Unfortunately, the firm has already had to axe sixty staff, with some others being given a four-week lay-off in a case that is closely mirroring the fortunes of SeaFrance ,which went into liquidation a few months back.

Other known impacts are thought to be the competition between the ferries and the Channel Tunnel, as well as rival firm P&O offering larger vessels on the same route. Because P&O have a lot of impact on the cross-channel routes, however, Brittany have turned their intentions to Spain and offer many strategic routes from there. This is proven by the fact that its passenger and freight services from Portsmouth and Plymouth to Santander and Bilbao on the Atlantic coast are recording strong growth.

Despite this, times are still going to be hard for the company, as this year will prove to be the first in three where they will reach a break-even financial position. According to some reports, the company chairman, Jean-Marc Roue, was reported as saying that this will be the first time in three years that the company has reached a break-even situation after being in the red for that period of time.. Publication of official figures, however, is not due out until March.

Taking part will be PSA members; Condor Ferries, DFDS Seaways, Isle of Man Steam Packet Company, Red Funnel and Wightlink. Big ferry operators and PSA members such as Brittany Ferries, Hovertravel, Irish Ferries, P&O Ferries, Stena Line and LD lines will also be in attendance.

There will also be a number of promotional products up for grabs as well as many cut price offers on routes to the Continent, Spain, Ireland and Britain. The PSA said that the change in date from May to earlier in the year was designed to ‘emphasise the great value of family ferry travel at a time when parents have a watchful eye on budgets’. The campaign will also feature a new logo and the aim is to receive as much public support and media attention as possible. As well as the announcement that the fortnight will be moved forward, it has also been revealed by the association that around 35million people, roughly 8million cars and 140,000 coaches were carried by ferries in 2011. These are very impressive stats. PSA director Bill Gibbons said: “Particularly for families, Britain’s ferry services offer a reliable and flexible way to travel that’s good value for money.”

A spokesman for Brittany Ferries said of the disruption: “We are not anticipating any further cancellations and the service should soon be back to normal. It’s the strength of the wind that can lead to some of the ports being in danger of closing. The cancellation of services going down to Spain was more to do with the comfort of passengers because it would have been quite rough.”

As ever; always check with the company that you are travelling with before setting off and try to find out if there are any delays. The company’s website will always keep you updated too.

The news however, also came as a surprise to many passengers as they were trusted firms both nationally and internationally and are all successful in their own right. The National Competition Committee found that tickets for ferries between Algerciras and Ceuta were kept artificially high between February 2008 and April 2010. The firms were found guilty of using an interchange system whereby passengers could board any ferry, irrespective of which operator they had purchased their ticket from. Despite their behaviour however, after agreeing to comply with the authorities and powers-that-be, Balearia had its fine reduced to 2.35million euros, while FRS were fined 1.8million as it joined the scheme later.

Trasmediterranea were fined the highest amount at 12.1million euros. The news is disappointing for the Spanish ferry sector and will no doubt have dented confidence among many regular ferry users. The question is, can they bounce back and restore much needed trust after such damaging revelations?

Lately however, things are changing, as more and more people choose to travel via ferry to Spain and enjoy something a little bit different. Ferries have been operating routes linking Britain with Spain for many years now, but because of airlines offering direct flights at cut-price deals, it has always been second in line in terms of popularity. This fact isn’t as clear cut nowadays however, and several factors have meant that ferry travel is becoming more popular. As well as offering cheap deals and excellent services, there are now more ferry routes than ever before and all offer competitive rates.

One of the biggest reasons for the latest surge in popularity however, is the option for families to take their own car with them. All too often, people like to explore a country and to do this they need to either take their own car, or hire one whilst they are there. In many instances now however, travelling to Spain by ferry and taking your own car can often be cheaper than flying and then hiring a car once there – bearing all that has been said in mind, it certainly comes as no surprise that ferry travel is slowly becoming a real force to be reckoned with.

Madrid has a dry climate. The summer is hot but, winter is cold with snowfall. Madrid is passed by the Madrid River. The Lozoya River, one of the major rivers in Madrid supplies the daily necessary water for the city.

Madrid is the head quarter of the major Spanish companies. It has got the third highest GDP among the cities of Europe. Tourism has a great impact on the economy of Madrid.

Madrid has a large number of historic buildings and landmarks. The Royal Palace of Madrid is the most prominent of them. Royal Theater (Teatro Real), built in 19th century, is the oldest Opera house in Spain. Archaeological Museum, Prado Museum, Thyssen Bornemisza Museum are some of the prominent museums in Madrid.

Madrid has a lot of architectural beauties. Madrid International Airport specially its terminal 4 is one of the world’s largest terminal area and at the same time a great architectural beauty. The building style in Madrid is influenced greatly by Gothic and Baroque style. Royal Palace of Madrid in Paseo Del Prado is one of the notorious architectural beauties in Baroque style. Torres business area is more likely a park than a business area and it can be mentioned as a Business Park actually, has the tallest skyscrapers in Spain.

Madrid is a city of Green. It posses the highest amount of trees among the cities of the Europe. It has a handsome amount of fascinating parks and Gardens. Parque Del Retiro is the most famous park in Madrid. The Retiro Park is full with beautiful sculptures and monuments, including an excellent lake in the front. Royal Botanical Garden is famous for having a collection of rare herbal plants and research facilities on them. Campo Del Moro Garden is another beautiful garden in Madrid.

