England: Isle of Man

[bjorn]

Tailless Manx cats and six-horned Loghtan sheep are the big attraction on the stark, rugged Isle of Man. The isle is just a 30-mile long and 10-mile wide speck in the Irish Sea. Ruled by Queen Elizabeth, but not part of the UK, the Isle of Man has its own postage stamps, laws, currency and Parliament. A shoreline of huge cliffs and a 2,000-ft mountain (Mt. Snaefel) at its center, Man is the perfect destination for hikers.

If cultural oddities and hiking don't interest you, Man's sense of colonial England might. Man has country lanes, horse-drawn trams, gray limestone castles, whitewashed homes and wooded hills. A pre-war England culture of fish and chips and fierce tradition remains. On a bright, breezy, salty day, the capital of Douglas, a fashionable English seaside resort of the early 19th century, is still a fun place to wander about.

Like the Manx cat, visitors to Man are an odd bunch. The Isle of Man has become an "Offshore Island", attracting speculation and investment from international tycoons and money launderers. Hikers and bikers come to travel the hills and hairpin turns on the windswept island. Train enthusiasts marvel over the Manx Electric Railway - two of the oldest trains in the world. Even ordinary folks, who perhaps like birds, history, or crave a locale undiscovered by most tourists will find their place on the Isle of Man.

When to go:
Any time is good to visit. Summer is the most exciting time, as the motorcycle races will be in progress. The shoulder months of April-May and September-October are also a good time. Off season (Nov-March) is colder, wetter, and quieter.

What to Do:
Museums:
The Manx Museum chronicles the history of the island.

Food/Culinary Info:
The convivial pubs and fish-and-chips shops of old are alive and well in Man. Kippers (smoked herring) are a specialty.

Beach
The water is darn cold and the beaches are rocky. If it is beach-side views (but not beach culture) you are after, there are plenty.

Natural Wonders
The rugged coast, wildflowers, and birds make the Isle of Man a beautiful place to walk around. There are three long-distance hiking trails and numerous shorter routes all over the Isle.

Cultural Comments
The Isle of Man is fiercely traditional; everywhere you look you will see the three-legs of Man emblem emblazoned on business logos to trail signs and the national airline. Manx bills, coins and stamps are neat souvenirs - the coins, are reissued yearly with traditional and cultural designs, and the Queen wears no crown on Manx stamps.

Arts:
Gaiety Theatre was designed during the Isle's Victorian seaside days, and has various performances throughout the year.

Festivals/Events:
Motorcycle races are the most popular events on the Isle. The biggest is the T.T. (Tourist Trophy) Races that take over the entire island the first two weeks of June. A week later is the International Cycling Week that follows the same route. The Southern 100 Motorcycle Races happen in mid-July. The Manx Heritage Festival and Tynwald Fair on the week of July 5 celebrate Manx tradition and heritage.

Nightlife/Bars:
There are several clubs in Douglas and Peel, but nightlife is not Man's strong suit.

Cost:
It isn't cheap visiting the Isle of Man, but it is no more expensive than visiting London. The unit of currency is the Manx pound, which is tied to the British pound sterling.

Getting Around:
The Isle of Man can be reached by air (on Manx Airlines or Emerald Airways), or by ferry from England (Liverpool) or Ireland (Dublin, Belfast). Once on the island, an extensive system of horse trams, steam trains and electric trolleys can transport you around the island. Less exotic transport includes frequent and inexpensive buses, bike and foot.

Language:
English and Manx. The Isle of Man has an ancient language of its own that descends from Celtic and Viking times.

Party/Social Scene:
A night out at the pub is about as exciting as it gets.

Other Info:
Click here for weather forecast from Weather.com.