Britons 'taking more short breaks'

Weekend ferry breaks and other short trips are becoming increasingly popular among British travellers, according to research.

A third (34 per cent) of UK holidaymakers now take several short trips throughout the year rather than a single two-week summer holiday, a survey by Visa Europe shows.

Over four in five (83 per cent) British people are planning to take between one and five short breaks abroad this year and one in five (21 per cent) expect to travel overseas more than they did in 2008.

Ferries to Spain could prove a popular option among people planning short getaways, with the country found to be the destination of choice among British holidaymakers.

France was also found to be one of UK travellers' favourite countries for a break.

Visa Europe spokesman Euan Ballantyne said: "Britons take 65 million trips abroad every year, looking for great deals and taking advantage of independent travel options by booking over the internet."

He added: "Our research shows that increasingly we are holidaying at the last minute, jetting off for spontaneous short breaks."

P&O Ferries offers access to both France and Spain with its ferries to Calais and Bilbao, while Brittany Ferries provides St Malo and Santander ferry links from Portsmouth.

Written by Andrew Smith