Celebrate all the changes Autumn brings in our own Island way. Find joy in the early evenings and the comfort that accompanies the changing of the seasons.

Like so many others, our travel plans were thwarted when Covid19 hit the world. My husband and I had been about to embark on our honeymoon in March, when lockdown struck. Finding the silver-lining to the cancelled-honeymoon-cloud, a friend of ours had the great idea of suggesting that we have a staycation, when lockdown eased sufficiently enough for us to do so.

In a spirit of COVID-19 induced inspiration, Island Escapes have teamed up with Isle of Man Travel Services to support demand for self-catering holiday experiences on the Island.

'Only' 32% of Isle of Man residents would consider an Island Staycation, and we think that's brilliant! Here's a glass half-full spin on things from our perspective.

The north west of the island is a great place to explore on foot – with uncrowded beaches, hills, hidden glens, keeills, and tholtans. Local guide, Catriona Livingstone shares with us a selection of her favourite walks around Kirk Michael and Ballaugh.

“Wow! It’s a walker’s paradise” or “I never knew that the Isle of Man has so many beautiful and varied landscapes to offer walkers”. These are phrases our visitors often tell us when we are out guiding and showing off our island on foot. But it’s not a surprise to us with a near unlimited choice of routes and landscape to choose from and stunning views around every corner.

Due to its biodiverse landscape the Isle of Man has been given UNESCO biosphere status. This, therefore, is “foraging heaven” according to chefs that visit the Isle.

The dramatic coastline of the Isle of Man lends itself well for watersports, and Stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) as it gets called is growing in popularity on the island as more and more people discover the sport. Michelle from Saltworks SUP tells us some more about this new paddlesport.

One of the joys of a visit to the Isle of Man is the sheer diversity of the localities packed into its 227 square miles. High among the favourites of many locals and visitors is the picturesque village of Laxey, about 7 miles up the East coast of the Island from the capital town, Douglas.

Living on the Isle of Man and feeling the need to get away? Here’s why a staycation ‘Zen-Do’ might just be what you’re looking for this year.