want to go somewhere in france/ belguim from dover and advice on crossing water

loates123

after driving in the usa first time on right i would like a short trip 2-3 days in either france or belguim where would u advice to go for a few days dont want to drive too far due to petrol costs.but would like to go somehwere what is ok we are 2 adults and a child age 11


also who is it best to book the ferry with or would channel tunnel be better

pboae

I prefer the chunnel, it's quicker and I don't get sea sick! But other than that there isn't a huge amount to pick between them.

Some places you could look at are Veurne (Belgium) a pretty little market town, with http://www.plopsaland.be/main.html themepark nearby (worth it for the name alone ;-)

In France there is Etaples or Touquet-le-Plage, for the beaches, there is a theme park somewhere near Bolougne, but I can't remember what it is called. Nausicaa is in Bolougne as well as http://www.nausicaa.fr/ (an aquarium), though Bolougne itself isn't particularly pretty, but it has a good market.

And of course there is Disneyland, but that's quite a long drive. Asterix is down that way as well.

Oh and Montreuil-sur-mer (which is no longer sur mer) is a pretty and interesting little village, but I don't know how much you'd find to entertain an 11 year old there, but Etaples and Bolougne are both a short drive away.

There is also loads of war related stuff around, if you like that sort of thing.

loates123

thanks Veurne seems great think we will stay in for 2 nights do u know of any decent priced hotels in a good location.


not sure about france what is best Etaples or Bolougne or Montreuil-sur-mer would like one night somewhere in france does not have to be a beach resort or them park near

deva

www.speedferries.com for dover- boulogne are great plenty to did in this area from pretty villages, shopping centres, water sports and beaches. not expensive either and good combination of french food and wine with belgian beer!
there is a large aquarium at boulogne- we stayed ther for a couple of days before heading up to wimereax(sp)

loates123

St Omer seems nice and not too far away has anyone stayed here

also how much does it cost to drink and eat out in st omer and veurne

vikingaero

The ferry and tunnel operators price their fares per single trip. So why not go out on a ferry and return through the tunnel? That way you get to experience both modes of travel.

I recommend the Nausicaa aquarium in Boulogne. http://www.nausicaa.fr/

It's 10 times better than any of the Sea Life centres in the UK and several times bigger.

pboae

I go self catering, so I can't help with hotels, sorry.

St. Omer is OK, it has some nice old bits, but it is quite a big town. I would rather be in one of the smaller villages near by, like fauquembergues or hucqueliers.

loates123

pboae wrote: »

I go self catering, so I can't help with hotels, sorry.

St. Omer is OK, it has some nice old bits, but it is quite a big town. I would rather be in one of the smaller villages near by, like fauquembergues or hucqueliers.

what are these two small villages like?

pboae

They are typical quaint French villages, what is it you are looking for?

merlinormartin

If you travel by ferry use Norfolkline they seem to have the cheapest fares from dover - Dunkerque
http://www.norfolkline-ferries.co.uk/EN

How about visiting De Panne, its a 20minute car journey from Dunkerque.
http://www.depanne.be/Tourism/Welcome.aspx

De panne has plenty to offer including plopsaland themepark
www.plopsaland.be

stamford

merlinormartin wrote: »

If you travel by ferry use Norfolkline they seem to have the cheapest fares from dover - Dunkerque
http://www.norfolkline-ferries.co.uk/EN

How about visiting De Panne, its a 20minute car journey from Dunkerque.
http://www.depanne.be/Tourism/Welcome.aspx

De panne has plenty to offer including plopsaland themepark
www.plopsaland.be

Bruges & Oostende just up the road