October 25, 2023 | View Online | Sign Up
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Vikings, fairies, mythical sea gods, and screaming motorcycles—all integral parts of an average Tuesday on the Isle of Man.
Floating proudly in the Irish Sea, the island’s independent spirit makes it a unique addition to any UK itinerary. But, make no mistake, the Manx people are not British. Operating as a crown dependency, the Isle of Man has its own government, laws, and language, as well as a quirky traditional culture steeped in Celtic folklore.
There’s nowhere quite like it.
Welcome to the Isle of Man.
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| EAT, SLEEP, DO
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Your Guide to the Best of the Isle of Man
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🏍️ What to do
Motorcycle enthusiasts will likely know the name well, thanks to the annual Isle of Man TT, otherwise known as the world’s most dangerous motorcycle race. While the event draws thousands, many stay for the wealth of culture, outdoor pursuits, and tremendous historical sites. Get planning with this list of the best things to do on the Isle of Man.
🍴Â What to eat
For a comparatively small destination, the Isle of Man’s culinary offerings are vast. There’s a strong focus on local produce, with traditional dishes featuring the likes of scallops, herring, lamb, and kippers. But its burgeoning modern dining scene is blazing its own trail, too. Here are some of the best places to eat on the island.
🏠Â Where to stay
A fantastic hotel should always be the bedrock of any great trip. Thankfully, the Isle of Man has been catering to tourists for decades and boasts a wealth of stunning properties. From quaint historical B&Bs to glitzier modern affairs, here are the best places to stay on the Isle of Man.
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| MONEY MOVES
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Island Life is Easy
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As the Isle of Man is a smaller island, its direct connections are limited to UK and Irish airports. These short flights are generally cheap, especially if you’re flying carry-on only, so it’s worth paying cash for the last leg of your journey.
The best route to take depends on your greater plans. If you’re visiting the rest of the UK, it’s natural to fly into London. But if you’re only hitting the Isle of Man, avoiding London’s hefty taxes and flying via Dublin is best. With a super-fast search, it’s easy to find roundtrips to Dublin for 40,000 points and $150. Trust us, you can get even better deals than that with some extra research.
You could open this card to grab enough points to redeem that flight. It has a reasonable spending threshold and drops exactly 40,000 points into your account. Easy.
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| EYEWEAR FOR EVERYONE
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Shop High Quality Glasses at Affordable Prices
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Whether you are headed to the mountains this fall or dreaming about your next island adventure, Zenni Optical has the best selection of glasses for any type of traveler. Right now during their Fall BOGO sale, buy one pair and get 20% off each additional pair $15+.
For two decades, Zenni Optical has been a top source for durable and affordable eyewear–and they are just getting started. With the mission of making quality eyewear affordable for everyone, Zenni’s glasses start at just $6.95.
Pick out sunglasses for your next beach vacation, browse bluelight glasses to give your eyes a break when working from home, or simply upgrade your style with fun new collections, like their Keke Palmer collaboration!
Not sure where to start? Check out the Find-By-Image feature and search thousands of frames to find the one you’re most inspired by.Â
Order your first pair of Zenni glasses today and save big during the Fall BOGO sale, now through 10/29, with code FALL23DFC.
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| ISLE OF MAN FASTÂ FACTS
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⚖️ Laying down the law: The Isle of Man is home to the longest-running parliament in the world. Founded in 979 AD in Tynwald, it’s been running continuously since.
💶 Unique in Europe: The Isle of Man is part of the British Isles but isn’t part of the United Kingdom. It’s in Europe but isn’t part of the EU. It’s a unique entity called a Crown Dependency, where its citizens are afforded British citizenship but enjoy lower taxes, different laws, and other benefits.
🚗 No limits: A good portion of the island’s roads have no speed limits. Naturally, this draws a number of car enthusiasts every year, especially on the portions used for the TT races each year. Just keep in mind built-up areas do have limits, and you’ll get a ticket for speeding there.
🗣️ New lease of language: The Isle of Man has its own language, Manx, which was widely spoken until the end of the 19th century. The last native speaker died in the seventies, but recent efforts to reintroduce the language in schools are having success.Â
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| KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
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Timing Matters
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The British Isles are a temperamental clump of rocks when it comes to weather. Any visit beyond August and before June could end up chilly/wet/windy/sunny/warm. (It’s almost impossible to tell.) Visiting in the summer is your best bet for steady weather, but don’t assume you won’t need some extra layers and a rain jacket.
If you’re not into crowds and motorbikes, avoid the last week of May into the first week of June. Around that time each year, the island is swarmed by Motorbike race fanatics for the Isle of Man TT races. Of course, you can expect prices to rise, too.
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Careful With the Currency
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Despite doing its own thing in other aspects, the Isle of Man still uses the UK’s currency–the British Pound (GBP). It’s up to you how much cash you want to withdraw. Most places will accept cards to keep things simple, but it’s always handy to have a little ready to use.
While the bills are the same, you may receive Manx pound coins as change. Unfortunately, these aren’t legal tender in the UK, so make sure you use the coins before heading back to the mainland. Any Manx notes you receive can be exchanged in the UK.
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Transport Decisions
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Public transport on the island is pretty extensive. There are regular bus links between all the significant areas and some truly spectacular steam and electric railways that should be included as part of your visit, regardless.
But, as with many similar destinations, the freedom of your own vehicle enhances the experience. The area’s natural beauty is best enjoyed at your own pace, and a bus won’t pull over to let you take in the view. You can rent a car on the island or grab one back on the mainland and take the ferry. Just make sure you work out which is cheaper overall.
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| WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENING IN THE ISLE OF MAN
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