Purrfect break with P&O Ferries

Cat lovers take note: Ypres stages Kattenstoet on 10 May, celebrating all things feline at this festival dating back to the Middle Ages.

The traditional way to clear unwanted moggies from this Belgian city entailed the official jester throwing them off the belfry tower, followed by a bit of witch burning given a fair wind and willing crowd.

These days the jester substitutes velvet toys for throwing the real thing (frowned upon since 1817) and witches are made welcome at a huge fancy dress parade.

Almost as entertaining as watching cats rain down from the belfry is seeing the frantic efforts of some tourists to catch one, which brings incredibly good luck and, according to tradition, the right for gentlemen to demand certain favours of ladies.

Ypres is a 60 mile drive from Calais, which is served by P&O Ferries from Dover with a choice of 32 sailings a day and fares for a car and up to nine people from £25 return for day trips. Or sail straight to Belgium with P&O Ferries from Hull to Zeebrugge. 

Check out Kattenstoet at www.ieper.be and don’t be caught napping – it only takes place every three years.

Contacts:
Chris Laming, Brian Rees, Natalie Hardy, Michelle Ulyatt
Tel: +44(0)1304863833 (24 hours)
E-mail: communications@POferries.com