Driving in Europe with Drive-Alive

Petrol and diesel prices in Europe - December 14th 2011

2011-12-14T22:46:00.000Z

If you are driving abroad for your Christmas or New Year holiday you might like to check our chart of petrol and diesel prices throughout Europe, updated December 14th 2011.

Since our last survey in October the price of petrol has been static, or fallen slightly. The price of diesel has gone up, largely because of supply issues, and is now close to the price of petrol in most of Europe. In some countries it is now dearer, and whilst this has long been the norm in the UK, in Europe in general this is a new development.

Italy has seen the biggest price rises and fuel here is now the most expensive in Europe, with Britain close behind for diesel and in the top 5 for petrol. It's a long way to drive, but Hungary and Poland have the least expensive fuel, and nearer home Luxembourg is still a good place to fill up.

If you are heading to the Alps this winter Austria is relatively inexpensive both for fuel and the cost of living generally.

In many countries there are large variations in price so when you first arrive in a country drive for a while before you fill up, so you can get an idea of the prices on offer. This is particularly true in France where petrol prices can vary by as much as 20 cents a litre.

A full list of petrol and diesel prices in Europe

Snow chains or winter tyres when driving abroad?

2011-12-01T22:57:00.001Z

One of the most frequently asked questions at Drive-Alive relates to the use of snow chains and winter tyres when driving abroad. Are they a legal requirement and if so where and when? Confusion also exists about the difference between winter tyres, all season tyres and studded tyres.

Studded tyres are designed to be used in more extreme conditions than normal winter tyres and should not be used when driving on clear roads. UK drivers will not normally need studded tyres and snow chains are a much better option should extreme conditions be encountered.

All season tyres are in effect the same as winter tyres. Like winter tyres in theory they can be used all year round, although they suffer from the same disadvantages in the warmer weather as do winter tyres. They also carry a symbol on their side wall similar to winter tyres.

Winter tyres will carry a snowflake, M&S or mountain symbol on the sidewall. They are manufactured from a different rubber compound to summer tyres (currently fitted as standard to British sold cars). This compound retains its grip in cool temperatures much better than summer tyres, and by cool we mean anything below about 7 degress centigrade. So they are safer not just in snow but in cold weather generally, especially if the road is wet or icy.

The disadvantage with winter tyres is that in the summer they tend to wear more quickly, have a higher rolling resistance so use more fuel, are a little noisier and do not grip as well as standard tyres in hot weather and cost a little more.

In certain European countries (currently Germany and Austria) there is now a legal requirement to use winter tyres during certain months of the year, when driving in wintery conditions. The problem is that on a lengthy journey such as from the UK to go skiing in the mountains it is impossible to be certain whether you will encounter wintery conditions. So if you want to go skiing with your car in those countries you really should purchase a set of winter tyres. Drivers resident in those countries normally have two sets of tyres as standard and they are sold on with the car.

We expect that more countries will make winter tyres mandatory in the future. In Switzerland the current position is that winter tyres are not compulsory but if you do not fit winter tyres and as a result you impede other traffic you could be fined. The tread depth on winter tyres must be at least 3mm (4mm in the Czech Republic).

Snow chains should be carried whether using winter or summer tyres if you are in a country with mountainous terrain. In some countries it is mandatory to use chains when conditions demand and if you do not do so the police can prevent you from continuing your journey. However, you must only use chains when the road surface is covered with snow and must remove the chains as soon as possible to avoid damaging the road.

For more on winter tyres and snow chains please visit the following pages:
Driving abroad
Winter driving in Europe
Winter tyres in Germany
Winter tyres in Austria

Stena Line Ferries all change on the Irish Sea

2011-11-23T08:17:00.000Z

Stena Line's Irish Sea ferry routes have undergone a rationalisation process to make the company leaner and more efficient. The Fast Ferries (large catamarans) have been trimmed so that only the summer service between Holyhead and Dun Laoghaire is still operated by these expensive to run vessels.

Among the casualties are the Fishguard to Rosslare fast ferry service, which will not be returning to service, although the conventional ferry the Stena Europe will continue to service this route twice daily. The Stena Europe Superferry service had benefited from a £1m refit in 2010, and to confirm its ongoing commitment to Fishguard, and the Fishguard to Rosslare ferry service, Stena Line has gone into partnership with investment firm Conygar to develop the port of Fishguard with a proposed new marina, housing development and promenade.

Stena has already announced a cut in its fast ferry service between Holyhead and Dun Laoghaire. This route is now served in the summer only by the Fast Ferry Stena Explorer. The Stena Adventurer and Stena Nordica superferries continue to operate ferries between Holyhead and Dublin port.

Holyhead continues to enjoy support from Stena Line and here also they have partnered with Conygar to develop the waterfront.

On a further positive note Stena Line ferries have moved their Cairnryan to Belfast ferry service to Stena Lines’ new £200 million port at Cairnryan in south-west Scotland. Previously the route to Belfast arrived and departed from Stranraer on Loch Ryan, but the narrow entrance to the loch meant a slow approach, losing time and burning fuel.

Cairnryan is at the mouth of Loch Ryan and this has reduced the travel time by three quarters of an hour and saved fuel. The new ships can maintain full speed until the last minute. Stena Line has also invested in two new ships, Stena Superfast VII and Stena Superfast VIII. The new ships are the largest ever to sail the route. Automatic docking at the new port allows a faster turnaround.

Another positive devlopment for Stena Line took place earlier this year when they inaugurated the Liverpool Belfast ferry route, giving excellent access to Northern Ireland's capital city from the heart of the North of England.

Stena Line hopes this programme of modernisation and rationalisation will see the company continuing to serve the ferry routes between England and Scotland and Ireland far into the future.

More about Stena Line's Irish Sea Ferries

Ferries and Mini-Cruises - a growing trend

2011-10-20T00:01:00.000+01:00

Once upon a time a car ferry was a fairly basic piece of kit designed to transport vehicles from A to B. Sometimes there was a bar, a self-service restaurant and a duty-free shop, but the early ferries were not built for comfort.

That has all changed. A modern car ferry is more like a cruise ship, with sleek lines, restaurants, bars, cinemas and sometimes even swimming pools. The cabins, especially the better specified ones, are more like hotel rooms, with ensuite facilities, proper beds and TVs.

The ferry companies realised that these facilities, often under-utilised outside the holiday season, could attract a new sort of customer, not so much interested in taking their car abroad, but who enjoyed the very experience of travelling on these comfortable ships. To further enhance the experience live entertainment is provided on board, and at the port of arrival excursions and shuttle buses ferry customers to the various local attractions.

Some of the mini-cruises allow for just a shopping trip at the destination, whereas others give the traveller the chance to spend a couple of nights enjoying cities such as Amsterdam, Bruges and Santander. The choice is yours.

The destinations served by the ferries to France, Belgium, Denmark, The Netherlands and Spain offer ample opportunity for sightseeing. Below is a selction of links to just some of the destinations. If a short break in comfortable on board accommodation without the car to some of Europe's best destinations appeals, with none of the hassle associated with flying, , then why not check out these mini-cruises?

P&O Mini-Cruises from Hull to Amsterdam, Zeebrugge (for Bruges), and Rotterdam
DFDS Seaways have a whole range of mini-cruises from Newcastle to Amsterdam and from Harwich to Esbjerg in Denmark with some great offers
Brittany Ferries Mini-Cruises from Portsmouth to Santander in Northern Spain

Plymouth to St Malo on Brittany Ferries

2011-10-07T04:04:00.001+01:00

Brittany Ferries have announced that they are launching a new ferry crossing between Plymouth and St Malo, to run once a week during the winter.

The car and passenger ferry departs from Plymouth on Tuesday evenings and the return sailing leaves St Malo on Friday mid-morning.
More about the Brittany Ferries Plymouth St Malo ferry.

We think this is a useful addition to the ferry crossings between England and France, and this is why:

Plymouth and St Malo are both cities well worth visiting.
Plymouth has something for everyone with shops, theatres, cinemas, bar and restaurants. In addition Plymouth Sound and the ancient steets of the Barbican are awash with history, and the views from the Hoe are stunning.
St Malo is also rich in history, with one of the best preserved walled citadels in Europe. It too, although smaller than Plymouth, has a wealth of attractions, including some excellent beaches
Both cities offer easy access to some superb countryside and coastal scenery, all within a short drive from the ferry. From Plymouth visit the Devon and Cornwall coastline, and from St Malo take a trip to Mont St Michel, or the riverside town of Dinard
These are popular holiday areas, and no wonder, but in the summer season they can be very crowded. These crossings give you time and space to make the most of what Devon and Cornwall and Brittany and Normandy have to offer.
The timing of the crossings mean you can leave the UK on Tuesday evening and arrive refreshed after a good night's sleep. Then you have the option of a short break, returning to the UK on Friday in time for tea, or with hotel prices at their lowest of the year you might want to stay for a full 10 days, maybe venturing further afield into France. And of course you can always choose a different return crossing!

So why not give it a go? Below are the links to check the timetables and book the crossing, as well as links to the hotels we offer in Plymouth and St Malo.

Timetable for Brittany Ferries Plymouth St Malo ferry crossing
Hotels in Plymouth
Hotels in St Malo

Driving in Europe? 10 things to remember.

2011-08-23T10:04:00.000+01:00

More and more UK motorists are taking their cars to Europe, both for holidays and business trips. Flying is becoming more stressful and subject to delays, and low cost flights now seem to cost more in surcharges than the flight itself. Plus there are restrictions on the amount of luggage you can take.

With a car the journey becomes part of the holiday. Enjoy the changing scenery and architecture; notice how everything becomes a little bit different the further you venture from our shores.

But you do need to make a few preparations, and below we list 10 things which will help to ensure a trouble free trip:

1. Remember to drive on the right everywhere in Europe (except the UK and Ireland).
2. Several countries now insist you carry reflective vests in the vehicle in case of emergency.
3. Buy or hire snow chains if you are driving in mountainous areas in the winter.
4. Carry a warning triangle, first-aid kit, fire extinguisher, and spare bulb kit.
5. Do not exceed the speed limit - radar traps are frequent and on the spot fines can be severe.
6. Take out vehicle breakdown insurance for Europe.
7. Contact your car insurer and tell them you are driving abroad - not all policies provide automatic European cover.
8. In Spain you must carry spare spectacles (if you wear them).
9. Do not drink and drive - many countries have stricter limits and heavier penalties than the UK.
10. Buy and affix headlamp stickers to ensure your lights do not dazzle oncoming motorists.

If you follow this advice you should enjoy a trouble free driving trip. You can find more detailed advice on our country-by-country pages about driving in Europe.

Roadworks delays en route to Dover summer 2011

2011-07-20T09:53:00.002+01:00

Roadworks are in place on the A20 near the Roundhill Tunnel between Folkestone and Dover. The eastbound carriageway, which narrows from three lanes to two soon after passing the Channel Tunnel exit, now reduces to just one lane.

The delays vary according to the volume of traffic, but at peak times during the school holidays you could be delayed by as much as one hour. The same applies to westbound traffic towards London. Channel Tunnel traffic from the West is not affected as the exits for the tunnel are before the roadworks.

The roadworks are necessary because of problems with the expansion joints on the viaduct to the west of the Roundhill Tunnel. Apparently these need to be made in Europe (so much for British engineering!) and this, together with the time needed for fitting, means the disruption could continue for most of 2011.

The ferry and port operators are urging the Highways Agency to find an interim solution, such as a temporary bridge, but this is by no means certain.

You might like to consider using the alternative route via the M2/A2, which although a little slower, is not currently subject to any problems.

For up to date traffic information visit the Highways Agency website.
For more information on ferry crossings to France, Eurotunnel and Eurostar.

2011 Whale Watching in the Bay of Biscay

2011-06-07T18:18:00.001+01:00

Spot whales in the Bay of Biscay with Brittany Ferries' on the largest whale-watching boat on earth!

This summer Brittany Ferries is offering wildlife lovers the opportunity to take a unique wildlife cruise to Spain, travelling through some of the best waters on earth for spotting whales and dolphins. Marine conservation experts from the School Of Whales will help passengers look out for all kinds of marine life from the best vantage points on board Pont Aven, Brittany Ferries’ flagship cruise ferry.

Expert whale biologist and School of Whales guide Dylan Walker says: “Whale watching with Brittany Ferries is the perfect combination. The chance to see whales and dolphins in the wild onboard a ship that offers considerable luxury and comfort at a reasonable price. To be able to go whale and dolphin watching from the south coast of England is a treat that most people just don’t realise is possible. Within a day’s sailing of Portsmouth we regularly find ourselves surrounded by huge pods of dolphins and enormous whales – it’s a magical experience.”

“The Bay of Biscay is such an undiscovered wilderness that we are still learning more about the whales and dolphins that live there on every trip. By joining us you can help us to continue to record sightings and take photographs, as we begin to piece together the mysteries of some of the rarest and least known whales on earth!”

The cruises will be fun as well as enlightening. During the trip the expert guides from School of Whales will carry out whale and dolphin spotting watches on deck helping passengers spot these amazing animals in their natural habitat. There will also be a range of colourful wildlife presentations and activities. On-board passengers will enjoy a range of bars and lounges as well as shopping and entertainment and fine French dining. And on arrival in Spain the ship docks right in the centre Santander, and there’s just enough time to explore this vibrant seaside resort before getting back on board and heading back out to sea.

These two night trips depart from Portsmouth on 21st June; 5th & 12th July; and 2nd, 16th, 23rd & 30th August, with prices starting from only £155 per person, including comfortable en suite cabin accommodation.

After leaving Portsmouth, passengers will cruise through the English Channel before crossing the Bay of Biscay, a vast ocean landscape and one of the world’s most important habitats for whales and dolphins. Plunging to depths of up to four kilometres, this mysterious sea area has recently begun to reveal its secrets - including the fact that it is home to over twenty species of cetacean (whales, dolphins and porpoises) ranging in size from the harbour porpoise, which is no bigger than a dog, to the mightily blue whale – the largest living animal on earth.

For more information visit the Brittany Ferries Whale Watching Page

Zermatt Unplugged - Festival of Music

2011-03-10T16:26:00.000Z

Zermatt Unplugged is one of the winter’s most exciting musical festivals. It was founded in 2007 as a singer-song writer festival and this year’s event (the 5th festival ) takes place between 12th – 16th April.

5 days, 6 stages, 14 acts, 32 concerts and free admission! On 5 days, 14 different bands and musicians will be playing 32 concerts on 6 New Talent stages – and all free of charge!

In addition there are ticket events for concerts with Seal, David Gray, James Walsh ( and surprise guests!) and Roger Hodgson (Supertramp).

Hotels in Zermatt
Self-catering chalets and apartments in Zermatt
More about Zermatt Unplugged

Zermatt is spectacularly situated at the foot of the Matterhorn, and is arguably the most famous ski resort in the world. It has something for everyone - pistes for all levels, a lively and sophisticated ambience, and stacks of aprs-ski and non-skiing activities.

Zermatt also has the longest winter season in the Alps. All three skiing areas are open from late November to the start of May, so there should still be plenty of fantastic skiing available in the breaks between the music.