Madrid has a huge number of churches specially, catholic churches. St. Jerome Church, built in Gothic style, is the most famous. San Nicolas church is the oldest church in Madrid. Bishop Chapel, St. Isidor Cathedral, San Francisco el Grande Basilica are some of the prominent religious landmarks in Madrid.

Spain is famous for the special game Bullfight. Madrid is the home of the biggest bullfight ring in Spain. It is considered as the world’s most prominent place for bullfight, having a fabulous capacity of seating. March to October is the best period for the bullfight. Visitors from various parts of the world come to enjoy the fight every year.

The beautiful environment of Madrid is a great attraction for the tourists. Every year a large number of tourists visit Madrid not only for its beautiful parks, gardens, cathedrals or, museums but also, for enjoying the bullfight and the football matches. Madrid is one of the most visited tourist spots in Europe.

Madrid is the home of the famous football club Real Madrid. So, undoubtedly football is the most famous game as well as one of the most famous entertainments in Madrid.

If you are after an island break, the very popular Balearic Islands lie just off the north east coast. With shimmery seas, sandy beaches, hours of sunshine and lively nightlife, these islands will always be a destination of choice for anyone looking for an action packed and vibrant holiday. However, it’s not all nightclubs; quieter parts can also be found on these pretty islands and can be little havens of calm. With atmospheric fishing villages, lovely countryside walks and ancient ruins scattered about, it is well worth getting away from the main areas to explore. The people are friendly and will welcome you with tasty cuisine and hospitality.

On the mainland, the east coast of Spain is the location for the awe-inspiring city of Barcelona. Surely no visit to this side of Spain would be complete without seeing the unique architecture, galleries, museums and sights of this incredible, eclectic urban area! Barcelona’s must-see attraction is Gaudi’s Masterpiece, or ‘Sagrada Familia’. This is a large Roman Catholic church and has been under construction since 1882.

Travelling south from Barcelona and you will be spoiled for choice if you wish to spend time on the beach. This stretch is known as the Costa Dorada, meaning Golden Coast. With beautiful, golden sands, it’s easy to see how it got this name. Shallow, safer waters south of Salou are a perfect choice for families with younger children. There are several country parks and nature reserves interspersed with the beaches along this coastline which offer much appreciated shade and a cool sanctuary when you with to retreat from the sun.

Continuing along the Costa Dorada, the final major area on the east cost of Spain is Valencia. Valencia is a very prominent Spanish city and is celebrated for its baroque buildings, especially around the central market place. The Torres de Serranos are recognised as being the largest gothic gateway in the whole of Europe, dating back from when the city was surrounded by walls.

Wherever you choose to visit along the east coast of this wonderful country, you are sure to find people that will welcome you with open arms when embark from one of the ferries to Spain. Take time to learn a few words of Spanish and you may even find friends forever.

Over the past years significant investments have been made to the port facilities and infrastructure including a £16.5m investment in a state of the art passenger terminal which is due to be completed by the end of the February.

In 2011 an increase of cruise ships visiting Portsmouth is expected with 40 planned arrivals compared to 11 visits in 2010, next to this the import of fruit will also increase significantly as one of the largest fruit shipping companies called Del Monte will use Portsmouth as one of their UK ports to bring in fruit from overseas.

All these investments are great news for holidaymakers taking ferries to Spain as they will increase the ease of travelling by ferries to Spain and make the ferry journey an even more pleasant experience.

One word of warning.. don’t get confused by your satnav, The Continental Ferry Port and Portsmouth International Port are both the same port

Known by locals as Botxo or Hole, Bilbao nestles tightly to the winding  river with the old quarter of Casco Viejo on its eastern bank. South  around the river bend, the pedestrian streets of Las Siete Calles beckon  visitors throughout the night with its cafes, eateries, and bars.  Northward from the old quarter, El Paseo de Arenal dominates the water’s  edge with its shops and historical buildings.

Head to Plaza Nueza for an avenue bustling with restaurants, and people  watching. At night, Casco Viejo thrums with beautiful lounges, cafes,  and bars. If theater is your passion, visit El Teatro Arriaga in El  Arenal or Euskalduna Palace on Avenida Abandoibarra for the Bilbao and  Basque Symphony Orchestras.

But of all these wonderful nooks to see, the pulse of the city lives  with the Museo Guggenheim. Boasting a permanent collection of works by  Picasso, Braque, Mondrian Miro, and Rothko, the Museo Guggenheim rotates  its temporary Guggenheim exhibits regularly. Interested visitors should  contact the museum to check which pieces are in residence. While the  museum is famous for its priceless works of art within its walls,  newcomers should also note the building itself. Designed by the Canadian  architect Frank Gehry, the structure was inspired by the Gehry’s  childhood. As you walk through the halls, note the vastness of the  interior spaces and the materials used for each room. You might notice  the designer’s allusions to a grand cathedral, sheers cliffs, moored  ships, or even shiny gray fish scales.

Whether you’re in Bilbao for shopping, nature, or art, this city in northwest Basque country will not disappoint.