Ferries / Eurostar suggestions
Discussion
andyA700 said:
Why do you "pity" him? Almost anywhere in France, Germany, Austria provide a better holiday experience than the UK. The locations, accomodation, food are all better. The quality of fruit and veg in a French supermarket or local market puts our to shame. Restaurants are far better value, beer and wine are cheaper and better. The beaches are far cleaner than ours, the weather is better.
And there are very few potholes in the roads and generally you won't get ripped off for parking, unlike UK where it seems that local authorities see motorists as a cash cowsimons123 said:
vikingaero said:
ferret50 said:
I am a fanboy of Newhaven/Dieppe, both ferry and terminals are clean but basic but undercut Brittaney Ferries by a fair margin. However, I would suggest booking as far ahead as you can manage!
I have also discovered on my last two trips that amending my return crossing gets very expensive....
I did a short break from Newhaven-Dieppe and it was a breath of fresh air compared to the Tunnel or Dover. I think for a 4 day break I paid about £100 return for a car and 2 adults. Looked up another short break in June and it's £118.I have also discovered on my last two trips that amending my return crossing gets very expensive....
Antony Moxey said:
andyA700 said:
richhead said:
simons123 said:
Glad its not just me who find the UK depressing to holiday in....get the feeling the only people who like to holiday here are those who are either scared of flying or have young kids.
Like you say to park anywhere is a nightmare, the accomodation in the UK is pretty shocking, weather is s
t, food is expensive and pretty st, it's all just very bleak and depressing. Can't even go in the sea as it's freezing cold and full of sewage.
i pity you, maybe look out of the obviouse areas, there are great places to visit on our island, yes the weather is unpredictable, but so much history and scenery to see.Like you say to park anywhere is a nightmare, the accomodation in the UK is pretty shocking, weather is s
t, food is expensive and pretty st, it's all just very bleak and depressing. Can't even go in the sea as it's freezing cold and full of sewage. I spent most of my life traveling abroard for work, still have to sometimes, one year i did over a 100 flights, now the less travel the better, and i realised i knew most of the world better than my own country, so i mainly holiday here when i can.
You just need to avoid the tourist hotspots.
richhead said:
Antony Moxey said:
andyA700 said:
richhead said:
simons123 said:
Glad its not just me who find the UK depressing to holiday in....get the feeling the only people who like to holiday here are those who are either scared of flying or have young kids.
Like you say to park anywhere is a nightmare, the accomodation in the UK is pretty shocking, weather is st, food is expensive and pretty st, it's all just very bleak and depressing. Can't even go in the sea as it's freezing cold and full of sewage.
i pity you, maybe look out of the obviouse areas, there are great places to visit on our island, yes the weather is unpredictable, but so much history and scenery to see.Like you say to park anywhere is a nightmare, the accomodation in the UK is pretty shocking, weather is s
t, food is expensive and pretty st, it's all just very bleak and depressing. Can't even go in the sea as it's freezing cold and full of sewage. I spent most of my life traveling abroard for work, still have to sometimes, one year i did over a 100 flights, now the less travel the better, and i realised i knew most of the world better than my own country, so i mainly holiday here when i can.
You just need to avoid the tourist hotspots.
Thank you for all the responses on this thread.
On the back of this decided I will catch the ferry to Calais, drive to Honfleur (spend 1 night there) then drive to St Malo (4 nights there) then 2 nights in Bayeux before catching the ferry back from Caen. Thoughts on this itinerary? Possible day trips to Dinard, Dinan, Mt St Micheal maybe Rouen.
On the back of this decided I will catch the ferry to Calais, drive to Honfleur (spend 1 night there) then drive to St Malo (4 nights there) then 2 nights in Bayeux before catching the ferry back from Caen. Thoughts on this itinerary? Possible day trips to Dinard, Dinan, Mt St Micheal maybe Rouen.
I might be a bit late, but given you’re considering Brittany, what about Jersey? Nice island, weather’s always been decent when I’ve been there, ferry from Poole is about £200 each way for a random date next month for 2 people and a car, takes about 4 1/2 hours and you get good views of both Jersey and Guernsey when it’s near the islands. Food is fantastic over there, especially the dairy, you’ll be eating ice cream constantly.
Alternatively, I’ve done a day trip as a foot passenger from St Helier to St Malo, not sure if you can do it in reverse.
Alternatively, I’ve done a day trip as a foot passenger from St Helier to St Malo, not sure if you can do it in reverse.
simons123 said:
Thank you for all the responses on this thread.
On the back of this decided I will catch the ferry to Calais, drive to Honfleur (spend 1 night there) then drive to St Malo (4 nights there) then 2 nights in Bayeux before catching the ferry back from Caen. Thoughts on this itinerary? Possible day trips to Dinard, Dinan, Mt St Micheal maybe Rouen.
Sounds nice. Dinard is a very nice seaside town, well worth a visit, Just around the coast is my favorite French town St Lunaire.On the back of this decided I will catch the ferry to Calais, drive to Honfleur (spend 1 night there) then drive to St Malo (4 nights there) then 2 nights in Bayeux before catching the ferry back from Caen. Thoughts on this itinerary? Possible day trips to Dinard, Dinan, Mt St Micheal maybe Rouen.