Drive-Alive Holidays offers a fantastic selection of hotels and Self-catering chalets and apartments in Zermatt – perfect for skiing and for enjoying great music.

Rail travel in Europe - ideas and deals of the month

2011-02-17T16:28:00.001Z

Drive-Alive is about more than just driving in Europe - we also promote other forms of surface travel (our last post was about cycle trails in Normandy) and this post has some suggestions for getting to a few of Europe's most popular destinations by train.

Disneyland Paris by train from £69 rtn
Eurostar trains run from London St Pancras and Asford International direct to Disneyland Paris. This is a great way to reach this most popular of family destinations, especially with kids. There's plenty of room for them to get up and stretch their legs and what child doesn't enjoy the magic of a train journey?

Florence by train from £131 rtn
Avoid all the hassle of budget flights and airport delays. Catch the Eurostar direct to Paris then change to the overnight sleeper to Florence, waking refreshed and ready to enjoy all the treasures this famous city has to offer.

Paris by train from £69 rtn
Nowadays the only sensible way to get right into the heart of the City of Light, the Eurostar from St Pancras takes just 2 and a quarter hours. Enjoy Paris in springtime.

Geneva by train from £105 rtn
Geneva enjoys a spectacular situation on the shores of Lake Geneva, with the Alps as a magnificent backdrop. With a journey time (not counting transfer in Paris) of just 5 and three quarter hours from St Pancras to the centre of Geneva, you can be booking in to your hotel with time for a stroll along the Lake before dinner.

Rome by train from £131 rtn
Rome needs no introduction, just to say that taking the train is a stress-free way to arrive right in the centre of the Imperial City. The journey takes 17 hours and only one change of train in Paris, from the Eurostar to the comfortable high speed sleeper. And when you arrive, it's only mid-morning!

Nice by train from £119 rtn
The French Riviera still retains the glamour and charm that has attracted visitors over the years. The train journey takes less than 8 hours from St Pancras, excluding the transfer in Paris, and you get to enjoy the spectacular scenery of the Cote d'Azur over breakfast!

These are just a few of the great destinations available by modern comfortable high speed trains. We hope you agree, it's time to let the train take the strain!

For more about Trains in Europe click here.

Cycling in Normandy on Voies Vertes

2011-02-01T17:58:00.002Z

The authorities in both France and England are looking for feedback regarding the facilities for cyclists at the ferry ports and what they think of the signage, as well as views on the paths themselves. So when you reach the ports you are likely to be handed a questionnaire. Complete this and you will help to shape the cycle newtork of Europe!

The French are well advanced in setting up a nation-wide network of Voies Vertes (Green Ways) for cycling and walking. There are still gaps in this network but some excellent sections have now been completed and some of the best are in Upper Normandy (Haute-Normandie) and Lower Normandie (Basse-Normandie).

Normandy is easily reached by ferry from England. You can either book as a foot passenger and pay a small extra fee for your bike, or, if you want the freedom to try out different routes you might like to take your bikes by car. Just make sure that when you book you complete the section confirming you will be carrying bikes. This is especially important if the bikes are roof-mounted, as you will need to be allocated a high space on the ferry.

Ferry crossings to France from the UK.

The longest of these routes is the Véloroute du littoral en Seine-Maritime which runs for 172 km from Le Tréport to Le Havre along the coast. It's not a true Voie Verte becaus some of it is on quiet roads, hence the title "Véloroute". If you don't take a car you can join this route 40 km south of Le Tréport at Dieppe, which can be reached using Transmanche ferries from Newhaven, and from Le Havre the ferry travels to Portsmouth. Or of course you can travel in the reverse direction.

Or maybe you'd like to try some shorter options. For example there's the Voie Verte de la Seine à l'Eure, a 20 km voie verte south of Rouen, along the banks of the Eure. Or how about a gentle 13 km ride along the Voies Vertes de la Vallée de la Charentonne in central Haute Normandie.

As you can see these Voies Vertes cater for all levels of cycling ability, so they are perfect for a family trip or a good long ride for the more enthusiastic. Normandy is a beautiful region of France and can really be appreciated by bike. It is a region of wooded valleys, forests and rolling hills, dotted with pretty timbered houses in old villages.

For more information on all the Voies Vertes in Upper Normandie.
For more information on all the Voies Vertes in Lower Normandie.

Both the sites are currently only in French, although there are plans to present them in English and German.

Self-drive camping holidays January booking discount

2011-01-04T16:01:00.000Z

Self-drive camping holidays are likely to be popular in 2011. They offer a cost effective way of having a great time in Europe's best holiday locations. Modern mobile homes offer real comfort, while fixed tents are a budget, but still comfortable option.

These great prices are now even more amazing thanks to discounts for any bookings made in January. Eurocamp are offering 20% off all their holidays, while Keycamp discount by 15%.

Camping holidays are not just for families either. With campsites situated in some fabulous country areas they offer a great base for walkers and cyclists. Put your bikes on the car and take a few days break in the Dordogne or the Loire, where you will find superb cycle and walking paths.

And if you are not tied to school holidays there are some fantastic bargains to be had, made even more enticing by the early booking discount of 20% on all holidays booked with Eurocamp in January, or 15% across the board for January bookings with Keycamp.

With over 250 campsites from Europe's favourite operators, why not check the great holidays on offer now?

Book your camping holiday with Eurocamp
Book your camping holiday with Keycamp

Brittany Ferries brings back Poole Cherbourg ship

2010-12-24T15:59:00.001Z

Brittany Ferries has done the right thing and agreed to reinstate the ferry route operated by their vessel the Barfleur between Poole and Cherbourg. Following their decision to suspend this ferry crossing to France there was quite an outcry. The Poole Cherbourg crossing might not be the most used of the ferry routes between the UK and France, but it was much loved by those in the know.

Book the Poole to Cherbourg ferry crossing

Poole is a useful port for those living in central southern England and the relatively short route to Cherbourg, just 4 and a half hours for the Barfleur, makes the crossing effective in terms of time. The short crossing time also enabled the mv Barfleur, which operates the route, to make up to 3 crossings daily.

The Barfleur will return to service between Poole and Cherbourg on the 27th February 2011, crossing fron Cherbourg ready to sail again from Poole on February 28th. Brittany Ferries has changed the mix of freight and passengers to give more emphasis on freight. They hope this will enable the route to return to profitability, as it has been losing serious money for some time. But the company promises there will be no loss of facilities for passengers on board.

The Brafleur will operate beytween Poole and Cherbourg throughout the spring and summer, and towards the end of the season the route will be reviewed to see if is producing sufficient profit to enable it to continue. So residents of Poole and the surrounding area need to help Brittany Ferries to justify their about turn by using the route whenever possible.

The service from Poole will operate daily with an overnight return from Cherbourg, with extra crossings every Friday and Saturday. During the summer there will be a convenient 11.00 departure from Poole on most days and a 19.00 return from Cherbourg on Friday, Saturday and Sunday - 22.30 on other days.

Latest timetable Poole Cherbourg ferry crossing.

Barfleur’s departures will be complemented by the existing fast craft service between Poole and Cherbourg which operates from May to October and takes just 2 and a half hours.

Customers already booked on other sailings or on the Fastcraft Normandie Vitesse will be able to change their reservations to Barfleur sailings without charge. This will be possible at any point in time on Brittany Ferries' website, and customers will also be able to make these changes without charge by phone until 17th January 2011.

Concerts in the Alps - Music in the Mountains

2010-11-29T14:26:00.000Z

Between April 2nd and 9th 2011 the Alpine ski region known as Les Portes du Soleil is putting on a series of concerts in the mountains. This sounds like a great way to combine some skiing with some great gigs in a fabulous setting.

Les Portes du Soleil is claimed to be the largest ski area in Europe, crossing the border between France and Switzerland, and has an amazing 650 km of marked pistes.

Alerted by SMS just minutes before the start of the gigs, fans will need to hop on their skis to reach the unique sets built overnight. For one week, all 12 of the Portes du Soleil's French and Swiss village resorts will be pulsating to the rhythm of these one-off performances. So we can't advise you in advance where these events will take place or even who the performers will be, but that sounds like part of the fun.

There's no cost to see the concerts - all you need is a lift pass. To register your mobile phone and pre-book your lift pass visit the official website of Les Portes du Soleil.

Drive-Alive Holidays offers some great value accommodation in most of the resorts comprising Les Portes du Soleil. Visit the links below to check our self-catering accommodation in the various villages:
Self catering in Abondance
Self catering in Chatel
Self catering in Lets Gets
Self catering in Morzine
Self catering in Champéry
Self catering in Torgon
Self catering in Val d'Illiez/Les Crosets

Just a reminder that we also offer self catering apartments, villas and chalets throughout the Alps. There's still plenty of availability for most of the ski season, although peak dates are selling fast, especially February half-term. So go to our self-catering search page and look for what you want before it's too late!

Skiing holidays in Europe by car and train

2010-11-11T15:03:00.000Z

Self-drive Winter sports holidays and trains to the Alps

The summer is but a distant memory, school half-term holidays are over, so cheer yourselves up by thinking about a winter sports holiday. We don't do flights, so just how easy is it to drive to the ski resorts of Europe and are they accessible by train? Here is a summary of the options, all available through the Drive-Alive website.

DRIVING TO THE SKI RESORTS
From the Channel Ports many major ski resorts are within a day's drive. Even better, if you have a couple of days to get there, catching a ferry in the morning allows for an easy two days' drive, arriving on the afternoon of the second day. Break your journey in one of our en-route hotels.

As a guide here are driving times to some of the resorts, assuming departure from Calais and not allowing for stops:

Megeve (France) 8 hours
Tignes (France) 9 and a half hours
Chamonix (France) 8 hours
Saas Fee (Switzerland) 9 and a quarter hours
Verbier (Switzerland) 8 and a half hours
Grindelwald (Switzerland) 8 and a half hours
Courmayeur (Italy) 8 and a half hours
Sestriere (Italy) 9 and a half hours
Kitzbuhel (Austria) 10 hours
Zell am See (Austria) 11 hours
Seefeld (Austria) 9 hours

The Dover to Calais ferry crossing is always a good option if you are in the South-East, and you can use P&O Ferries, SeaFrance or the Eurotunnel shuttle (M20 near Folkestone to Calais Coquelles). Dover Dunkirk with DFDS Seaways (formerly Norfolk Line) is often cheaper, if a little longer.

Longer crossings are offered by LD Lines from Newhaven to Dieppe and Portsmouth to Le Havre, whilst Brittany Ferries sails from Portsmouth to Caen.

These last two crossings offer overnight sailings, so it's perfectly possible to get a good night's sleep on board and arrive at your resort in time for an evening meal. Driving times from Le Havre, Caen and Dieppe are not much longer than from Calais if you are going to the Western Alps, but to get a more accurate idea visit our route planner, where you will also see en-route hotels displayed in case you prefer an overnight stop.

If you live in Scotland or the North of England you can take overnight ferries from Newcastle to Amsterdam with DFDS Seaways, or from Hull to Rotterdam and Zeebrugge with P&O Ferries. Driving times are a little longer from these ports, so check out the route planner.

BY TRAIN TO THE ALPS
The very popular Eurostar Snow Train running from 19 December 2010 to 16 April 2011 whisks you from St Pancras International or Ashford International direct to the valley towns of Moûtiers, Aime or Bourg-St-Maurice. This is a great way to get to the French Alps, so make sure you book soon. From early January until April there is an overnight train leaving St Pancras at 20.31 on Friday evenings and delivering you to the mountains in time for breakfast and a full day's skiing.
Click for the Snow Train timetables and booking.

From Moutiers and Bourg St Maurice there are various ways to get to your resort - taxis, shuttle buses - or you can hire a car. Check out car hire in Bourg St Maurice and car hire in Moutiers.

Many other ski resorts in Europe are accessible by train, especially now that the various European train companies are getting their act together in terms of integrated booking. To see what is possible visit the Eurostar website and try some different destinations. Rail Europe is another good website for pan-European train bookings.

IN THE RESORT
On our ski information website you'll find statistics, information and piste maps for around 80 of the most popular ski resorts in Europe. You can book self-catering apartments and chalets at extremely competitive prices as well as many hotels in ski resorts throughout Europe. Each resort page has a direct booking link to all the properties in the resort.

Brittany Ferries skiing holidays offer some great packages which include ferry crossings and accommodation.

You can also pre-book ski equipment at anything up to 40% off, not only saving money but saving time by having your equipment ready and waiting when you arrive.

So forget the horrors of budget airline travel and make the journey part of your holiday. Take as much luggage and ski equipment as you can fit in. And by the time you've allowed for getting to the airport, for the often lengthy transfer to your destination, and the time spent actually in the airports (not to mention potential delays), you might find it's almost as quick to drive or take the
train!

Ferry routes to Ireland - Irish Sea ferries

2010-10-28T16:48:00.001+01:00

With the industrial disputes in France causing some disruption and with an uncertain outcome, why not turn your attention westwards towards Ireland for your next driving trip? You'll find spectacular scenery, excellent food and of course Guinness or Murphy's to wash it down. The people are really friendly and nobody knows how to turn a quick pint into an all night party better than the Irish!

Traffic is rarely a problem in Ireland, whether in the Republic or Northern Ireland. Dublin and Belfast can be busy, but away from there and the open road beckons. It's hard to single out anywhere for special recommendation, as the whole country has something to offer. There's the wild west coast of Galway, the Dingle Peninsula and Donegal; the softer lushness of the south around Cork and Waterford; the prettiness of Wexford; the glorious coastline of Antrim and Down in Northern Ireland.

Dublin is world famous for its culture and lively nightlife, although these days Belfast runs a close second. Classy Cork and vibrant Galway both repay a visit.

Drive-Alive now offers 8 different ways to get to the Republic and Northern Ireland by ferry with routes from Stranraer to Belfast, Fleetwood to Larne, Liverpool to Belfast and Dublin, Holyhead to Dublin and Dun Laoghaire, Pembroke and Fishguard to Rosslare.

So if you're longing to hit the road but hesitating about heading to France, visit our ferry information page where you'll find links to more information about all these ferry crossings to Ireland plus links to book directly with the ferry companies at the best possible prices.

If you know which route you'd like just follow the links below:

* Holyhead to Dun Laoghaire with Stena Line
* Fishguard to Rosslare with Stena Line
* Holyhead to Dublin with Stena Line
* Stranraer to Belfast with Stena Line
* Fleetwood to Larne with Stena Line
* Holyhead to Dublin with Irish Ferries
* Pembroke to Rosslare with Irish Ferries
* Liverpool to Belfast with DFDS NorfolkLine
* Liverpool to Dublin with DFDS NorfolkLine

Luxury Autumn and Winter breaks in France from Brittany Ferries

2010-10-14T10:05:00.001+01:00

Brittany Ferries are cementing their reputation as more then just a ferry company by offering Autumn and Winter short breaks in quality accommodation in France, at bargain prices. They have teamed up with luxury hotel group, Lucien Barrière, to provide breaks at two of the most magnificent hotels in western France.

