Magical islands are closer than you think

3:05pm Saturday 26th April 2008

LOOKING for the perfect quick spring getaway without chalking up too many hours in the air or on the road?

The beautiful Isles of Scilly, which are warmed by the Gulf Stream and lie 28 miles of the Western tip of Cornwall could provide the perfect destination.

With direct flights to the Isles of Scilly from Cardiff, Bristol, Exeter, Bournemouth, Newquay, and Lands End by fixed wing plane, and from Penzance by helicopter and passenger ferry, the magical islands are a lot closer than many people think and the perfect short and spring break destination.

Spring arrives early in the Isles of Scilly, which is made up of hundreds of islands - only five of which are inhabited - the vast majority fringed with beautiful white sand beaches, lapped by crystal clear waters warmed by the Gulf Stream.

Activities such as walking, island hopping, fishing, horse riding, bird and nature watching, enjoying the islands' bars and restaurants or simply sifting through the sand for tiny terracotta and glass beads on St Agnes that still wash up from a 17th century shipwreck that was bound for Lisbon abound on the Isles of Scilly, creating the perfect environment for relaxation.

And with short break offers available for both travel and accommodation on the islands, which offer everything from luxury hotels to traditional B&B and self catering to suit all tastes, styles and budgets, there has never been a better time to sample what the UK's most westerly islands have to offer.

"Spring is a beautiful time on the Isles of Scilly - with everything blooming, some real warmth from the sun and bursts of natural colour everywhere," said Aisling Hick of Island Marketing.

"There are not many places in the UK, let alone the world, where you could be walking along a deserted white sand beach lapped by crystal clear waters on a warm spring afternoon, but that's exactly what can happen here.

"Few people realise just how accessible the Isles of Scilly is from the various airports around the region, making them the perfect spring and short break destination," she added.

For more information on all the Isles of Scilly have to offer and many of the special offers that are currently available, visit the website at www.simplyscilly.co.uk or call 01720 422536.

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