Travelling to France

Why fly when you can drive?

Driving is by far the most flexible option, where you are in control of your own timetable, can take as much luggage as you need (including sport & leisure equipment at no extra charge), stop en route as and when you choose and maybe visit a little vineyard on the way through Burgundy. You can also stay in more than one resort and take day trips to areas of interest, while maximising your leisure time in the resort.

Because we have negotiated great prices with the ferry companies and Eurotunnel we are able to offer the best value for money possible.

View here to check SeaFrance’s sailing schedule.

For independent travellers we can offer accommodation-only bookings. Most of our resorts are close to the international airports of Geneva, Grenoble, Chambery, Lyon or Turin (see our airlines and car hire companies sections).

We can also arrange competitive car hire.

New this year, all our inclusive holidays now include a return Eurotunnel crossing with a car with a FREE FlexiPlus upgrade giving you not only the complete flexibility to travel on the next available departure (whenever you turn-up) but also dedicated Check-In lane, priority boarding and use of the dedicated lounge facilities with complimentary facilities (cars below 1.85m high only). Some supplements for peak dates apply, please see below.

Crossing time is 35mins, with up to 4 departures per hour. IMPORTANT: LPG vehicles not permitted

Check driving distances and detailed itineraries at:

www.viamichelin.com

Picture: Pride of Hull                    Picture: 2 bed outside cabin on

                                                    Hull-Rotterdam route

The benefits of FlexiPlus

Flexibility

Relax and enjoy your journey without having to worry about arriving on time for your departure. Leave from home or from the resort when you are ready and avoid the stress of having to meet a particular departure. During peak travel times, you are kindly requested to respect your reserved departure time as close as possible.  The Eurotunnel service is very popular during these peak travel times.

Priority Check-in

Enjoy use of exclusive Check-in booths/lane where you will be offered the next available departure (3 per hour during most of the day).

Priority Boarding

Once you are in your designated FlexiPlus lane, you will be boarded on the next shuttle ahead of other passengers.  Remember, first on, first off and onwards to your destination.

Designated parking place

If stopping off for a bite to eat or last minute shopping then you are entitled to park in the designated spaces close to the Passenger Terminal Buildings.

The FlexiPlus lounge

The lounge opens 06.00 to 22.00 daily, offering you complimentary non-alcoholic drinks and light meal.

Relax in comfortable surroundings with a free newspaper (one per car) or take advantage of telephone/fax/internet access facilities. There is a small shop for any last minute purchases. On your return enjoy the French FlexiPlus lounge; shop for alcohol and confectionery at fabulous French prices. Due to safety regulations of the FlexiPlus lounge parking area, vehicles over 1.85m high are not permitted to access the lounge facilities (but you can still benefit from all the other benefits).

FlexiPlus fares cost several hundreds £ when booked direct with Eurotunnel, so we are extremely pleased to have negotiated such great deal for you.

Holiday Inn Express En-Route Accommodation in Folkestone, Kent

If you would like to stay close to the Eurotunnel terminal the Holiday Inn Express is the hotel our directors would recommend from personal experience. The hotel is new, good value and it is the closest hotel to the terminal. The Express by Holiday Folkestone is situated very conveniently for the Channel Tunnel and Dover Ferry Port, Ideally situated next to J12 of the M20, five minutes from the Euro Tunnel and ten minutes from the Dover Ferry Port the hotel is ideal for those stopping over en route to France.

Rooms sleeps 2-4 in either doubles, twins or family rooms. The rooms have air conditioning, direct dial phone, TV, tea/coffee maker, radio alarm clock, desk, cot on request and are non-smoking. The bathroom has a hair dryer.

Additional information – pets welcome at a charge.

View the following direct link to check availability, prices and to book a room (plus full room description) at the Holiday Inn Express Folkestone

https://irun-holidayinn.co.uk/booking/obm30/checkavail.php?ln=&id=1&refid=6

Travel supplements and reductions WINTER 2010/2011 – each way

EXTRA CAR £160 RTN (reductions for ferries)

Other Dover-Calais ferry routes options are available as per previous years, please contact our reservations team on 0844 576 0170 for further details

Please note that the supplements shown are calculated on the basis of our tour operator allocated space. Occasionally, space may not be available at these fares, in which case we may have to charge the operator's full brochure price. If this occurs, it will, of course, be made clear to you at the time of booking. The same operator must be used for the outward and return journey.

Snowchains (to buy or hire)

20% discount when you quote Peak Retreats

with Polar Snowchains – 01892 519933

To book your crossing please call us on 0844 576 0170

Opening times Mon-Fri 9am – 6pm (7pm Sept-Mar), Sat 10am – 4pm. Closed bank holidays and Sundays.