Travel

Whether it's through a fear of flying or wanting to do things the green way, some of us simply don't want to get on a plane when we go off on holiday. Mercifully, there are many destinations that can be reached by ferry. And, while some of them are just grim port cities, others are fantastic spots for a short break. We've picked out five of the best.

Stavanger

Where: Norway.
Why? It may be a big oil city, but Stavanger is genuinely pretty. Sat on one of Norway's famous fjords, it's a real outdoorsy place. Popular pastimes include going out to Flower Island, hiking to the top of Pulpit Rock to look down on the coastline and – tolerance of cold water permitting – surfing on a series of great breaks.
From another perspective: Along with Liverpool, Stavanger is the European Capital of Culture 2008. This means that a whole series of special events, exhibitions and cultural performances are going on throughout the year.
Who with: DFDS ferries make the journey three times a week.
Where from: Newcastle.

Search: European destinations | Ferry tickets
Be there: Hotels in Stavanger | Norway travel guide
Related articles: Ten cities for summer fun | Travelling in Europe