Research and book your luxury short break in France.

Indulge yourself with a two-night stay at either the Normandy Hotel in Deauville or the Royal-Thalasso Hotel in La Baule in southern Brittany for only £199 per person, including return ferry crossings to France with a car. This represents a real bargain, giving you the chance to enjoy top resort hotels for not much more than the cost of a crossing on its own.

As one of the most chic coastal resorts in France, Deauville is frequented year-round by the rich and famous. Known for its Film Festival that takes place every September, it also has a long association with horse racing. There is also no shortage of fine golf courses in the vicinity.

The 5 star Normandy Hotel with half-timbering, chequered flagstones and picturesque pinnacles, offers a warm and friendly atmosphere. Situated just across the road from the sea and in the centre of town, the hotel is connected to the casino by a covered walkway.

La Baule boasts one of the longest and finest beaches in Europe which the 5-star Royal Thalasso overlooks. This spa hotel is devoted to the concept of wellbeing and is the ideal place for a romantic break. You might not want to take advantage of the outdoor swimming pool complex (in fact it will be closed!) but every other water-based treatment is available. Again, the hotel is close to the beach and town centre.

The combination of luxurious ferry travel, top-class resorts and really outstanding hotels makes these breaks perfect for a celebratory treat such as a birthday or anniversary. Even in the winter there is always so much to do and see, and a stroll along the beach at La Baule or Deauville is a great experience whatever the time of year. These breaks represent remarkable value, especially as you can take your own car, and what you bring back won't be limited by airline baggage charges!

These breaks are available on any sailing from 3 October to 31 March 2011 and prices are based on 2 people sharing. Cabins on overnight sailings are available from £34.

Research and book your luxury short break in France.
More about Brittany Ferries routes to France.

• Price includes a return crossing to France with a car and is per person based on 2 people sharing a double room.
• This offer is subject to limited availability
• Available on selected dates from 3 October 2010 to 31 March 2011.
• Offer is for two night stay only and cannot be extended.
• New bookings only.
• Holiday terms and conditions apply.

Copenhagen to Oslo ferry from DFDS Seaways

2010-08-21T14:28:00.000+01:00

Driving holidays in Scandinavia remain popular with British motorists, but currently there are no car ferries between the UK and Norway or Sweden. You can always fly and hire a car on arrival, but then you still have to put up with all the stress of airport security, delayed flights, baggage restrictions and extra payments.

The appeal of taking your own car lies in the freedom from all that. So how do you get to Scandinavia without flying? You can of course take any of the ferries that operate between the UK and Northern France, Belgium or Holland, but that leaves you with a long drive up through the Netherlands, Germany and Southern Denmark.

There is an alternative thanks to our partnership with DFDS Seaways. Drive-Alive has always offered the DFDS ferry crossing from Harwich to Esbjerg in Western Denmark. We are now able to supplement this crossing with the DFDS ferry between Copenhagen in Denmark and Oslo in Norway.

Combining these two routes allows you to design a really interesting and enjoyable driving holiday. Harwich is easily reached from most of England, either along the A12/A120 from London and the South-East or along the A14/A120 from the Midlands and the North.

Once you arrive in Esbjerg you could either take a break nearby in the lovely old town of Ribe, or visit Legoland, or set off on the easy 3 hour drive to Copenhagen. This is a fantastic city for a short break. Make sure you visit the Tivoli Gardens funfair with its midnight firework display - simple pleasures reminiscent of times past. Children and grown-ups love it.

The ferry to Oslo departs daily in the early evening. The ships that operate these routes really are more like floating hotels, a very different experience to the ferries that come and go from the UK. The Scandinavians demand quality, and these ships deliver, with 11 different cafés bars and restaurants, cinema, shopping and very comfortable en suite cabins.

You arrive at your destination next morning ready to explore the fabulous scenery that Norway has to offer. But stay awhile in Oslo, as this is a delightful city set at the head of the Oslo Fjord. Visit the islands, walk in the woods, enjoy the parks and open spaces and admire the modernist architecture around the harbour, where you can also spend a fortune eating out on Aker Brygge. Yes, Norway is expensive, although if you self-cater food in shops is much the same price as in the UK.

No holiday in Norway would be complete without visiting the Fjords, and Bergen is the perfect small coastal town from which to explore this dramatic coast. It's an 8 or 9 hour drive from Oslo, so it's a good idea to break your journey. Or head north towards Trondheim and the Arctic Circle. Although the main roads are well surfaced, many alternative routes are compacted dirt and offer a great opportunity to find out why the Scandinavians excel at rallying!

You can either return on the Oslo-Copenhagen ferry or maybe drive down through Sweden and cross back into Denmark via the Helsingborg short ferry crossing. Another possibility is to continue south in Sweden and cross the amazing Oresund bridge that connects Sweden to Denmark, then back to Esbjerg and catch the Harwich ferry back to the UK.

Scary things can happen when driving abroad

2010-08-07T18:52:00.001+01:00

Another incident sent in by a reader as a warning.

"My husband and I recently returned from touring round Europe for the fifth year in a row. We had never experienced any problems before this year. We were driving from Brno to Bratislava via Babkov on the D1 E50 when an old Bmw came up behind us with five men inside. The driver started flashing the lights and coming really close to the back of our car, while his passengers were frantically pointing at the passenger side back wheel. We slowed down for a time but no way were we going to pull over as my husband is a mechanic and had checked the car before we left the hotel.

When they realised we had no intention of stopping they started to get quite frantic and were getting dangerously close. My husband started to go faster and pull away from them when the Mercedes in front of us started braking and weaving and we realised he was in on it as well. When the BMW started to fall behind the Mercedes pulled over onto the hard shoulder and we drove on as fast as possible.

We are convinced it was the car they were after as we have a Golf GT Sport. All their cars are either black or silver and ours stuck out like a sore thumb as it is red. We also hadn’t seen another Golf.

It was a really scary ten minutes driving at high speeds but it hasn’t put us off our driving holidays. We just won’t be back in Czechoslovakia and we would suggest if any of your readers are going please don’t go in a Golf."

I have been driving abroad for over 40 years and I'm happy to say I've never experienced any similar problems, so we are not saying you shouldn't take your car to Europe - and neither is the author of the above piece - simply be aware these things can happen. Luckily they are very much the exception.

Car hijacked, baggage stolen - a cautionary tale

2010-07-27T15:36:00.002+01:00

We have received details of a very unfortunate event which occurred to a reader of our website whilst driving in Spain. From the reception he received when he went to the police station to report this incident it seems to be a not uncommon experience. If similar incidents have happened to other users please let us know by emailing info@drive-alive.co.uk.

Our reader tells us:

"We were on the AP-7 Motorway in the area of Martorell towards Tarragona on the inside lane when we heard a bang which sounded like someone had hit us. I looked in the mirrors as I pulled onto the hard shoulder but couldn't see anything on the road. As we came to a stop a car pulled in front with his hazard lights on. So we thought they had seen what happened. The passenger got out and came back to us. He opened my door and was shouting at me in Spanish. He then pulled at my arm to try to get me out, pointing under the car and still shouting. As I am disabled my wife got out to look under the car. I turned away to put the car into park. When I turned back there was another bloke making off with our bags, which had been at my wife's feet for easy access. They drove off before my wife got back into the car. The whole thing took just 60/100 seconds. We reckon the initial bang could have been a stone thrown from another car or fired from a catapult. It dented the boot."

For another carjack scam visit our Facebook page.

Ferry passengers will get compensation for delays and cancellations

2010-07-23T09:47:00.002+01:00

The EU Parliament has decided that ferry passengers should be entitled to the same sort of compensation as airline users in the event that their crossing is cancelled or delayed.

Currently those travelling by sea can only expect a refund or a place on a subsequent crossing if their booked ferry is cancelled. Once the directive has become active ferry users will be able to claim compnsation for inconvenience in the same way as air passengers, although unfortunately it will be another 2 years before this this happens.

For more information on all the major ferry crossings between the UK and Europe.

Brittany Ferries now even cheaper in summer mid-week

2010-07-21T16:44:00.001+01:00

Still wondering what to do with the family this summer without breaking the bank? How about a week in Brittany or Normandy using one of the Brittany Ferries ferries to France?

Following on from their recent summer offer, Brittany Ferries have now cut prices even further with an offer of ONLY £259 RETURN FOR FAMILY OF 4 WITH CAR, which strikes us as a pretty good deal. These prices represent a discount of 33% and mean a family of 4 with their car can travel to the holiday areas of Brittany and Normandy for as little as £65 per person return. And there are no booking fees, luggage charges, airport taxes or anything else - just the cost of fuel.

Add to this the improving rate of the pound versus the euro and this becomes a bit of a bargain. You can take advantage of the summer mid-week specials on the Brittany Ferries routes from Portsmouth to Caen and Cherbourg, from Poole to Cherbourg and from Plymouth to Roscoff. You need to travel between Monday to Thursday from August 2nd and return by September 2nd, and can stay for up to 7 days.

For more information on this offer and to check the conditions visit:
Brittany Ferries summer mid-week specials
For more about Brittany Ferries services, timetables and routes

DFDS Seaways and Norfolk Line merger complete

2010-07-14T11:01:00.000+01:00

On July 13th the merger between DFDS Seaways and Norfolk Line was officially completed. All the previous seagoing operations of Norfolk Line will now be re-branded as DFDS Seaways.

However, users of the Norfolk Line ferry routes between Dover and Dunkirk and across the Irish Sea will not see any difference for a while. The redesign of the website and the repainting of the Norfolk Line ships will be an ongoing process which will take some time to complete. So for now bookings will still be made on the respective DFDS and Norfolk Line websites.

There are no plans to change the fare structure either, although in the longer term DFDS hope the merger will put them in a stronger financial position, enabling them to offer more competitive pricing.

More about DFDS Seaways North Sea ferry crossings.
More about Norfolk Line ferry crossings from Dover to Dunkirk.

Whale watching in the Bay of Biscay - 2 more trips in 2010

2010-07-01T16:21:00.000+01:00

Cruise to Santander in Spain and return with two nights on board the luxury flagship of Brittany Ferries fleet, The Pont-Aven, FROM JUST £150PP.

Brittany Ferries are running two more of these whale watching trips this summer, departing Portsmouth on 14th July and 18th August. This is a real wildlife adventure, crossing the 4000m-deep Bay of Biscay on the way to Santander.

This remarkable area of ocean is one of the World’s very best places for spotting whales and dolphins. It’s home to over twenty different types of marine mammal, ranging in size from the tiny sea porpoise to the mighty fin whale - the second largest animal on earth.

Passengers on the cruises will be accompanied by expert guides from Planet Whale and marine conservation charity ORCA who will give fun and informative wildlife presentations, as well as helping passengers to spot and identify the marine mammals encountered en route.

The Pont Aven is well-suited for whale-watching, with extensive promenade decks and observation areas. Inside, there’s a range of comfortable restaurants and lounges, all equipped with panoramic windows looking out across the breathtaking Atlantic seascapes.

Starting from just £150 per person, the cruise includes 2 nights on board with en suite cabin accommodation, expert whale watching advice and wildlife presentations, as well as time ashore in bustling Santander.

For more information and to book your whale watching trip
Further information on Brittany Ferries ferry crossings to France and Spain

More for your money - Pound stronger against Euro

2010-06-30T16:42:00.000+01:00

We don't want to get into the economics or the politics, suffice to say that at last the British pound sterling is on the up against the Euro. Yesterday it broke the 1.2 euros to the pound barrier and hit the giddy heights of 1.24, a level not seen since November 2008.

So good news for holiday makers wanting to take advantage of the fact that Europe is now altogether cheaper than for several years. As well as the improvement in sterling, prices have fallen in most of the major European holiday destinations as hotels, restaurants and others try to keep their share of a reduction in the travelling public.

Reduction in the flying public in fact, as the fall out from the recent ash cloud coupled with travellers' disillusionment with low-cost carriers means a considerable increase in ferry and train travel.

So visit our Drive-Alive website, the foremost portal for everything to do with driving holidays in Europe, and book your ferries, hotels, camping and self-catering. Search by interactive mapping and find accommodation en-route. You can even book car hire if you really must fly, and we also have a website with information and links to book train travel in Europe.

Forget the World Cup blues and join the ever-increasing number booking a motoring hoiday in Europe.

Brittany Ferries new low cost midweek fares from £99 return pp with car

2010-06-28T19:15:00.000+01:00

BRITTANY FERRIES INTRODUCES NEW LOW SUMMER FARE TO FRANCE - ONLY £99 PER PERSON RETURN FOR CAR with 2 people - Book now!

This is quite a departure for Brittany Ferries, who have always stayed out of the "low cost" environment. But they have now made a week's holiday in France really affordable this summer with a special low fare of just £99 per person return for mid-week travel to Caen, Cherbourg and Roscoff between now and 22nd July. You need to return within 7 days, but it means you can have a great week's holiday in Brittany or Normandy (or further afield).

Apparently there's plenty of space on mid-week sailings, so it makes sense to fill this space rather than travel with the ships less than full, although passengers can still enjoy the same quality of service and great value French cuisine for which Brittany Ferries is famous. Suddenly it makes financial sense to take the ferry to Brittany and Normandy, as even the low-cost airlines will be hard pushed to match these fares, especially after taking account of car hire and airport parking costs. Not to mention the benefits of being able to take as much luggage as your car will carry and of being able to travel in a relaxed and civilised manner.

Go to the Drive-Alive Brittany Ferries page and click the big red "Special Offers" button to book one of these great value ferry crossings.

• Fare available on departures Monday to Thursday Portsmouth-Caen, Portsmouth-Cherbourg, Poole-Cherbourg and Plymouth-Roscoff
• Available on both cruise-ferry and high-speed services
• Travel out by 22 July and return by 29 July 2010
• New bookings only and cannot be combined with any other offer
• Full payment with booking
• Non-refundable

Should you drive from the UK to Greece?

2010-06-25T15:48:00.001+01:00

Having recently driven from the United Kingdom to Greece we would whole-heartedly recommend it, provided you can spare the time. Our route took us through Belgium, Germany, Austria, Hungary, Serbia and Macedonia, offering a fascinating glimpse of changing culture, scenery and architecture as we progressed east and south.

We took our time driving to Greece, travelling about 4 to 5 hours a day. In strictly driving time it took us 7 days from Calais to Thessaloniki, although it could be done in much less time if you don't mind longer driving days. In addition we stayed for two extra nights in Vienna, and one extra in Budapest and Belgrade, so we took 11 days from Calais.

It is this ability to spend time en-route that makes driving so much more interesting, giving you the opportunity to get a real feel for the places you are passing through.

Until the fall of the iron curtain, and after that the cessation of hostilities in the former Yugoslavia, driving to Greece was not really a viable proposition. Now it is and our journey went without incident. All the border crossings were made with no problems. Roads were always adequate and sometimes excellent, and on the main routes sign-posting was good and the Roman Alphabet always duplicated the Greek alphabet (used of course in Greece) and the Cyrillic alphabet used in Serbia and Macedonia.

