A Suggestion for
Many of us think of a “Cross Channel Ferry” as leaving from Dover and arriving in Calais and it’s main purpose is to do the shopping somewhere where the choice is slightly different and it is cheaper - specifically for he booze.
Several years ago I discovered, though I was far from the first, the delightful french harbour town of Honfleur. The best way to get there is from Portsmouth on the Le Havre ferry. It is then a twenty minute or so drive across the enormously impressive bridge that spans The Seine.
The focal point of the beautiful little town is it’s old fishing harbour. Although there is still some trawler activity the port has now been turned over mostly to pleasure craft and the surrounding buildings house a plethora of bars, restaurants, art galleries and craft shops. The old harbour is an almost perfect rectangle, with a bridge over the sea entrance, so you can walk all the way around it.
The people watching is of the highest quality. I understand that many Parisiens flock to this area, which is on the easten edge of Normandy, so the couples promenading are extremely stylish. The restaurants serve the most fabulous sea food, gorgeous moules frites and succulent crab are the stars.
After lunch, if you can tare yourself away, head up to the narrow streets behind the harbour. These are full of more craft and art shops and an especially interesting kitchen wares shop where you can buy some “different” gadgets - useful for getting something interesting for the difficult aunt! A little shopping then, for an aperitif back by the water and either making your way to your hotel or back across the mighty bridge and home.