No-fly holidays…suggestions?

[CroccyWoccy]

We’re trying to fly less and plan fewer holidays that rely on flying.

We’ve done Northern France, Belgium and Netherlands by ferry/car.

I’ve explored the idea of south of France by Eurostar and sleeper train (very do-able, just not done it yet)

Any other suggestions for overseas destinations that can be reached fairly easily without flying?

A cruise?

We’ve done Germany a few times. One night stopover somewhere in France, each way. Germany has so much to offer - mountains, lakes, fantastic cities. The food and public transport are amazing (public transport often free if you’re a tourist in some areas).

Italy! We went by train to southern Italy by train, it was great!

Went from Barcelona to Paris by TGV last week, 7.5 hours, nice train, arrived on time, definitely could add Spain to to your list
Look at the Man in Seat 61 website for very thorough guides to train in Europe, he does suggested routes and stopovers

Colleagues did France last year, Eurostar to Lille and from there various TGVs. I think they had a hire car for a couple of days when they were at one destination.

We went by train to Avignon years ago and then had a hire car for two weeks.

Germany - we normally stop over in France or just after the border, depending where we want to go. We have been to the Baltic Coast, Frankonia, Lake Constant, Alsace/German border. This year (flying though) we go to Berlin and then drive down to Lake Chiemsee for a week.

Friends did Scandinavia, Norway and Denmark

Are you trying to fly less for environmental reasons? Just thinking that cruise/ferry suggestions might not be useful if so.

A cruise!
We have done a few now and they have been the best holidays ever!

We're going to Berlin by train later this year. From our house we could just about do it am to pm, but have decided to stay a night in London to make it easy to get the early Eurostar. Cologne is the other obvious stop-off. Can't wait.

My mum did a solo Eurostar+ trip to Avignon which she really enjoyed.

Marseilles

Cruises are terrible environmentally

Berlin or the Netherlands?

Yes a cruise isn't a valid alternative if not flying for environmental reasons because they're horribly polluting.

Ferry to Northern Spain.

Planning norway by train in the summer.. via Hamburg, Copenhagen and Oslo. Home via Brussels.

You can get the ferry to Santander and then Spain is your oyster…I’ve heard it’s a bit of a choppy crossing though

Vendee ….fly to Nantes and car hire…..or drive there

-Saint Cyr Sur Mere or Banadol- Eurostar, TGV to Marseille, then local train.

-The French alps.

-Munich.

-Saas-Fee.

-The German side of Lake Constance. I’ve not tried that one yet, but I’ve looked up the route and I know the area.

Ferry to Santander - gijon is lovely for a break, or the Picos.

I've driven to Italy a couple of times. Germany makes a great holiday destination, try the Black Forest or the coast.

Look at Great Rail Journeys

Yes…so cruises probably not the best alternative!

I'm going to Prague by train this summer. Eurostar to Brussels, overnight to Prague.

Oh and also we've been to Rome: I think the transfer in Paris is easier than it was, it used to be changing to a really obscure station and waiting ages at a nearby shopping centre because you couldn't go in to the station
Try Seat61.com

Try Brittany Ferries from Portsmouth or Plymouth to Santander or Bilbao in NW Spain, or alternatively to Cherbourg, St Malo, Caen, Le Havre, or Roscoff in France. It's not cheap, but it's a terrific way to start a holiday, and not too far to drive at the other end.

We are thinking of doing the Austrian alps on a sleeper train! The man in seat 61 has tons of useful info on his site

We're going to Germany this year, to the Eifel National Park. Hull to Rotterdam ferry, then 3.5 hours ish drive to our destination. Lots of forests, lakes, pretty towns. Not a fan of beaches (I know...) so this is perfect for us.

Check out Dormio for accommodation: we're staying at Eifeler Tor.