When P&O commissioned its two massive new ferries, the company had no idea that its main rival, SeaFrance, would go into liquidation. But what timing for P&O. Until a new ferry company takes over SeaFrance or sets up a rival, the considerable freight and passenger traffic is using P&O and its expanding fleet.

It was a bold step to invest in two new ships. Spirit of Britain entered the fleet last year; now P&O Ferries has taken delivery of its second new 180 million euro ship, Spirit of France. It was built at the STX Europe shipyard in Rauma, Finland to high specifications and began its 1,400 mile journey to Dover early in January. Spirit of France will arrive in Dover at 11am this Saturday January 28^th. Then there are last minute preparations to make before the new ship joins the Dover-Calais route by mid-February.

The two new ships are the largest ferries ever built for the crossing in the Dover Strait. Each is more than 47,000 gross tons and 213 metres (700 feet) in length, with 12 decks and a capacity of 170 trucks at 15 meters long plus 195 cars, or 1,000 cars and 2,000 passengers. No wonder together the ships cost 360 million euros ($472.5million or £301 million ).

The ships are, as you can imagine, extremely smart, with plenty of lounges and seating areas, good restaurants and shops more like an airport than a ferry.

So if you get the chance, book on one of the new ships.

Check out the Guide to Ferries from the UK

From November 2011 to May 2012, during the period of the UK Presidency of the Council of Europe, Strasbourg is celebrating all things British. So if you want British style, and art, and architecture, film, food, dance and, well, British culture generally, then the Alsatian capital is the place to visit.

The relationship between Strasbourg and Britain goes back to 1949, when the Treaty of London created the Council of Europe with its 10 founding member states. On August 12^th, 1949, Sir Winston Churchill recognized the symbolic importance of choosing Strasbourg . This was the city of Franco-German reconciliation.

From today until the end of April, you can't miss the connection: Tram E in the city will be decorated in red, white and blue. In February look out for a retrospective of the films of Stephen Frears at the Cinema L'Odyssee, while major works by modern British artists are on display at the Modern Art Museum. Lewis Carroll is celebrated in April.

There's an ongoing calender of events. So check out the Sooo British program

More information
Strasbourg Tourist Information
17 place de la Cathedrale
Tel.: 00 33 (0)3 88 52 28 28
Website

More about Strasbourg

General View of Strasbourg © Geneviève Engel

You expect all sorts of exciting events in ski resorts, but this one is a bit out of the ordinary. This is the 28^th year that Valloire, at the foot of the famous Col du Galibier in Savoie in the French Alps, has organized their fabulous snow sculpture contest.

From January 24th to 27th, you can meet the artists from all around the world (Canada is particularly strong on this art). You find out how they do their extraordinary art and extraordinary it is. Sculptures beautifully made of cars, polar bears, fanciful creatures and more are created by international artists. It's a fleeting moment; they will not last.

You can place a vote for the final result which is announced at 5pm on Friday January 27^th. Then there's a torch-lit descent by the professional ski instructors in the resort, stunning fire works that soar into the black night sky, and dancing lights on all the sculptures.

More information

Office de Tourisme de Valloire
rue des Grandes Alpes - 73450 Valloire
Tel: 04 79 59 03 96
Website

More on the Region

© Pascal Delannoy / Ot Valloire

It's that time of year again, when the Carnival season gets going and people traditionally throw off winter blues to celebrate the coming of Spring. Limoux, one of the first of the year, is a remarkable festival and the longest in the world. There are exhibitions and events all through the carnaval, but the main processions take place on Saturdays and Sundays at 11am, 4.30pm and 10pm, when masked characters parade through the town.  These are the 'guilds' who play music and sing songs, but it's not as carefree as that sounds. The reason is satire, making fun of society and its rules, all conducted in the ancient Occitan language. The most impressive of these processions is the torchlit one at night, where you really do feel that the ghosts of the past are gathering.

While the bandes who lead the procession are locals, you can join in (provided you dress up and the more obscure or strange the better). You can become one of the 'goudils', followers of the bandes who go through the streets, stopping at cafes for a quick glass of wine before the final stop in the main square, la place de la Republique.

The carnaval ends after ten weeks on March 25^th, the second Sunday before Easter. This is La Nuit de la Blanquette, the night when His Majesty King Carnaval is burnt at the stake in the main square, la place de la Republique. A straw effigy, he is the scapegoat who takes the blame for the 'sins' people have committed during the festival.

It's a great event, so if you can visit Limoux then this is a good time.

Check out hotels in Limoux

More on Limoux and the Region

Limoux Tourist Office (in French)