Dinan is well worth a visit, park down by the harbor/river and walk up through the old town.
I wouldn't rush back to Mt St Michel, but go and form your own opinion, we walked from the car park, but there is a shuttle bus. (free If I remember)
simons123 said:
vikingaero said:
ferret50 said:
I am a fanboy of Newhaven/Dieppe, both ferry and terminals are clean but basic but undercut Brittaney Ferries by a fair margin. However, I would suggest booking as far ahead as you can manage!
I have also discovered on my last two trips that amending my return crossing gets very expensive....
I did a short break from Newhaven-Dieppe and it was a breath of fresh air compared to the Tunnel or Dover. I think for a 4 day break I paid about £100 return for a car and 2 adults. Looked up another short break in June and it's £118.I have also discovered on my last two trips that amending my return crossing gets very expensive....
https://www.dfds.com/en-gb/passenger-ferries/booki...
Always book direct, cuts out the 'booking agent'
Hummmm, page I linked to does not come back, but was offering me two pax plus car for £57 each way....first 14 days in July.
Edited by ferret50 on Thursday 16th May 16:50
simons123 said:
Thank you for all the responses on this thread.
On the back of this decided I will catch the ferry to Calais, drive to Honfleur (spend 1 night there) then drive to St Malo (4 nights there) then 2 nights in Bayeux before catching the ferry back from Caen. Thoughts on this itinerary? Possible day trips to Dinard, Dinan, Mt St Micheal maybe Rouen.
That sounds good to me, just get there, chill out and take each day as it comes. Dinard certainly, Rouen is a bit of a trek. The area has loads of vast, sandy beaches and very good restaurants, which are reasonably priced.On the back of this decided I will catch the ferry to Calais, drive to Honfleur (spend 1 night there) then drive to St Malo (4 nights there) then 2 nights in Bayeux before catching the ferry back from Caen. Thoughts on this itinerary? Possible day trips to Dinard, Dinan, Mt St Micheal maybe Rouen.
ferret50 said:
simons123 said:
vikingaero said:
ferret50 said:
I am a fanboy of Newhaven/Dieppe, both ferry and terminals are clean but basic but undercut Brittaney Ferries by a fair margin. However, I would suggest booking as far ahead as you can manage!
I have also discovered on my last two trips that amending my return crossing gets very expensive....
I did a short break from Newhaven-Dieppe and it was a breath of fresh air compared to the Tunnel or Dover. I think for a 4 day break I paid about £100 return for a car and 2 adults. Looked up another short break in June and it's £118.I have also discovered on my last two trips that amending my return crossing gets very expensive....
https://www.dfds.com/en-gb/passenger-ferries/booki...
Always book direct, cuts out the 'booking agent'
Hummmm, page I linked to does not come back, but was offering me two pax plus car for £57 each way....first 14 days in July.
Edited by ferret50 on Thursday 16th May 16:50
Literally just about to set off back to UK from the Costa Blanca. Got three days driving but we will pass Valencia, San Sebastián, Barcelona, París, Montpellier...
Long days (today is about 10 hours) but it's perfectly doable.
Eurotunnel is pretty cheap (I think about £150) and takes about 40 minutes.
Long days (today is about 10 hours) but it's perfectly doable.
Eurotunnel is pretty cheap (I think about £150) and takes about 40 minutes.
simons123 said:
Thank you for all the responses on this thread.
On the back of this decided I will catch the ferry to Calais, drive to Honfleur (spend 1 night there) then drive to St Malo (4 nights there) then 2 nights in Bayeux before catching the ferry back from Caen. Thoughts on this itinerary? Possible day trips to Dinard, Dinan, Mt St Micheal maybe Rouen.
Just be aware of the would be immigrants around Ouistreham (where Caen port is). I would advise not stopping at the Carrefour on the edge of town or within the town itself. Drive straight through to the port. On the back of this decided I will catch the ferry to Calais, drive to Honfleur (spend 1 night there) then drive to St Malo (4 nights there) then 2 nights in Bayeux before catching the ferry back from Caen. Thoughts on this itinerary? Possible day trips to Dinard, Dinan, Mt St Micheal maybe Rouen.
As mentioned above, you need a Crit'Air sticker to drive in Rouen - it's their ULEZ type rules. It's just a few Euros from: https://www.certificat-air.gouv.fr/ (there is a switch to English in the top right). If you don't recieve it in time you can take the email with you as proof.
ferret50 said:
I am a fanboy of Newhaven/Dieppe, both ferry and terminals are clean but basic but undercut Brittaney Ferries by a fair margin. However, I would suggest booking as far ahead as you can manage!
I have also dicovered on my last two trips that amending my return crossing gets very expensive....
Me too, but you have to book a cabin or it’s not much fun.I have also dicovered on my last two trips that amending my return crossing gets very expensive....
It’s a really easy and stress free way to cross.
WyrleyD said:
Metric Max said:
If you are going to drive in Rouen you need a Crit d'aire sticker
This ^^, it's a £155 fine if you don't have one and it takes about 10 days to get it from the French Govt. I'd avoid Rouen if I was you.Gassing Station | Holidays & Travel | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff