Where can we go by train for some spring sunshine?

[KickBishopBrennanUpTheArse]

Looking for a short 4-5 day trip around Easter somewhere likely to be swimming / t shirt type weather.

We're having a no-fly year next year. It's for me and 18yo dd so we're quite happy to sit and read on trains or ferries.

Thinking of South of France or ferry to Northern Spain. We are up north but with family in London so can come down e.g. on a Friday night and catch an early Eurostar. Just looking at practical, accessible places likely to have good weather. Also we'd rather stay rural / coastal not in a town near a major train station so would need a connecting train, bus or short taxi ride.

Any ideas? Also tips for keeping cost down? It's depressingly cheaper to fly.

Why are you having a “no fly year”? If it’s cheaper to fly, why go for the expensive option of getting the train?

@TDL2016 maybe due to the environmental impact of flying?

Trains still use electricity and diesel to run. There’s still a significant impact.
Planes are going to fly regardless of whether you’re sat on them or not. You can pay to offset your carbon footprint when you book your ticket.
You describe flying as “depressingly cheaper” than getting the train. If it’s more affordable to fly and you’re already doing all you can in your day to day life to reduce your carbon footprint, why feel guilty about flying and making a nice time more affordable?

Flying does seem to get more bad press than it’s carbon footprint perhaps deserves (it makes up only 2-3% of our total global carbon output). I agree with the PP re carbon offsetting and perhaps prioritising other areas if not more then at least equally - meat consumption, energy consumption, car usage etc. Our energy carbon output as a nation is much more significant than flights and using green energy suppliers gets far less press than it should, planes perhaps more.
Having said that, I get where you are coming from. I’d go for the ferry option and head for San Sebastián personally.

Northern Spain has notoriously bad weather even in summer.

I recommend the Eurostar straight to Avignon. It's about 5 hours, and they bring breakfast then a hot lunch inc wine to your seat.

Avignon is interesting and beautiful in itself and you could go on a wine tour.

If you are only going for 4 - 5 days you won't get far enough for swimming weather. Even the South of France can be chilly in April. I would compromise and go by train to somewhere interesting, and lower your expectations regarding the weather.

Look at the seat61 website but you’re going to find it difficult to go far enough for good weather

Is she doesn’t want to fly why on earth do people rant at her about flying? Get a grip!! Go check out the Guardian website about the environment.
Getting back to the original point!
I agree re weather so definitely look at interesting rather than relying on heat. Then if the weather is good it’s a bonus.
Let’s be honest... it might well be good because the world is on fire.
P.S. The pro fliers don’t bother replying because you are ridiculous.

The rights and wrongs of flying are something people are going to have strong opinions on @Goslowlysideways and I’m pretty sure ending a point with an insult isn’t the best way of getting your view across.

@sjanes48
I dunno it made me feel better. This is travel TRAVEL so they need to shhh
She wasn’t talking politics just options for non flying travel. She made no statement either way.

Going back to the original post

Have you thought about Ireland. Getting the train and ferry across. Waterford is stunning and they have great cycle paths. It’s the most gorgeous place and relatively empty. You’ll get amazing scenery and food. My particular passion is for Cork and Kinsale, Dungarvan is also a wonderful place.

@KickBishopBrennanUpTheArse I hope you have a great trip wherever you go x

Some ideas here for you OP of do-able short journey trips. I hadn’t initially clocked you were looking at Spring and agree my Northern Spain option wouldn’t be that great. There are some good options in this article - may not be t-shirt and beach stuff but interesting places if can only be Spring and a couple of days. Is there anyway you can switch dates to the summer and give yourself a couple of extra days? That would open up a lot more options! Echo the PP, have a great trip. There’s something quite romantic about train travel (although not always the loos!) that you don’t get with planes. www.google.co.uk/amp/s/amp.theguardian.com/travel/2006/nov/29/railtravel.europe.green