one travel backpack.
Aspinal of London's classic Boston holdall is handcrafted from fine, full-grain leather with a gorgeous pebble finish, for a quality, durable finish that should last a lifetime.
Its soft shell and beautiful printed silk lining, paired with sturdy handles and a detachable strap, make it a both a practical and stylish choice.
How we choose the best weekend bags
Our senior homes and lifestyle writer, Megan Geall, looks after all the Good Housekeeping Institute’s tried and tested luggage guides, so she knows what to look for in the ultimate weekend bag.
She spent weeks trying out many of the bags featured above, including taking two of them with her to Glastonbury this year. Others have been recommended by the frequent travellers in Team GH. We were looking for practical, durable, lightweight and stylish designs that could fit everything we needed for a weekend away. We also paid close attention to standout features such as suitcase sleeves, separate shoe compartments and extra pockets for easy access.
How big should a weekend bag be?
The ideal weekend bag size depends on where you're going, how you’re travelling and the length of your trip. For example, if you're travelling by coach or train, we highly recommend something that’s lightweight with a generous capacity, such as the Helly Hansen Stockholm Backpack (15 x 30 x 45 cm).
However, for the airport, you'll want a design that fits everything and has easy-to-access pockets for holding your passport and boarding pass. We love the Kono Travel Duffel Bag with Cosmetic Bag, which also has a sleeve so you can safely attach it to the handle of your suitcase.
More GHI Approved luggage to shop
- The overall best suitcases for your next holiday
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