Sail in style to Dover and The Open

Golf fans from continental Europe planning to visit Kent for a relaxing golf break, including a trip to the Open Championship at Sandwich, can enjoy the memorable experience of sailing on the largest ferry ever to grace the Dover Strait.

Travellers visiting England’s shores from France for The Open, which takes place from July 14-17 on Kent’s picturesque south-east coast, can cross from Calais to Dover on the newly launched, state-of-the-art Spirit of Britain ‘super-ferry’ – the ‘leviathan of the seas’.

And for golf enthusiasts from abroad planning a leisurely golfing break to explore the myriad treasures of the Garden of England, either before or after the tournament, also have the option, from this autumn, of making the trip on sister ship the Spirit of France.

Dover, the ‘Gateway to England’ and famous for its iconic White Cliffs, is situated just 30 minutes by road and 25 by rail from Sandwich. It is also within easy reach of the famous ‘Regal Golf Coast’ courses and a plethora of top tourist attractions, accommodation and restaurants offering fantastic deals on golf breaks available through www.visitkent.co.uk/golf, the county’s official tourism website.

P&O Ferries currently runs 23 return cross-Channel sailings daily on the Calais–Dover route, including five return sailings aboard Spirit of Britain.

Fares start from as little as €33 return for a car and up to nine people, and from €8 return for foot passengers. The 47,592-tonne Spirit of Britain, built at a cost of €180 million and launched in January, can carry 2,000 passengers and 1,000 cars on its three vehicle decks.

Kent boasts some of England’s finest and most celebrated links, downland, parkland and castle golf courses together with high-quality, graded hotel, guesthouse, inn and B&B accommodation. And many excellent-value golf-break packages are offered through a recently announced partnership between www.visitkent.co.uk (Visit Kent), www.golfbreaks.com (Golfbreaks.com) – Europe’s largest golf travel company – and Shepherd Neame, the renowned Kent-based brewer, pub and hotel operator.

These premium standard courses include the celebrated ‘Regal Golf Coast’ quintet of Royal St George’s (host venue of this year’s Open Championship), Prince’s (home of the 1932 Open), Royal Cinque Ports (venue of the 1909 and 1920 Opens), Littlestone (an England Top 100 Course) and North Foreland – all situated along Kent’s picturesque south-east coastline – along with London Golf Club (a European Tour Destination) and Chart Hills (a UK Top 100 Course, designed by the legendary Sir Nick Faldo).

After play, golfers can enjoy visiting Kent’s many popular tourist attractions – not only the White Cliffs but Canterbury Cathedral and Leeds Castle – all just a short drive or rail journey away.

Sandra Matthews-Marsh, Chief Executive of Visit Kent, said: “The busy international port of Dover is conveniently located just down the coast from Sandwich and sits within easy reach of some of Kent’s most celebrated and popular golf courses – and it plays a vital role in positioning our county as a premier destination for golf breaks.”

*For more information on golf breaks in Kent, visit www.visitkent.co.uk/golf. For more details on P&O Ferries fares and offers, visit www.poferries.com