The only real difficulties were experienced in the cities. Sign-posting is poor and street names in Serbia and Macedonia are not normally duplicated in the Roman alphabet. And at the time of writing SatNav does not extend to the cities in those two coutries, although some systems cover the major roads.

So we suggest you book your hotels in advance and print some quality street level mapping before you leave. It is a good idea to buy a street map in a service station as you approach the town you are heading for and make sure your passenger is a good map reader!

Our return route took us across Northern Greece to the port of Igoumenitsa, from where there is an excellent and frequent ferry service to several ports in Italy. From there of course it is an easy drive home through Italy and France.

So driving to Greece really is an option if you've got the time. It's a great way to travel, there are no real restrictions on luggage, your journey is most unlikely to be affected by Volcanic ash and you are in charge of your own destiny as opposed to being at the mercy of airline schedules, delays, cancellations and the other shenanigans beloved of low-cost airlines.

And there is a sense of achievement, of having made the journey, something quite unlike the sterile experience of travelling in a short time from point A to B in an aluminium tube. Maybe we'll all be doing more driving in the future!

Below are the links to take you to all the pages telling the story of our journey:
Driving from Calais to Vienna
Driving from Vienna to Budapest
Driving from Budapest to Belgrade
Driving from Belgrade to Skopje
Driving from Skopje to Edessa near Thessalonika
Driving in Greece
Driving from Thessaloniki (Greek spelling) to Parga and Igoumenitsa
Ferry from Igoumenitsa to Ancona on Superfast Ferries
Driving from Ancona in Noerthern Italy to the UK

Irish Ferries special offers and on board cabaret

2010-06-21T14:27:00.000+01:00

Irish Ferries are aggressively marketing their services at present, which is good news as they are offering up to 30% off on all routes, meaning you can cross the Irish Sea one way from as little as £89 for a car and one person during the week. More about this offer and all Irish Ferries fares and timetables visit our website.

If you use the direct crossing between Ireland and France, from Rosslare to Cherbourg and Roscoff, Irish Ferries are doing their best to make the crossings more like a cruise than a ferry crossing. They are laying on a variety of entertainment during the summer cabaret season on the Oscar Wilde cruise ferry.

Irish Ferries have engaged a troupe of 14 entertainers including singers, musicians, dancers and a magician. Younger passengers will be able to enjoy an early evening children's cabaret, while grown ups will be entertained by a pianist and singers in Oscar's Piano Bar.

Outbound and return journeys will feature different performances and the cabaret is due to continue until mid-September.

Irish Ferries ferry crossings from Rosslare to Cherbourg
Irish Ferries ferry crossings Rosslare to Roscoff

Ancona to the UK: the last leg of our drive from the UK to Greece and back

2010-06-20T19:09:00.001+01:00

The final leg of our journey from the ferry port of Ancona back to the UK was completed in a matter of a couple of days. Leaving Ancona at about midday we easily reached our fist night's stop in the small city of Asti, south of Turin and home to the Asti Spumante wines, at about 4pm, ready for a stroll around the medieval centre and an excellent meal at the Osteria Vecchia Carrozza.

Next day we crossed the Alps through the Fréjus Tunnel. I much prefer this tunnel to the Mont Blanc. It's less busy, slighlty cheaper, and the route around Turin is also much pleasanter than driving around Milan on the way to the Mont Blanc. There is also the added attraction that you can take the old road over the Mont Cenis pass, which the tunnel has replaced. This is not a difficult pass to drive over and you are rewarded with some spectacular scenery. Probably adds about an hour to the journey, but make sure the pass is open, which it often is not from the end of October to the end of May. And again, unlike the Mont Blanc, both ends of the Fréjus tunnel are joined to the motorway network.

We spent the next night in Annecy, south of Geneva, one of our favourite towns. The picturesque centre is packed with lovely old buildings huddled around the twin rivers which flow through the town and into the beautiful Lake Annecy. There's no shortage of places to stay in Annecy. Make sure you try the local delicacy, tartiflette, creamy potatoes with bacon and mountain cheese, delicious and definately not part of a calorie control diet!

And then to Calais. The journey between Annecy and Calais took about 8 hours, proving how easy it is to drive from the Channel Ports to the ski slopes in a day.

Ferry crossing from Igoumenitsa Greece to Ancona Italy

2010-06-14T14:50:00.000+01:00

There are a number of ferry crossings between Greece and Italy: Igoumenitsa to Venice, Ancona, Bari and Brindisi; Patras to Ancona, Venice, Brindisi and Bari; Kefalonia to Bari and Brindisi; Corfu to Bari, Brindisi and Venice.

We chose Igoumenitsa to Ancona as this crossing offered the most convenient departure and arrival times, with the added benefit that you join the ship early evening, leaving mid-morning next day, so plenty of opportunity for a good night's sleep.

There are also several operators on these routes and we opted for Superfast Ferries, partly for the reasons above and partly because they have a good reputation with modern ships and good facilities.

So after the short drive from Parga to Igoumenitsa we arrived at the port with time to spare. As ever in Greece the signposting is unclear as you approach the port since a new port has recently been constructed and basically you should follow the signs to "New port".

Here we found a brand new terminal building with check-in desks for the different operators, a couple of bars and cafés and some duty free type shops. After completing the check-in we set off for the holding area for our crossing. Again, no signs. We were directed by vague waving of hands to drive right around the terminal building, finding ourselves on a vast dock area where more equally vague hand waving directed us to a wavy line of cars which turned out to be waiting for the ship we wanted.

The vessel, the Superfast XII, was a little late in arriving, but made up for this by loading the cars and lorries and leaving again in about 20 minutes flat! The fastest turn-around of a big ferry I've ever seen. The actual loading process was yet again very Greek, with men waving the cars and lorries on at the same time, frequently directing vehicles around each other. Reminded me of an aerial display by the Red Arrows!

Once on board the ship was clean modern and comfortable with decent restaurant and bar areas, shops and nice cabins where we did indeed enjoy a good night's sleep.

Arriving in Ancona was almost as chaotic as leaving Greece, with just one lane of traffic leaving the port and the exit roads to the Autostrada being completely inadequate for the port traffic. It was the best part of an hour aftre docking before we were clear of the post area and headed westwards towards home.

Driving the Egnatia Odos motorway from Thessaloniki to Igoumenitsa

2010-06-09T10:03:00.000+01:00

Leaving Thessaloniki required the usual map reading skills as sign-posting to the E75 motorway to Athens was more or less absent. A sense of direction would have done as well as a map, as it was really just a question of heading west to join the motorway. The E75 heads south but after about 50 km we turned westwards again to join the E90/E92 towards our destination, Parga, a small but popular seaside resort south of the ferry port at Igoumenitsa.

The motorway is part of the recently completed Egnatia Odos motorway, a high quality road built largely with EU funds and which crosses the whole of northern Greece from the Turkish border to the Ionian Sea in the west. The road cannot fail to impress as it crosses plains, plunges into mountain tunnels and soars on elegant bridges across deep ravines. But be warned, facilities are almost entirely absent. I think we passed just one service area plus a couple of rest spots. Also there are no emergency phones, although signs inform you that there is a number to call on your mobile if you have the misfortune to break down.

Now and again you pass a spot where clearly a service station was intended, but instead there is just a patch of wasteland. When we passed along this road (May 2010) we drove straight through a couple of toll stations, unfinished and unmanned - great for us, and typical of this fantastic but disorganised country.

At one point we fancied a coffee and followed a sign showing restaurant facilities just off the motorway. All went well until we tried to get back on to the motorway. There was no obvious way to do this, and no signs. We were eventually escorted by the restaurant's owner on his quad bike along a km or so of completely unfinished dirt access roads back on to the main road, following a route which was not at all obvious.

So yes, the Egnatia Odos motorway is a great road, reducing the journey time from Thessaloniki to Igoumenitsa to just 4 hours compared to maybe 8 previously, but make sure you have a full tank and sandwiches before joining it!

We turned off the highway before Igoumenitsa for a well-deserved few days in Parga before catching the ferry to Ancona in Italy.

40% discount for stays at Disneyland Paris

2010-06-08T09:36:00.002+01:00

Just to let you know that if you book before July 20th 2010 Disneyland Paris is offering a discount of 40% on a package which includes a stay in one of their on-site hotels. This is even better value if you've got young children as kids under 7 get to "stay and play for free".

The offer runs for stays up to February 18th next year (2011), so includes school holidays, although dates over Christmas are excluded. As usual with these offers there are conditions, but if this is the kind of break for you it represents a pretty good deal.

Check out the details at the Disneyland Paris website.

We also offer booking for Eurostar, the High Speed Train which has services direct to Disneyland from St Pancras Interntional and Ebbsfleet.

If you'd prefer the convenience of taking your own car then search and book for a ferry crossing to France. Disneyland is just an easy 3 hour journey from Calais, Boulogne or Dunkirk, and you don't need to drive through Paris.

Driving in Greece

2010-06-04T10:20:00.000+01:00

While we were in Greece we spent a few days driving around the Northern part of Greece, the area known as Makedonia. As mentioned previously, the Greeks consider Makedonia (yes, they spell and pronounce it like that) as being Greek, so don't look kindly on references to the country just to the north as Macedonia.

It must be said that during the whole of our trip through 10 different countries, we encountered the worst driving, and in some respects, the worst driving conditions, in Greece. It's pretty much every man/woman for him/herself, with not much regard for traffic laws and especially not for lane discipline in cities.

To quote an extract from a tourist brochure produced in Greece: "Unfortunately, many drivers are not aware of the position of their indicators, therefore they are not usually used." And again: "Take heed of any speed limits as it is still an offence to exceed the stated limit". So are they about to abolish speed limits?

It's best not to drive in the rain! On the one day we had to do this we coluldn't believe how slippery the roads are. The surfaces are very shiny and it was almost impossible to start from rest without the traction control kicking in, and coming to a standstill required the same skills you'd exercise when driving on icy surfaces.

We spent a couple of nights in Greece's second city, Thessaloniki (or Thessalonika as we call it for some reason), and it was chaotic. And not just the driving. Lots of stuff was broken, there were unfinished building sites here and there, and, with a complete disregard for health and safety, bits of scaffolding sticking out, broken pavements and the occasional hole. Nothing ever seemed to get fixed. And finding any of the tourist sights was more a matter of luck and map reading, as signposting was minimal at best.

But having said this, the people were great, really friendly and relaxed, and the city had a real buzz about it with bars all along the seafront and plenty of restaurants offering every style of cuisine. We were there at the height of the rioting in Athens, about 500 km to the south, but you wouldn't have known anything was amiss, with no sign of any trouble in Thessaloniki.

So we had reached our destination safely and on schedule, and next we head for home!

Visit the Drive-Alive website for information on driving in Europe.

SeaFrance voted best ferry company website

2010-06-01T10:36:00.000+01:00

In a survey conducted by eDigitalResearch the SeaFrance website came out top amongst the ferry company websites for usability, and the site was rated in the top ten of all travel-related websites, quite an achievement.

The survey was carried out by mystery shoppers and SeaFrance scored 78.4%, with positive comments about the search and booking process.

For more about SeaFrance and links to its class-winning website visit the Drive-Alive SeaFrance information page.
More about ferry crossings to France and the rest of Europe.

Stena Line early return of the Stena Explorer on Holyhead Dun Laoghaire route

2010-05-31T16:27:00.000+01:00

As further proof of the way ferry companies have benefited from the increase in demand resulting from the Ash Cloud and people's reluctance to commit to flying, Stena Line ferries are initiating the summer service operated by the Fast Ferry Stena Explorer one month earlier than planned.

The vessel has started crossing from Holyhead to Dun Laoghaire and will continue to sail this route until September 5th. The Stena Explorer departs from Holyhead at 10 am and from Dun Laoghaire at 13.15 pm. This ferry crossing over the Irish Sea takes just 2 hours. Foot passengers are welcome and there is a direct rapid rail connection to Dublin from Dun Laoghaire.

Visit the Drive-Alive website for more info on the Holyhead Dun Laoghaire ferry crossing, including booking links and links to timetable information.

Driving from Skopje in Macedonia to Edessa in Greece

2010-05-31T15:22:00.001+01:00

Getting out of Skopje was a lot easier than getting in, as at least the motorway was signed. We needed to head for Athens on the E75, because although our destination was Edessa, a small town north-west of Thessaloniki, the E75 goes all the way to Athens, by-passing Thessaloniki to the west.

The road from Skopje to the Greek border was a mixture of two lane road and motorway and once again passed through some spectacular mountain scenery. Motorway speed limits in Macedonia are 120 km/h with good conditions, so progress on these newer sections was good, and the light traffic meant that there were no real delays even on the older two lane sections.

Tolls were charged on the motorway sections, amounting to about 4 euros, also payable in Macedonian Dinars, a good way of getting rid of our few remaining Dinars as they are worthless outside Macedonia. This was also the case with Hungarian Forints and Serbian Dinars, so try and get rid of them before leaving the respective countries.

The border between Macedonia and Greece was our last potential hurdle before rejoining the EU, but once again the crossing was completely trouble free. Once in Greece we found ourselves on a long, quiet toll-free motorway with a signed limit of 100km/h. Given the state of the road surface this was probably a sensible speed. The normal motorway speed limit is 120, although some newer sections are signed at 130. Direction signing is in Roman script as well as Acryllic, so no problems there.

This north-western part of Greece is called Macedonia, like the country we'd just left, so when in Greece do not refer to the country of Macedonia by that name or the Greeks get annoyed. Most of them seem to call the country of Macedonia by the name of the capital city, Skopje. Or else "The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia". All very confusing and typical of this part of Europe where boundaries have changed many times, often in living memory. In the case of the former Yugoslavia not long ago at all, of course.

After a rather boring journey across the plains of this region, with the traffic getting progressively heavier, we finally left it all behind and reached the foothills of the mountainous border regions and our destination Edessa, a pretty town perched on the edge of a plateau with fantstic views across the plain, waterfalls, and so many coffee bars there must be practically one for every inhabitant!

Visit our website for more about driving in Europe.

Driving from Belgrade in Serbia to Skopje in Macedonia

2010-05-26T15:21:00.000+01:00

Leaving Belgrade proved harder than it should have been as major roadworks were taking place on the route to the motorway and diversion signs were patchy at best. But we eventually reached the motorway, which initially was badly in need of repair, but improved as we moved away from the city, and headed south towards Macedonia.

Motorways in Serbia are subject to tolls as they are in Macedonia, although these are not as expensive as in France, for example. It is possible to pay in both countries in Euros, although this costs about 10% extra due to exchange rates not being great. The total toll costs for this leg of our trip were about 10 euros, and you hand over your cash at toll booths. Credit cards were not accepted, although they were at service stations, which were plentiful on the motorway, but few and far between otherwise.

Just as when we entered Serbia, there were no problems crossing into Macedonia. We had to produce our vehicle registration document and the Green Card.

Between Belgrade and the border was a mixture of motorway and decent quality two lane road. Thre was good motorway for over half of the drive from the Macedonian border to Skopje, and again as we approached Skopje. The light traffic and the gorgeous scenery meant we made good and enjoyable progress, the whole trip fro Belgrade to Skopje taking about 6 hours of relaxed driving.

