Short Breaks Campaign
Taking a short hop across the Channel opens up a host of super short break destinations, with exciting attractions and hotels that won’t break the bank.
Travellers who are seeking savings on stays in great destinations that are right on the doorstep need look no further than Northern France for inspiration. And they may just be surprised by what is on offer in the familiar ferry port towns of Calais and Dunkirk. Even better, there’s no need to fly, with both ports served by family-friendly ferry operator DFDS from Dover.
Calais has undergone a multi-million-pound transformation since many UK holidaymakers last hopped over for a visit pre-pandemic. An 80-foot-long fire-breathing dragon, created by street artists Francois Delaroziere and la Machine, stalks the newly refurbished boardwalk that lines the sandy beach that skateboarders, surfers, sand-yachters, and beach volleyballers frequent.
Hitch a ride on the dragon for less and pick up a Calais Visit Pass at a specially discounted price when showing your ferry ticket. The Pass offers free access to some of the city’s finest visitor attractions, including the Calais Lace & Fashion Museum, which charts the rich history of lace production in France from its Nottingham roots; the 39/45 Memorial Museum, which focuses on the role Calais played in World War Two; and the Calais Belfry, a UNESCO heritage site offering stunning views across the city.
Dunkirk is most famous as the backdrop for Operation Dynamo, the dramatic wartime evacuation that saw 100,000 allied troops rescued from the town’s beaches during World War Two, which was depicted in Christopher Nolan’s 2017 blockbuster Dunkirk. The incredible story of the ‘Miracle of Dunkirk’ is told in the must-see Operation Dynamo Museum, where DFDS customers can enjoy two-for-one entry. The historic French resort has a host of other fascinating sights to explore including the 19th century Museum Fort des Dunes which is set in a nature reserve in unspoiled sand dunes between Dunkirk and the Belgian border. It charts the region’s history from the Middle Ages to the present day.
Lucy Chambers, Campaign Manager at DFDS, said: “We have exclusive partner offers with hotels and attractions in both Calais and Dunkirk to help customers enjoy a relaxing short break on a budget, with discounted entry to some of Northern France’s most exciting visitor attractions. Taking the family by ferry to visit Northern France is a great way to get away for less and avoid the hassle of flying this year.”