Sponsored Editorial

With half term coming up, you’re probably thinking of fun things to do with the kids and ways to spend quality time together as a family.

Have you considered venturing abroad? A holiday or day trip to France is an excellent idea.

The Dover to Calais ferry route makes experiencing France’s rich heritage, beauty and culture possible. There are plenty of destinations and activities to explore – from beach days on the Côte d'Opale to the bright city lights of Paris.

It’s never been easier to get there as P&O Ferries offers up to 23 sailings a day at peak times, which take just 90 minutes. You’ll receive unbeatable onboard services and friendly staff are on hand to support you every step of the journey.

Short and long stay breaks in France

Fancy a holiday? Take a short or long break return from Dover to Calais with P&O Ferries for just £99 when you book before 28 February 2022. Here are a few ideas of things to do and places to go!

Paris: the ‘City of Light’

What better way to experience the magic of France than with a visit to the capital? Paris’ cultural attractions are endless! Sample delicious Parisian cuisine shoulder to shoulder with the locals, indulge in a fashion-lovers shopping spree and explore all the famous landmarks, such as the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, Notre-Dame and Sacré-Cœur.

Nice Carnival

Panoramic views. The deep blue waters of the Cote d’Azur. The quaint streets of the Old Town. Nice is charming and idyllic. And what’s more, Nice Carnival is running between Friday 11 and Sunday 27 February.

Thousands of people travel far and wide for this colourful, festive event, which features parades, giant floats, flag bearers, musical troupes, dancers and much more.The theme for 2022’s floats is "The King of the Animals" – it’s set to be a spectacular affair!

Parc Astérix Theme Park

During your stay in France, Parc Astérix is well worth a visit. Located 45 minutes north of Paris, it’s one of the biggest theme parks in the country. Zones take inspiration from the famous René Goscinny comic strips about the rivalry between the ancient Gauls and Romans, as well as the ancient Greeks and Egyptians.

There’s something for everyone – gentle rides for the little ones, a 4D cinema, an arena staging mock battles and gasp-inducing roller-coasters for the bold and fearless!

Somme Bay

Relax, take in the picturesque views and become one with nature at France’s beautiful Somme Bay. Just some of the many family activities on offer include cycling, walking trails, beach days and a trip on the steam train.

It’s a wildlife lover’s dream. The bay is one of France's important stopover sites for migratory birds and you’ll also come across harbour seals, salt-meadow sheep, wigeon, shelducks, curlews and oyster catchers.

Day trips to France

If you’re planning a day trip abroad, France is perfect. With P&O, you can travel from Dover to Calais for just £45 if you book before 31 March 2022. Whether you opt to stay in Calais or embark on an adventure further afield, there are endless things to do. Here are a few ideas!

Le Touquet

Just under an hour from Calais, Le Touquet is a small seaside town with a scenic seafront, lush pine forest and impressive architecture. This stylish destination offers everything from guided local tours and family-friendly sports to farmers markets and inviting restaurants, cafes and bars.

Lille

On your day trip to France, discover the city of Lille. Sitting a few kilometres east of the border with Belgium, it blends French and Flemish influences.

Explore the narrow streets of Old Lille and sample local speciality, the Maroilles cheese tart. The Parc de la Citadelle, the largest green space in the city, is great for children. It’s home to major landmarks and attractions including Lille Citadel, Vauban Garden, Lille Zoo, the Boulogne Wood and Citi-Parc amusement park.

Calais

This stunning stretch of beach will be a hit with every member of the family. The white beach huts that line the sand are one of the main attractions, and by the promenade, you’ll find bars, restaurants, mini-golf and the huge fire-breathing CalaisDragon!

If you decide to venture into the old town, Calais-Nord, or the modern St-Pierre, you can explore museums, art galleries and a vast array of shops and food and drink outlets.

Nausicaa

A trip to the French fishing port of Bologne sur Mer is another great option if you’re looking for family fun. Here, you’ll find Nausicaa, Europe’s largest aquarium. There are almost 60,000 creatures and 1,600 species living in the huge underwater world, and a few above water too! The experience is both entertaining and educational!

Travelling with P&O Ferries

Relax and recharge in the new all-inclusive Club Lounge, which offers all the refreshments you need to arrive rested and refreshed at your destination. You can also head to the World Duty Free store and save up to 50% on the high street prices of all your favourite brands.

When travelling with P&O Ferries before 31 March 2022, you’ll save an additional 10% off the price of your order when you use the new Reserve & Collect service to purchase your World Duty Free shopping.

Terms and conditions for £45 Daytrip offer

Offers apply to Daytrip bookings only from Dover to Calais, prices based on Saver Ticket. Book by 31st March 2022 for travel by 14th December 2022. Offer subject to restricted space & availability, applies to new bookings only & cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer. Valid for cars, high cars and up to 9 passengers or motorcycles and up to 2 passengers only. Excludes foot passengers, caravans, minibuses, motorhome and vehicles designed for commercial use & bookings made at port. Excludes travel on the following dates; 11-14, 18-20, 26-27 February, 1-2, 9-10, 29-30 April, 1, 27-29 May, 22-24, 29-31 July, 5-7, 12-14, 19-21, 26-28 August & 21-23 October.P&O Ferries reserve the right to amend or withdraw all elements of the promotion without prior notice. Subject to Promotional Conditions and P&O Ferries' Terms of Business, both available online at poferries.com.

Terms and conditions for £99 return offer

Offers apply to bookings only from Dover to Calais, prices based on Saver Ticket. Book by 28th February 2022 for travel by 28th February 2022. Offer subject to restricted space & availability, applies to new bookings only & cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer. Valid for cars, high cars and up to 9 passengers or motorcycles and upto 2 passengers only. Excludes foot passengers, caravans, minibuses, motorhome and vehicles designed for commercial use & bookings made at port. P&O Ferries reserve the right to amend or withdraw all elements of the promotion without prior notice. Subject to Promotional Conditions and P&O Ferries' Terms of Business, both available online at poferries.com.