Driving in Skopje, which is quite a large city, is as erratic as I have experienced anywhere. This, combined with the fact that all street names are in Cyrillic script, meant finding our hotel in Skopje was interesting. Before leaving the UK we tried to find a SatNav which covered Serbia and Macedonia but although some now cover the main roads, none have yet incorporated city street detail. You really do need someone who can read a map! In spite of the apparent lack of any driving rules, as long as you drive carefully, much as you would in any new city, people respect your road space and we had no problems.

We really liked Skopje. The people were very friendly and in spite of the driving habits, very relaxed and cheerful. The city centre is an interesting mix of the modern and ancient, with lots of street art and sculpture and a lively cafe culture in the newer centre, alongside a much older "bazaar" quarter just across an old stone bridge.

Throughout Macedonia we saw churches and mosques next to each other. This made us wish we had a better understanding of the history, recent as well as older, of this part of Europe.

SeaFrance extra services Dover Calais to meet increased demand

2010-05-22T11:39:00.001+01:00

In common with other ferry operators, especially on the ferry crossings to France, SeaFrance has experienced a surge in demand since the volcanic ash crsis began.

To meet this the company has made extra sapce available for foot passengers and also laid on extra services. SeaFrance claims to have helped over 20,000 stranded passengers on their way to their destinations.

SeaFrance is often overlooked in favour of its more famous competitor P&O Ferries. Yet SeaFrance has perhaps the most modern ships on the Dover Calais ferry crossings, with up to 15 daily return crossings, and its rates are competitive, with fares starting from just £25 each way for a car and up to 5 passengers no matter how long you're away.

More about SeaFrance Ferries Dover Calais.
More about ferry crossings between the UK,Ireland and Europe.

Driving from Belgrade back to the UK with a broken laptop

2010-05-20T17:01:00.000+01:00

Well here we are back in the UK after a trouble free but fascinating journey since we last posted to this blog back in Belgrade. I say trouble free but of course our laptop packed up in Belgrade.

We drove to Macedonia where there wasn't really time to try and do anything about it, and no sign of any internet access. In Greece we visited a computer repair shop where a very helpful person told us the video card had died and the laptop wasn't worth reparing, something a quick phone call to the UK confirmed.

Unfortunately they don't use Roman letters in Greece so the keyboards are totally different and we would have needed to source a laptop from the UK for it to have been useable. As we were travelling delivery would have been tricky.

We did try using PCs in Internet cafés and hotels but it was hard work. As we were in Greece websites like Google kept directing us to their Greek servers so everything was in Greek, and even when this wasn't the case programme menus were often in Greek.

So we decided not to make any further posts to this blog but to write it out as we went along and to resume posting when back in the UK.

So this is by way of an apology and to let you know that if you want to follow the rest of our epic drive from Belgrade through Macedonia, Greece, ferry to Italy, then home through the Fréjus Alpine tunnel and France, check here or watch our Twitter panel on the Drive-Alive website.

Driving from Budapest to Belgrade - Hungary to Serbia

2010-05-04T10:19:00.000+01:00

Leaving Budapest was easy with good sign-posting to the M5 motorway, a good quality road to the Serbian border across the totally flat plain of the Danube.

We had wondered whether we would encounter any problems entering Serbia, but it was plain sailing. Coincidentally the car insurance has just fallen due for renewal. We'd had difficulty finding an insurer to issue a Green Card for Serbia and Macedonia - this is still required for both these countries, but succeeded eventually, although at a small extra cost. The alternative is to purchase the cover at the border on entry, but there seems to be a question mark over the usefulness of such cover.

Anyway, our Green Card was accepted without question and after a cursory inspection of the contents of the boot we were on our way.

Serbia is a different country! Signs of neglect are everywhere. The maps show a motorway all the way from the border to Belgrade. Well, it's not a motorway as we know it, being a two lane highway with a hard shoulder. On coming drivers overtake into the opposite lane forcing you onto the hard shoulder, so you need to keep alert. Fortunately traffic is light, so it's not as horrendous as it sounds.

This style of road continued all the way to Novi Sad, with no sign of any upgrading imminent (except for one short section), so I'm puzzled as to why map makers such as Michelin show the road as a full motorway. Anyway, from Novi Sad onwards you pay a toll of about 7 euros (acceptable in Euros but slightly cheaper in Serbian dinars) for the rest of the journey to Belgrade.

The journey took about 5 and a half hours, longer than expected as the "motorway" is subject to a limit of 100 km/h, although once it becomes a proper motorway the limit is 120. We stuck rigidly to the limits, not wanting to run the risk of getting involved with the local police, and there were a number of mobile speed traps.

On the approach to Belgrade the road continues as an urban dual carriageway, rather like the major A roads that enter London. Except there's much less traffic. It reminded me of driving in the UK about 40 years ago.

We'd been warned that Belgrade driving was pretty hairy, but we saw no evidence of this, although road markings are not great. It was much less stressful driving here than in say Paris, Milan or Rome. One slight problem is that street names are mostly in Cyrillic so working out where you are can be difficult.

Belgrade, although rather decrepit, seems friendly and welcoming and the central area is as tourist friendly as any other city, with attractive squares, pedestrianised streets, plenty of green spaces, a spectacular castle and an old "Bohemian" quarter.

Driving from Vienna to Budapest

2010-05-02T10:40:00.002+01:00

Before we leave Vienna I should tell you that you need a good street map because signposting is virtually non-existent. I remember this was the case last time I drove in Vienna, about 30 years ago, and it hasn't got any better. Which is odd, because throughout the rest of Austria signage is good.

It was May Day when we left Vienna, so traffic was light and we were sorry not to be able to stay and enjoy the parades, but Budapest beckoned. I have never been to Hungary, let alone driven there. Of course Hungary is now part of the European Union, although, like the UK, they are not part of the Euro block.

So on arriving at the border Euros were changed to Forints and a vignette allowing travel on Hungarian motorways was purchased - about 7 euros for 4 days. These are available in garages on both sides of the border, as well as in well-marked booths alongside the motorway in Hungary. We bought ours in Austria, but could probably have saved the equivalent of a euro if we'd used Forints in Hungary.

Speed limits on Hungarian motorways are 130 km/h. The motorway is continuous between Vienna and Budapest and not particularly busy, so an easy journey taking about 2 and a half hours.

One mistake we made was to stop at a parking area and leave the car unattended for just a few minutes. When we returned a couple of guys were busy cleaning the windows. I let them finish and offered a Euro. They were clearly not happy with this but I remained polite but firm, and they grudgingly accepted. As I pointed out, I didn't ask them to do the job. From now on one of us will stay with the car!

There is zero tolerance of drink driving, and even a small amount of alcohol in the blood can result in severe penalties. Quite right too. Having said that, I don't think we've seen a single policeman or patrol car in Hungary so far.

Budapest is spectacularly beautiful, especially at night, when the castle, the amazingly ornate Parliament building and many other monuments are floodlit to great effect. Driving seems reasonable. Many streets are one way, even major routes. Often two way roads will forbid turns across oncoming traffic, and to make a turn across the traffic can involve a considerable detour around two blocks.

The city feels very safe, well lit and no evidence of anti-social behaviour. Budapest is however, not a cheap city. In fact food and drink are if anything more expensive than in Vienna, where prices were surprisingly moderate for a popular tourist destination and capital city.

We've made some progress with our video and have managed to download the images to the laptop and perform some basic editing. But I'm afraid the results are not ready to be unleashed on an unsuspecting public.

Drive-Alive to Greece - a driving trip through Europe

2010-04-28T21:40:00.000+01:00

Those of you who receive the Drive-Alive newsletter will know that we have embarked on a trip through Europe to Greece, travelling via Belgium, Germany, Austria, Hungary, Serbia and Macedonia. The aim is to learn more about driving conditions, rules and regulations in these countries, especially Greece, Hungary, Serbia and Macedonia.

These countries are not currently featured in the Drive-Alive driving information pages, although we do offer hotels and self-catering properties there, and even camping in Greece.

We are now in Vienna, having left Dover on Monday on the 13.00 P&O ferry from Dover to Calais. Our route took us briefly through France, by-passing Lille, then across Belgium. This section of the journey passed without incident, although the Belgium motorways are in urgent need of some TLC, and Belgian drivers are as bad as any in terms of tailgating on motorways. No wonder they have such a poor accident rate.

We crossed into Germany near Aachen then made our way to the small Rhine-side town of Bad Breissig, south of Bonn; very pretty but very quiet. The enormous commercial barges on the Rhine reminded us just how much the great rivers of Europe contribute to the movement of goods there.

They do drive fast on the German Autobahns, but on the whole, sensibly. You just need to keep a constant eye on the rear-view mirror. The sign-posting on German Autobahns is excellent, much better than in the UK where I hate to think how foreign drivers cope with seeing places like Scotch Corner (where?) shown as the major destination as you drive up the A1. Ever heard of Newcastle in the sign-posting department?

The journey from Calais to Bad Breissig took 5 hours, including stops. Next day we drove to Passau on the German-Austrian border, all motorway but rendered stressfull by mile after mile of roadworks as they upgrade the A3. Even so we effectively crossed Germany in 6 hours, although we were glad to arrive in Passau and book in to the elegant Hotel Passerau Wolf with a lovely room overlooking the Danube.

Passau is a beautiful town at the confluence of the Danube and the Inn, and we have some video clips to show once we work out how to transfer them from the camera to the internet!

Having purchased our "vignette" (a sticker for your windscreen which you need to drive on Austrian motorways - see the our web page "driving in Austria" - today (Wednesday) started with a great drive along the Danube through Austria on a quiet "B" road to Linz where we got back on the Motorway, and within 2 hours were in Vienna, perhaps the most majestic and "imperial" city I know. We are staying in the faded but comfortable Hotel Drei Kronen. We will be in Vienna for 3 nights so hopefully by the time we leave we'll have managed to post some pictures.

Worst of volcanic ash crisis over

2010-04-23T13:22:00.000+01:00

Here at Drive-Alive we have tried to keep you up to date with the developing situation regarding surface transport to the UK during the shutdown of European airspace.

Of course we have concentrated on ferries, as they are our area of special expertise. It seems that all services are now running as normal and that queues have shrunk to a more or less acceptable level.

If you are still trying to get back then you can find information about the different routes, ports and ferry companies on our ferry pages.

We hope we have been able to be of some help on this blog and on our twitter pages. Once things are back to normal we'll let you have our thoughts on the longer term effects on people's perception of different ways to travel.

LD Lines has foot passenger space at Dieppe and Le Havre

2010-04-22T10:24:00.000+01:00

LD Lines ferry crossings between France and England have space for foot passengers on their routes from Dieppe to Newhaven (operated by Transmanche Ferries) and Le Havre to Portsmouth.

There are two sailings daily from both Dieppe and Portsmouth, and passengers are advised to simply turn up at the port.

Other ferry services are operating as normal, and although there are queues for P&O and SeaFrance at Calais people are getting on ferries within a couple of hours. Other ferry companies and ports accepting foot passengers are DFDS Seaways at Esbjerg in Denmark and Ijmuiden near Amsterdam, Stena Line at the Hook of Holland near Rotterdam, P&O's terminals at Rotterdam and Zeebrugge, as well as Brittany Ferries terminals at Caen, Cherbourg, St Malo and Roscoff.

For more information on all these ferry routes see our ferry information pages.

Ferry services between Europe the UK and Ireland updated 10am April 20th

2010-04-19T12:58:00.002+01:00

Below is a list of what we know about the ferry services between Europe and the UK at 10 am on Tuesday April 20th. Many ferry websites are very slow with erratic connections. Links to all the ferry companies, Eurostar and Eurotunnel.
Follow Drive-Alive on Twitter for the latest ferry news.

People are being advised to make for Calais where they can just turn up and should get a ferry reasonably quickly. One of the 3 Navy ships is in Santander and will take about 200 civilians but still no news as to whereabouts of other 2 ships.

P&O Ferries Calais Dover no online bookings taken for foot passengers but if you go to the port will transport you on first come first served basis. Trying to get already booked vehicles and foot passengers on their booked sailings, which are operating to schedule
P&O Ferries Rotterdam and Zeebrugge to Hull - space available, turn up at port
SeaFrance Calais Dover their last update relates to the weekend just gone, so who knows!
LD Lines Boulogne Dover operating normally with space for cars and foot passengers
Transmanche Ferries Dieppe Newhaven operating normally with space for car and foot passengers
LD Lines Le Havre Portsmouth operating normally with space for cars and foot passengers
Norfolk Lines Dunkirk Dover not accepting online bookings and anyway do not take foot passengers
TransEurope Ferries Ostend Ramsgate operating normally with space for cars and foot passengers
Brittany Ferries Spain to UK no availability until 28th April
Brittany Ferries UK to Spain no availability until 29th April
Brittany Ferries ferry crossings to and from France - availability for vehicles and foot passengers
Stena Line Hook of Holland (near Rotterdam) to Harwich - very limited availability but still possible to book online
DFDS Seaways Esbjerg (Denmark) to Harwich space available and extra service tomorrow (Tuesday)
DFDS Seaways Ijmuiden near Amsterdam to Newcastle space available
DFDS Seaways also operate between Oslo and Copenhagen (space available) from where there are trains to Esbjerg.
Ferry crossings from the UK to Ireland with Irish Ferries and Stena Line operating normally with space.
Eurostar trains are very busy although they are running extra services. Do not go to the station unless you have a reservation. It is possible to book online, with very limited availability.
Eurotunnel Calais (Coquelles)to Folkestone taking bookings BUT only for travellers with a vehicle.

Volcanic ash disruption - alternatives to flying

2010-04-18T18:37:00.003+01:00

If you're still looking for ways to get home from Europe we have tried to provide information about most ferry crossings as at 18:00 on Sunday April 18, together with a few suggestions:

Visit our ferry page where you will find almost every ferry crossing between the UK and Europe listed, ferry route maps, information about the crossings and links to go straight to the ferry companies' booking websites. So no chance of being over charged - you pay exactly what the ferry operators are charging.

If possible avoid Calais as SeaFrance (no advance booking for foot passengers) and P&O (again no advance booking and website down at 18:00 Sunday) seem overwhelmed and we guess the situation at the port must be horrendous.

NorfolkLine do not accept foot passengers on their Dunkirk Dover route, so forget that option.

LD Lines/Transmanche/Transeuropa ferries between Dieppe-Newhaven, Boulogne-Dover and Ostend-Ramsgate are all running to schedule with space for foot passengers.

Brittany Ferries' website is very slow but as far as we know sailings are to schedule with spaces. Check this page for info about and links to all Brittany Ferries' routes and timetables.

Stena Line are operating as normal from the Hook of Holland to Harwich, although they state that space for foot passengers is limited, whatever that means. This could be worth trying however.

If you are in Scandinavia or Northern Germany try and get a train to Esbjerg in Denmark from where there is a DFDS Seaways ferry crossing to Harwich. DFDS also operate a ferry crossing from Ijmuiden near Amsterdam to Newcastle, so perhaps a possibility if you are trying to get back to the North of England. Space on their crossings.

