With Brusselicious drawing all eyes to Belgium’s capital it’s very easy to forget the Port city Antwerp. This metropolis has historically been a site of world trade, its central location made it strategically important for naval operations. Whilst food lovers will be flocking to Brussels this year to be entertained as well as sample gourmet cuisine if you want to avoid crowds why not head to the coast instead and make the most of the fresh good delivered to Antwerp, it’s rich culinary history will tantalise your taste buds and you won’t have to wait as long as you would at the Brusselicious food festival. Alternatively if there is a specific event you want to attend in Brussels but the rest isn’t to your fancy then you could quieten things down afterwards and journey north to Antwerp.

We’ll start with the obvious; Belgium is famed for its chocolates, amber-hued beer and waffles that should really be a class C drug. But as a Port City since the 16th century Antwerp has seen an influx of exotic seasonings and spices, people from all across the world have brought new dishes and ways for cooking to Antwerp making it a hub of diversity with all an abundance tantalising menus so you can find whatever tickles your fancy or just go for something new.

It’s highly recommended you try out the seafood dishes; Belgium is famed for its mussels, you shouldn’t pass up the chance to try fish dishes. Belgium has its own Shrimp Fisheries so you can have them in abundance all over the country.

So don’t let your tongue suffer this January, a P&O Ferry will get you to Belgium so you can enjoy all the cuisine of a world port like Antwerp!

Image credit: belgianchocolate

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Did you know that P&O Ferries has been in service since the first year of Queen Victoria’s reign? If you’re interested in maritime history, the P&O Heritage website might be of interest to you.

P&O Ferries has an illustrious history, taking in hundreds of ships, crew and passengers since it was set up in the early 19th century. Brodie McGhie Willcox, then working as a clerk, joined forces with Arthur Anderson and Dublin ship owner Captain Richard Bourne and issued the first “Peninsular Steam Navigation Company” prospectus in 1835. Two years later, the new company won the contract to carry mail from the UK over to Spain and Portugal.

Since then, P&O Ferries has operated more than 2,000 ships across many bodies of water. Anyone interested in the P&O History can now head over to the P&O Heritage website and browse official passenger lists and crew records, search for specific ships and view photographs and paintings of ships of bygone years.

There are also online exhibitions, FAQs and a timeline for P&O aficionados to peruse. Many people might, for example, not know that during WWII, P&O group ships were used as troop and hospital ships, and were often attacked by German submarines.

Head over to the P&O Heritage website here.

Remember, you can get fantastic deals on journeys across the channel with P&O Ferries. Why not go on a minicruise to either Amsterdam, Rotterdam or Bruges?

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It may be quite a long way down to the Chapiteau de Fontvieille with a P&O Ferry dropping you off at the northerly port of Calais. In fact, you will have to then span the entire country to get down to Monaco. But the Annual Festival international du Cirque de Monte-Carlo is never a thing to miss so why not take a cultural tour through France? Timing is going to be key though – the 36th Monte-Carlo Circus Festival runs from the 19th-29th of January so you’ll have to start preparations soon.

This event is not one to miss, as the original Festival international du Cirque was the first true international circus festival in the western world. This show promises to showcase only the very best the circus community has to offer. It was traditionally presided over by the crown-prince of the Royal Family of Monaco. Since his death Princess Stéphanie now attends the Circus Festival of Monte-Carlo.

At the original event, Prince Rainier stated “This International Circus Festival was created thinking of the circus community, of this family of underestimated people, so that you, attentive spectators of their efforts and of their work, could know them better, and celebrate them better.”

In its rudiments it is a circus showcase with all the best acts outperforming each other in the hopes to win awards – so you’re guaranteed a spectacle as the artists compete for the judges’ (and yours) affection. You can pre-order tickets here.

The show this year will include motorcycle stunts, Spanish clowns, ponies, elephants and jugglers. Early in February the first ‘New Generation’ showcase will be put on display with new acts showing their talents in a competition for young circus acts.

