Great autumn specials from Brittany Ferries

With fares from just £19.95 per person for a stay of up to 24 hours in France, you can afford to escape south this Autumn, to where the days last longer and it's that little bit warmer. Thanks to the Gulf Stream, the pretty French port of Roscoff benefits from a mild climate and, being shielded by the Ile de Batz, it is the perfect destination for a break all year round.

Take a relaxing cruise across by day or overnight - there are 10 crossings a week to choose from - and enjoy shopping and fine dining on board. Plus, if there are two travelling, you can take your car from just £19.95 extra and benefit from the many shopping bargains in France and explore the dramatic coastline.

For many people, a day in France offers the chance to eat well and stock up on bargains at the hypermarket. But there is so much more to see and do around Roscoff – here are a few suggestions:

• Museum of the 'Onion Johnnies':  Britain's stereotypical image of Frenchmen wearing stripy t-shirts and carrying onions on wobbly bikes began after visits to England by the men folk of Roscoff. Henri Olivier first took onions from Roscoff to England in 1828 and until the 1930s 'Johnnies' would load up their boats with local produce and sail to England, where they delivered their goods to local markets on their bicycles. They used to carry up to 100 kilos, hence the wobbles, and some Johnnies would travel as far as Cornwall and Scotland to sell their onions. The Museum has recently opened to celebrate this lovely tradition.
  
• Thalassotherapy: Try a half-day "taster" course at the century-old Thalassotherapy Institute, costing around €79. Treatments include seawater and seaweed therapies, to stimulate healing and relaxation.
  
• Jardin Exotique: This extraordinary garden boasts over 3,000 species of tropical plants from all over the world, including South Africa, Chile and Australia. It has spectacular rockeries, and it is worth climbing up the highest 18-metre high rock, to get a superb view of the bay of Morlaix, Roscoff, Carantec and the Château du Taureau.
  
• Notre Dame de Croatz Batz: This beautifully restored church dominates the town's skyline and is a fantastic example of 16th century gothic architecture. Its rows of bells resemble a tiered cake.
  
• Ile de Batz: A 15-minute boat trip from the harbour will take you to the charming and car-free Ile de Batz, with its impressive lighthouse and lovely gardens, giving you a great view of the mainland.
  
• Shops and markets: As well as the great shopping opportunities on board the ferry, there are regular markets in St. Pol de Leon Morlaix and beyond..
  
• Restaurants: As one of France's premier shellfish ports, it goes without saying that the seafood in Roscoff is exquisite, and many superb restaurants offer a variety of mouth-watering house specialties.
  
• Beaches: There is a good choice of beaches too, offering the opportunity for invigorating walks along the sea front.
  
• Further afield: With good, un-crowded roads, why not venture further afield to medieval Quimper or the bustling city of Brest?

To make the most of your time in Roscoff, it is best to travel out overnight departing at 23.00, arriving the next morning at 07.00. Then you can spend an entire day before returning at 23.30 arriving back at 06.30 the next day.
All for a fare from £24.95! (Includes a Club Class reclining seat on both crossings)

Note to Editors

• A reclining seat can be booked at 50% of the published price and a cabin at a discount of 25%.
  
• A car may be taken for only £19.95 but there must be a minimum of 2 passengers travelling together.

For information and reservations visit www.brittanyferries.com or call 08705 360 360

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Released 21 September 2005