Grounded: Plains, Trains & Automobiles

Flying: Getting what you pay for

Flying used to be a special occasion. Dress nicely, enjoy the free meal and take a case of beer as hand luggage (I have actually done this). Laptops & tablets didn’t exist so you couldn’t take them with you. An aspect of retro flying that may be making a comeback soon.

Today, people appear to go straight from the gym to the airport, fill ever smaller seats and pay less for the privilege than for the journey to the airport. Is it time then to consider a no-fly summer holiday?  

Driving: Improved luggage allowance

Driving is still one of the most popular ways to leave the country as you can take vast amounts of luggage. It can be quite enjoyable with empty roads and plenty of open countryside to enjoy. Once you are overseas at least. It is however a long way and leaving Dover or Folkestone at busy times can lead to a long wait in the overflow car park, also known as the M20. 

Ferry: Leaving sunny Portsmouth

Instead, take the relaxed option of an overnight ferry to Brittany, Normandy, Rotterdam, Bilbao or Santander. Enjoy a meal and a good night’s sleep whilst everybody else is driving through the night aided by coffee and matchsticks. 








HOW: Overnight car ferries depart Portsmouth, Plymouth, Harwich, Hull & Newcastle heading to the Netherlands, France and Spain. Cabin accommodation is available.

Swiss Trains: Run like Choc-work

Trains. They are either on strike or replaced by buses aren’t they? Not once you leave these shores, they’re not. High Speed rail has morphed across mainland Europe opening up the continent. If you can make it into London, it’s the Eurostar to Paris or Brussels then you can connect to everywhere. Even on a Sunday.

The Italian Lakes are spectacular so instead of flying over them, take a train via the south of France or via Switzerland and enjoy the Alps on the way through. Add a second week by continuing to Venice and the coast before returning through the Austrian Alps. Stock up on fresh food en route and with no liquid restrictions, enjoy sampling the many vineyards you will pass through.

French Trains: The Fast & the full Pétrus

If it’s a beach holiday you want, then travelling via Paris you can reach the Costa Blanca on the same day from London. Add a visit to Barcelona and for a second week, return via Madrid and Bordeaux or head along the southern French coast to Nice and Monte Carlo. You can also forget about French air traffic control strikes and with compulsory reservations, you will always get a seat. At least until you get back to St Pancras.


HOW: Through train tickets can be bought for travel throughout Europe from any UK station. Cost effective passes to explore different regions (e.g. Switzerland) are available and the legendary Interrail pass has been re-invented for travel periods of 5 days upwards for use by everyone, even people with jobs. One way flights can be added if time is short.
  

Norway: Fjord Fiesta

Ferries are all very well but if you really want to travel in style then you should try a cruise departing Southampton. If you think cruising is all about dentally challenged Seniors playing Deck Quoits then think again. 

Modern super liners have facilities that would embarrass many top hotels or theme parks. Water slides, automated cocktail bars, West End shows, menus by Celebrity Chefs, Spas, Wave machines pools, Cookery schools etc. There are even places to get off and see - if you can tear yourself away from the activities. 

Cruising: Nautical & very nice

A Week long cruise can take you to the Norwegian Fjords and into the Arctic Circle. Two weeks can get you to the Med via northern Spain and the Canaries. Many ships are Family Friendly and offer kids clubs and activities so that parents can enjoy a bit of, er, room service. With optional formal nights, there are no luggage, liquid or electronic restrictions to worry about either.

HOW: Several Ships operate out of Southampton for the Fjords and Med. Shorter trips are available including lively 2 night cross channel excursions. Full Board is always included.

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I can arrange any of the above no-fly holidays so just ask me for some advice. I have tried out all of these types of holiday - I take my research very seriously!

David Sutherland, EyeLine Travel, Crawley; 14 May 2017
e: david@eyelinetravel.co.uk

t: 020 8123 2569

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