P&O Ferries can get you to France on your journey south to one of the best circus experiences of 2012

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The Brussels Beer Tasting Tour will take you all across the city and give you a drink at each stop – what better way to see Belgium?

A lot of us get the blues in January. An entire year to wait until next Christmas, the weather is a bit naff and everybody’s joined a gym and ‘gone healthy’ as part of their short-lived New Year’s resolution. To stand apart from the healthier-and-duller-than-thou crowd why not go on a beer tour in Brussels? For £50 per head you’ll get a 3 hour professional tour and free drinks. They have children’s prices but for the life of us we can’t imagine why. Tour groups have a maximum limited of 20 people per party.

These tours have a central meeting point in Brussels so it’ll be easy to get under your way. Belgium is the beer capital of the world so you’ll have some of the finest suds available on this tour. It’ll be a real master class and an excellent chance to extend your repertoire. Have a few drinks and do something other than wait for it to stop raining this January.

The tour itself takes you around some of the most notable pubs and cafes in Belgium. There’ll be a bit of a history lesson to go along with the tasting so you can appreciate the wares just that little bit more. There will be food on the tour to keep you steady on your feet, and if you book a small group tour then a hotel drop off at the end of the day will see you back home safely. The final stop is at the Grande Place, a beautiful landmark in the heart of Brussels teeming with life even in the colder months.

All the well-known ales will be available – if you want to play it safe – as well as the lesser known pale ales. We also insist that you try the Trappist brewed bevvies, they’re favoured on a hot summers day but who’s to say a winter jar by the fire won’t go down well, too?

To get to Brussels for an excellent alternative this coming January snag a P&O Ferry over to Belgium you can take your car and fill ‘er up on all your favourites.

Bernt Rostad

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We know that January isn’t usually a month when people want to leave the house, let alone cross the channel over to Europe. You might want to make an exception for the International Film Festival Rotterdam, however.

As befits a city known for its cultural ambitions, the International Film Festival Rotterdam is hosting a huge range of leftfield, emotive productions from all over the world. From 25th January until 5th February, seven venues in the city centre will host the festival, and P&O Ferries can take you there.

The main focus of the festival will again lie on the Tiger Awards Competition, which recognizes innovative films made by first-time directors who are likely to become household names in the future. The full line-up will only be announced in January, but the contenders that have been revealed so far promise a fantastic range of talent.

There is ‘Return to Burma’, a feature film by Midi Z which was mainly shot (secretly) in Myanmar, one of the most repressed countries in the world. The film deals with a man who comes back to the country of his birth after years of absence and deals with the changes – or lack thereof – which have occurred in that time.

There is also a Tiger Award Competition for short films, as well as a Best Young People’s Film and Best Asian Film award, among many more accolades.

You can take a look at the festival’s current line up and check out trailers and clips on the official website.

To get to Rotterdam for the International Film Festival, you can get a P&O Ferry from Hull over to the Netherlands. Two people leaving on 25th January and returning on the 5th February pay only £238, including a car and bunk.

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All you considerate souls out there who have already finished your Christmas shopping, and those of you who love a bargain should set aside those Christmas bonuses for the January sales.

Shopping in France is a luxury endeavour that you can enjoy a loved one at a knock down price at this time of year. From transport to hotels a trip on to the continent in January 2012 won’t be a bank breaker, and if you get a poor haul on the 25th then why not grab a couple well deserved gifts for yourself.

It’ll still be cold and residence for skiing may be competitive, but if shopping is the purpose for your trip then a cosy hotel room near a Parisian market will make for an exceptional romantic getaway. The sales in France’s capital ‘Soldes by Paris!’ run from January 12th to the 15th of February so there’s plenty of time to plan ahead, getting there early in the month is the best way to fight to the front of the queues for some of these deals but we’re sure there will be some excellent items left over if you want to hold out for that all important January pay check.

The tourist attractions will also be blessedly free from queues, so wrap up warm and do some wandering around; there’ll still be a bit of Christmas magic left over to keep things special.

