Dover — Travelrags

Sail away to the Côte d’Opale: a watery adventure in northern France

A catamaran service from Dover to Boulogne is the perfect start to a trip exploring the Pas-de-Calais and marshes of Saint-Omer by bike, boat and kayak “It’s all about tuning into the culture of the sea,” helmsman Chris O’Brien tells me, scanning the rippling cobalt horizon from the wheel of a catamaran. “People find the water, and the meditative experience of sailing, healing.” Meditative isn’…

The GuardianJun 7

‘I don’t think we’ve ever felt closer’: five writers on their most memorable family holidays

Rallying the kids can be chaotic and frustrating, but from Interrailing all the way to Turkey to Vespa rides in Naples, these trips brought families together Finland has been named the world’s happiest country for nine years running, but arriving in Helsinki, dishevelled from one of my first flights with my nine-month-old baby, I was less interested in national rankings and more in having a nic…

18 things in this story

St Margaret’s BaySightholiday camp near Dover
Elsewhere
Quartieri SpagnoliNeighborhoodNaples, ItalySpanish quarter
KallioNeighborhoodHelsinki, Finlandcool neighbourhood with terraces
Hobo HotelHotelHelsinki, Finlandkitted out with travel cots and highchairs
HolidayRestaurantHelsinki, Finlandbar with paloma cocktails
Lake KukuljärviSightSalo, Finlandlake reached by hiking through pine forest
SantalahtiSightKotka, Finlandcottages steps from the sea in Kotka
MajamajaHotelHelsinki, Finlandoff-grid cabins perched on rocks
Lonna islandSightHelsinki, Finlandmilitary outpost turned summer escape with sauna
NeaTourPlaceNaples, ItalyVespa tour company
Bar NiloRestaurantNaples, Italyhomage to Maradona, lock of his hair
VesuviusSightNaples, Italymountain climb in midday heat
Blue GrottoSightCapri, Italysea cave with azure blue water
Sandringham estateSightKing's Lynn, United Kingdomroyal family’s Norfolk retreat
Experience FreedomPlaceKing's Lynn, United Kingdomglamping arm of the Caravan and Motorhome Club
Old HunstantonNeighborhoodKing's Lynn, United Kingdomvillage on the north Norfolk coast
Sandringham HouseSightKing's Lynn, United Kingdomroyal family home
Danube deltaSightTulcea, Romania

Read the full piece at The Guardian →