Holiday location suggestions nr. Calais

fluffbrain

Hi Everyone,

We are looking to rent somewhere for the October half term either in France or Belgium. We are a family of 2 adults & 2 kids (6 & 3) and ideally want to try somewhere different within about 1 hrs. drive from the tunnel.
In the past we have stayed at Le Touquet, Hardelot and explored the regions around there. Ideally we would like to try somewhere just as pretty but new to us - possibly with historic buildings, with decent bars & food within walking distance, maybe a port or harbour, anything "nice" goes really!!

Obviously being money saving good value is a given but we do want an open fire and separate bedroom for the kids so are realistic!

Have any of you very helpful people got any suggestions??

hollydays

Belgium-de panne/ Veurne ? There's a theme park at de panne and very nice beaches.

https://www.airbnb.fr/rooms/862431


France, Lille?
I really like le touquet too but you've been there

totallybored

hollydays wrote: »

Belgium-de panne/ Veurne ? There's a theme park at de panne and very nice beaches.

https://www.airbnb.fr/rooms/862431


France, Lille?
I really like le touquet too but you've been there

I'd recommend the Belgian coast too. We just stayed in a lovely b&b for the weekend in Oostduinkirke which isn't far from De Panne.

I did notice lots of holiday parks around that seemed popular with Europeans (not so much Brits). Ostend is actually ok and so is Blankenberge. It's about 20 minutes drive from Ostend to Bruges and an extra half hour to Ghent (I think it took me an hour and a half from getting off the ferry to Ghent and I can get back to Calais from Bruges in an hour). The first time I drove I stayed in Bruges but it's cheaper to stay somewhere else and drive in to both Bruges and Ghent (car park is only €3.50 at the train station in Bruges and there is a free park and ride next to Ikea and the motorway in Ghent).

fluffbrain

Thanks Hollydays & totallybored for your suggestions so far - I will have a look into them tomorrow.

We dont really need theme parks or anything posh for the kids to do - they are happy walking, exploring & watching boats etc! (very money saving!)

Any other ideas to add to the mix anyone??

hollydays

totallybored wrote: »

I'd recommend the Belgian coast too. We just stayed in a lovely b&b for the weekend in Oostduinkirke which isn't far from De Panne.

I did notice lots of holiday parks around that seemed popular with Europeans (not so much Brits). Ostend is actually ok and so is Blankenberge. It's about 20 minutes drive from Ostend to Bruges and an extra half hour to Ghent (I think it took me an hour and a half from getting off the ferry to Ghent and I can get back to Calais from Bruges in an hour). The first time I drove I stayed in Bruges but it's cheaper to stay somewhere else and drive in to both Bruges and Ghent (car park is only €3.50 at the train station in Bruges and there is a free park and ride next to Ikea and the motorway in Ghent).

I have yet to cross Ghent off my to do list but I believe it's a lovely city.

See also this thread, may be something useful there

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5019184

hollydays

fluffbrain wrote: »

Thanks Hollydays & totallybored for your suggestions so far - I will have a look into them tomorrow.

We dont really need theme parks or anything posh for the kids to do - they are happy walking, exploring & watching boats etc! (very money saving!)

Any other ideas to add to the mix anyone??

There's a small town fortified town called gravelines which is a port and surrounded by other ports and they have a tourist train all very low key


https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=04uNzEsFgao

The other ports from memory are called grande synthe, petite synthe, petite port phillipe,


http://www.france-voyage.com/cities-towns/gravelines-22015.htm

benjus

A week or so ago I went on a trip to Bruges, Ghent and Antwerp. Bruges was the nicest of the three, but Ghent is also lovely. Antwerp I didn't like as much, but it still has nice parts. Lots of good art to see if you're into Flemish painting. I like Leuven a lot as well, but might be a bit out of your way.

There are some major roadworks on the E40 which were causing some pretty long delays, so watch out for that.

chappers11

Hi, I'd support the options of Bruges and Ghent, both are lovely.


Going the other way down the French coast, if you have done Le Touquet area I guess you have been to Montreui Sur Mer, which is my favourite. Further down A16 is St Valery sur Somme and its sister town Le Crotoy, both are on the bay of the Somme and charming, plus a little train to connect the two