There are a wide variety of routes to cater for differing individual abilities, from gentle saunters around the villages to more demanding routes, taking in some serious climbs for spectacularly rewarding views. For the very fit, a ‘cycle the Wight’ course takes in the whole perimeter of the island, allowing cyclists to indulge themselves in the dramatic coastline of the island.

For those who also harbour a passion for other forms of transport, a fayre displaying some of the oldest vintage cars to be produced in the UK will be held on the same day as the start of the cycling festival.

Wightlink provide a regular, affordable ferry service to the Isle of Wight, with travellers having the option of making the short crossing from Lymington or Portsmouth.

It is forecast that, taking into account the growing popularity of ferry travel and holidays in general, passenger numbers coming in and out of Dover will continue to swell over the coming years. The private ownership will allow money to be raised for the Treasury, which can be invested in increasing the capacity of the port to cope with the ever growing demand.

A number of companies set sail out of Dover, including P&O, Norfolkline and SeaFrance. The increased capacity planned for Dover should allow such operators to expand their services within the port. Whilst privatisation of Dover raises concerns within some locals, managers of the port were quick to reassure the public, commenting:

“It is entirely for the long-term benefit of UK transport and the UK economy that the privatisation scheme is currently being considered by the Department for Transport”. Dover officials stress that the move is necessary to deal with the expansion of the ferry industry.

The system will first be used on the highly popular Portsmouth-Le Havre crossing. The plan is for a self check-in kiosk to be placed at each port, ensuring a faster, more efficient check-in for travellers. Check-in can sometimes be a hassling, time consuming experience that travellers wish they could avoid altogether. Understanding this, LD Lines plan to implement the new system in time for the summer high season.

Christophe Santoni, managing director of LD Lines, expressed his excitement at the plans, guaranteeing they would lead to a slicker service. Passengers were assured that the old system would still be available for those who prefer it. The company also stated a desire to extend the system to bookings at some point in the future. Other companies may soon follow suit if LD Lines’ innovative approach to shortening check in queues proves to be successful.

Taking a ferry can offer an opportunity to sidestep much of the hassle often involved with ski holidays when flying to your destination. Ferry travel with your car takes vehicle and equipment hire completely out of the equation, allowing holidaymakers to get to their resort of choice and concentrate on hitting the slopes.

Mike Bevens, group passenger commercial director of Brittany Ferries, was understandably keen to outline the advantages of ferry travel for ski enthusiasts. “Ski-drive makes sense. You simply pack your car – as much as you can fit inside – and go. Not only do you avoid all the hassle and expense of the airport, as well as car and equipment hire, you’ll also enjoy much more freedom to drive around when you get to the mountains.”

Brittany Ferries offers crossings from Portsmouth to Caen, Cherbourg and St Malo all year round.

A suggested base to strike out from is the Hook of Holland port, being ideally located near the major cities of Holland, notably Rotterdam. Passengers can take their car on board a crossing from Harwich to the Hook of Holland for just £49 with Stena Line.

In comparison to a flight plus car hire deal, the ferry is a far shrewder way to travel for any budget conscious holidaymakers. Holland has an excellent road network, offering the freedom to visit a range of fascinating locations.

Every city in Holland has something different to offer. As an example, Rotterdam, just a short drive from the Hook of Holland port, contains one of the most stunning architectural skylines anywhere in the world. Amsterdam also boasts endless attractions far beyond the seemier elements with which it is commonly associated.

With its relatively low key tourist profile, a trip to Holland may be the perfect break for you and your family with Stena Line this autumn.

The ship will set sail on the evening of the 4th September, signalling the beginning of P&O’s “darts challenge” mini cruise.

Bristow and Deller were fierce rivals and staged some epic contests during the 1980′s, both becoming world champions in the process. The pair are now firm friends and passengers should be prepared for some light hearted banter between the players and thus some great entertainment during the voyage, with the additional opportunity of becoming involved with the darts challenge.

Bilbao itself has a great deal to offer, with a vibrant city centre and a serene old town to explore. With the P&O Ferries Portsmouth-Bilbao crossing due to end soon, travellers will no doubt be excited to take advantage of this opportunity to enjoy a memorable voyage to sunny Spain with two of the most famous darts players in history.

However, Ireland provides a ideal opportunity to cut ties from the strains and stresses of the working world for a few days. Teaming up with the ideally located 3 star Jury’s Inn bed and breakfast, the operator is offering a luxury crossing and 2 nights at the accommodation in the heart of Dublin for the modest sum of £59. From here, holidaymakers have the chance to explore the vibrant city of Dublin and the sweeping moorland that lies beyond, all around the island. Passengers can cross with their car to maximise the potential to indulge in everything Ireland has to offer.

The deal is particularly family friendly, with children under 14 accompanied by 2 adults going for absolutely free. As Autumn draws nearer, Ireland continues to be an appealing prospect for ferry companies and tourists alike.

DFDS recently took over NorfolkLine and hence the Rosyth to Zeebrugge route, but DFDS have said that the combined passenger and freight service never made money. Group vice-president Andreas Teschl said, “We are aware that the ferry service has provided an important link between Scotland and the continent.

“So it is a matter of deep regret that we have had to take the decision to no longer operate passenger services on the Rosyth to Zeebrugge route in the future.

“We know this decision will be disappointing to many people and we would like to thank all those who have supported us, particularly the Scottish Government, the travel and transport industry, as well as those passengers who have used the service and will continue to use the service until the end of the year.

He added, “However, we do believe the route has a future as a freight-only service and we not only want to keep the route alive, but we want to enhance the service we offer to the freight industry.

“We will, of course, continue our talks with the Scottish Government in order to find possible, economically viable solutions to introduce a passenger service in the future.”

Any passengers booked beyond December 15 will receive refunds. It’s a shame to see some of these longer distance routes being discontinued, particularly in light of P&O dropping the Portsmouth to Bilbao route at the end of September 2010.

Paris is a great place to visit in the autumn

Travellers looking to head to France this coming Autumn and, indeed, all the way up to the busy pre Christmas period, will be delighted to hear that Irish Ferries are set to bring back their popular mini cruises to France. The first of the voyages will set sail on September 1st, all the way up to December 20th.

France offers a world of activities, sights and scenery to enjoy; and of course, the capital city, Paris, is a delight in the winter months. The extension of the cruises to late December is a clear incentive for shoppers to take advantage of the cheap food and drink deals to be found on the other side of the Channel in preparation for the busy Christmas period, with Irish Ferries commenting: “The mini-cruises will be ideal for travellers anxious to get cracking on their Christmas shopping”. Furthermore, the major cities in France have superb retail outlets that offer bargain shopping; with the additional potential of finding a truly unique gift

for a loved one.

Those keen to prepare for the winter festivities should be prepared to travel in style; the 5 star vessel Oscar Wilde will be providing quiet lounges, entertainment and free wireless internet access on crossings from Rosslare to Roscoff.

Youngsters will have the opportunity to learn a great deal about marine biology, from the nature of the seas and the tides, to the sea life that silently lives under the ferries that cut through the ocean every day. The workshops should allow parents to get some peace of mind, safe in the knowledge that their children are happily occupied, in a productive manner, on crossings from Plymouth to the French commune of Roscoff.

In addition, Brittany Ferries is also placing greater emphasis on the environmental impact of its ferries. One of the operator’s flagship vessels, the Armorique, has been equipped with high tech equipment that can measure sea temperature, levels of plankton and water quality. Brittany Ferries is thus taking commendable steps in an attempt to educate the young and inform the scientific community this summer.