Eurostar passenger trains are saying do not come to their stations without a reservation, and you can only travel on Eurotunnel with your car.

All services between the UK and Ireland are operating normally with space for cars and foot passengers. Check Irish Ferries and >Stena Line Ireland.

To get to a ferry port either hire a car on a one-way hire, or catch a train in Europe.

Engine failure on Brittany Ferries Fast Ferry to Cherbourg and Caen

2010-04-16T09:46:00.000+01:00

The Brittany Ferries fastferry Normandie Express has suffered an engine failure in one of its four diesel engines. As a result the vessel has been dry-docked in Portsmouth for the faulty engine to be rebuilt.

Brittany Ferries have cancelled the weekend fast ferry sailings to Caen as the Normandie Express is unable to keep to schedule on this ferry crossing to France. The conventional ferry crossings operated by Brittany Ferries between Portsmouth and Caen are unaffected. The Portsmouth to Cherbourg Normandie Express crossings are of course also cancelled, although this route is still served 3 times a week by the Cap Finistere.

Any passengers booked on the affected crossings should contact Brittany Ferries, who are offering either a full refund or an alternative crossing. Repairs are expected to take 3 weeks.

For links to the Brittany Ferries website.

Sail to Ireland with Irish Ferries from just £89 this Spring

2010-04-14T15:00:00.000+01:00

Very last minute! Irish Ferries are offering up to 33% off if you take a ferry crossing to Ireland, provided you book before April 20th, so not much time left.

The offer applies to a car plus 2 people, and of course as much luggage as you can fit in. Additional passengers are just £23.

Irish Ferries have crossings between the UK and Ireland from Holyhead in North Wales to Dublin and from Pembroke in South Wales to Rosslare. For links to book at the offer prices visit the Drive-Alive Irish Ferry pages and click the Book now buttons.

May half term early booking discounts on camping holidays from Keycamp

2010-04-14T14:18:00.000+01:00

Keycamp are launching some great early booking discounts which could save as much as 40% off your next family holiday, including the May half term. The promotion runs from 13th April, but don't delay as you need to book before 5th May.

The discount depends on the time the holiday is taken, as shown below.

Arrival date up to 26th May save 40% on all parcs
Arrival date 27th May to 11th June save 40% on selected parcs
Arrival date 12th to 23rd June save 30% on selected parcs
Arrival date 24th to 30th June save 20% on selected parcs

So if you're still wondering what to do for half-term, now you know. A 40% discount is an amazing offer, all you need to do is make sure you book before May 5th. As always, there are some conditions, so go straight to the Keycamp website to check them out and make your booking.

Brittany Ferries launches mini cruises to Spain

2010-04-14T12:21:00.000+01:00

Brittany Ferries now offers the possibility to take a relaxing mini cruise to Spain on their latest superferry, the Cap Finistere, including a short stop in Santander.

The Cap Finistere departs Portsmouth on Tuesday and Friday morning at 11.15 with the return crossing departing from Santander on Thursday and Sunday at 14.15. The crossing takes 24 hours, so allowing for the fact that Spanish time is 1 hour ahead of the UK there's enough time for a stroll around the elegant resort of Santander before returning to the ship.

The Cap Finistere is superbly equipped with ensuite cabins, on board entertainment, cinemas and even an outdoor pool complex, not to mention the restaurants and bars. Brittany Ferries has an excellent reputation for its cusine.

As an added bonus, while the ship is crossing the Bay of Biscay there's always the chance of a little wild life spotting, including whales and dolphins if you're lucky.

To find out more or make a booking visit our Portsmouth Santander ferry page and click the "Special Offers" link.

Camping holiday offers from Eurocamp and Keycamp

2010-04-02T16:15:00.002+01:00

Eurocamp and Keycamp are running short-term specials on camping holidays in Europe with some extremely attractive prices - but only if you book before April 12th.

Eurocamp is offering Atlantic or Mediterranean beach breaks from only £125 per family in some lovely hand picked resorts, and Keycamp are fixing prices for holidays in April, May and June, saving you over £200!

For direct access to these offers visit the Drive-Alive camping holidays offers page - but be quick!

All change Rosslare to Cherbourg ferry crossing

2010-03-26T17:08:00.002Z

LD Lines are busy ringing the changes. Over the last few months they have dropped the Dover to Dieppe ferry and launched the Ramsgate to Ostend crossing in partnership with TransEuropa Ferries, as well as moving ships around.

Now they have pulled out of the Rosslare to Cherbourg route not many months after changing the route's French destination from Le Havre to Cherbourg.

Fortunately for those of you wanting a direct crossing from South-East Ireland to France the Rosslare to Cherbourg ferry crossing is still up and running, now operated by Celtic Link Ferries, and as Celtic Link are one of our partners you can still book these crossings on the Drive-Alive website. Because we have direct access to the Celtic Link Ferries' booking engine you get the best prices and up to date timetables.
Further information and links to timetables and booking for Celtic Link Ferries Rosslare Cherbourg.

Irish Ferries also offer a ferry crossing from Rosslare to Cherbourg.

Extra sailings from Portsmouth to Spain from Brittany Ferries

2010-03-25T16:33:00.000Z

Brittany Ferries newly acquired cruise ferry, the Cap Finistere, has joined their flagship vessel the Pont Aven on the Portsmouth to Santander ferry crossing. This means there are now three crossings weekly from Portsmouth on the south coast of the UK to Santander in Northern Spain.

In addition there is a weekly crossing from Plymouth and customers can mix and match these crossings, so effectively Brittany Ferries are offering four weekly return ferry sailings from England to Spain.

The crossing from Portsmouth takes 24 hours and from Plymouth just 18 hours. Although these ferries enable you to bypass France you can still experience French style on board these two super ferries, with several restaurants, bars, cinemas and shops. Both ferries even have swimming pools, the one on the Cap Finistere being open air and heated.

More about the Portsmouth Santander ferry crossing with links to timetables and booking.
More about the Plymouth Santander ferry crossing with links to timetables and booking.

Stena Line Fast Ferry rejoins Irish Sea service

2010-03-23T16:10:00.001Z

The Stena Fast Ferry HSS Stena Express has just relaunched on the Irish Sea after a £2 million refit. As a result she is even faster than previously and completes the crossings from Holyhead to Dun Laoghaire in just 1 hour 50 minutes. Dun Laoghaire is just south of Dublin.

The vessel is joined on this crossing during the summer months by the world's largest Fast Ferry, the Stena Explorer and between them they operate three return crossings daily.

The Express even manages to find time to nip down the coast and join the conventional ferry the Stena Europe on the Fishguard Rosslare route during the summer months, adding an additional return crossing to the two offered by the Europe on this popular route.

As well as the crossings operated by the Express and Explorer from Holyhead to Dun Laoghaire, Stena Line sail from Holyhead to Dublin port using two conventional ferries, the Nordica and Adventurer, offering four return crossings all year, each crossing taking 3 and a quarter hours.

For more about Stena Line ferry routes across the Irish Sea.

Irish Ferries Spring Sale for Early Bookers

2010-03-19T14:57:00.000Z

EARLY BOOKING OFFER PEMBROKE TO ROSSLARE

If you are thinking about a trip to enjoy all the Emerald Isle has to offer then why not take advantage of Irish Ferries' ferry crossings from Pembroke in South Wales to Rosslare in South-East Ireland?

Pembroke is easy to reach, being about 2 hours' drive from Cardiff. Rosslare gives easy access to Cork and the south-west coast of Ireland with its spectacular scenery of rugged coasts, islands, hidden coves and inlets.

Irish Ferries has two return sailings per day from Pembroke with the crossing taking just 4 hours. If you book by March 24th the Early Booking Offer has fares from £89 one way for a car and two passengers, that’s up to 33% off. Each additional adult pays just £23 extra each way and there’s no need for the expense of onboard cabin accommodation.
More about Irish Ferries ferry crossings from Pembroke to Rosslare.

LD Lines bring Fast Ferry service Portsmouth Le Havre

2010-03-17T16:09:00.000Z

As from Friday 26th March LD Lines is introducing the Norman Arrow, the largest Fast Ferry on the Western Channel, to their Portsmouth Le Havre ferry crossing from the UK to France.

The vessel will cross the Channel from Portsmouth in Hampshire to Le Havre in Normandy in just 3 hours 15 minutes. By comparison, the LD Lines current conventional ferry, the Cote d'Albatre, takes 5 hours 30 minutes for the daytime crossing and 8 hours overnight.

The outward crossing by the Norman Arrow departs Portsmouth at the convenient time of 08.30, arriving in Le Havre at 12.45 French time, while the return crossing departs Le Havre at 18.30 reaching Le Havre at 20.45 UK time.

There is a price premium for the Fast Ferry service. For example, the lowest current fares for Portsmouth - Le Havre conventional ferry start from £60 for short break returns for a car and 2 passengers, compared to the lowest single fare on the Fast Ferry of £109.
Click to book the Fast Ferry or conventional ferry from Portsmouth to Le Havre

DFDS Seaways Spring Savings – 2 for 1 Mini Cruises to Amsterdam

2010-03-15T17:12:00.000Z

2 for 1 DSDS Seaways mini-cruise to Amsterdam

DFDS Seaways are still pushing their mini-cruise concept on their Newcastle to Amsterdam ferry route, and have come up with another attractive offer.

If you live within easy distance of Newcastle this is a good way to have a relaxing break which includes two nights on board the ship where there is live entertainment, and various cafes and restaurants.

2-For-1 Newcastle Amsterdam 2 Night mini Cruise Break
One pays and one goes FREE!

Includes 2 nights onboard ship in ensuite cabin
Coach transfers to and from Amsterdam City Centre
Live entertainment onboard
2 Nights from only £89 for 2 people
2 Nights from only £138 for 4 people
Selected departures in March & April. Must Book by 31st March.
Click for more on the 2 for 1 mini cruise offer

Alternatively you might prefer to spend a few nights in Amsterdam. If so check out the DFDS Seaways Amsterdam Cruise and Hotel Break, essentially offering 35% normal prices and letting you enjoy the many attractions of this wonderful city.
Click for more on the Amsterdam cruise offer

Disneyland Paris - Euro Disney - 40% offer

2010-03-15T12:18:00.000Z

Disneyland Paris have launched another offer - this is particularly generous, offering 40% off normal prices and in addition children under 7 stay and enjoy the park free of charge. Just book by 30th April for arrivals between 5th April 2010 and 8th November 2010.

As always there are conditions attached, but if you comply this really is a good deal.

Check out the offer and the conditions at the Disneyland Paris website.

The offer doesn't include transport, but there are plenty of deals available on the ferries at the Drive-Alive ferry page with crossings from P&O starting at £30 each way while SeaFrance better that with at £25, but with fewer crossings. And of you want to leave the car at home Eurostar have some great deals.

Brittany Ferries increase their crossings from Portsmouth to Cherbourg and Caen

2010-03-12T18:32:00.001Z

There's plenty going on at Brittany Ferries! They've just announced an increase in the crossings to France operated by their state of the art Fast Ferry, the Normandie Express.

The Normandie Express takes just 3 hours to reach Cherbourg and 3½ hours to Caen so passengers can board in Portsmouth in the morning and still be in France in time for an early lunch.

The Normandie Express sailings from Portsmouth to Caen only operate on Fridays and Saturdays, departing Portsmouth at 7 am. There are more departures on the Portsmouth Cherbourg route, so visit our page about the Brittany Ferries Portsmouth Cherbourg route to find out more.

Brittany Ferries - enjoy a free night in France or Spain

2010-03-09T12:23:00.000Z

BRITTANY FERRIES IS OFFERING 7 NIGHTS FOR THE PRICE OF 6 WHEN YOU BOOK BY 15 MARCH

Brittany Ferries is much more than just a ferry company operating ferry crossings to France and Spain. They offers holidays throughout France and Spain ranging from exciting activity holidays for the family to a quiet break deep in the French countryside.

And if you book any kind of holiday accommodation before 15 March, you’ll save 14% on the week’s rental, paying for only 6 nights of a 7 night stay! And there are no restrictions on when you travel – the offer even applies to peak and school holiday periods.

To book or for more information visit Brittany Ferries and click the "Offers" link at the top of the page.

More about Brittany Ferries ferry crossings to France and Spain.

Ferry port weather reports and forecast

2010-02-22T18:21:00.000Z

Worried about sea sickness? Now you can check the current weather and the forecast for the next three days for most ferry ports in Britain.

These reports are provided to Drive-Alive by the Met Office and are updated throughout the day. Just visit our ferries' page and click through to your chosen ferry port and you'll see a summary of the weather including temperature and, most importantly, wind speed.

As a rough guide anything up to 12 mph should result in a smooth crossing. From 12 to 25 mph the ship will have some motion although most people will be unaffected. Up to 35 mph and you'll need to hold on while walking around and the ship's motion will be enough to cause sensitive individuals to feel queasy. From 35 to 45 mph the ship will be moving around noticeably, and sick bags will be in use! 45 and upwards the sea will be rough, walking will become difficult and if you're prone to sea sickness, make sure you take the tablets!

Remember that the wind at sea is always a few mph stronger than the shoreline strength. It's also worth bearing in mind that the sea takes a few hours to calm down after strong winds have passed.

Low Emission Zones in Germany

2010-02-17T10:15:00.000Z

If you have visited our page about Low Emission Zones you will know that many German cities require you to purchase and display a sticker. This proves that your vehicle meets the emission standards necessary for you to drive in the city in question.

Purchasing a sticker in advance of travel has always been the best option as it avoids searching for a sales point (usually garages) on arrival at the outskirts of towns. But pre-purchase has previously been difficult. Plenty of websites offered the sticker but the issue was that they required documentation and payment to be sent offline.

This has now changed. The Environmental Zone page of the Berlin City website allows you to simply type your registration details and scan and upload a copy of the vehicle registration document. The cost is only 6 euros which can be paid by credit card online.

More good news is that the sticker is valid anywhere in Germany and lasts throughout the life of the vehicle. So buy in advance and make sure you do not leave yourself open to the fine of 40 euros for not displaying the sticker.

Pet travel between Ireland and France

2010-02-14T17:30:00.000Z

Irish Ferries operate the ferry crossings between Rosslare and Cherbourg, and Rosslare and Roscoff in France. Irish Ferries are signed up to the Pet Passport Scheme which allows you to take your pet between Ireland and France provided you have visited the vet and obtained the necessary papers.

The good news for pet owners is that Irish Ferries has extended the scheme to cover the Rosslare to Roscoff ferry route, whereas previously it was only available on the Rosslare Cherbourg crossing.

Irish Ferries also provide a dedicated walking area (by arrangement on board) on the deck of the Oscar Wilde cruise ferry, so even your pet can enjoy the sea air.

More information about ferry routes between Ireland, France and the UK from Irish Ferries.

Comparison of traffic accident fatalities

2010-02-10T16:11:00.003Z

Some time ago we published some scary statistics of the likely cost of a car accident in different European countries.

