Last-Minute Holiday Destinations in Europe

Read Emily’s blog, Emily Luxton Travels, for travel tips, destination guides and information about solo female travelling. 

Why plan a last-minute holiday to Europe by car?

A driving holiday in Europe can make a great last-minute trip, whether it’s a beach break, a city break, family holiday or romantic getaway. With LeShuttle it takes just 35 minutes to cross to Calais on the Channel Tunnel, and since you don't need to book too far in advance, it's perfect for taking a getaway at the eleventh hour. If you're travelling last-minute, it's a good idea to aim for less popular cities, as these will likely have more availability. Here are a few options for a last-minute driving holiday.

Last-minute holidays in France

Lens - Modern art museums and industrial heritage sites

Perfect for: Art lovers

The small town of Lens near the Belgian border is a very off-the-beaten-path destination, and you can get there from London within a couple of hours. Local Vincent Malisz (@malisz) tweeted me a few tips for his home city. “It's a very little city. You have the Louvre museum of course, and if you have a chance go to the stadium! It's something!” The Louvre-Lens Museum is one of the city's biggest attractions; built on a disused colliery site and located in a 48-acre landscaped park, the museum exhibits works of world importance. A must for art lovers!

Driving time from Calais: 1 hour 10 mins

Lille - Flemish architecture, covered markets and shopping streets

Perfect for: Families

Lille Belfry and historic houses

My sister, Cheryl, recommends the city of Lille, where she headed with her family  on a driving holiday through the surrounding region. The cathedral is free and very pretty to visit, and you can take a nice walk around the citadel. Cheryl's kids loved the zoo inside the citadel, which is fairly small but completely free, and has a nice play area. “The best thing about Lille is Meert, an old chocolate shop and patisserie ... it's very fancy and a bit expensive, but so worth it!”

Driving time from Calais: 1 hour 10 mins  

Last-minute holidays in Belgium

Ghent - Medieval centre, canals and castle-lined riverside streets

Perfect for: Foodies

Surprisingly close to England, Belgium is the perfect destination for foodies. Whilst Brussels and Bruges are likely to get booked up fast, the more underrated cities of Ghent and Antwerp are more likely to have availability. Travel blogger, Victoria, calls Ghent “foodie heaven”! She recommends tasting Purple Noses from the sweetshop Temmerman, and swapping your shoe for a beer at De Dulle Griet.

Driving time from Calais: 1 hour 40 mins

Saint Bavo Cathedral, Ghent

Antwerp - Cathedral, diamond district and historic old town squares

Perfect for: History buffs and shopaholics

Local travel blogger Lot Wildiers (Reisgoesting) lives very close to Antwerp, and she recommends a day of history, shopping and good food. For history, she says to visit the cathedral, the Ruien (underground passages and sewers from the middle ages) and the museums housing works from the Old Masters (ThePrimitieven). Shopping lovers should head to the Museum of Fashion Design and enjoy the high end shops around it. “At the end of your day, go and eat some real Belgian fries with stew sauce and mayonnaise, and have a Belgian beer in one of the many pubs and cafés”.

Driving time from Calais: 2 hours 20 mins  

Last-minute holidays in the Netherlands and Germany

Rotterdam – Skyline architecture, harbour areas and contemporary museums

Perfect for: Architecture lovers and trendy hipsters

A few years ago I spent a month living just outside of Rotterdam and fell in love with the city. Compared with the more popular city of Amsterdam, Rotterdam is quieter and much more chilled out. The city was almost completely reconstructed after WWII, so it's is known for its modern architecture – especially the famous Erasmusbrug bridge, which is an amazing site. It's also a seriously cool city with lots of vintage shops, arty boutiques and trendy coffee shops to discover.

Driving time from Calais: 3 hours 10 mins

Düsseldorf – Altstadt old town, Rhine riverfront and boutique shopping streets

Perfect for: Fashionistas

Rheinuferpromenade, Düsseldorf

Home to a world-famous school of photography, Düsseldorf is known for its vibrant art scene and innovative fashion industry. The blogger behind GnomeTrotting recommends a walk along the banks of the Rhine, saying; “it's a good place to hang out, eat, and drink”. Düsseldorf is also considered to be one of the most elegant shopping cities in Germany. Head to the streets of Königsallee and Schadowstrasse, which are lined with boutique shops, to discover why. 

Driving time from Calais: 4 hours  

How to plan a last-minute trip to Europe

There’s usually availability on LeShuttle to book a crossing, even at short notice. It only takes 35 minutes from Folkestone, and then you can literally drive anywhere you want to in Europe! 

If you need some inspiration about where to go in France, Belgium, the Netherlands or Germany, LeShuttle have lots of guides to help you plan your driving route. These are just a few:

• Two weeks motorhoming around France
• From wine routes to castles, the best road trips in Europe
• The Romantic Road in Germany

It’s always possible to book accommodation at short notice, although prices will be higher than if booked in advance. Check hotel and accommodation apps to find last minute deals, and consider contacting independent accommodation providers directly to get a better price. If you’re travelling in a campervan, caravan or motorhome, remember that France has a network of aires, service points where you can stop for the night and access basic facilities. They operate on a first-come, first-served basis, and can’t be pre-booked. 

Book a last-minute holiday to Europe with LeShuttle

LeShuttle is made for last-minute plans, especially when it only takes 35 minutes to cross from Folkestone to Calais!