A ferry crossing is a great way of visiting Christmas markets and stocking up on presents and festive goodies. The holiday starts when you step aboard and with an unlimited amount of baggage you don’t have to worry about how many gifts you bring back. Visit www.discoverferries.com to see offers available this December. They include:
Holland with Stena Line: From traditional to funky, Holland has it all. For a traditional experience, head to the Rembrandtplein, one of Amsterdam’s major squares. Hidden among Christmas trees and snowmen are dozens of market stalls selling everything from hot chestnuts and mulled wine to stocking fillers and winter clothes. You’ll find the largest underground market in the municipal caves of Valkenburg. Shoppers can also see the mural paintings, sculptures, visit the 18th Century chapel inside the cave or buy old Dutch trade artefacts. Stena Line operates twice-daily six-hour return crossings between Harwich and the Hook of Holland, from £59 per person one way with a car. Or rail and sail from £39pp one-way with a Dutchflyer ticket (which includes train travel from London Liverpool Street or any Greater Anglia network rail station to Harwich, Superferry crossing and onward train travel to the Dutch city of your choice.
France with Brittany Ferries: Day trips cost from £32 from Portsmouth and Plymouth to Caen, St-Malo and Roscoff. Or, take the car for just £29 extra and drive a bit further to Mont-St-Michel to see the spectacular winter illuminations. Join a two-night mini-cruise from Portsmouth with a four-course meal on board and a full day in the beautiful walled town of St-Malo. Prices start at £95 per person return, plus your car for £29. Take the festive spirit a notch further with a gourmet getaway – a two or three-night break in a selection of family-run properties in Normandy or Brittany from just £99.
Spain with Brittany Ferries: Head to northern Spain and the Basque Country. Discover Bilbao, renowned for tapas, shopping and the must-see Guggenheim. A four-night stay starts at £219pp including a car, two-night cabin accommodation and two-night B&B at the Silken Indautxu Bilbao. Alternatively, enjoy the Atlantic coastline aboard the Pont-Aven, for two days and nights on a return mini cruise from Portsmouth from just £79pp.
Ireland with Irish Ferries: Enjoy a four-night Christmas break in an Irish Castle above Dublin Bay and spend an authentic Irish Christmas with carol singing, mulled wines and mince pies on Christmas Eve, followed by a three-course dinner at the hotel’s restaurant. Wake up to a full Irish breakfast on Christmas Day before a champagne reception and traditional festive lunch. Celebrations continue on Boxing Day with breakfast and dinner. Price is £569pp based on two sharing and also includes return ferry crossings for a car and two people between Holyhead in north Wales and Dublin, or from Pembroke in south Wales to Rosslare. Additional nights either before or after Christmas start from £57 per person, for B&B.
Belgium with DFDS Seaways: Discover northern Europe’s most traditional Christmas markets. Pick up some unique gifts at the colourful market in medieval Bruges and have fun on the ice-skating rink (above). Or opt for a festive break in Hamelin and watch this medieval town transform into an enchanting wonderland with over 70 decorated wooden stalls as well as a nativity scene with real animals and a giant advent calendar. A four-night festive break to Bruges or Hamelin costs from £219pp and £289pp respectively (based on two sharing) – departing from Newcastle on December 1, 8 and 15. It includes two nights in an en-suite cabin, coach transfers and two nights in a hotel with breakfast and on-board entertainment.
Isle of Wight with Red Funnel: Visit the Isle of Wight Christmas Market with its Dickensian High Street, open air skating rink and Santa’s grotto. Red Funnel offers a special Christmas Market Red Jet day return (for foot passengers) for £10 for adults and £5 for children, including bus travel from West Cowes to the market. Other highlights are the Victorian Christmas at Osborne House including Dickensian characters and traditional entertainment (November 20-21). There’s a great choice of accommodation for families such as the self-catered Victoria Cottage or the family-run Brunswick House B&B for loved-up couples. A seven-night break at Victoria Cottage costs from £77.57pp, based on seven people sharing and includes return Red Funnel vehicle ferry crossings. Price is based on stays between December 21-28, self-catering. A three-night B&B break at Brunswick House costs from £133pp, based on two adults sharing and including return Red Funnel vehicle ferry crossings. This price is based on stays from December 23-26.
