Few days within two hours

[ShatnersWig]

I loathe flying. Only been out of the UK twice and I'm 44, both within the last six years - once to Italy and once to Brussels. Went with a friend at the time which made it bearable and meant I had someone to talk to to take my mind off it and help pass the waiting at the airports.

I have next week off and would love to go somewhere for a few days, preferably somewhere that has a couple of things to do or see but also nearby a beach - but not anywhere too busy/touristy and within two hours flying from London. Seeing the sea is important.

Any suggestions (whether I'll actually pluck up the courage is another matter, but some thoughts about possible places might spur me on).

The flight from London to Nice, France is exactly two hours. Nice airport is close to the city centre with lots of transfer options.
Nice is a lovely city and never seems to feel busy. The broad palm-lined Promenade des Anglais which sweeps along the coast for 5 miles is great for a stroll. The city is full of leafy areas and lovely markets mixed with elegant buildings. This will tell you more www.thecrazytourist.com/15-best-things-nice-france/

Watching with interest! I'm also off next week and looking for something short and last minute. I'm also not keen on flying and will be travelling alone.
I'm also considering Nice but I'm on a budget!

If you want a beach and a not too touristy place, try Dinard.

Otherwise, San Sebastian, Valencia, Lisbon or Genoa.

Bordeaux and Montpellier are lovely places.

If you don't like flying, then don't fly!

You can get the train direct to Marseille. One way on Saturday is £135 - I always recommend returning via Paris. The train journey is part of the fun.

@CardinalSin there have been some train strikes in France lately, even affecting the Eurostar, so bit reluctant to opt for train and I feel I need to try and go for it (I hate holidaying alone almost as much as flying)

Channel Islands?

Go on sky scanner to find flight times and destinations - then pick one

olivo what a fab idea. OP try Jersey. Its beautiful and you'll be there in an hour.

Venice is perfect. I'm also a scaredy cat flyer.... easyjet fly to marco polo and then you can get a waterbus into the city... it's amazing... so beautiful sightseeing stuff in the city and a completely different Lido area with beaches on the Adriatic. I just had a 3 day city break there with my daughter, would highly recommend.

@Olivo As a non-flyer for so long, I've pretty much exhausted the UK and Ireland, one of the reasons I feel I have to try and force myself. I've been to the Channel Islands twice - first time Guernsey and Herm, second time Jersey. Hated Guernsey, loved Herm, ambivalent about Jersey.

@Wittow Typically, Venice is one of the few places I've actually been to! When I finally got on a plane six years ago I said it had to be somewhere stunning so that if I never did it again, I'd have a fabulous memory. So spent a fortnight in the Italian Lakes plus Milan and Venice. Twas fab!

Oh, and in case people wonder why I loathe flying, next door neighbour's daughter was killed in a plane crash when I was growing up, and I think it stems from that.

What about the isles of scilly?

@NoStraightEdges I did look there but unfortunately couldn't get flights and accommodation that worked with my dates. But definitely one for the future, all being well.

Berlin is a brilliant city. Lots of tourists, obviously, but it doesn’t feel touristy. Cologne is also nice.

Not been to Amsterdam, but it’s on my hit list. I imagine it’s likely to be more touristy though!

Sorry, completely missed that you want the sea!

Porto is about 2h 20, but have heard lovely thins about it.

Barcelona?

@EduCated I don't think the first two are near the sea/beach but Amsterdam is, I think.

If you're looking to see the sea but not necessarily go in for a swim how about stavanger in Norway?

Yes, not quite on the coast, but coast adjacent

Or Bilbao in northern Spain - beaches in easy reach?

I had a nice 3-4 days in Palma (Mallorca) last year. A lovely city by the sea and beaches nearby. I think it was just under 2.5hrs from London. I stayed in an AirBnB apartment in the city centre.

@imsorryiasked That's not a bad shout, I've always wanted to go to Norway although I think I probably want a bit more sun and the chance to lie on beach for half a day. Added to which, just had a look - flights alone would cost between £400-£700. Ouch. One for booking way ahead, methinks!

@BeachyUmbrella Think Barcelona might be a bit too touristy for me.

I'll do a bit more looking into Porto and Amsterdam at least.

id do south of france, Nice, Marseille, Toulon

have you tried ways of over coming your fear like a counsellor or perhaps a hypnotist?