Looking to explore Europe on your holiday? Enjoy the journey with a no fly travel experience
Enjoy the journey with a no fly travel experience
5 inspiring travel routes by sea and road to experience the world at your own pace, in your own time, to discover the world in a meaningful and mindful way
Trusted by over 2.5 million customers worldwide, Direct Ferries offer their top no-fly ‘ferry and drive’ travel routes for 2022. Direct Ferries customer service team are also on hand to advise, guide and support throughout your trip - in your language of choice - for a seamless, connected and immersive travel experience.
1. Moroccan delights – Best for gothic architecture
The Moroccan adventure starts in Portsmouth, where Direct Ferries will take you to Santander on the Northern tip of Spain. A sailing time of just under 24 hours. Onboard Brittany Ferries’ state of the art ferry, Galicia, travellers will enjoy complimentary meals, including a 3-course dinner and a continental breakfast.
As the drive from Santander to Tarifa port is approximately 10 hours, the Direct Ferries travel experts recommend taking a break in the city of Valladolid in the northwest of Spain - a culturally vibrant city that comes alive after dark.
Additional stops en route include the town of Caceres, a UNESCO world heritage site, and Seville. A lively, historic and bijou city with stunning Mudejar, Gothic and Renaissance architecture, ancient Moorish walls, Roman ruins and Baroque churches on every corner. The ferry to Tangiers leaves from Tarifa, a two-hour drive from Seville. this ferry route is expected to reopen in the summer. The Tarifa to Tangier ferry route connects Spain with Morocco and is currently operated by two ferry companies with 1-2 hours sailing duration.
2. Balearics – Best for summer holiday sun
This journey starts in Plymouth, where you can take the Plymouth to Santander ferry with Direct Ferries. Onboard there is plenty to keep guests entertained, with a cinema for the kids and even a swimming pool. The crossing operates up to two times each week with sailing durations from around 20 hours and 15 minutes. From Santander, it’s a seven-hour, scenic drive to the beautiful city of Barcelona.
Direct Ferries insider tip – if travellers want to avoid the crowds of Barcelona, they should head instead to Figueres or Cadaques. Cadaques was the summer home of Salvador Dali and is known as the jewel of Spain. From Barcelona, there are many ferries available with Direct Ferries to Palma, including an overnight crossing. Or, for a more low key and relaxed experience, you can choose to take the ferry to the port of Mahon, Menorca’s capital and one of the world's natural deep-water ports.
3. Authentic France – Best holiday for beach seekers
This leisurely road trip through France takes in must-see sights before ending up on the beach in Corsica. The ferry from Dover to Calais with Direct Ferries has over 35 sailings departing daily and is the most popular ferry service to head towards the continent. The journey takes just an hour and a half, and there is plenty to keep you occupied onboard. Whether it’s the onboard restaurants or club lounges with nibbles that the three operators all have on offer.
Travellers can set their own pace on the route from Calais to Nice, taking in the many sites along the way. The main autoroute between Calais and the South of France and A40 will take you via Geneva, an incredibly beautiful city surrounded by the Jura mountains and the Alps.
Other stops on this journey include Laon and the beautiful town of Avignon, known as the gateway of Provence. Home to Le Palais des Papes, a 14th-century fortress and the largest gothic palace in the world. From Avignon, it’s a three-hour drive to Nice, where the Nice to Bastia (Corsica) ferry, with Direct Ferries, operates up to six times each week, with sailing durations from around 5 hours 30 minutes.
4. Dutch Old Masters Travel Tour – Best for art lovers
Start your Dutch Old Masters tour by exploring the historic Essex seaside town of Harwich. Notable residents include the famous seafarers Frobisher, Drake, Newport, Fryatt, Hawkins and Jones, who all sailed on numerous expeditions from Harwich. It is also well known as the town of the historic Mayflower, which carried the Pilgrim Fathers to America in 1620. Take the ferry from Harwich to Hook of Holland with Direct Ferries, the most direct route to the Netherlands and Germany from the south of England. The crossing operates up to 14 times each week with sailing durations from around 6 hours and 45 minutes. The overnight sailing is very popular, usually departing Harwich around 11pm and arriving in Hook of Holland at 08:00 the following day.
On arrival, just an hour’s drive away is Amsterdam. The Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam is the national museum of the Netherlands. It houses the largest collection of Dutch paintings, including The Milk Maid by Vermeer and The Night Watch by Rembrandt. In the Mauritshuis, you’ll discover iconic masterpieces such as The Girl with a Pearl Earring by Johannes Vermeer and the Anatomy Lesson of Dr Nicolaes Tulp by Rembrandt.
5. A Greek Travel Odyssey – Best for wine lovers
Taking you to the enchanting Greek island of Corfu, this slow travel adventure covers some incredible sights and scenes. From Portsmouth, the ferry to Caen with Direct Ferries operates up to 21 times weekly with a sailing duration of around 5 hours 45 minutes. There are three sailings a day with the option to travel overnight within a two or four-berth cabin.
From Caen, the next destination will be Ancona in Italy, with lots of great stops along the way. Direct Ferries recommend you stop first at The Palace of Versailles. It has been listed as a World Heritage Site for 40 years and is one of the most outstanding French 17th-century art achievements. Next, wine lovers should head to Chablis. Known as the Golden Gate of Burgundy, Chablis is famous for its prestigious wine. Chablis Vititours offer year-round wine- and vine-themed guided tours.
From Chablis, travellers can make their way to Como, Italy. Como, located on the Italian-Swiss border, overlooks the southwest end of its lake and is surrounded by green ridge hills and unparalleled natural scenery. This is a great place to recharge, with private boat tours or a relaxing beach day at Lido Villa Olmo, a beach with two swimming pools and a bar that offers a beautiful view of Lake Como and the opposite coast.
The next stop is Ancona, located around 280 km to the northeast of Rome. The city's one of the main ports on the Adriatic Sea and is popular for passengers travelling to Greece, Turkey, Croatia, Albania and Montenegro. Destinations include Split, Rijeka, Zadar, Hvar, Dubrovnik, Bari, Patras and Igoumenitsa.
Take the Ancona-Corfu ferry with Direct Ferries, which offers a up to four sailings per week with a sailing duration from 15 hours. Then, the Greek expedition begins.
For more no-fly travel route inspiration, including tips on where to stay and eat visit Direct Ferries guide to eight great adventures for 2022. (All images from Canva)
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