Archive for February, 2010
Ferry Crossings To France
If you are looking at visiting France then going over the water by ferry crossing is a very popular way of travelling especially from the United Kingdom and for some it can be a lot more fun than sitting in an airport hoping that the plane is going to depart on time!
And with so many different ferry operators like PO Ferries Sea France Norfolk Line etc. and with the numerous departure points in and around Europe which range from Dover in England Cork in Ireland Jersey Guernsey Olbia in Sardinia and Bastia in Corsica you will be able to find the best possible crossing for your particular needs.
Personally we prefer travelling by ferry crossing to France as we make it part of our holiday experience and it gives you flexibility of travel because even though we leave in plenty of time to negotiate the atrocious UK roads you can quite easily end up stuck in a jam and if it were by plane you can have a lot more hassle getting another flight whereas if we are early sometimes we can get an earlier crossing or if late the cross channel operators will do their best to get you on the next ferry which is not too long to wait and there is no extra charge providing that you are booking in within three hours either way of your designated time you have booked.
But instead of the standard ferry crossings we think about for example Dover to Calais that we normally use there are also speed ferries now operating exclusively for car passengers between Britain and France and the crossing takes just 50 minutes also SpeedFerries have exclusive port facilities in Dover and Boulogne and offer low cost tickets from 20 oneway on the all year Dover to Boulogne fast ferry service.
Brittany ferries is another cross channel operator that is able to offer the classic cruise along with high speed services that sail from Portsmouth Poole and Plymouth to the ports of Cherbourg Caen Roscoff and St Malo in France and having the option of getting further down into France to places like the port of St Malo can mean far less driving to get to your desired destination and this means that whilst on board you can relax while enjoying the many facilities they have to offer even opting for a cabin that all have ensuite facilities so you can get a great rest and arrive at your port of call ready and refreshed before the next part of your journey.
Yet for a short ferry crossing you may just like to do a bit of duty free shopping and catch a bite to eat or a have lovely caf latte before walking out on deck to experience the sea breeze and the scenery as you are entering the harbour but in comparison to a longer ferry crossing not only do you also have the option of a cabin but the services on offer are even vaster with numerous different restaurants bars and activities obviously the ever important onboard duty free shopping and in some cases they even have entertainment such as a band cinema or disco mind you the disco can be an interesting experience in high swells when you really dont need to move as the boat is doing it for you!!
Obviously they all have Bureau de Change facilities for exchanging your currency into Euros which is the French currency but normally you are only ever provided with notes so it is also a good idea to use a Euro note to get some change and if cannot do this on board then try and do it as soon as possible as you will find this extremely useful for things such as a coffee in a petrol station or utilising some of the public toilets.
And even though you can convert your Euro coins back to your own currency onboard the ferries which you cannot do back in your country if you think you will be taking a trip to Europe in the near future it is worth while keeping hold of a few coins for this very reason as it will save you time and hassle next time around.
Now you are probably aware that you can also get to France via the Channel Tunnel which is quicker than even by travelling via high speed ferry as the EuroTunnel will only take around 35 minutes from Folkestone whereas the high speed catamarans take just under an hour and the ferry crossing is an average of 90 minutes but we have found that with the onboard ferry facilities that cater for children of all ages including the provisions of baby food and changing areas for the extremely young through to play areas and then the video arcades for the older children it can make for a more peaceful trip for the stressed out adults rather than being stuck in a train even if it is only for a short time!
And if like us you have decided on a weekend break or travelling back over the weekend so that your children get back to school on time then dont forget that most places are shut on a Sunday so if you have certain activities in mind double check that it is not a national holiday or odd hours otherwise you will end up with rather a bored party! And as we always say now planning is very important especially in France when they tend to stop for at least two hours every day for lunch! and this is especially important if you are travelling through France and want to stock up with your beer and wine before heading for the ferry port.
But providing you know to avoid the national holidays which are always cheaper crossings if you hunt around you can find some excellent deals right through from day trips to France a 5 day return or even an open ended ticket for any length of time you wish to go on holiday in France and we have found that Norfolk Line and Sea France offer some fantastic prices but not all operators take all credit cards on board which is the same for paying for your ticket such as American Express so it is worth checking if you always use a card such as Amex.
The only other thing we have to say is enjoy the whole experience as it can become part of your French holiday.
About the writer:nbsp;nbsp;www.placesinfrance.com
Martyn Davis European Traveller Author Photographer and Business Development Manager For all your French holiday needs and travel guide to France with tourist information landmarks and attractions Ferry Crossings To France
Family Friendly Shore Excursions
Shore excursions are offered at each port of call you visit. This gives you a great chance to see more of the destination whilst enhancing your cruise experience. Here is a selection of shore excursions that the whole family can enjoy.