We've now found a website where you can see the relative likelihood of having a fatal car crash, country by country, in relation to the number of cars in that country. There's also a chart of the number of road deaths per one billion vehicle kilometers. Not a very cheery subject, we admit, but you'll be pleased to hear that the UK does pretty well, as does most of western Europe, although Belgium needs to improve, and Slovenia is clearly somewhere to avoid!

At least you can make sure you avoid breaking local traffic laws by visiting the Drive-Alive pages about traffic laws in Europe.

Fuel prices in Europe - updated

2010-02-09T09:49:00.000Z

We've just updated the Drive-Alive chart of petrol and diesel prices throughout Europe. Since our last update about 6 weeks ago prices have been up and down, but generally we are seeing a rise of a few cents (we show the prices in Euros), roughly 4%.

The Netherlands is the most expensive country for petrol at about 1.50 euros per litre, with Latvia the cheapest at under 1 euro, followed by Spain and Greece at around 1.05 euros - could this be related to these three country's current financial woes?

Diesel is cheapest in Luxembourg and Lithuania at around 0.90 euros per litre whilst France leads with the most expensive diesel at around 1.36 euros per litre.

Motorway tolls in Slovenia

2010-02-05T09:20:00.001Z

Thanks to a correspondent for telling us that it is now necessary to purchase a vignette (windscreen sticker) in order to use motorways in Slovenia. The cost for a car is currently 15 euros for one week, 30 euros for a month or 95 for a year. Here is the official website for information on motorway tolls in Slovenia.

If you drive on Slovenian motorways without a vignette you will be liable to a fine of between 300 and 800 euros - not nice!

Slovenia is becoming more popular as a holiday destination, and more and more people are opting to drive there and avoid the limitations, hidden charges and airport stress associated with flying. If you are driving to Croatia you will need to pass through that small part of Slovenia just to the South-East of Trieste. It is possible to do this on non-motorway roads, although the region is mountainous and the motorway makes the drive easier and quicker. Buy an up-to-date Michelin map and make your own decision.

Here is a comprehensive list of places where you can buy vignettes in Slovenia, and on this page is also a list of retailers in Italy, Germany and Austria, so you can get a sticker before you even arrive in Slovenia.

Irish Ferries now on Drive-Alive - ferries between the UK, Ireland and France

2010-02-02T12:42:00.002Z

Drive-Alive has just announced a new partnership with Irish Ferries. We can now offer you information and links to book all the Irish Ferries' crossings.

They have two ferry routes between Wales and Ireland, and two ferry crossings between Ireland and France. From Holyhead in North Wales Irish Ferries sail to Dublin port, while the other three sailings all go to and from Rosslare in South East Ireland to the following destinations: Pembroke in South Wales, Cherbourg in Normandy and Roscoff in Brittany. The Rosslare Roscoff ferry is a summer-only service, while the others operate all year (except over Christmas).

So visit the Drive-Alive website to check out ferry crossings to and from Ireland with both Irish Ferries and Stena Line.

Irish Ferries routes, ships prices, and bookings.

Stena Line Ferries to Ireland - routes, ships, prices and bookings.

A quick note about blog directories

2010-02-01T15:57:00.000Z

Just to let you know that we like the GetBlogs blog directory.

P&O Ferries sale on Dover to Calais crossing

2010-01-29T08:51:00.000Z

P&O Ferries have launched a winter sale on their Dover Calais ferry crossing to France. Prices are as low as £20 each way for a car or motorbike and its passengers. The sale does not apply to the already highly competitive prices for foot passengers.

As with all these promotions the actual price will depend on the crossing time, but these bargains are available on many sailings right through the year. The sale starts right now, January 27th, and continues for bookings made until February 2nd at 22.00.

So visit our page for P&O Ferries Dover to Calais ferry crossings and click to pick up a great deal.

P&O Ferries to axe Portsmouth to Bilbao crossing

2010-01-18T10:51:00.000Z

P&O Ferries has announced it will be withdrawing its vessel the Pride of Bilbao from the ferry route from Portsmouth, England to Bilbao in the north of Spain. The last sailing will be on September 27th 2010.

The route has been losing money since 2001, and the Pride of Bilbao is now nearing the end of its working life, so P&O have decided not to replace the ship. All bookings up to the final day will of course be honoured, and any bookings already made beyond that date will be reimbursed in full.

Coincidentally Brittany Ferries recently decided to purchase a second luxury cruise ferry for the crossing from Portsmouth to Santander in Northern Spain. This ferry has now been named Cap Finistere and will start work in March 2010.

More on the P&O Ferries Portsmouth Bilbao ferry crossing.
More on the Brittany Ferries Portsmouth Santander ferry crossing.

New Year Offers from Disneyland Paris

2010-01-08T14:33:00.000Z

Disneyland Paris are really out to attract your custom! They have a couple of very enticing offers at the moment.

New Year Offer - From £150 per Adult for a 2 night/3 Day stay at Disneyland Paris PLUS All Kids Go FREE!

Your Holiday package includes:
- Accommodation in a Disney Hotel including breakfast
- Tickets to the 2 Disney® Parks for each day AND
- All Kids Go Free
Just Book by 15th February for arrivals from 3rd January to 1st April 2010

Strikes us as a pretty good deal!
Visit the Drive-Alive Disneyland Paris page to book the Disneyland New Year Special.
Need to book a ferry, Eurotunnel or Eurostar?

Vehicle breakdown insurance - Green Flag our choice

2010-01-07T12:17:00.000Z

Because we aim to be the premier website for driving holidays in Europe, we believe we should offer Vehicle Breakdown Insurance as a part of our service.

After our research we have decided to partner with Green Flag. Together with the AA and RAC, Green Flag are the foremost providers of this valuable cover. None of these three are the cheapest, but we think reliability and speed of response are vital factors in considering which breakdown insurer to choose.

The AA states that it has an average arrival time of 40 minutes, while RAC aims to get to you within 40 minutes.* Green Flag claim they take an average of under 30 minutes to get to breakdowns.**

And if you only want basic UK cover then prices start from just £20 per year. European short-term cover starts from £10.40 for one day, while a 3 day trip will cost just £25.70. Two weeks cover is available for £51. Green Flag also offer annual European cover which is great value if you travel abroad frequently by car.

Click for more on Green Flag Vehicle Breakdown Insurance

*Source: AA and RAC websites, July 2009)
**based on 770,718 callouts, Oct '08 – Sep '09

Petrol and Diesel Price Comparison chart update

2010-01-05T14:51:00.000Z

The Drive-Alive chart comparing fuel prices in Europe has just been updated, using data acquired during December 2009.

Prices have been reasonably static since our last update. Diesel is cheaper than petrol in every country surveyed, except the UK.

Luxembourg is the cheapest country in the EU for petrol, closely followed by Spain. In what used to be Western Europe Switzerland also offers low prices, as do most of the former Eastern European countries.

In the rest of western Europe Austria is reasonable, while the other countries, including the UK, are all within a few Euros of each other.

Click to view Petrol and Diesel prices in Europe.

Brittany Ferries - Portsmouth to Santander - twice the service

2010-01-04T16:49:00.000Z

Brittany Ferries has enjoyed a great start to its ferry service to Santander from Portsmouth. The service was only launched in March 2009, yet it has proved so successful that Brittany Ferries has acquired another luxury cruise ferry to run an additional two return trips per week.

Starting in March 2010 there will now be four car ferry services operated by Brittany Ferries to Santander, three from Portsmouth and one from Plymouth.

The new ship does not yet have a name, but it will operate the route along with Brittany Ferries' flagship, the Pont-Aven. Both vessels share a high cruising speed which means that the Portsmouth Santander ferry crossing takes just 24 hours, the fastest route from Portsmouth to Northern Spain. The new vessel also enjoys similar high quality facilities to the Pont-Aven, namely great restaurants and bars, excellent shopping facilities, a movie lounge, on board entertainment and, weather permitting, a swimming pool.

The two routes to Santander, from Portsmouth and Plymouth, offer a speedy and convenient way to get to the relatively untouched delights of this beautiful part of Spain, rightly known as Green Spain.

When the new ship is not on the Portsmouth Santander crossing she will augment the current Portsmouth Cherbourg crossing.

More information on the Portsmouth Santander ferry crossing from Brittany Ferries.
More information on all Brittany Ferries' routes to France and Spain.

Brittany Ferries to withdraw year-round Poole to Cherbourg ferry crossing

2009-12-20T11:57:00.001Z

After losing money on the route since 2003 Brittany Ferries has decided to withdraw the all year ferry service from Poole in the UK to Cherbourg in Northern France, although the summer service will continue.

This ferry crossing to France has been served by the MV Barfleur for the last 17 years. The vessel will be withdrawn in early February and the route will be served by Brittany Ferries' newest ship the Armorique until the last sailing on March 8th 2010.

The Poole Cherbourg route will still be operated in the summer, from May to September, by the fast ferry high speed cat the Normandie Vitesse,capable of carrying 185 cars across the Channel in just 2 and a quarter hours, and the freight service will continue to be operated by the Cotentin.

Click for more information on the Poole to Cherbourg ferry crossing.

DFDS to take over NorfolkLine

2009-12-18T18:14:00.001Z

DFDS Seaways have announced that they have taken a substantial stake in NorfolkLine Ferries, effectively giving them ownership of the company. This seems to us a sensible move for both companies. It will create the largest ferry operator in Northern Europe, with a combined fleet of 73 ships - 2 of Norfolk Lines' ships are being disposed of.

The deal makes sense because Norfolk Lines is strong on the Irish Sea and operates a successful route from Dover to Dunkirk, whereas DFDS is strong on North Sea ferry crossings from the UK to Belgium, the Netherlands and Denmark.

Drive-Alive works with both DFDS and Norfolk Line so we look forward to continuing to offer these ferry crossings to our customers. We will keep you informed of any further developments.

DFDS routes, timetables, prices and booking.
NorfolkLine routes, timetables, prices and booking.

Not much news but still some great prices on ferries, self-catering and camping.

2009-12-15T15:12:00.001Z

Sorry the news has been slow in coming recently - there just is not much of it! And availability over the Christmas and New Year period is now getting scarce, especially for self-catering apartments in the ski resorts, although there's still plenty of availability in Swiss resorts.

Most of our partners continue to offer competitive prices in order to attract your business in these hard times, so we thought we'd remind you of some of the best buys:

Ferry crossings to France, Spain, Ireland and the Netherlands:
P&O Ferries Dover Calais from £25 each way for a car and up to 9 passengers.
Norfolk Line Ferries Dover Dunkirk from £19 each way car and up to 4 passengers.
Brittany Ferries Portsmouth Caen from £66 each way for a car and 2 passengers.
Eurotunnel Folkestone Calais via Channel Tunnel from £42 each way car and up to 9 passengers.
Stena Line Fishguard Rosslare from £75 each way car and driver.
P&O Ferries Hull Zeebrugge from £109 each way including ensuite cabin for car and 2 passengers.

Self-catering early booking discount:
Many of our properties are on offer with a 10% discount for early booking, applicable if you book more than 9 months ahead of your stay. So now's the time to think about next August summer holidays, and since holiday homes rental costs in August are in the hundreds of pounds there are big savings to be made. Search self-catering holiday homes here.

Camping holiday savings:
Talking of summer holidays, Eurocamp are offering various incentives to book early, plus loyalty bonuses and family discounts, similarly with Keycamp, and both companies offer easy payment options. Plus the earlier you book the better your choice of parcs and locations.

DFDS Ferries special short break offer

2009-11-20T15:45:00.000Z

DFDS Seaways is launching a 72 Hour Sale on Friday 20th November, with up to 40% savings on 2 night mini cruises from Newcastle to Amsterdam. But the offer ends on Monday November 23rd, so be quick!

Find out more and book a DFDS Ferries short break to Amsterdam

Enjoy Stylish Amsterdam from £45pp. Midweek short breaks on selected dates until the end of the year - save up to 40%:
2 nights onboard ship in an en-suite cabin
Coach transfers to and from the city centre
Optional complimentary coach sightseeing tour
Live entertainment onboard
Selected Midweek Departures; 23rd, 24th, 25th, 30th Nov & 1st, 2nd, 9th Dec.
From £45pp HURRY – Offer ends Monday!

Friday departures from £50pp:
2 nights onboard in an en-suite cabin
Coach transfers to and from the city centre
Optional complimentary coach sightseeing tour
Live entertainment onboard
Selected weekend departures; 27th Nov, 4th, 11th, 18th Dec.
From £50pp HURRY – Offer ends Monday!

Find out more and book a DFDS Ferries short break to Amsterdam

Fuel prices in Europe

2009-11-16T10:51:00.000Z

We've just published the latest figures we have for the cost of petrol and diesel in Europe. We have converted all prices to Euros, although of course you need to pay in local currency in those countries which are not in the Eurozone.

As ever, because of the difficulty of collecting these figures, we only manage to publish about once every three months, and already we know for certain that prices have risen in some of the countries, including the UK. But at least these figures help to compare prices in different countries, so if you're taking a trip across borders you can fill up where it least hurts your pocket.

Petrol and diesel prices in Europe

Norfolk Line wins "Best Ferry Company" award again

2009-11-04T18:43:00.000Z

For the second year in a row Norfolkline has been voted "Best ferry company" by the readers of the Guardian and Observer newspapers and the guardian.co.uk website. This is the 23rd year for these awards and winning them represents a real vote of confidence in Norfolk Line. No fewer than 19,248 people took part in the overall voting.

When you bear in mind that the competition includes established companies like P&O Ferries, SeaFrance and Brittany Ferries, this is quite an achievement. So congratulations to Norfolkline from Drive-Alive. Click for information and booking on the NorfolkLine service from Dover to Dunkirk (Dunkerque).

Their rates are always very competitive and are often the cheapest on the ferry crossing to France.

Eurostar snow train to the French Alps

2009-11-04T09:39:00.001Z

The Eurostar snow train to the ski areas of the French Alps will be running this coming season every Friday evening and Saturday morning. These are all direct trains with no need to change. They depart from London St Pancras, calling at Ashford Kent, and arriving at Moutiers, Salins and Bourg St Maurice either Saturday morning (the Friday evening departure) or Saturday evening (the Saturday morning departure). The return journey leaves Moutiers and Bourg either Saturday morning or Saturday evening.

From the arrival stations in the Alps bus and taxi transfers are available to nearby resorts such as Courchevel, La Plagne, Les Menuires, Val Thorens, Val d'Isere, Les Arcs and others.

This is a great way to get to the slopes and the Friday night train means you can ski all day Saturday. And there are no restrictions on how much luggage you take and no surcharges! Eurostar claims the journeys are carbon neutral so you can ski with a clear conscience.

Click for more information on the Eurostar snow train.
Click to book the Eurostar snow train.

Stena Line Ferries come on board

2009-10-27T15:45:00.000Z

Drive-Alive Holidays is very pleased that Stena Line Ferries are now partnering with us, along with all the other major ferry companies. The Stena Line routes are from the UK to Holland and between England, Scotland and Ireland.

