Big skies , steaming funnels , cawing seagulls and a white wake following at the back ... what 's not to like about a ferry voyage to a fascinating outpost of our beautiful British Isles ? This has to be one of the most hassle-free ways to travel - where passengers can take their own car and the journey is all part of the experience . Just load all the luggage you like in the boot and head to the coast , drive aboard the ferry , then start your holiday in relaxing surroundings , with great food , shopping and entertainment on board . Just load all the luggage you like in the boot and head to the coast , drive aboard the ferry , then start your holiday in relaxing surroundings , with great food , shopping and entertainment on board . Not forgetting time spent enjoying the views and fresh air on the open deck , before it 's time to disembark for an exciting island adventure . Bikes and even pets are welcome , too . That 's because it 's all about freedom , as Discover Ferries ' National Ferry Fortnight has been highlighting for the past two weeks . Tomorrow it draws to a close . so this weekend is the very last chance to take advantage of the brilliant offers at nationalferryfortnight.co.uk that include free places , discounts and prizes . Jump aboard for less and discover the new face of ferry travel , as enjoyed by more than 39 million passengers last year . Your ferry freedom awaits ! THE HOLIDAY STARTS HERE . 1 ) The Isles of Scilly steamship Company makes it smooth sailing to the stunning scilly Isles . Travellers can buy a pass on board for a special excursion boat to the Abbey Gardens on car-free Tresco . 2 ) The stunning Isle of Man is laced with sandy beaches , Viking and Celtic history , great walking routes and incredible local cuisine . And wildlife enthusiasts will often be treated to the sight of seals , basking sharks , kittiwakes and even wild wallabies . Sailings from Heysham , Liverpool , Birkenhead , Dublin and Belfast make getting there on the Isle of Man steam Packet Company 's vessels hassle-free . 3 ) Red Funnel has partnered with some of the Isle of Wight 's best attractions , such as Dinosaur Isle , Isle of Wight Zoo , seaview Wildlife encounter , Blackgang Chine and Wight karting , to offer up to a third off entrance tickets when booked with ferry crossings from southampton . And the Isle of Wight is just a short hop of less around 45 minutes from Portsmouth or Lymington with Wightlink Ferries . Jersey and Guernsey offer sandy beaches , delicious seafood dining , and a unique Anglo-French culture , not to mention some of the warmest weather in the British Isles , and is a short hop on the ferry . 4 ) Orkney offers interesting craft trails , a rich Viking history , stone circles and the miraculously preserved , 5,000-yearold village of skara Brae . On Shetland , visitors will find famous woollens , ancient sites , midnight sun In June and lots of modern fun for families . Both are reached by NorthLink Ferries . 5 ) Unlock the magic of the west coast of scotland with a visit to Mount stuart , one of Britain 's most elaborate Victorian gothic mansions , after a 35-minute CalMac ferry ride from Wemyss Bay to the lovely Isle of Bute . enjoy a guided tour of the estate and gardens , then spot seals at Scalpsie Bay . 6 ) The emerald Isle can be reached from Holyhead or Pembroke with Irish Ferries , whose flagship Ulysses is one of the world 's largest car ferries and carries a two-screen cinema showing the latest releases . Ireland is celebrating 150 years since the birth of poet William Butler Yeats , and Irish Ferries can arrange a Yeats-themed break in sligo , Connemara and Dublin - home to many top attractions , such as Dublin Zoo and The Guinness storehouse . Irish Ferries offers one free passenger on every booking , saving self-drivers £60 per return trip . For Northern Ireland , look at Stena Line and P & O Ferries . Many ferries are kitted out like hotels with great restaurants , bars , quiet lounge areas and onboard shopping , so visitors will relish complete freedom to enjoy being away before they have even arrived . Liberation in the Channels . Jersey and Guernsey offer sandy beaches , delicious seafood dining , and a unique Anglo-French culture , not to mention some of the warmest weather in the British Isles . Hop over for the Channel Islands Heritage Festival from April 3 to May 11 , celebrating the 70th anniversary of liberation from German occupation , when castles and bunkers will be brought alive . Visit Victor Hugo 's wildly eccentric home in St Peter 's Port , Guernsey . Or make for St Brelades Bay on Jersey - and a delicious crab or lobster lunch beside white sands . Condor Ferries launches its new £50million ferry , Liberation , on March 27 - meaning an even smoother and more comfortable ride from Poole .
National Ferry Fortnight ends on Monday . Ferry travel is an easy , hassle-free way to discover the British Isles . Bikes and pets are welcome on ferries . More than 39 million passengers enjoyed travelling on ferries last year .