Castaway Cay Bottom Fishing Castaway Cay. Disney Cruise Line:
Enjoy this amazing fishing experience in the beautiful waters of the Abaco Island. Your captain will take a small group of you to the best location of the day where you will set anchor and cast your line out in this private bit of island in the Caribbean.
Minimum age for children is 6 years old. Adult/Child price 117 per person.
Swimming with Dolphins Nassau Bahamas. Royal Caribbean Cruise Line:
Swim with dolphins in Nassau and experience these fascinating creatures. Learn all about dolphins behaviour and spend thirty minutes in the water touching and connecting with the dolphins.
Minimum age for children is 6 years old. Adult/Child price 99.50 per person.
4×4 Adventure and Green Monkey Encounter Bridgetown Barbados. Royal Caribbean Cruise Line:
Take part in touring the local wildlife reserve which is home to the Green Monkey. Responsible for 70 of the worlds Polio vaccine experience the habits of these exceptional animals. Travelling by 4×4 vehicles you will explore the lush surroundings.
Minimum age for children is 5 years old. Adult price 32.24 per person Children 22.88 per person.
De Palm Island Aruba. Island Cruises:
Escape to a private island which is renowned for its amazing water attractions. You can swim and snorkel before visiting the state of the art Blue Parrot Waterpark. There is a selection of water slides along with pools for all ages.
Adult price 59 per person Children 29.50 per person.
Sunshine Glass Bottom Boat Tour Nassau Bahamas. Disney Cruise Line:
Enjoy a relaxing glass bottom boat tour of Nassau Sea Gardens taking in all the amazing sea life below you. Setting sail on a 70ft double decker glass bottom boat you will sail across the turquoise Caribbean Sea whilst learning the history of Nassau from your tour guide. Along the way you will see all the local landmarks and even all the celebrity homes.
Minimum age for children is 3 years old. Adults price 10 27 per person Children 39 18 per person.
Fox Studios and Rosarito Ensenada Mexico. Carnival Cruise Line:
Visit the film studios where the movies Pearl Harbour Deep Blue Sea and The Far Side of the World were all filmed. You will be able to view displays of props costumes and sets along with interactive exhibits for the movie world.
Adult/Child price 20 per person.
Rainforest Canopy and Zip Wiring Expedition Juneau Alaska. Princess Cruises:
Get set for an adventure with an amazing opportunity to slide more than 6000 foot along 10 zip lines and suspension bridges. Over 130 feet off the ground you are guaranteed a once in a lifetime experience.
Minimum age for children is 12 years old. Adult/Child price 179 per person.
Tortoise Time Ajaccio Corsica. Ocean Village:
Visiting the Tortoise Protection Centre you will see 130 different species of land and water based cupulattas and turtles. Afterwards you will head to the seaside resort of Porticcio to spend time relaxing on the beach and hitting the shops.
Adult price 30 per person Children 15 per person.
Menorca on Horseback Mahon Menorca. Island Cruises:
From a local riding school you will set off on horseback to experience an amazing nature walk in the Holm forest. Surrounded by traditional Menorca farmstead you will experience the incredible landscapes and breathtaking views.
Minimum age for children is 12 years old. Adult/Child price 49.00 per person.
Tallinn and Rakvere Castle Tallinn Estonia. Carnival Cruise Line:
A perfect trip for the whole family touring the city you will take in the sights of Tallinn. Along with visiting Rakvere Castle where costumed characters who will entertain you reenacting how life was centuries ago including Medieval games and interactive exhibits.
Adult/Child price 50 per person.
About the writer: Website editor and experienced cruiser who writes articles for www.insidecruise.co.uk and on occasions for www.idealcruising.co.uk magazine.
Family Camping Holiday Barcelona Spain
Are you planning a vacation holiday some time in the near future? If so you might want to consider one of a number of hidden resorts which until recently few international travelers have ever heard about. These are costconscious mobile home communities which feature a lengthy list of amenities that are highly competitive with major hotel chains. While cost is a major consideration for most travelers this is one of the attractive features associated with these new holiday resorts. But price is not the only selling point that makes them attractive. The family oriented laid back style of these communities increased safety and 24 hour security are also primary reasons why families traveling with children prefer them. One such resort where I have recently stayed is situated in Vilanova I la Geltru a mere 50km from Barcelona Spain. Not only is there a number of organized activities offered to guests there is also plenty of freedom to do whatever you desire while there. I highly recommend anyone traveling to the Costa Dorada to consider staying with Paramount Places. I was amazed at the superior personal service transportation amenities and beautiful beach that was within a short walking distance. In short if you are considering spending your holidays in Spain this year then ‘Camping Holiday Spain’ from Paramount Places is well worth a look. Intense fun is waiting to be had for the whole family; both parents and children alike. All of this in a very safe and secure family environment.
About the writer: Visit Paramount Places for further information and convenient booking. www.paramountplaces.co.uk
