Why I’d Choose Brittany Ferries for a More Relaxed European Holiday

Whenever I start planning a holiday, I usually get excited about the destination first. I look at places to stay, restaurants I want to try, and little towns that seem worth visiting. Getting there is normally the boring part. I just want to arrive, drop my bags, and start enjoying myself. But recently, I’ve been thinking that maybe the journey deserves a little more attention, especially when travelling somewhere like France or Spain.

That’s what caught my interest about Brittany Ferries. Instead of dealing with the usual airport routine, there’s the option of boarding a ship, settling into a cabin, and enjoying the crossing. It sounds like a pleasant change, particularly when the whole point of going away is to escape a busy schedule for a while.

One thing I like about ferry travel is that you can actually move around. You’re not stuck in the same seat for hours, counting down until landing. You can walk around the ship, find somewhere comfortable to sit, grab a meal, or spend some time looking out at the water. Brittany Ferries also has restaurants, cabins, shops, and other onboard facilities, so the crossing feels like part of the experience rather than just transportation.

I can imagine booking an overnight crossing, having dinner onboard, and heading back to the cabin without worrying about anything else. Waking up the next morning knowing you’re getting closer to France sounds like a lovely way to begin a trip. There’s no need to fill every moment with activities, either. Sometimes having absolutely nothing planned is exactly what a holiday needs.

Another thing that makes Brittany Ferries interesting is the option to bring your own car. For anyone who enjoys road trips, that changes how you can explore a destination. From Ireland, the company offers routes including Cork to Roscoff and Rosslare to Cherbourg, giving travellers different starting points for discovering France.

I’d love the freedom of arriving in France and driving through smaller villages without having to follow a strict itinerary. Maybe stop at a bakery for breakfast, spend an afternoon wandering around a coastal town, or take a different road simply because the scenery looks beautiful. Those unplanned moments often become the things people remember most about a holiday.

There’s also the practical side. Bringing your own vehicle means having more flexibility with what you pack. You can bring the things you actually want for the trip instead of spending ages deciding what deserves space in a suitcase. That alone sounds appealing for longer holidays, especially when travelling with family.

Spain is another destination worth considering. Brittany Ferries operates a route between Rosslare and Bilbao, opening up the possibility of exploring northern Spain by car. Rather than heading straight for the usual tourist destinations, you could discover quieter coastal areas, enjoy local food, and spend a few days getting to know places you might never have thought about visiting.

Of course, ferry travel isn’t necessarily the quickest option, and that’s something to consider when planning. But if you have a little more time available, the crossing can become an enjoyable part of the holiday itself.

I think that’s what makes this way of travelling appealing. You still get the excitement of visiting somewhere new, but there’s also time to enjoy getting there. For your next European getaway, have a look at Brittany Ferries and its available routes. A slightly different journey might be just what makes the whole holiday feel more memorable.