Did you know you can fall asleep in the UK and wake up in the Netherlands, with tickets that are cheaper than a train to London?
There are mini cruises to Amsterdam and Rotterdam running year-round, with tickets from just £65 a head.
These bargain mini breaks give you a chance to experience a holiday on the high seas and a brilliant city break in one.
And the best part is that you can have a two-night adventure using only one day of annual leave.
We went along on a P&O Ferries mini cruise to see what it’s all about.
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Your holiday begins just outside Hull, swiftly boarding your ferry by 7pm (a MUCH quicker process than boarding a plane).
Each passenger is greeted by P&O staff who’ll show you to your cabin.
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You can take a mini cruise to Amsterdam to eat Stroopwaffels. Credit: The Manc GroupThe view from a canal boat tour in Amsterdam on a mini cruise. Credit: The Manc Group
There are various sizes of cabin available – ours were the Premier Cabins, with a modern interior, two single beds and an en suite bathroom.
Although the P&O ferry that runs to the Netherlands is a little smaller than the huge passenger vessels sailing around the Caribbean, there’s still a surprising amount of entertainment on board, from interactive quizzes to a casino to live acoustic musicians in the sky lounge to a full show in the showlounge.
There are also a few restaurants and bars, including a Costa, an Irish pub and a decent cocktail bar, alongside the main buffet restaurant.
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Once you’ve tired yourself out on board and hit the hay, you’ll be ready to wake up in the land of tulips and canals and bicycles.
The Pride of Hull, which runs mini cruises to Amsterdam
The ferry docks in Rotterdam, where you can spend the day, or there are coaches ready to whisk you off to Amsterdam.
It’s surprising how much you can pack into a day in this vibrant city – start with a wander down some of the canals, grab a portion of Dutch fries loaded with parmesan and sauces, visit one of Amsterdam’s many museums, spend an hour on a canal boat tour seeing the city from the waterways, and grab a cocktail before embarking on your return journey.
The coach drops you within walking distance of the city centre and all of the must-visit attractions of Amsterdam, whether you’re after stroopwaffels or coffee shops or a visit to Anne Frank’s house.
After another night on the ferry, and a whole new buffet, you’ll dock back on home turf first thing in the morning, and can comfortably be back at your desk before the work day even begins.
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You can find out more about P&O mini cruises to Amsterdam HERE.
An iconic vintage train is set to pass through Greater Manchester this summer
Danny Jones
Calling all railway enthusiasts: another historic vintage locomotive is set to visit two Greater Manchester train stations this summer.
Whether you’re a passionate trainspotter or just a nearby resident curious to see what all the fuss is about, the cult favourite retro carriages will pass through the pair of Manc boroughs and surrounding areas early next month.
Despite an adjustment in the initial plans, locals will still be able to witness and board the train at multiple stops along the way in the Stockport (Reddish South station) and Rochdale areas.
So, if you consider yourself a bit of a ‘Francis Bourgeois’ figure, or a general public transport connoisseur, pay attention.
Designed by Sir Kenneth Granger and officially launched back in 1976, the fleet was named as such after the top speed of 125mph – simple as that.
Once again, it’s worth noting that the originally proposed route and stops have now been changed due to issues with Network Rail.
As a result of there currently being no standing approval to use the connection from Paignton to Bury on the East Lancs Railway line, they have been forced to change the start and terminus points.
Writing on the dedicated 125Group website, they say: “We are reviewing our options to start as close as possible to the advertised departure point, and it seems likely that Rochdale will become the start and finish point, with all other previous pick-ups retained.
“For those in the far south west, we are looking to see whether we can offer an Exeter to Paignton return – subject to availability of space. We will add this to the booking site shortly, although we may have to limit numbers sold until we are more certain of booking levels to Bristol and Exeter.”
Two 125s, including ‘The Mancunian Princess’, travelled through the SK region earlier this year.
They have reassured that the journey will still be going ahead and have simply advised those hoping to catch it to keep their eyes peeled on the website and their socials for the latest updates.
Kids’ tickets start from just a tenner, and standard passes for the full tour cost £99, with first-class the class option priced at £149 (there’s also a table for two supplement available for £50).
You can see the full map, find out more information, and grab your seats right HERE.
Bet the internet signal on this relic isn’t far off the current standard either, to be fair…
Andy Burnham extends Greater Manchester’s £2 bus fare cap across England
Emily Sergeant
Single bus fares are to be capped at £2 across England from next year, it has been announced.
Andy Burnham famously introduced this money-saving measure on the Bee Network here in Greater Manchester back in September 2022 when he was Mayor of the city region, and it’s proved to be a big success ever since, so it comes as no surprise that this would be something he would look to extend nationwide once he became Prime Minister.
It’s only his second full day in office, but in a bid to further help with the cost of living and give people the breathing space they need, Andy Burnham has now announced that millions of passengers nationwide will benefit from cheaper bus fares in 2027.
Backed by £400 million extra funding, the cap on fares will help millions of people across the country access affordable bus travel more easily.
The Government says this measure is aiming to ‘break down barriers to travel’.
For too long, people have said that cheaper transport isn't an option.
I don't accept that.
l've done it before and now I'm doing it again: a £2 cap on bus fares for millions across the country.
Currently, fares have been capped at £3 until the end of March 2027, but today’s move will stop prices jumping next spring and lower fares to £2 from January, as well as extending the cap until the end of 2027 to give local authorities more time to plan with confidence.
The bus fare cap comes alongside the first rail fare freeze in 30 years announced earlier this year, saving passengers £600 million, and commuters on some routes saving more than £300 a year.
Andy Burnham is extending Greater Manchester’s £2 bus fare cap across England / Credit: TfGM
“Good, affordable transport links are an essential,” commented Prime Minister Andy Burnham.
“But for too long people have said that cheaper transport isn’t an option. I don’t accept that. I’ve done it before and I will do it again now – a £2 cap on bus fares for millions across the country.
“Lower fares will help people get to where they need to, giving them breathing space to help with the cost of living. As I said on my first day in office, I will build a country for everyone, everywhere. That means more connected communities, better access to opportunities, and a lighter load on people’s lives.”
The Government will consult on ways to award extra planning powers to Mayors to give them the final say over decisions on public transport in their areas.
These greater powers will help make sure local leaders have the tools they need to meet the needs of local people, and the Government will be consulting on these measures to make sure that they are designed in the best interest of local communities.
Daisy Jackson -
5th December 2024 