This is good news for our users as we can now offer you links to book these crossings directly from our website. Since we have several hundred hotels in Ireland and a good selection of self-catering cottages and holiday homes you can plan a driving holiday to Ireland without leaving our website. Click to find out more about Stena Line ferry crossings to Ireland.

The Stena Line route from Harwich to the Hook of Holland is very convenient for those in the East and South-East of England who want a more direct way of getting to the Netherlands, Germany or further into Scandinavia. Click for more information on the Stena ferry crossing from Harwich to the Hook of Holland.

Brittany Ferries new ship the Armorique - Plymouth to Roscoff

2009-10-23T16:30:00.003+01:00

Earlier this year Brittany Ferries launched their new ship the Armorique on the ferry crossing from Plymouth to Roscoff. We've just taken a return crossing and thought you might like to know our opinion of her.

The first thing that strikes you is the sense of space everywhere - even the car decks are completely free from the feeling of claustrophobia all too common on old ferries, and there's plenty of room for manouvering. Everything is fresh and new, although we did find the bright and lively colour scheme throughout the ship a little garish. Subtle and restfull it is not!

The basic 2 berth cabins are comfortable enough, and all have their own little en-suite shower room and loo. 4 berth cabins are also available as well as more expensive options with all mod cons, including TV, right up to the luxurious Commodore class cabins.

The spacious theme is continued even in the public toilets, a far cry from the cramped loos of older vessels. The two cinemas on board are extremely comfortable, with 21st century surround sound which actually shakes the floor!

We ate in the self-service restaurant, and the food was well up to the standard set by previous Brittany Ferries self-service eateries. However, we were disappointed to find no proper restaurant on board. One of the pleasures of using the ferries to France instead of Eurotunnel or flying is being served a lovely meal while gazing out of the window at the ever-changing sea-scape. A strange omission from a French-owned ship whose clientele would surely have appreciated the restaurant experience.

But overall the experience was positive, with the added benefit of the faster daytime crossing time of just five and a half hours. And the staff are very friendly and helpful and really go out of their way to help make this crossing an enjoyable way to start and finish your trip.

Click to find out more about the ferry crossings from Brittany Ferries.

Book your winter train journey in France now

2009-10-13T14:50:00.000+01:00

From Wednesday 14 October ’09, French trains running on the new winter timetable will go on sale. The timetable change from summer to winter schedules takes place on Sunday 13 December ’09.

The winter timetable features increased services on routes popular with skiers, such as the Paris to Bourg St Maurice overnight service, which runs every night throughout the winter ski season.

Normally, French trains can be booked a maximum of 3 months in advance of the date of travel, but the change over to the winter timetable means that the booking horizons change slightly for a couple of months.

From 5am UK time on 14 October ‘09, passengers will be able to book rail travel in France for dates between 13 December ’09 and 13 January 2010 inclusive.

The 3 month rule applies again from 15 October, until 5 November ‘09, when sales open for trains running between 5 February and 8 March ’10 inclusive.

For any trains running after 8 March 2010, the usual 3 month booking horizon will apply, so anyone wanting to book a train on 9 March will need to wait until 9 December ’09.

Click to book your train journey in Europe

Change of vessels for LD Lines ferry crossings to France

2009-10-06T15:23:00.001+01:00

LD Lines' fast catamaran ferry Norman Arrow is transferring from the Dover Boulogne route to the Portsmouth to Le Havre crossing, although she will only operate for six months during the Spring and Summer, from Easter to September next year.

The benefit is that journey times will be reduced to three hours 15 minutes compared to conventional ferry crossing times of five hours 30 minutes (daytime) or eight hours (night).

The downside is that the Norman Spirit ferry is being transferred in early November from its current Portsmouth to Le Havre route to begin operations on LD Lines' Dover to Boulogne service. This means over the winter LD Lines ferry users from Portsmouth will only have the year-round conventional ferry Cote d'Albatre to use until the Norman Arrow arrives at Easter.

But the Norman Spirit can carry many more vehicles than the Norman Arrow fastcraft, and the popular Dover Boulogne service is in need of this extra capacity.

Book all LD Lines' ferry services with Drive-Alive.
For information on all ferry services from the UK to France.

Bristow v Deller darts challenge on P&O Ferries to Spain

2009-09-15T19:26:00.000+01:00

In 1980 'The Crafty Cockney' Bristow first won the World darts title, only for baby-faced Deller to beat Bristow by six sets to five in 1983, becoming the youngest World Champion ever. Deller also holds the record for the fastest game ever, scoring 301 in just 97 seconds.

The pair will be the star turn for a special Darts Challenge mini cruise on board the cruise ferry Pride of Bilbao sailing from Portsmouth for Bilbao on the evening of Saturday 17 October. The itinerary for the three-night mini cruise gives time for a shore excursion in Spain, with popular options including the Guggenheim gallery, the old city of Bilbao, and the fishing village of Castro Urdiales. And facilities on board the ferries to Spain include cinemas, shops, bars, restaurants and live shows.

So visit the P&O Ferries page on the Drive-Alive website and book a ferry crossing to Spain with the prospect of some great "arrows" to enjoy en-route.

Fuel prices in Europe

2009-09-13T21:03:00.005+01:00

We have just published our latest survey of petrol and diesel prices in European countries. It is difficult to keep up to date with the rapid changes in fuel prices, so please treat this as a guide to the cost of petrol and diesel, not the actual prices. The prices for petrol and diesel are reasonably accurate as at the end of August 2009.

We publish this guide to the cost of fuel in Europe as a service to our users and we hope you find it gives a useful indication as to which country to fill up in when driving abroad to achieve the best prices. We try and update it about once every three months.

Click for the price of diesel and petrol in Europe.

Disneyland Paris Halloween discounts

2009-09-11T09:21:00.003+01:00

Halloween Festival at Disneyland® Paris : Trick n’ Treat

The Halloween season (3rd October – 1st November 2009) is one of the most popular times for UK guests to visit Disneyland Paris. There's a mega month-long party, with all kinds of Halloween related activities during Disney's Halloween Festival!

Throughout the Halloween period there's a great offer that no-one can miss; All Your meals for FREE! In addition this offer can be taken along with the current "Kids go free", meaning all children under 7 get free entry to the Park and stay free at one of the hotels featured in the package, and, with the Halloween offer, you and the kids get free meals too!

Click to find out more about these great offers and for information on Disneyland Paris and how to get there.

LD Lines ferry crossing UK France - change of port Rosslare Cherbourg

2009-08-24T11:30:00.007+01:00

If you use the ferry crossings between Ireland and France this is good news! LD Lines is making changes to the direct ferry service between Ireland and France. Previously the ferry crossing was from Rosslare to Le Havre. From September 19th 2009 the French port of Cherbourg will be the destination port in France. This move will allow LD Lines to offer increased crossing frequency and shorter crossing times.

LD Lines’ ship the Norman Voyager will operate this ferry route, with six return sailings each week, compared to the two sailings to Le Havre, and with a crossing time of 17 hours, 5 hours less than the time to Le Havre. The Rosslare to Cherbourg ferry will be operated by the recently launched Norman Voyager, introduced by LD Lines in November 2008. The vessel has capacity for up to 800 passengers and 200 cars. On board facilities include 110 cabins, bars, restaurant and lounges. LD Lines' Norman Voyager will operate exclusively on the new Cherbourg – Rosslare service.

Click for more information and to book a LD Lines ferry crossing from Rosslare to Cherbourg.

Camping holiday discounts

2009-08-07T17:23:00.005+01:00

LAST MINUTE CAMPING DISCOUNTS

visit the Eurocamp website and book something quickly!

40% off all holidays taken before August 20th
35% off all holidays taken between August 21st and 27th
30% off all holidays taken between August 28th and 31st.

We've just heard about these pretty amazing discounts, so here's a quick newsflash in case you'd like to take advantage of these offers from one of the UK's top camping operators, with quality campsites throughout Europe. These are fantastic offers and will be snapped up, so visit the Eurocamp website and book something quickly!

Wildlife watching with Brittany Ferries

2009-08-06T13:50:00.003+01:00

Brittany Ferries and ORCA, a leading marine conservation charity, have joined forces to offer passengers the opportunity to see whales and dolphins in the Bay of Biscay. Brittany Ferries sails twice weekly to Santander in Northern Spain from Plymouth and Portsmouth, and as the ships cross the Bay of Biscay there are excellent opportunities for sightings of these amazing marine mammals. Wildlife education officers from ORCA are on hand to help identify the creatures and answer any questions about them.

This is a great opportunity to travel in comfort to a beautiful part of Spain and have the opportunity to get up close to species ranging from Harbour Porpoises to the mighty Fin Whale, the second largest animal on Earth.

More information and links to book Brittany Ferries services to Spain.

Amsterdam festivals 2010

2009-08-05T09:01:00.004+01:00

Amsterdam is a city of broad canals lined by elegant merchant houses, a city where people know how to enjoy themselves, and a city with some of the best museums and galleries in Europe. Amsterdam also has one of the busiest festival calendars in Europe, with everything from carnivals, open-air theatre, film, dance and various music festivals. For a full line-up visit the Amsterdam Festival website.

Amsterdam offers a huge choice of hotels at all price levels, so search and book hotels in Amsterdam here.

Amsterdam is easy to reach by car on either DFDS Ferries from Newcastle to Ijmuiden or P&O Ferries from Hull to Rotterdam. Or travel by train on Eurostar and fast onward connection.

P&O Ferry website top performer

2009-07-27T09:14:00.003+01:00

Cross-channel ferry operator P&O is one of the most usable travel websites in the UK, according to a study of 18 leading sites.

The eDigital Research Travel Benchmark report used mystery shoppers to rate for first impressions, search, the booking process, and customer service.

With a score of 86% the P&O website came top of the 18 travel booking sites surveyed, with easy usability and good contact details in case of a problem. And with currently some great offers, fast and comfortable modern ships and frequent sailings, this report provides another incentive to visit the P&O website to book your ferry journey.

10 Scenic rail journeys in Europe

2009-07-07T12:40:00.010+01:00

Rail Europe has got together with experienced travel writer Anthony Lambert, a seasoned traveller on European railways, and the outcome is a guide to great scenic journeys by rail in Europe.

These are excellent guides for those growing number of travellers who not only choose the greener option of rail travel, but who also appreciate how relaxing and hassle-free train travel can be compared to flying. And on journeys like those featured here there is the added benefit of fantastic scenery and great places to visit en route.

Find out more about great scenic rail journeys in Europe.

For more about train travel in Europe.

Special offers on camping holidays

2009-07-06T12:27:00.002+01:00

If camping is for you then here is an excellent offer from Eurocamp and Keycamp, valid for all bookings made by July 29th.

The Eurocamp and Keycamp Price Freeze means you can book accommodation in a luxury tent or mobile home for 2010 at current prices with the option of staggered payment. All you need to pay now is a low deposit of £50. In other words, secure your camping holiday price for 2010 and pay for it in instalments! More on the Camping holiday price freeze.

Disneyland Paris Bargain Prices

2009-06-23T12:05:00.004+01:00

If the recession has a silver lining it's in the discounted prices that Disneyland Paris are offering. You can get a whopping 40% off a package stay if you book Disneyland Paris before 15th July. What’s more this great offer can be combined with the Kids Under 7 Stay & Play for free offer! This means that a family of four can now stay in a Disney Hotel from as little as £248.40 (including Park Tickets & Breakfast). With a little luck these bargain prices from Disneyland Paris mean that things are quiet, so you might even find the queues smaller than usual. More information and links to book Disneyland Paris.

Cost of a car accident abroad

2009-06-19T12:28:00.007+01:00

If you are taking your car abroad this summer, be aware that in some countries accident repairs are much more expensive than in the UK.

Aviva Insurance tells us that Germany is the costliest country for crash repairs, with the average cost £2940, or twice as much as the average across Europe.

In France the average claim for personal injury is £10000, so do your best not to have an accident there!

Other destinations where an accident could cost you dearly include Austria and Switzerland, with an average cost of £2,265. whilst Belgium is the third most expensive country in Europe and a crash could cost up to £1,617.

These figures make it even more important to ensure that you have good quality fully comprehensive vehicle insurance in place. Although the old Green Card is no longer required, and most insurance companies do not issue them now, you should still contact your insurer to let them know you are driving abroad.

In addition make sure you have vehicle breakdown insurance which covers taking your car to Europe. This causes some confusion. It is not the same as your car insurance, and many breakdown policies only cover the UK. If you need European breakdown cover we recommend Green Flag as the company offering the best mix of cover and cost.

Shortage of hire cars

2009-06-17T17:14:00.004+01:00

The car hire industry is forecasting a shortage of hire cars this summer. Because of the recession they haven't bought so many cars this year, apparently. So if you're thinking of flying and want to hire you should book sooner rather than later. Of course, we don't do flights at Drive-Alive, but we do trains, and many people are taking the train to Europe then hiring a car. Both our car hire partners are very competitive on price, well-established, and have cars in hundreds of locations across Europe. Try Auto Europe or Argus Car Hire and we're pretty confident you'll find what your looking for.

Save up to 40% on Mini Cruises with DFDS

2009-06-10T14:44:00.012+01:00

DFDS Seaways operate from Newcastle to Ijmuiden near Amsterdam and from Harwich to Esbjerg in Western Denmark. Although the vessels are primarily intended as car ferries, they have plenty of facilities on board and DFDS is keen to promote what they call mini cruises, where you travel as a foot passenger. They offer straightforward mini cruises where you either stay a night or two at your chosen destination, or you can just spend a few hours ashore. Or you can check out their wildlife mini cruises, city cruise breaks and cottage holidays. We've chosen to highlight these because currently they are all on offer with up to 40% off.

As this is a blog we don't have the space to feature details on these offers, but you'll find them all by following the links on the Drive-Alive website:

Special offers on DFDS mini cruises, holidays and ferry crossings

If you'd prefer the trip to Denmark, and would like to take your car why not combine the Øresund Region of eastern Denmark and southern Sweden - two countries in one destination. Enjoy the cosmopolitan buzz of Copenhagen, Denmark's capital city. Studies show that the Danes are among the happiest and most content people in the world - and the Danish capital is a great place to find out why! Then cross the Øresund Bridge to the laid back city of Malmö, in Sweden, for another unique Scandinavian experience. With Denmark's sophisticated capital on the one hand and Sweden's rugged natural beauty on the other, you'll discover almost endless possibilities for days of exploration within a fairly small geographical area.

Senior Railcards in Europe

2009-06-05T09:41:00.003+01:00

As you may know Drive-Alive has a sister website for train travel in Europe, with links to sites where tickets can be booked. We've recently been asked if other European countries offer a discount card for senior citizens, similar to the Senior Railcard available in the UK.

The answer is yes, although there seems to be a trend for these to become less widely available. The other problem is that we know of no UK website where these cards can be pre-booked, or where the discount can be claimed online. So it looks as if the only current option is to either try and book on the rail booking website of the country you are visiting, or wait until you arrive and then buy your card and tickets.

If anyone knows of a site where railcards and discounted tickets can be booked, we'd like to hear about it. In the meantime, here is a link to the most comprehensive information about senior railcards we've been able to find.