Every year since 1956, the European postal administrations under the PostEurop umbrella produce stamps that adhere to a common theme but have been interpreted in their own way. This diversity, along with the inclusion of the Europa logo, makes the series one of the most collected in the world. Past themes have included gastronomy, forests and children's books but 2012 theme is 'Visit'.
We felt this was a great opportunity to encourage collectors around the world to come and experience the beauty of the Bailiwick for themselves. So if you have not already graced our shores, islander Karl Taylor's awe-inspiring landscape photographs have been selected to entice you to this family of islands in the English Channel.
The Bailiwick has a great deal to offer holidaymakers with its mild climate, beautiful scenery and vibrant communities. Each island has its own distinct character and island hopping is a popular pastime for locals and visitors. The largest of the group is Guernsey, which has been a thriving tourist destination since the 19th century. The sister islands of Herm, Sark and Alderney also boast warm hospitality and picturesque surroundings.
The outdoor life is greatly enjoyed by islanders and our stamps give you a flavour of the scenery including four of our finest beaches: the sweeping sands of Guernsey's Vazon Bay; the secluded retreat of Sark's Grande Greve beach; Alderney's other-wordly Bluestone Bay; and the golden stretch of Herm's Shell beach. The other stamps depict a yacht mooring off Herm's coast and the legendary three hundred foot high La Coupée, which links the two halves of Sark.
Putting together the 2012 Europa issue has been a wonderful reminder to us of how beautiful our islands are and we take great pride in our contribution to the wealth of destinations that Europe offers the world.
