Magill Holidays: Ferry to France or UK

ONE OF THE nicest ways to begin a holiday is sitting down to the palatial buffet which they serve on Irish Continental Lines' two ferries from Rosslare to Le Havre or Cherbourg. The food is excellent, the setting ideal as, with any luck at all, the sun reflects off a flat calm sea through the seascape-hugging windows. By Howard Kinlay

This year the Rosslare route will have a bit of competition as Brittany Ferries launch a once a week sailing from Cork to Roscoff. If you're planning a stay in Brittania, this would seem to be a much more sensible way to go. The drive from Le Havre back to Brittany is long and boring, to my mind, and if somewhere such as L'Orient were your destination, it would be late at night (very) before you get there.

From Roscoff, most parts of the region are accessible within an hour or two. If Brittany is your destination, try to have a look at the megalithic remains in the Carnac area. They are the finest of their type and provide as good a puzzle to mull over as any mystery of our ancient past. The beaches and campsites here are also first class and uncrowded.

Of course, if your destination is Paris or to the east of that fair city, the Le Havre route is a lot easier as you have access to motor ways as soon as you dock. However, if you are passing close to Paris, I suggest that you postpone your shopping and sightseeing until the return journey: otherwise you might find too many good reasons to stay there and go no further.

There is little to choose between Le HavrejCherbourg and Roscoff in terms of price. A two berth cabin with shower and toilet costs £136 to the latter and back, £148 to the former. But add about £38 and £72 respectively for a car.

In the past, when petrol was less exxpensive, travelling through Britain to the continent was an economic option. In fact, it still is an idea worth exploring, though the fare is likely to be around £120 return, using Dover jCalais as your link to France.

Choosing between British Rail and B+I on the Irish Sea is difficult. If you're patriotic, you probably stay in Ireland for the holidays. If you're price conscious, the B+I is about £30 cheaper, even allowing for bargain offers.

British Rail's rate, by the way, for cars doubles in the high season, so be warned. The B+I route to Liverpool also has the considerable advantage of avoidding the very poor and busy road from Holyhead or Fishguard.

On the other hand, of course, the drive through the mountains of North Wales is extremely beautiful and redollent of Celtic magic.

Another route worth thinking of is by British Rail to Fishguard and then by Brittany Ferries from Plymouth to Roscoff. The stretch between Bristol and Plymouth is full of the West Country's earthy charm and well worth devoting three or four days to as you pass along.

Finally, if your path is to Scotland or the north of England, the Lame to Stranraer ferry is still the cheapest way to go at £6.1 0 per adult, all year round.