Hop on a ferry for an autumn escape

Autumn is upon us, and while the long days and hot weather of summer may be a thing of the past, the new season brings with it plenty of opportunities for holiday fun and exploration in some of the most exciting and enjoyable destinations in Europe, the UK and Ireland.

A number of leading ferry operators are currently offering promotions encouraging customers to treat themselves to a getaway over the coming months, meaning there has never been a better time to head out to sea and enjoy autumn in all its natural glory.

Norfolkline/DFDS Seaways - Dover to Dunkerque

AFerry.co.uk is currently inviting travellers to save money on ferries from Dover to Dunkerque provided by Norfolkline/DFDS Seaways. The promotion provides £5 off on all three, four or five-day return tickets for ferries to France with the company. Customers can book now and travel anytime up to October 22nd for a cheap and memorable autumn getaway.

Furthermore, 24-hour return tickets are available from £22 for people who are able to travel between Monday and Thursday before October 21st.

Dunkerque serves as one of the main gateways to northern France, providing easy access to regions such as Nord Pas-de-Calais and Picardy, as well as Champagne-Ardenne and Burgundy, which are highly popular among wine lovers.

Writing in his blog for P&O Ferries, John Hillman recently highlighted the appeal of visiting Champagne and other wine-producing regions in France during the autumn harvest season. Famous vineyards and producers in the area offer tours that allow visitors to learn more about the fascinating annual tradition.

There are many other experiences and attractions that make a trip to France a tempting option, such as the bustling Place Stanislas in Nancy, Lorraine, and the city of Strasbourg, which is home to historic cathedrals and palaces.

Norfolkline/DFDS Seaways provides frequent ferries from Dover to Dunkerque with a range of modern amenities and a sailing time of less than two hours.

Norfolkline/DFDS Seaways - Rosyth to Zeebrugge

It was confirmed earlier this year that Norfolkline/DFDS Seaways would cease operations on the Rosyth to Zeebrugge ferry route on December 15th 2010. A farewell offer has been launched to mark the end of the passenger service, meaning AFerry.co.uk customers can now book crossings on the route from £99 each way for a car and two passengers staying in an inside cabin.

Available on all journeys starting from Rosyth, the special offer covers bookings made before December 14th for travel between September 28th and December 15th.

Norfolkline/DFDS Seaways operates the service using the Scottish Viking, a new vessel with low fuel consumption and CO2 emissions, providing peace of mind for people who are concerned about the impact their journey may be having on the environment.

Three departures are available from each port every week, with an average sailing time of 20 hours. Passengers therefore have plenty of opportunities to enjoy a meal, visit the cinema, go shopping or explore the other facilities available onboard the Scottish Viking.

Upon arrival in Zeebrugge, holidaymakers will not have far to drive before they arrive in Bruges, a scenic Belgian city that becomes even more beautiful in the autumn. Visitors can head out to explore on crisp, sunny days to see Bruges' historic churches, cathedrals and squares or take a boat trip on one of the canals.

Brittany Ferries - Britain to France

Brittany Ferries operates a number of routes that not only provide links to some of the most popular holiday destinations in northern France, but also offer affordable fares for people planning to treat themselves to an autumn getaway this year.

AFerry.co.uk customers can currently book 24-hour return tickets with the operator and spend a day or night in France for as little as £20 per person for foot passengers. Two people can travel with a car from £45, as long as their vehicle is less than six metres long and is not towing a trailer.

The offer, which is subject to availability, carries a £5 supplement for Friday night services and fast-ferry crossings on Saturday mornings and is valid for travel until December 22nd. Bookings must be made at least 24 hours in advance.

All of Brittany Ferries' services from the UK to France are included in the deal, giving holidaymakers the option to book cheap ferries from Portsmouth to St Malo, Cherbourg or Caen. The company also provides ferries from Plymouth to Roscoff and a route from Poole to Cherbourg.

Western France is home to some spectacular locations that provide a host of unforgettable views and picture-postcard vistas, particularly when the deep greens, browns and reds of autumn begin to spread across the local fields and flora.

One region that is well worth exploring is the Loire Valley. The area encompasses destinations such as Brenne, which is home to lakes, fields and forests providing a habitat for rare birds. Holidaymakers can also take boat trips, explore the forest of Orleans or visit fairytale castles such as Chateau d'Azay-le-Rideau and Chateau de Valencay in Indre-et-Loire.

Irish Ferries - Britain to Ireland

People looking at Ireland for their autumn break this year can take advantage of some special offers currently available from Irish Ferries. The company is offering fares from £69 one-way for a car and driver, with a £23 supplement for additional adults and £13 added on for children between the ages of four and 15.

The special price is available for travel up to January 5th 2011 on Tuesday and Wednesday night ferries from Holyhead to Dublin. The operator's ferries from Pembroke to Rosslare are also included in the promotion under the same conditions.

Bookings must be made at least 21 days in advance of the day of travel and the fare cannot be used in conjunction with any other promotions.

Another offer currently available from Irish Ferries invites customers to get away for up to 24 hours from the time of arrival at their port in Ireland for a set price. People taking advantage of the deal must return either before or on the first sailing once the 24 hours has elapsed.

Fares for a car and driver start from £120 for Monday to Thursday sailings, £130 on Fridays and Sundays and £145 on Saturdays. Extra adults and children can travel for a supplement of £22 per person. The promotion will run until January 5th 2011.

One reason travellers might be interested in taking a ferry to Ireland this autumn is to check out some of the exciting events that will be taking place over the coming weeks and months.

Dublin will host its very own Oktoberfest from September 30th to October 10th, while County Carlow in the south-east will invite visitors to get their blood pumping and admire the local scenery during the Autumn Walking Festival, which will run for three days from October 8th. Waterford will offer some memorable cultural experiences during its International Music Festival from November 2nd to 13th.

Of course there are plenty of permanent attractions that make a trip to Ireland an appealing prospect throughout the year, from the historic buildings, welcoming pubs and cultural attractions of Dublin to the wide open spaces and natural beauty of areas such as the Wicklow Mountains and Killarney national parks.

Posted by Andrew Smith