WHATEVER you want from a holiday whether it's relaxing on the beach, going for long walks, enjoying a bike ride or water sports, then the island of Jersey has it all.

We visited in early summer for a short break, courtesy of Condor Ferries and the Jersey Tourist Board. The ferry trip saw us enjoying glorious weather as we skimmed across the sea with the sun glinting off the waves, and Weymouth disappearing into the distance.

GINA ROBERTSON finds that a two-night stay in Jersey just isn't enough You could stand on deck and admire the view, or relax inside with a full English breakfast or just a snack.

There is a playroom for the kids with a giant TV screen offering entertainment, plus a packed duty free shop for the grown-ups, an onboard shop with newspapers, sweets, books and toys and a bar We stopped in neighbouring Guernsey to pick up and drop off passengers, then on to Jersey.

The efficient way cars are rolled off is impressive and in a short time we drove through Customs to be met by a woman from the Jersey Tourist Board, who gave every-one a free island map and a packed what's-on guide.

As Jersey is only a small island, nine miles east to the west and five miles north to south, it didn't take us long to arrive at our hotel, the aptly named Golden Sands Hotel, in St Brelade's Bay, about a ten-minute drive from the capital of St Helier, right on the beach.

We were lucky enough to have a balcony room overlooking the bay, which stretched out before us with white, clean sand, inviting you to run outside and put your hot feet in the cool sea! We did that, and then a short stroll found us at a beach bar for a cool lager and a plate of tapas, watching the world go by.

Sitting in the sun, with blue sky above and the aqua marine water lap-ping the shore as far as the eye can see, is my idea of heaven.

As we arrived shortly after 3pm we had the rest of the afternoon and evening to start exploring. We were also lucky enough to have our own guide, my aunt who has lived in Jersey for more than 40 years, and you can see why she loves the place.

Checking out the guide, we discovered the annual classic and vintage car rally was on for the week-end - officially known as the Credit Suisse Jersey International Motoring Festival, with a host of events all over the island.

We saw vintage motors doing road races on our first night, with a static display in Jersey town centre and a fair on the Saturday, again with the races in the heart of town. There were some magnificent vehicles which pulled in the crowds.

On our first night we drove into town and ate at a small Thai restaurant, which was packed out and obviously very popular with the locals, with a happy, relaxed atmosphere.

We wondered round the town afterwards and had a drink in the square which houses Jersey's small parliament buildings.

As night fell we returned to our hotel and enjoyed a glass of wine on our balcony looking out to sea with a star-studded sky. Absolutely glorious.

The next day we again were lucky enough to have blue skies and sun-shine. After a full English breakfast at the buffet diner in our hotel, we wandered along the small, very clean seafront which housed a pizzeria, café and ice-cream par-lour offering the famous Jersey ice-cream which is the best I've ever tasted.

We left the car at the hotel and we caught a bus into Jersey to have a look around the centre. The old market offers a wide variety of fresh food and has an unusual but impressive ceramic fountain in the centre, home to large goldfish.

A few pennies in the bottom means some visitors have made a wish to return!

Later we met up with my aunty, who showed us some of the sights in our guide book.

The famous Jersey Pottery centre is a must if you want a memento of the island.

You can stroll around and see clay being thrown and choose from beautiful ceramic bowls, dishes, and dinner services - ideal if you are looking for an unusual present.

We drove round the island and had an ice-cream at the Hungry Man kiosk on Rozel Pier, near the Mont Orgueil Castle, at Gorey.

Everywhere you go you can see lush greenery and beautiful coast-line, the island also has a network of more than 47 miles of Green Lanes, where there is a speed limit of 15mph with priority given to walkers, cyclists and horse-riders.

We spent the last day of our very short break relaxing on the beach, then drove to historic St Auben, which boasts a harbour, yacht club and a mixture of old and new buildings, small shops and a host of cafes and bars.

All too soon it was time to make our way back to St Helier for the return home. We loved the island, but our two-night stay was too short to pack all the sights in, so you can bet we will be making a return to this gem of an island.

FACTFILE

The car parks in Jersey operate a paycard system which works out at about 30p an hour between Sam and 5pm. You buy the tickets at hotels, most shops, Jersey Tourism, post offices and garages.

For advice on places to visit and where to stay Jersey Tourism has fabulous, handy guides, email info@jersey.com or telephone 01534 448844. Condor Ferries - condor-ferries.com or telephone 0845 609 1026.