Soldes is the only time of year when shops are allowed to sell goods at a loss, the regulations in Paris let shop slash their prices by up to 40% and with ever changing fashions a lot of shops want to clear out their stock rooms so picking up a bargain will not be too difficult.

Happy shopping!

A P&O Ferry is an excellent budget way to get to France, with the sales you can take a car with you and load up at minimal cost.

Image credit: antwerpenR

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2011 is so… well, 2011. We’ve only got a few more weeks left, so you’d best plan your NYE sharpish. The end of the year is the perfect excuse to go on a little break abroad to exorcise the demons of the 12 months gone by.

Last week, we recommended Amsterdam, and this week we turn to Rotterdam, the capital’s perpetually underrated rival. In P&O Ferries’ Dutch port city, there will be the usual array of firework displays: at the Erasmus bridge (the bridge connecting the northern and southern halves of the city), the National Firework Show will take place, illuminating the city from the bridge’s great location near the docks.

Whether you want to check out the fireworks or not, you will want to book an advance ticket for one of the many parties happening in clubs around Rotterdam. For inspiration, you might want to look at our post about Rotterdam’s clubs , or you can check out one of our suggestions below:

The grain silo-turned-amazing-club Maassilo will host what looks like the most banging NYE party ) in the country. In three floors, techno and house DJs from all over Europe will spin records from 9pm until 8am the next day – with only a short break for an indoor (!) firework display.

Fancy dress fan? Then you should check out the zoo party organised by the, you guessed it, Rotterdam Zoo. Presumably due to the somewhat harsh temperatures, the party won’t actually take place in a lion’s cage, but in an abandoned train station. Tickets are a snip at €25, for which price you get live music and DJs in a somewhat leftfield setting. Dress as and party like an animal!

Those in the know are already looking forward to the warehouse techno extravaganza being hosted at Pakhuis. A cosy yet feverish atmosphere is guaranteed by the organisers of this bash, who have already managed the wildly successful Pakhuis festival earlier this year. For their NYE party, they have joined forces with other local promoters and record labels for a party involving an art exhibition, special light shows, and of course cutting edge DJ sets. You can check out a mix by the Rotterdam duo Khalil & Steven Pieters here – both will be among the 40-plus artists playing at Pakhuis on 31st December. You can get tickets here.

You can get to Rotterdam incredibly easy with P&O Ferries: Just take a ferry from Hull, and you’re on your way to an unforgettable NYE party.

Image credit: Rool Paap

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We’re a week into December so it’s now officially the festive season whether you like it or not. So what better time to start thinking about New Year’s Eve? For those of you who want to do something special to bring in 2012 a stint overseas with the family or friends could be in order.

Amsterdam is renowned for having a good time so you can expect parties of the highest order to celebrate the coming of a new year. From roof top terraces to public squares the city of Amsterdam will be full of good cheer, merry making and all round fun.

We should warn you now, accommodation will be filling up fast so we suggest you go with your gut and make your bookings now so you won’t be let down later. As a bit of good news, and perhaps added incentive, New Year’s Day offers free public transport in Amsterdam. So you can party on, spend as much as you like on revelry and not have to worry about the fare home, good eh? That said on New Year’s Eve you’ll have difficulty even using the public transport since it grinds to halt due to the masses of crowds celebrating in the streets.

The restaurants, the bars and clubs and streets will all be crammed so plan out what you want to do first and be sure to hold on to your friends tight, lest you get swept away in the crowds and have your voice drowned out by cheers and fireworks.

But enough of the warnings New Year’s Eve is all about fun afterall!

For major mass celebrations you’ll want to crack open a bottle at Leidsplein, Dam Square, Nieumarkt or Rembrandtplein, at these spots there will be city organised firework displays come the close of the countdown live music and oodles and oodles of people to party with. Beer tents are provided for you to stock up and truly make merry.

To get to Amsterdam for New Year’s Eve 2011 an P&O Ferry is a great moneysaving way to get to the Netherlands.

Image credit: aloxe

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