Calais, France

Calais sits at the narrowest point of the English Channel—just 21 miles from Dover. Its location has long made it a vital harbour for merchant shipping, naval operations, and now, cross-channel ferries. Often overlooked as a destination in its own right, Calais actually has some fascinating sites and is well worth a visit. Of particular interest to us, beyond the endless possibilities for boat-spotting, are the Courgain Maritime Quarter and the 1848 lighthouse, still in use today.