If you follow me on social media then you probably noticed last week we were on a French adventure in the Dordogne. It's a part of France I haven't explored before and I was so excited to discover it with my kiddo and folks in tow. There are many ways to travel across to Europe but when embarking on a glamping trip it made perfect sense travel to France in style with Brittany Ferries, enjoying the journey and make it part of our adventure.
I've never really travelled on a ferry before, I can count on one hand how many times I've been on any sort of boat, and although my Grandad sailed around the world twice in his youth, providing excellent bedtime stories when I was a little girl, I can't say I've inherited his sea legs.
Being so close to the coast and embarking on our first Glamping experience with Glisten Camping, I knew it would be a good idea to take a car so we could load it up and not worry about the hidden add-on luggage fees that bump up air fare or the guilt over our carbon footprint.
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We opted to sail overnight with Brittany Ferries from Plymouth to Roscoff on the Pont-Aven, one of the many routes they operate to cross the English Channel, and my first impression of the ferry was its sheer size! It was enormous and certainly gave the feel of a cruise like crossing with its numerous decks and cabins situated on board.
Quickly dropping our bags into our four berth cabin, which includes your own bathroom, TV, hanging space and tea making facilities, we headed onto the outdoor deck to watch the sun set as we sailed away from shore. F could not have been more excited and it was such a beautiful moment watching him gaze out to sea on his maiden voyage as the last of the golden embers touched the horizon.
We decided to eat in the elegant Le Flora, one of the ships two restaurants, for our evening meal. Tables laid with white linen and silver cutlery gave us a cruise like experience rather than a ferry crossing and there was a huge array of dishes to choose from, you could even watch the chef's cooking up a storm. I opted for a glass of bubbly and fresh prawn salad while F had his eyes on the scrumptious desserts, and for those who weren't in the mood for fine dining there was a fab buffet bar available too.
I was worried that F might get bored and we would be stuck for things to do but with the choice of a spa treatment room, bar, cinema, games room, swimming pool, children's play area and shops there was plenty to keep us entertained during our journey.
We ended the evening at the Le Grand Pavious Bar watching a singer perform and a magician entertain the children as they boogied on the dance floor. I was thankful for a smooth crossing as it made for a restful sleep before waking in Roscoff and it felt great being able to relax while travelling. We woke feeling refreshed for our drive and we would definitely choose to travel by Brittany Ferries again. You can check out the other routes to France and Spain here so you can plan your journey too.
Have you ever travelled using a ferry?*We would like to thank Brittany Ferries for inviting us to travel on board the Pont-Aven and Armorique.
I hadn't realised ferries had quite such elegant restaurants on them these days. We travelled to France by ferry the other year and very much recommend getting a cabin even for a day crossing.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree we had a cabin on the way back which was only five hour crossing during the day and it was so good hhaving a cabin to rest in. x
DeleteGorgeous, looks like it was lots of fun. We once traveled over when Leo was a baby and it wasn't nearly as glam!
ReplyDeleteWow ferries have changed LOADS since I was a child - we used to go on holiday to France every summer and I always remember them as being pretty functional! Looks like lots of fun, especially for F x
ReplyDeleteWe went with Brittany Ferries from Portsmouth to St Malo last year and loved the experience. We didn't get a cabin as big as your though! LOL
ReplyDeleteI haven't been on an overnight ferry for about 15 years but boy has it changed! It looks like so much fun x
ReplyDeletefore a ferry, that is really quite lovely! i've never been on an overnight one, but have been on a uh ..more basic one when we used to go to the isle of wight.
ReplyDeleteI'd love to ferry to France some time. We were talking about it just the other day and this has reconfirmed to me that it would be a grand experience in itself. Your photos give a good view of what's on offer.
ReplyDeleteOh how lovely! We travelled a lot by ferry to France when I was younger but it looks like its come on in leaps and bounds since I was a kid ;) I can't wait to take my two x
ReplyDeleteWe tried a ferry to France a couple of times, but I suffer terribly from sea sickness and it was a complete disaster! I really wish I didnt, but we go on the tunnel and drive the extra!
ReplyDeleteWow, that ferry looks a lot more luxurious than the ones I remember going to France on in the 80s! My only memory is spending the whole trip in the loos being sick >_< !!!
ReplyDeleteWe are off to France in February and will be travelling by very. I am more excited now as they have really modernised them since I last travelled (it was 20 odd years ago)
ReplyDeleteIt has been so long since ive been on a ferry, my friends and I used to do it regularly to Amsterdam x
ReplyDeleteI love travelling by ferry but we've only done the short Dover-Calais in the past. The idea of an overnight sailing with a berth sounds so exciting, like a mini cruise before you even start your holiday!
ReplyDeleteI haven't been on a ferry for many years and this certainly looks a lot more glam. This will be on the cards though at some point as before we would attempt air travel with my autistic son, we would certainly try holidays in France first and go by ferry. So lucky to more or less me connected to Europe so easily. My grandad was in the Navy and died before I was born and I wish so much to have heard his stories. I have some letters he wrote to my Nan whilst on ship and I treasure them.
ReplyDeleteWow now that really is the life of luxury I had no idea you could travel in so much style to France! x
ReplyDeleteThat's the ferry we got to Spain last year, it's fab! We ate in the buffet restaurant as both the kids were tired and would have been a nightmare anywhere more civilised but the food was good in there too, the strawberry tarts were amazing! I ate so many of them. The soft play bit was great too, we had it all to ourselves! I hate flying so definitely the way I prefer to travel, although I do also get sea sick and had to take tablets which made me so drowsy all I couldn't do anything so Matt had to deal with the kids the whole time! x
ReplyDeletewould love to go to France - looks like a great trip x
ReplyDeleteWe did the Newhaven to Dieppe ferry crossing last time we went glamping in Normandy. It was only 4 hours though and was pretty basic. This is sailing in style! x
ReplyDeleteGosh this ferry is a bit of glam isn't it.
ReplyDeleteHayden has never been on a boat yet - would be great to take him and get over to France too. Looks like you guys had a great time.
Thanks for sharing hun.
Charlotte
This looks amazing! We went to France a couple of years ago with Brittany Ferries and were most impressed - it was like being in a hotel! We didn't do an overnighter though. Looks great :)
ReplyDeleteI've travelled by ferry all over the place, cross-channel, Scandinavia, Greek islands, Croatia, Italy, Corsica but this looks heaps more glamorous than any I've ever taken. I've never been on one with a show or spa. No wonder you had fun.
ReplyDeleteI haven't been on a ferry for a while, but the one I went on definitely wasn't like this! :)
ReplyDeletewow it looks like so much fun! Almost part of the holiday itself! x
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