Five ferry break hotspots for 2010

For some, January is the gloomiest and least interesting period of the year, but for others the first few months of the year represent the perfect opportunity to hop on a ferry and explore some of the holiday destinations that lie on their doorstep. Whether they want to absorb some culture or soak up winter sun, holidaymakers will find ferry destinations to suit all tastes in Europe.

France

Perennially one of the most popular foreign holiday destinations among British tourists, France is set for another strong year in 2010.

Carolyn Boyd, editor of FRANCE Magazine, recently said that family holidays in the country have enjoyed something of a resurgence of late. She also pointed out that a trip to France can be as affordable as a short break in the UK.

"We are making sure we get the message across that a French holiday can be the same price, if not cheaper, than a British holiday," Ms Boyd said.

There will be plenty of events taking place over the coming months to lure visitors to France, including the Chinese New Year party in Paris on February 14th. The 2010 Nice Carnival will run from February 12th to 28th this year, bringing all sorts of parades, street performances, circus shows and other spectacles to the southern city.

Brits who pick France for an early getaway this year have several travel options to choose from, including Norfolkline's ferries to Dunkerque from Dover and the Dover to Calais ferry route, which is served by P&O Ferries and Seafrance.

LD Lines offers ferries to Le Havre from Portsmouth, while Brittany Ferries operates Caen, St Malo and Cherbourg ferry services from the same port.

Spain

Travel website simonseeks.com recently carried out a survey which found that more than half (56 per cent) of British people who holidayed at home in 2009 are planning to head overseas this year. Spain emerged as the most popular foreign destination, while France, Italy and Greece also appeared in the top five.

The Iberian country has long been the top choice for Britons heading overseas, but it still retains some secrets, according to Ignacio Vasallo, UK and Europe director of the Spanish Tourism Office.

"The north-west region still seems to be a well-guarded secret amongst those in the know: Galicia, Asturias, and Castile in particular," he said.

Mr Vasallo pointed out that adventurous travellers can go hiking or caving in the Cantabrian mountains, while those looking for relaxation can find some secluded beaches along the region's coast.

British holidaymakers can get straight to north-west Spain if they travel by sea. Brittany Ferries will serve the Plymouth to Santander ferry route from mid-February before introducing ferries to Santander from Portsmouth the following month. P&O Ferries will offer two weekly crossings on the Portsmouth to Bilbao ferry route from the beginning of February.

Ireland

One of the most compelling reasons to visit Ireland this year - Dublin's St Patrick's Festival - will begin on March 12th and continue until the 17th. Billed as "the best party in town", the festival will attract thousands of Irish people and visitors to the capital city to enjoy street theatre, comedy, family entertainment, Irish music, dance and much more.

There will be various other events taking place across Ireland to mark St Patrick's Day, which falls on March 17th. Galway hosts a famous walking parade, while Belfast comes to life with a giant carnival celebration.

Travelling to Ireland by sea looks set to prove a popular option in 2010, according to Irish Ferries, as consumers are becoming increasingly disillusioned with airlines.

Head of sales Declan Mescall said: "Extra security, earlier check-in, longer pre- and post-flight delays, tighter baggage restrictions and all of the other measures that air travellers have to endure - including fares that fail to measure up on the what-you-see-is-what-you-get scale - have meant that more and more people now prefer the comfort of travelling by car using ferry connections."

Irish Ferries serves the Holyhead to Dublin and Pembroke to Rosslare ferry routes. Stena Line also offers ferries to Dublin from Holyhead, while both P&O Ferries and Norfolkline Irish Sea sail to the Irish capital from Liverpool.

Channel Islands

Located just a few hours away by ferry, the Channel Islands represent what the local tourist board describes as "the spirit of Britain in the heart of old Normandy". Travellers can visit Jersey or Guernsey to learn more about their unique cultures, take in the local sights or simply relax on one of the islands' many beaches.

People with a passion for quality cuisine will have the perfect reason to hop on a ferry to Jersey this year when the Spring Specials food festival gets underway. Running from February 16th to March 29th, the event will see promotional prices and special menus provided at over 70 of the island's restaurants.

Those interested in visiting Guernsey will also have a variety of events to choose from, including the Lihou Winter Arts Festival on January 31st, a Pride and Prejudice ball at St James' Concert Hall on February 20th and more.

Simon Edsall, managing director of Condor Ferries, recently underlined the company's commitment to the Channel Islands and stressed that services had been maintained despite the recent inclement weather.

"Freight and travel links to Jersey and Guernsey have continued throughout the recent exceptionally cold snap, with the services provided by Commodore Clipper and Commodore Goodwill unaffected," he said.

The company offers ferries to Jersey and Guernsey from the ports of Weymouth, Poole and Portsmouth on the south coast of England.

Holland

Taking a ferry to the Netherlands proved a highly popular option last year, if recent figures released by DFDS Seaways are anything to go by.

The company revealed that 2009 was the most successful year to date for its Newcastle to Amsterdam ferry route, with some 531,000 passengers making use of the service.

Explaining the figures, DFDS Seaways' UK managing director John Crummie said: "Travelling by sea is far more relaxing than the experience that many of us have had of travelling through airports. You can simply pack up the car with everything you need and drive onboard.

"Travellers have also become wise to the no-frills airlines that were once the option for bargain travel now having expensive 'add-ons' and are becoming more reluctant to book."

There is plenty to encourage travellers to hop on a ferry to the Netherlands in the first few months of 2010, including the variety of events that will be taking place in the country.

The highly popular Holland Flowers Festival will take place in Zwaagdijk East from February 24th to 28th, while the ABN Amro World Tennis competition will come to the Ahoy in Rotterdam from February 8th to 14th. Those who are more interested in culture than sport will also find something to interest them in Rotterdam, with the city's annual Museum Night event scheduled for March 6th this year.

In addition to DFDS Seaways' Newcastle to Amsterdam ferry route, travellers can reach Holland via P&O Ferries' Hull to Rotterdam ferry service or by taking ferries to Hook of Holland from Harwich with Stena Line.

Posted by Andrew Smith