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- Posted: 04/08/2023
A Weekend in Calais, France
Jenna Carr
The Travel Mum
Things to do in Calais
Ferry vs Flying
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You can pack as much as you want.
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You have no limitations on liquids.
- More eco friendly.
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Great for people who may be anxious flying.
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Once you load the car everything is with you therefore minimal carrying is required. Less chances of losing something important!
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Getting from our home to the ferry was a lot less hassle compared to getting from home to the airplane (no airport parking / security lines etc).
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Once on the ferry, it was easy to entertain Leo given we could walk around and explore. (More difficult on a plane when stuck in one seat).
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Once in the country you’re visiting you have your car to explore, so you don’t need to pay any extra for car hire / taxis / public transport. The world is your oyster! We saw that Bruges, Belgium was only an hour and a half away and so set off to visit one afternoon!
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You can even pack your own food to really cut costs – things you may already in the house like pasta, pasta sauce, snacks, alcohol, cereals will all save you a lot of money if you book self catering accommodation.
Naturally you are limited in where you can go on the ferry, but we are very lucky to have many amazing European countries a drivable distance from our home in the UK. Calais is a vibrant city right by the port, making it a great option if you don’t want to drive too far to experience a new city for the weekend.
Our Experience Travelling by Ferry
The crossing takes just over an hour and a half and it flew by. Between exploring the premium lounge, having lunch, playing in the kiddie areas and browsing the duty free, we didn’t have any difficult moments where Leo was bored and frustrated. He has now told everyone who will listen about “the boat that carries cars”. He still mentions it weeks later, he was definitely a fan!
Where to stay in Calais
Things to do in Calais, France
Calais Beach
Calais Dragon
Calais Belfry
Explore the City’s Highlights on Foot
Visit the Biggest Aquarium in Europe
Duty Free Shopping on the Way Home
Recent Posts
Written by: Jenna Carr
The Travel Mum
Our little family is passionate about helping you save money. We are real people who understand the need to make your budget go further. With The Travel Mum we have created a vibrant community of over 650k budget savvy travellers who want to travel more while spending less. No problem is too big or small, together we will do everything in our power to make sure you are making the absolute most of your well earned budget!
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I appreciate this is still a lot of money, but you wouldn’t haven’t to spend much more than this as everything is included ❤️
Missing the last day of school can save you hundreds of pounds, as can reducing the number of days you’re away. Sometimes a long weekend is all it takes to make lasting family memories 🫶🏻
We have a website where you can find your local airport page and view tons of family holiday deals.
Links in my linktree are affiliate links.
#thetravelmum #familytravel #cheapholiday #octoberhalfterm
Oct 12
I appreciate this is still a lot of money, but you wouldn’t haven’t to spend much more than this as everything is included ❤️
Missing the last day of school can save you hundreds of pounds, as can reducing the number of days you’re away. Sometimes a long weekend is all it takes to make lasting family memories 🫶🏻
We have a website where you can find your local airport page and view tons of family holiday deals.
Links in my linktree are affiliate links.
#thetravelmum #familytravel #cheapholiday #octoberhalfterm
I’m putting myself out there with this post and know I’ll get some stick for it, but whether kids should be shared online is an interesting topic (when people can discuss and explain their opinions nicely without being a d*ck) and it may answer some questions you’ve thought but not wanted to ask me.
I’ve thought about it a lot, obviously, given the work we do. This is just my opinion. I’d be interested to hear yours ❤️
#thetravelmum #familytravel #controversial
Oct 11
I’m putting myself out there with this post and know I’ll get some stick for it, but whether kids should be shared online is an interesting topic (when people can discuss and explain their opinions nicely without being a d*ck) and it may answer some questions you’ve thought but not wanted to ask me.
I’ve thought about it a lot, obviously, given the work we do. This is just my opinion. I’d be interested to hear yours ❤️
#thetravelmum #familytravel #controversial
I am SO bad at keeping secrets… and this has been a big one!
It has always been a dream of mine to publish a book, so when I got a genuine book deal, it was VERY hard to not shout it from the roof tops! Excitement turned into panic when I realised I actually had to write a whole book... but it’s been an incredible journey.
This is more than just a travel book - I share things I’ve never spoken about publicly before, including some difficult moments to revisit, alongside everything I know about bargain family travel.
Thank you @dkeyewitness for bringing my ideas to life, and to @belllomaxmoreton and @mackenzieweller_management for believing in me from the very start ❤️🙏🏻
@dklivinguk #thetravelmum #familytravel #booklaunch #budgettravel
Oct 9
I am SO bad at keeping secrets… and this has been a big one!
It has always been a dream of mine to publish a book, so when I got a genuine book deal, it was VERY hard to not shout it from the roof tops! Excitement turned into panic when I realised I actually had to write a whole book... but it’s been an incredible journey.
This is more than just a travel book - I share things I’ve never spoken about publicly before, including some difficult moments to revisit, alongside everything I know about bargain family travel.
Thank you @dkeyewitness for bringing my ideas to life, and to @belllomaxmoreton and @mackenzieweller_management for believing in me from the very start ❤️🙏🏻
@dklivinguk #thetravelmum #familytravel #booklaunch #budgettravel
We made it work - and you can too.
If there’s one thing I’ve learnt since having kids, it’s that your life will be chaotic and wild whether you’re sat at home, in Tescos or on a beach somewhere lush - I know where I’ll be 😅🍹
We have always been budget travellers, and our followers are always shocked at the price we spend on our trips. Follow along for tips, inspo and help getting your family out there ❤️
#thetravelmum #familytravel #budgettravel #travelideas #travelwithbaby
Oct 8
We made it work - and you can too.
If there’s one thing I’ve learnt since having kids, it’s that your life will be chaotic and wild whether you’re sat at home, in Tescos or on a beach somewhere lush - I know where I’ll be 😅🍹
We have always been budget travellers, and our followers are always shocked at the price we spend on our trips. Follow along for tips, inspo and help getting your family out there ❤️
#thetravelmum #familytravel #budgettravel #travelideas #travelwithbaby
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