Ferry may be best bet as French air strikes threaten post-Olympic holidays

Many Britons want to take a break now the Olympics is over, holiday firms have noted.

Bookings have soared compared with the previous few weeks as people feeling thrilled by the games seek to avoid a feeling of things returning to humdrum normality.

Director of travel firm CLC Leisure Laurence Hicks said: "Either we Brits don't want the party to end and intend to carry on celebrating the success of Team GB with a holiday or we are worn out by the emotional extremes of watching the Games and need a break."

He added that the trend had been expected, but noted: "The sudden rush has exceeded all expectations."

Had the International Olympic Committee voted differently in 2005, the last fortnight would have seen the world converging on Paris. Instead, France is the destination of choice for some Britons heading on holiday and ferries from Dover to Calais could be the best way to get there.

One reason for this is that while Britain is basking in the glow of Olympic fever, French employees of easyJet are not happy just now. Disgruntled over pay, pilots in France will strike on August 15th, 17th and 19th. This will not disrupt all flights to and from France as many have British crews, but it will cause some difficulties for travellers.

For those wanting their travel to be as swift and smooth as Mo Farah surging across the finish line, a ferry ride may therefore be in order.

The Olympics has not been the only factor influencing the holiday choices of UK travellers this year.

Research by holiday rentals firm HomeAway showed the number of Britons leaving the country in the second quarter of 2012 was 10.9 per cent higher than in the same period last year, Travel Daily News reported.

It attributed this trend to the impact of the very wet weather experienced during those months.

Posted by Mark Robinson

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