Sailing to Saint Malo with Brittany Ferries

When it comes to travelling, some ways are more obvious than others.

For most people, travelling = plane. End of the story. And then we all complain about the crazy prices, the long queues at security, the lack of legroom, the dehydrated skin syndrom and the horrendous airplane food.

But you know what? There is a better way!

If you’re travelling to France or Spain, that is.

Let me introduce Brittany Ferries.

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And zero crazy security queues in sight!

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And before we knew it, we were boarding the Bretagne!

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On board, you’ll find all sorts of entertainment.

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There are 2 restaurants (La Baule, a self-service style restaurant and Les Abers, the Bretagne’s main A la Carte restaurant), bars and cafés aplenty, several stores and playing areas for children…

Sailing to Saint Malo with Brittany Ferries | Cake + Whisky

Even a cinema!

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And nothing but the sea (and maybe a cheeky glass of wine…) as far as the eye can see!

And the food? I hear you say (glad to see you clearly have your priorities right!)

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I have a theory when it comes to French restaurants. If the bread is good, the rest will be too.

And the bread onboard Brittany Ferries is very, very good indeed.

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But the delicious crusty French bread & sea salt flaked butter was only the beginning…

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For lunch & dinner, you can go down the (packed-full, fresh & vibrant) buffet route, or settle for the (very refined & mouthwatering) set menu.

We went for the latter.

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Starting with Asian prawn broth with rice vermicelli, citrus and coconut.

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Poached egg Piperade style.

Followed by equally excellent mains.

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Cod with wild rice and red pepper coulis.

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Gnocchi with wild mushroom and Parmesan emulsion.

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Plateau de fromage (when -almost- in France…)

And finally, my favourite partd & the highlight of the meal: dessert.

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Which came in the form of this stunning Lemon tart.

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Crisp pastry, creamy, tangy lemon curd, all topped with a cloud-like meringue, it was a true work of art and almost too pretty to eat.

Almost.

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One last look at the ocean and we retired to our cabin for a well-deserved rest.

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The cabins themselves are fairly small, but extremely well designed so it really doesn’t feel cramped despite the limited space.

And the beds are much more confortable than you’d guess from looking at them!

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A good night’s sleep makes a happy Sandra, and the first thing I saw when I woke up only made things better.

I’m telling you: there’s nothing quite as glorious as waking up surrounded by the ocean.

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Except maybe for a hot cup of tea and a humongous breakfast!

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And breakfasts aboard the Bretagne truly have nothing to envy to the world’s best hotels’!

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Take you pick(s) of the buffet or go for a hot breakfast, cooked right in front of you y on of the ferry’s own chefs.

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There are pastries for days…

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And a cake selection Marie-Antoinette herself would be jealous of!

I’ve always said the very best days start with cake for breakfast, and that particular one was no exception…

But that is a story for another time (tomorrow).

In the meantime, I urge you to buy tickets to sail to beautiful Saint Malo with Brittany Ferries as soon as possible. The brilliant team, comfy cabins and glorious food will make it a journey to remember!

More info & tickets on Brittany Ferries’ website

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Sailing to Saint Malo with Brittany Ferries

Postcard from the Ile de Ré

Some places just feel like home. I can’t really explain how it works, but the second you set the foot there, you immediately feel calmer, happier and like everything’s just right. Ile de Ré is definitely one of those places for me.

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My love story with the small Atlantic island started when I was a kid (I spent each and every one of my summers there) and it never went away.

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It most probably has something to do with the pastel shades of the blinds and the bright, very pure light.

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From the beautiful beaches to the lively markets, the salt marshes as far as one can see and the quirky bits here and there, there’s so much to love and there’s no place I’d rather be.

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Especially if the plan includes a picnic, followed by some ice cream at La Martinière.

If you’re ever around, do yourself a favour and order a scoop (or three) of their signature salted caramel ice cream. And if you ever need any more tips on visiting this little gem f an island, let me know!

Where’s your happy place? I’d love to visit each and every one of them! 

Postcard from the Ile de Ré