If you’re a traveller looking to find something different, see destinations from a new perspective, view wildlife in its natural habitat or experience once-in-a-lifetime events, we have highlighted the best places to go next year. Better yet, they are all accessible by ferry helping you to enjoy relaxing travel at excellent value. Pack what you want to take, catch unrivalled views, see whales and dolphins from deck, shop for bargains in duty-free and enjoy delicious snacks or a meal on board. The journey is just as much a part of the experience.
Amsterdam
Celebrating its 750th anniversary, the city is holding celebrations and cultural events across the year. On 21 June the city’s A10 ring-road will be closed for a 15 kilometre parade and street party.
Stena Line offers Rail-Sail ticket from UK stations to Hook of Holland or book a short break or mini-cruise with DFDS to IJmuiden or P&O Ferries to Rotterdam.
Isle of Arran
The Scottish Isle is bidding for UNESCO Global Geopark status in recognition of its natural geography and heritage. Visitors are encouraged to be responsible, travelling by foot, bus or bicycle to explore the island’s diverse scenery, which has earned it the nickname, “Scotland in miniature”.
Head over in October to experience the red deer rutting season.
Sail across the Firth of Clyde from Troon with new vessel Glen Sannox with Caledonian MacBrayne.
Guernsey, The Channel Islands
Commemorating 80 years since the islands were liberated from German occupation during World War II, this year’s Liberation Day, 8 May, holds greater significance.
Although the full programme of events is still to be announced, Guernsey will celebrate with a parade, an open-air concert, food fayre and a fireworks display.
Sail with Condor Ferries.
Dieppe
2025 marks 200 years of passenger ferry services between Newhaven, East Sussex and the Normandy port of Dieppe.
Make history by travelling in the anniversary year and time your visit to coincide with the town’s International Kite Festival (13-21 September) a free, rainbow-coloured spectacle that is famed across the globe.
Book tickets with DFDS.
Stargazing on the Isle of Man – home to 26 Dark Sky sites, the island is perfect for astronomers and, thanks to its latitude, Northern Lights chasers. Winter is the best time to visit as it gives visitors a chance to see the Milky Way and nine of the brightest stars in our sky; with the right timing, you can see the planets in our solar system too.
Sail and stay packages are available with Isle of Man Steam Packet Company.
Winter sports – Self-drive trips offer huge savings for skiers and snowboarders as your car crossing, passenger travel and equipment and luggage are all included in the cost of the ferry ticket. With the closest resorts to the UK, such as La Clusaz and Chamonix in the French Alps and Germany’s Oberstdorf, well within half a day’s drive from Calais you could be on the piste in no time.
Take ferry services to Calais with DFDS, Irish Ferries and P&O Ferries, to Dieppe with DFDS or Caen with Brittany Ferries. Some ferry operators combine tickets with ski accommodation providers to unlock even greater savings.
Arts & Ice Hockey – The sport has captured Northern Irish hearts and is well worth a visit for the speed, camaraderie and half-time audience competitions. The city’s Elite Ice-Hockey League team, Stena Line Belfast Giants, is only a short walk from the Cathedral Quarter, which is hosting the 20th Out for Lunch Arts Festival, a series of events linked to music, comedy, theatre and film from 4-6 January.
Sail from Cairnryan and Liverpool to Belfast with Stena Line and Cairnryan to Larne with P&O Ferries.
St Patrick’s Day – Where better to experience the largest celebration of Irish Culture in the world than in Dublin? 2025’s events start from 15 March culminating in the annual parade at midday on 17 March before the city’s pubs come to life with live music and festivities. Raise a pint of Guinness and don something green to feel part of the celebrations.
Irish Ferries is a headline sponsor of the main parade and offers ferry and accommodation packages for the event. Stena Line also sail from Holyhead to Dublin.
Carnival of Binche – one of Europe’s oldest street parties, the Belgian festival is often overlooked by tourists but is a fantastic alternative to the bigger celebrations in Venice or Cologne. Recognised by UNESCO, the carnival dates back to the 14th century and involves music, costumes and street entertainment to mark the start of Lent.
Only 2.5 hours from Calais or 3 hours from Rotterdam, sail via France with DFDS, Irish Ferries or P&O Ferries or through the Netherlands with P&O Ferries or Stena Line. From Ireland sail to Dunkirk with DFDS.
The best time to spot wildlife– You don’t have to travel too far to enjoy whale and dolphin watching trips with marine life active around British shores year-round. However, during the summer months, with longer daylight hours and breeding seasons, it’s easier for ferry passengers to see marine mammals, adding a phenomenal wildlife experience to their holiday.
The west coast of Scotland is a hotspot for whales and Caledonian MacBrayne passengers can expect to see whales, dolphins, seals and eagles. May-July is puffin season on the Isles of Scilly as the sea birds return to breed on the protected island of Annet and neighbouring uninhabited islands. Reach the archipelago with Isles of Scilly Travel. The Bay of Biscay is one of the busiest areas in the world for marine life activity, with humpbacks, porpoises and dolphins regularly sighted. ORCA Ocean conservationists are stationed on board Brittany Ferries’ sailings to Spain and run co-ordinated deck watches and talks to help travellers spot wildlife.
Experience the world’s only passenger hovercraft service in action – Doughnut spins, manoeuvres and the chance to meet the pilot. The only year-round scheduled passenger hovercraft service in the world; passengers will have a full guided trip across the Solent on a hovercraft with a Hovertravel Experience. Available throughout the year but with more departures in July and August, the sunnier weather will make the trip to Ryde feel like a real escape.
Book as part of a holiday to the Isle of Wight or Portsmouth with Hovertravel.
The secret way to save on French wine – Every September French supermarkets reduce the prices on great French wines in a phenomenon celebrating the harvest called “Foires aux Vins”. Ferry passengers, with unrestricted baggage allowances and room in the boot can stock up on their favourite tipple for less. Cheese-lovers will also be rewarded if they visit now. The Fête du Fromage in Neufchatel-en-Bray celebrates Normandy’s heart-shaped soft cheese – Brie’s more romantic cousin – and takes place on 17 September.
Sail to France from the UK with Brittany Ferries, Condor Ferries, DFDS, Irish Ferries or P&O Ferries and check for accommodation packages and offers on duty free when booking to save even more! Sail from Ireland with Brittany Ferries, DFDS, Irish Ferries or Stena Line.
Wight walking with Red Squirrels – Put on your walking boots to explore the Isle of Wight by foot in the annual Autumn Walking Festival (4-12 October). Red squirrels are most active in the autumn as they build winter stores. It’s also a great time to see seals along the coastline, as pups are born from late August to early November. If you’re walking near harbours and estuaries, look out for otters, wading birds and Kingfishers, who are best spotted at this time of year. Birdwatchers might also spot the dark-bellied Brent Geese that hang around Ryde Pier near the hovercraft terminal.
Cross to the Isle of Wight with Hovertravel, Red Funnel or Wightlink.
Illuminated River Tours – View the world’s longest public art installation from the water with official boat tours departing on Saturday nights throughout the autumn and winter months. Nine of the bridges crossing the Thames are adorned in environmentally-friendly LED lights including Southwark, Waterloo, Blackfriars bridges.
Book tickets with Uber Boat by Thames Clippers.