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Holidays

Use our Travel forum for recommendations on everything from day trips to the best family-friendly holiday destinations.

Original poster

Where to go next year without flying

73 replies

calyxx · 25/07/2023 07:39

Best suggestions? Seeing some of the effects of climate change play out this year has made me determined (again) not to fly if we can possibly avoid it. I've done eurostar to Avignon and then gite with hire car, that was great.

OP posts:
Crushed23 · 25/07/2023 09:06

meatbaseddessert · 25/07/2023 08:55

If climate change is your main driver then totally reducing the amount you and your family consume in goods is going to have far more impact. Stop the plastic toys and other shit. Stop the token birthday and Xmas gifts. Stop using disposable anything. All made by those big Chinese factories that pump out most of the shite into the environment. And don't have any more children. Use resources such as electricity and water sparingly. Don't buy anything that's not a necessity.

Not flying to Greece once a year does nothing when you have families endlessly consuming more and more.

It fucking pains me when people preach about global warming and the environment and then drop in “I am going to teach my 3 kids…”

WTF

THREE CHILDREN

ARE YOU MENTAL

Lindalove · 25/07/2023 09:06

meatbaseddessert · 25/07/2023 08:55

If climate change is your main driver then totally reducing the amount you and your family consume in goods is going to have far more impact. Stop the plastic toys and other shit. Stop the token birthday and Xmas gifts. Stop using disposable anything. All made by those big Chinese factories that pump out most of the shite into the environment. And don't have any more children. Use resources such as electricity and water sparingly. Don't buy anything that's not a necessity.

Not flying to Greece once a year does nothing when you have families endlessly consuming more and more.

As much as I also agree with all this too, OP is trying to take an important step to reduce their footprint, and better that a lot of us are sustainable-ish than all perfect or feel overwhelmed.

I do agree tho - we use Vinted to buy second hand (very good condition) clothes etc, don’t buy single use plastic, use Collctiv for kids birthday collections to avoid plastic tat. Lots of small things can really add up and you can then tell your kids you tried.

BiddyPop · 25/07/2023 09:16

We've had lovely holidays in the Netherlands, up around Medemblik is lovely.

Eurostar to Paris and trains anywhere else in EU continent. (Eurostar definitely goes from Brussels but I don't know if it goes to London from there).

Ireland - some gorgeous places all over and driving very easy, same language, similar food etc. And great afventures to be had - surfing, cycling, tree trekking (zip wires), hiking and climbing, sailing, swimming, go karting, all sorts. Same language cinema and theatre for rainy days.

France - Atlantic coast is really lovely with both great beaches and lots of history and French food....nom nom.

Spain - Santander region by ferry, Bilbao an San Sebastián are gorgeous.

Within UK itself - lots of interest all over and huge variety of weather, food, activities etc.

RoachFish · 25/07/2023 09:35

Avoid the ferry if you are thinking of the environmental aspect and just use rail. The ferry isn't as bad as a cruise ship or plane but still not as good as train.

Maybe take the Eurostar to Brussels, and then from there you go to Hamburg (via Cologne) and take the sleeper train to either Copenhagen or Stockholm or both. You can break the journey up and spend a night in Hamburg too.

Peony654 · 25/07/2023 09:42

Train to Amsterdam then head out to a beach there? Or train to south of France? Or ferry to Holland / France / Spain.

BigGreen · 25/07/2023 09:45

We're taking the Eurostar to Paris this year and super excited about it.

I'm taking the ferry one way to see my family to avoid one flight (but still taking a short flight home).

Plus I've avoided 4 work flights this year.

Not perfect yet but reducing... we need millions of others to take the first imperfect steps too.

Ginmonkeyagain · 25/07/2023 10:30

We always go to France by train (helps we live in London so the Eurostar is easily accessible) This year we went to Perpignan by train.

We have also in the past been to Spain and Iraly by train as well.

