Short breaks in Europe

What are Short Stay Saver tickets?

Perhaps the classic way to see destinations within a few hours of Calais is on a LeShuttle Short Stay Saver ticket. These tickets are for breaks over 5 days (or 4 nights). You can also upgrade to a Short Stay Flexiplus ticket, giving greater flexibility and benefits.  

Where are the best places for a short getaway in Europe? 

If you’re looking for somewhere to go on a Short Stay Saver ticket, there are lots of options for city breaks or long weekends. We’re not just talking about France either – you’ll be surprised by how quickly you can drive to destinations in Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany from the LeShuttle terminal in Calais.  

Ideas for short breaks in France

Cap Blanc-Nez, the ‘White Cliffs’ of France

Calais and the Opal Coast

The classic cross-Channel hop starts at the historic port where we have our terminal.  

Venture further afield from Calais in the Hauts-de-France region and you’ll discover long sandy beaches, gastronomic delights and fascinating history. The Côte d’Opale is a stunning coastline of rugged cliffs and idyllic seaside towns like Hardelot-Plage and Wissant. You could be exploring secret wartime bunkers near  Saint-Omer, drinking in the history and culture of Amiens or experiencing the wonders of the sea at the Nausicaá aquarium in Boulogne-sur-Mer.  

Normandy and Brittany 

Northern France boasts a wealth of beautiful places, from the Gothic grandeur of Rouen  to the fairytale island of Mont Saint-Michel, all within easy driving distance from Calais. The Normandy beaches have poignant wartime stories to tell, while Brittany is known for its pink granite coastline, picture-perfect half-timbered towns, stylish seaside resorts and spectacular clifftops.  

Romantic breaks in Paris 

Visit the lovely Loire Valley

You can drive to Paris in around 3½ hours from our Calais terminal, and whether you are going for the first or the umpteenth time, ‘the City of Love’ is always an unforgettable experience. More people travel to Paris with LeShuttle than any other destination, and there really is no more famous place for a romantic weekend. See the sun set over the Eiffel Tower, relax on a Seine river cruise, stroll through the Latin Quarter or up to Sacre-Coeur in Montmartre, and take in the sumptuous views.       

The Loire Valley  

Nestled between northern and southern France, the Loire Valley is the perfect place for an escape. With more than a thousand vineyards, the Loire will take you around five hours to drive to, so there is plenty of time to brush up on your wine tasting terminology! If you’re not mad about the grape, don’t worry, because the Loire will still seduce you with its stunning landscapes, beautiful chateaux, picturesque villages and winding rivers.  

Best short breaks in Belgium 

Belgium is just 45 minutes drive from our terminal in Calais, and you don’t have to go far to find a perfect spot for a Belgian city break.  

Bruges is a delightful destination for a romantic break

Romantic weekend in Bruges 

With its canals and picturesque medieval buildings, Bruges is often called the ‘Venice of the North’. It’s a lovely city for a romantic weekend away, whether you’re taking a horse and carriage ride over the cobbles, strolling over the bridges or having a cosy dinner in a canalside restaurant. It’s just 1 hour 30 minutes from Calais, so you can spend four nights in Bruges on a Short Stay Saver ticket, and have plenty of time on the days you arrive and leave for more sightseeing.  

City breaks in Antwerp, Ghent and Brussels  

Belgium boasts a wealth of beautiful cities, all within three hours drive of Calais. Ghent is the closest – a historic hidden gem with a rich array of castles, churches and museums. The capital, Brussels, is full of stunning architecture, tasty treats and cultural delights. Antwerp, the largest city in Flanders, has a gorgeous Gothic cathedral and magnificent old town, and is also renowned as one of the fashion capitals of Europe. 

Family breaks in Belgium 

There are plenty of fun things to do for the family in Belgium. The Walibi theme park near Brussels is the largest theme park in Belgium and offers an exciting range of daredevil rollercoasters and family rides, as well as the Aqualibi water park. If you’re staying in Brussels, you can take the children on a tiny grand tour of Europe’s iconic landmarks, at the Mini-Europe model continent. Another great family-friendly attraction, only an hour and a half from Calais, is the Bellewaerde Theme Park.  

Weekend breaks in the Netherlands 

Get your clogs on for a city break in Amsterdam!

Take the family to Amsterdam 

Amsterdam is full of family-friendly things to do on a short city break – from the NEMO Science Museum, where science really comes alive for children, to meeting the animals at the Royal Zoo, and posing with celebrities at Madame Tussauds. If your children are a little older and confident cyclists, why not hire some bikes and experience Amsterdam on two wheels? A little outside the city you’ll also find attractions like the Wooden Shoe Workshop, in the living historic village of Zaanse Schans.  

Dutch delights and hidden gems  

There are so many hidden gems in the Netherlands – cities that are less well known than Amsterdam, but in many ways bear all the characteristics of the Dutch capital, in more intimate surroundings. Canal cities like Delft, birthplace and inspiration of the painter Vermeer, and Utrecht, a city designed so much around its waterways that it has dual-level canal streets. Breda is less than 3 hours from Calais, and has the bonus of being only 30 minutes drive from Efteling, the fairytale theme park that is one of the biggest visitor attractions in the Netherlands.  

Germany – closer than you think!  

You might think Germany is too far away for a 4-night break with LeShuttle – but you’d be wrong. Some western cities are only a 4-5 hour drive from Calais, so there are lots of places to explore on a German short break.  

Cologne offers a blend of history, culture & family-friendly things to doCologne

Cologne is a wonderful location for a city break in Germany. It’s only a 4 ½ hour drive from Calais, and is packed with things to see and do, including the iconic Cologne Cathedral, well preserved Roman architecture, the Hohenzollern Bridge, where couples attach love locks, and world-class museums. Families will love Cologne Zoo, one of the largest zoos in Germany, from where you can also take a cable car ride over the river Rhine.  

Düsseldorf  

Edgy, exciting, a centre for fashion, art and music, Düsseldorf is a vibrant city which will surprise, delight and dazzle you during your stay. Explore inspirational modern art museums, take The Sound of Düsseldorf musical walking tour, or shop till you drop in the Königsallee, the ‘Champs-Élysées’ of Germany. Finish each day by sampling local brews in the traditional beer houses of the Altstadt, where you don’t even have to go to the bar to get served!  

Book your short break in Europe with LeShuttle  

There are so many amazing places to visit on a Short Stay Saver ticket with LeShuttle. With just a 35-minute crossing from Folkestone to Calais, your short break will mean less time travelling, more time exploring!