Advice required: Wedding booze trip to Calais

[twelvebears]

Folks.

Susy and I are getting hitched at the end of June. Both second time around (well third for me, but that's a long story), so keeping things low-key and under tight 'financial control'.

Around 50 close friends and family involved and we want to supply the Fun Juice at the best price, so are considering the obvious of taking a day trip and filling the boot (Skoda Superb, so it is a VERY big boot btw).

Just want input as to:

1. Is it actually worthwhile? Even with diesel, tickets and nice lunch, it will only cost about £100 for the day, so feels like it will be.

2. Any guidance as to the best supermarket to aim for once there? Never done this before and would prefer a 'one stop shop', so would appreciate recommendations.

Thanks

[seoirse2002]

I have done trips like that about 3 times over the years...the last one was the best and now all I do is take an "onboard shopper" trip which I think is about £10 and you never leave the ship!
I was tired of the hassle of driving around in France from one place to another and when all added up,I didnt save, so with the onboard shopper deal, drive to Dover,drive on the boat and they put you in a certain area,go to duty free when it opens and buy as much as you want and they will load the car for you.
They have a very nice restaurant on board,so enjoy a good meal.
They get to Calais and turn back around,you stay on.
You can check the p&o website for all the deals on wines etc before you go.
We mainly get lots of 3 litre boxes of red white and rose,and a decent brand too(gallo)(hardys) and thats the wine sorted then do the spirits.
We had found cheaper in Calais in the past,but it was awful cheap unknown crap mostly and not worth the hassle....of course if wifey want to do shopping....thats a different story,my mine has already sussed out that with the Euro so strong,no many bargains out there.
On the other hand,last time we went to Calais,we saved on petrol while filling up there,so in the current situation,maybe go to Calais after all....google it all before going.

[Macca]

Maybe I am confused but there is no 'duty free' anymore due to the EU? You have to be flying/sailing outside the EU to buy Duty Free, that's been the case for a fair few years. Booze may stil be cheaper in France but that is for other reasons.

[twelvebears]

Maybe I am confused but there is no 'duty free' anymore due to the EU? You have to be flying/sailing outside the EU to buy Duty Free, that's been the case for a fair few years. Booze may stil be cheaper in France but that is for other reasons.

Good point about diesel being slightly cheaper too, hadn't thought of that.

Any recommendations of specific super-stores to aim for would be good, but I'll consider the stay on-board trip.

[vinylspinner]

Follow the locals and shop where they go, usually a supermarket called Auchen in Calais, and you can get a nice meal at Buffalo Grilles.

Nigel

[prestonchipfryer]

Been here a few times on day-out coach trip through the Channel Tunnel. Good day out for us anyway.

http://www.carrefour-calais.com/

[seoirse2002]

Friend of mine just got back from Calais....Diesel is 1.42 euros if you look around...which is about £1.20 per litre...
dont use the motorway service stations...drive into the centre of calais and find one near a local supermarket.
I still think the stay on board method saves all the faffing around....if you want to make a trip of it for the other half....book a little hotel near Dover and stay overnight after the trip and drive back fresh in the morning....lots of nice little hotel deals down that way at the moment...Ive done that and adding it all up...I broke even,but enjoyed it a lot.

[twelvebears]

Just had a useful e-mail exchange with The Calais Wine Superstore. (http://www.calaiswine.co.uk/)

Having priced checked several of their choices with UK deals, there is no doubt they are much cheaper.

Add that to the fact that they will book and pay for your Eurotunnel ticket and there is a cheap petrol station next door.....

Excellent!

[ursus262]

No specific advice really. I just want to congratulate you both and hope you'll both have many happy years together :)

[Reid Malenfant]

No specific advice really. I just want to congratulate you both and hope you'll both have many happy years together :)
Yes & congratulations on your thousandth post to :eyebrows:

[Jonboy]

I buy a lot of Cheap Red and Rose wine in Lidl France, apparently they have one buyer for the whole of Europe but still a lot cheaper than the UK.

They do French, Chille, South African, Australian and Italian amongst others and i pay €1.95 a bottle, they do a nice Rose in Litre bottles for the same money

[bogle111]

I first read this as

Advice required: Wedding or booze trip to Calais. I would have recommended the booze trip myself. Seriously though, we are on our second and thirds this time and seems more natural.

Congratulations for the future. (You're not going to say it was all an April Fools are you? Guarantee the booze trip might be off then)

Regards
Pete