Last summer the travel industry faced one disaster after another – everything from hour-long queues to get through airport security, to the runway at Luton melting. All the chaos understandably has made holiday-makers think about how they are travelling to their destinations of choice, and whether we actually need to rely on constantly catching flights.. Luckily, there are many fantastic destinations in Europe you can get to via ferry, car or train. <br>
Need some inspiration? We’ve picked out some favourites. <br> <br>
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1. Dublin, Ireland
<br> <br> Our green neighbour to the west is a short flight away, but taking the ferry won’t take you too much longer. From Liverpool, the journey to Dublin takes just under 8 hours, with prices starting from £780 for a family of four with P&O Ferries. <br> <br> Once you arrive, you’ll want to head to the Guinness brewery, famously located right in the middle of Dublin on a 9000 year lease starting in 1759. The brewery offers a tour as well as a complementary pint to those over 18. Those with younger children may want to check out the National Wax Museum, where you’ll have the opportunity to see everything from cartoon characters to celebrities and even historical figures. You might want to give them a call to make sure nothing’s melted, first. <br> <br> As for where to stay, the Schoolhouse Hotel hosts guests in a former school only ten minutes from the city centre. Rooms in this cosy boutique hotel start from about £150 per night. <br> <br>
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2. Bilbao, Spain
<br> <br> If you thought Spain was too far away to get to without a flight, think again. While the ride over does take a full 24 hours, the ship itself is a mini cruise liner offering both food and entertainment. Costing £1,300 for a family of four with a car and departing from Portsmouth, the holiday starts as soon as you board with Brittany Ferries. <br> <br> Once in Bilbao, the beaches of the Bay of Biscay are right there – Ereaga beach is easily accessible by tram from the city centre. Also not to be missed is Casco Viejo, the old town which is filled with bars and restaurants. The food traditions of the Basque region are unique to the rest of Spain, so make sure to sample it all. Pinxto, similar to tapas, is offered in most bars, and the best way to experience it is on a pinxto crawl where each bar on the trail offers you their specialty. <br> <br> When you’re ready for bed, Hotel Miró is right across from the Guggenheim museum, perfectly located for everything Bilbao has to offer. Rooms start from £110. <br> <br>
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3. Amsterdam, the Netherlands
<br> <br> Amsterdam may not be the first choice for a family, having a bit of a reputation for stag and hen dos, but don’t be too quick to judge. This year in particular, a trip to Amsterdam should be a top priority for anyone interested in nature. Flower show Floriade Expo is held only once every ten years, and 2022’s edition is on until the 9th of October. <br> <br> Amsterdam locals get everywhere in this flat city by bike, and they do take it seriously – make sure you’re not walking in a cycle lane or you’ll get decisively told off! You can rent bikes on every corner to explore the city like a local, starting with a ride around the centrally located Vondelpark. Kids too young to enjoy a full day bike ride? You can always rent a cargo bike shaped like a traditional Dutch clog to ferry them around in. <br> <br> Travelling to Amsterdam on the Eurostar from St Pancras International takes just under 4 hours and for a family of four, last minute return tickets currently start from £456. Once you get there, the Max Brown Hotel in the Canal District is ready to welcome you – while it’s very central, it sits slightly away from the rowdiest areas. Rooms start from £190. <br> <br>
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4. Copenhagen, Denmark
<br> <br> If you’re up for a drive, take the meandering route through France and Belgium to Cophenhagen, Denmark. To get started on your journey, the easiest option is to take the Le Shuttle cargo train through the Eurotunnel from Folkestone. With tickets starting from £127, you can bring up to nine passengers as well as your car, and the journey only takes 35 minutes. <br> <br> Once you get to Copenhagen, one of your first stops should be Nyhavn. This area near the harbour is full of traditional Danish cafes and bars. Hans Christian Andersen, author of The Little Mermaid, lived here for most of his life, so see if you can find his three houses in the area. The little mermaid statue is also located only a short walk away. <br> <br> The kids will love Tivoli, one of the most popular amusement parks in northern Europe. Or, for a full day of amusement park fun, the original Legoland is only a three hour drive away. If a return trip the same day seems like a lot of driving, rooms at the resort start from £330 and include tickets to the park. <br> <br> If you’d prefer to stay in Copenhagen, the Savoy Hotel is the full Danish experience, decorated in a sparse, Scandinavian style, with rooms starting from £137 a night. <br> <br>
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5. Paris, France
<br> <br> Only 2 hours 37 minutes from St Pancras International, classic Eurostar destination Paris is one of the easiest European destinations to reach without a flight. You’ll be pleased to know that even with upcoming train strikes, the Eurostar is projected to be running as normal. When booking in advance you can get individual tickets for as little as £39, but for a family of four in August, a return journey starts from £476 for a family of four. <br> <br> Paris is full of sights to see, including the Eiffel Tower, the Notre Dame and the Louvre (plan an early trip to beat the crowds at the Mona Lisa). After you’ve exhausted everything that the city has to offer, take the train out to Versailles to see how the French aristocracy lived before the revolution. The castle offers buggy hires to explore the grounds, including Le Petit Trianon – Marie Antoinette’s private little castle where she dropped her famous line, “let them eat cake”. <br> <br> As for where to stay, the different arrondissements of Paris each have their own particular flavour. For the most traditional Parisian experience you’ll want to stay in Montmartre. The Jardins de Montmartre hotel offer rooms from £87 per night, with quick access to all the sights. <br> <br> For certain families, a trip to Paris wouldn’t be complete without a visit to Disneyland Paris. If that’s you, you’re in luck – we recently wrote the ultimate guide to the park. <br> <br>
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Wherever you go this summer, stay safe, and make sure that you’re getting the best rates and fee free spending abroad by using your Caxton currency card. Apply for yours today, or top up your existing card.