Ballyclare Gazette - Features - Make your next holiday an adventure

Features

Make your next holiday an adventure

Tuesday, 6 December 2011

Even though Christmas is just around the corner many are already thinking about their first holiday of 2012. There are some great deals on package holidays in January but if you want an even cheaper option, after an expensive festive period, why not hire a car and propel yourself around the continent? Car hire can be very affordable if you know where to look.

Driving really brings out your sense of adventure and also allows you to view the change in terrain that you wouldn't be able to properly appreciate from the air. Some of Europe's finest cities are easily accessible by car and take less time to reach than you might imagine. Based on a starting point in Calais here are some great places to travel to by car.

Paris

It takes just three hours or 180 miles of leisurely driving through picturesque Northern France to get to the capital. Most Europeans will at some point have enjoyed Paris already but, if any place is worth revisiting, it is surely this enchanting and beautiful city. While Paris suffers from cold winters, the architecture and restaurants remain. With so many tourists swamping the city through the summer months this is perhaps the best time to see the city. Prices are also much lower across the board at this time of year.

Amsterdam

If you are prepared to travel a little further, why not take a trip to the unique city of Amsterdam. It's about 230 miles from Calais, which will take you around four hours on the motorway. Once there, you can enjoy a very bohemian and varied experience. Holland is of course one of the hotbeds of European art and, accordingly, has some of the grandest museums in Europe, adorned with the art of Van Gogh, Rembrandt and Vermeer.

Zurich

If you are happy to spread your journey over a few days then why not take a trip to Switzerland? It sounds like a long and treacherous route but, in fact, this area of Europe has easy access and provides some awe-inspiring scenery en route. Whether you are looking to ski or simply take in the sights, Switzerland is a breathtaking destination that you can enjoy from the warmth of your cosy car. It takes about eight hours to get there from Northern France, which equates to around 500 miles each way.

Barcelona

Further afield is the fiercely independent province of Catalonia. It's 800 miles away from Calais and would take 12 hours of solid driving so it's best to spread this journey over a couple of days. Once there, you can take in the most stunning architecture in Europe courtesy of Spain's national treasure, Antoni Gaudi. Barcelona is another city that is saturated with people during the summer months so this is perhaps the best time of the year to take in the sights.

Furthermore, you will find that hotels cost much less to book through the winter season so you can save yourself a small fortune and see the whole city with minimum hassle at a quieter period of the year.

Renting a car not only costs less than flying but it also reduces your carbon footprint. The petrol that you will consume on your trip will pale in comparison to that which you would use by taking a flight. So you not only save money but can also feel that you have done your bit for the environment. By travelling through Europe by car you can enjoy the sights at your own pace and also have the flexibility to change your plan if you find somewhere that enchants you on your journey.