European budget travel news

Norfolkline the passenger ferry arm of Maersk now owns NorseMerchant Ferries. They have an excellent offer on day crossings from Liverpool(Birkenhead) to Dublin. For £69 return plus £3 per leg fuel surcharge a car and 4 passengers can book a return trip up until the end of 2006. The offer can only be booked today, Saturday 11th March and Sunday 12th March 2006. Payment must be made in full at the time of booking, with no changes or refunds allowed. The price also includes a three course lunch.
Night crossings are also on offer at £99 return with similar terms and conditions but no free meal.

Express by Holiday Inn have some very cheap room deals at present. I the United Kingdom they start at £39 GBP per room. Family rooms accommodate up to 2 adults and 2 children.

Example prices per room in UK:

Droitwich from £39 GBP
Nottingham from £39 GBP
Swansea from £39 GBP
London from £49 GBP
In Mainland Europe:
Berlin from €49 euros (£34 GBP)
Avignon from €55 euros (£38 GBP)
Paris from €59 euros (£39 GBP)
Munich from €59 euros (£39 GBP)

premier travel inn, the United Kingdoms largest hotel chain with over 460 locations is to open its first hotel in Ireland. This March a premier travel inn will open in Carrickfergus, alongside the Harbour Brewer's Fayre Restaurant. Conveniently located only 9 miles from Belfast City Centre the hotel is bound to be popular.

Today 10 February 2006, Travelodge release 100,000 rooms at £10 per room. These Supersaver rooms are available for stays between 2 March 2006 and 13 April 2006. The £10 rate is available in over 250 Travelodge Hotels.
Travelodge’s website has a Supersaver search tool to assist in locating these cheap deals. Supersaver rooms must be booked at least 21 days in advance and are non-refundable. The pricing model mirrors that of the low cost airlines.

Brittany Ferries are promoting £55 0ne way ferry fares for car plus two adults for up to 5 days. For stays away over 5 days the price rises to £85. These prices apply to mid week crossings up to 12 April 2006 from the UK and up to 18 April 2006 from France. The return journey must be booked. There are a large number of terms and conditions with this offer including blackout periods:
Midweek: Mon - Thurs ex UK, Mon to Fri ex France.
Weekend: Fri - Sun ex UK, Sat and Sun ex France

After 12 April from UK, a higher offer rate of £65 (one way) mid week and £75 (one way) weekend for 5 day returns applies up to 21 May 2006. Longer returns in this period are £105 (each way) mid week and £119 (each way) weekends.

Its all a little complicated isn't it. The best bet is to look up the Brittany Ferries website for a fuller explanation.

The Jonathan Swift the fast ferry operated by Irish Ferries is having a refit at present. The Stena HSS Craft is also having its annual overhaul so the only service on the Holyhead to Dublin route this weekend (3/4 February 2006, will be the Cruise ferry services at 02h50 and 15h00.
Irish Ferries have not confirmed when the Jonathan Swift will be back in service, but are aiming for soemtime this weekend.
Irish Ferries sailing times update.

DFDS Seaways the North Sea Cruise ferry Company have some good deals on at present. Why not book up for a three night CityCruise to Amsterdam. They start at £119 GBP per person and there are daily departures in February and March.
The price includes 2 nights on board ship
Return coach transfer from port to hotel
1 night in an Ibis Hotel.
Hurry though as you will need to book by Tuesday 31 January 2006.

If the 3 night cruise break doesn't appeal how about a Valentines treat for someone special DFDS are running a mini cruise break for the day that start at £44.50 GBP per person.

Finally if you book a DFDS Summer Holiday before the end of this month you could get up to 20% discount off. The offer doesn't apply to cottage holidays though.