Although family holidays are intended to provide an enjoying and relaxing time for all, that’s rarely the case 100% of the time, and while families have been enjoying self-drive holidays to France for decades, there’s nothing quite as stressful as a car full of hot, restless kids who can’t wait to get down to the business of having fun!

When planning a self drive holiday to the European continent the first ferry route that springs to mind is Dover to Calais, and while this is the shortest (and often cheapest) option, it’s not always the best or most economical.

Firstly it’s worth noting that unless you’re starting off from the South-East of England then a Dover to Calais crossing is probably going to require you to negotiate the roads around London, including the notorious M25 – a less than ideal start to what is supposed to be an enjoyable and relaxing holiday!

The ever increasing price of fuel should also be taken into consideration – in many cases a longer ferry crossing can make financial sense too. Depending on your final holiday destination the total cost of travel for a short ferry journey and longer driving miles can be comparable to an overnight ferry crossing with less driving required once over the channel. This is especially true if you’re planning a trip to Brittany, the Vendee or the Dordogne.

Naturally the added bonus of selecting a longer ferry crossing is that it allows you to spend less time driving and more quality time with your family, plus a longer ferry crossing can make for more of an adventure for the kids. While the Eurotunnel is fast and convenient, ferries hail from a time when the world felt like a bigger place and the pace of life was a little more relaxed.

So, what are your options for alternative ferry routes? Many people find that if starting out from the West of England that Portsmouth is a far more convenient port of departure, and in addition to the accessibility benefits of Portsmouth you can turn the longer ferry crossing times to your benefit by taking the opportunity to kick back and relax a little.

While P&O Ferries are probably the best know of all the ferry operators providing services from the UK, Brittany Ferries operate several excellent services including routes from Portsmouth to Caen, Cherbourg and St Malo, all serviced by their fleet of modern cruise ferries. If the last time you were on a ferry was more than a couple of years ago then you’ll be pleasantly surprised by advances made in the way of comfort and facilities onboard. The modern cruise ferries operating on these longer routes have shops, restaurants, bars and cinemas available to passengers and even on an overnight crossing you’ll probably won’t be able to fit it all in!

Accommodation options available on overnight cruise ferries range from basic (but comfortable) club class seats, to stateroom cabins with sea views, although a standard cabin option will suite most families best. Whichever accommodation you decide on you can rest assured that you’ll reach your holiday destination substantially more refreshed and relaxed than if you decided to drive the whole distance!

James is a web developer and internet marketer with a keen interest in the travel sector. When he’s not working or indulging his passion for travel he can be found working on his collection of websites, including his latest that provides information about cross channel ferries.

Author: James E Marshall
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Provided by: How Electric Pressure Cookers Work

Tags: added bonus, channel ferry, european continent, family holidays, ferry crossing, ferry route, ferry routes, overnight ferry, self drive holiday, self drive holidays

Bonjour! Today I want to share some important tips to learn the French Language rapidly. I will speak about the 5 most important ones. The French language is a beautiful language to learn and has a global importance. Aside from that learning a language makes you smarter. A lot want to learn the French language nowadays and if possible as fast as possible.

Here are my tips to learn the French language quickly!

Tip 1: What kind of learner are you? What kind of learning methods suit you best learning the french language. Some manage to learn a great deal through reading, others might need more visual aid and then again others learn great through audio. By figuring this out you can determine whether you need a higher emphasis on books, software or mp3’s for example.

Tip 2: Plan time for it well ahead if you have a busy schedule due to work, studies . Plan in any free time after working/college or in the weekends. Aside from that make a quick balance how much you spend on other activities at this moment. Language learning requires good planning.

Tip 3: Try to figure out what you are willing to spend learning french. After you set this make sure to follow your budget. Can you afford to have one on one private schooling? Can you afford a full immersion course at a French Language school in France? Some rather are not willing to spend a lot and would prefer to use free materials and Learn French Home Study courses Research and find out what the costs are and try to create the best solution.

Tip 4: Do not procrastinate. Once you have set a time-plan and allocated your resources, stick to it!. Then evaluate your progress and make modifications on your following month if needed.

Tip 5: What are your main Goals regarding fluency? Do you want to learn basic French that will help you through your travels and basic talks. Is your wish to become fluent being able to converse on deeper subjects and topics (e.g. business French)?

The above 5 crucial tips should help a great deal to learn the French language. I am passionate about my native language. Remember, Learning French makes you smarter!

J. Francois is a distinguished French Teacher and currently started moderates the popular Learn French Language Site.

Author: Jacque Francois
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Provided by: Programmable pressure cooker

Tags: business french, french language school, french language school in france, french teacher, full immersion, global importance, home study courses, immersion course, plan time, private schooling