It did used to easier when Eurostar ran their direct trains down to Avignon and Marseille (stupid Brexit!)

Ginmonkeyagain · 25/07/2023 10:31

You need to treat your journey as part of your holiday.

Changes17 · 25/07/2023 10:33

Went interrailing with the kids a few years back - got as far as Spain/ Portugal. Though we did get the ferry back and we did have three weeks to do it.

Original poster
calyxx · 25/07/2023 11:34

meatbaseddessert · 25/07/2023 08:55

If climate change is your main driver then totally reducing the amount you and your family consume in goods is going to have far more impact. Stop the plastic toys and other shit. Stop the token birthday and Xmas gifts. Stop using disposable anything. All made by those big Chinese factories that pump out most of the shite into the environment. And don't have any more children. Use resources such as electricity and water sparingly. Don't buy anything that's not a necessity.

Not flying to Greece once a year does nothing when you have families endlessly consuming more and more.

Agree! But we've never had plastic crap and are boringly conscientious about all of that.

OP posts:
Original poster
calyxx · 25/07/2023 11:36

These are inspiring suggestions. Thanks!

OP posts:
Crushed23 · 25/07/2023 11:38

calyxx · 25/07/2023 11:34

Agree! But we've never had plastic crap and are boringly conscientious about all of that.

Show quote history

Do you have children?

toastofthetown · 25/07/2023 11:41

Isle of Harris is one of the most beautiful places I’ve stayed at recently. I loved a lot of the highland and islands, but Harris stood out.

BitOutOfPractice · 25/07/2023 11:43

I love the Netherlands. Don’t bother with Amsterdam - probably the worst place in NL. Friesland in the north is very peaceful. The beaches near The Hague are delightful. The Hague itself is full of culture, galleries, history. And the fried snacks are always a treat!

we are going to Luxembourg by train in November.

Sugarflowers · 25/07/2023 11:56

All these are fine if you live in England. Not so good if you have to factor in travel from Scotland.

Original poster
calyxx · 25/07/2023 12:51

@crushed23 yes I have one child. Who by choice only wears second hand clothes and has cash for presents. Is that acceptable?

OP posts:
BarrelOfOtters · 25/07/2023 12:55

the man in seat 61 website has some great ideas. I've got Istanbul by train earmarked for a post retirement trip.

But for a holiday - ferry across to Holland?

BarrelOfOtters · 25/07/2023 12:55

Or the Isle of Man is lovely and reachable by ferry....

Lindalove · 25/07/2023 15:25

BarrelOfOtters · 25/07/2023 12:55

the man in seat 61 website has some great ideas. I've got Istanbul by train earmarked for a post retirement trip.

But for a holiday - ferry across to Holland?

Ooh instanbul yes! I’d love to do that trip.

Original poster
calyxx · 25/07/2023 16:40

Ooh. Sleepers. I love man in seat61. I think you can get to lake Bled by sleeper too.

OP posts:
lovescats3 · 25/07/2023 21:03

Watching with interest

lovescats3 · 25/07/2023 21:04

Thanks for the ideas

crackofdoom · 25/07/2023 21:09

I went Interrailing with the kids this Easter. Cornwall- London- Brussels- Innsbruck- Venice- Rome- Genova- Nice- Paris- London- Cornwall. It was great! (if a little tiring!). Did you know under 12s get free Interrail passes??

midsomermurderess · 25/07/2023 21:26

Scotland. Up around Torridan. Stunningly beautiful. Even though the NC500 passes through it, but pass through is what people who do that generally do.

peachypudding · 25/07/2023 21:37

crackofdoom · 25/07/2023 21:09

I went Interrailing with the kids this Easter. Cornwall- London- Brussels- Innsbruck- Venice- Rome- Genova- Nice- Paris- London- Cornwall. It was great! (if a little tiring!). Did you know under 12s get free Interrail passes??

That sounds amazing! Lucky kids!