Check out these 10 no-fly holidays. | Ferienland Cochem Tourism
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Europe without Flying: 10 of the best no-fly holidays
Some of the world’s most stunning places are waiting to be discovered in the UK & Europe and the best thing is, it doesn’t need a plane to get there! From age-old beer & wine producing regions to the quintessential French experience and the UK’s first national park, find plenty of no-fly holiday inspiration now to help you plan your next trip away.
Belgium is so easy to reach by train from different parts of the UK and Europe and the popular Belgium Beer Cycle is one of the most fun ways to explore Belgian towns and countryside. The focus is on local breweries and traditional beer practices, including a visit to Europe’s largest beer brewery museum and sampling ‘Trappist beer’ made by abbey-dwelling monks.
> Find all trips in Belgium
Enjoy majestic mountain peaks, shimmering lochs and pretty glens… Take Scotland’s backroads and country paths, explore peaceful villages and rural towns, take a forest walk and visit one of the many castles and ancient monuments found along the way. The Lochs & Bens trip focuses on Perthshire, known as Scotland’s ‘big county’ because of the wide variety of landscapes that can be found here. Travel to and from Perth by rail or road.
> Find all trips in Scotland
Sun-drenched and quintessentially French, Provence is high on the wish list of so many travellers. Eurostar’s direct service to Avignon offers a great alternative to reach the south of France and have a holiday without flying. Discover the region by bike, explore the French Riviera on foot or travel to Provence from Lyon, the culinary capital of France.
> Find all trips in France
If you're looking for the quintessential Dutch cycling experience, look no further. This self guided cycling trip in The Netherlands combines several all-time favourite cities; Amsterdam, Haarlem, Leiden, Delft and Gouda, each unique and brimming with typical old-world Dutch character. The ride is perfect for a first time cycle trip or for those looking to slow down the pace and there are direct trains to Amsterdam with Eurostar, ICE and Thalys, or get there by (ferry and) car.
Holland is a cyclist’s paradise with a number of other trips available to choose from and, if you visit in spring or early summer, you will also be rewarded with endless fields of tulips in bloom!
> Find all trips in the Netherlands
The Wicklow Way attracts walkers from across the world eager to explore one of the greenest parts of the ‘Emerald Isle’. It is Ireland’s oldest waymarked trail and winds through the Wicklow Mountains, considered by many one of the country’s most spectacular upland areas.
The route is easily accessible from Dublin, making it a favourite walk for locals and visitors alike. Get to Dublin by car or train and ferry.
> Find all trips in Ireland
From the ferry port in Ryde, pick up your hire bike and let your holiday begin! Ideal for anyone looking for a short town-and-country cycling break, the circular route is undulating and distances are kept fairly short, giving you time to stop and explore. Highlights include sophisticated Cowes, world famous for its regatta; the astonishing brick-built Quarr Abbey; and taking the cycle path to Freshwater Bay, which follows an old railway line.
Other ports on the island are Fishbourne and Yarmouth, both accessible to cars.
> Find all Isle of Wight trips
One of Europe’s quintessential rivers, the Rhine has been an important transportation route since the days of the Roman Empire, when many of the castles lining its waterway were built. Today you can walk or cycle through traditional villages with half-timbered houses, take in the extensive terraced vineyards (producing the famous ‘Riesling’ varietal) and the ruins of castles and fortresses that once defended its trade.
The German railway system and roads are very reliable, making your journey there smooth and efficient.
> Find all trips in Germany
If you love chocolate you cannot go wrong with a holiday in Switzerland! On this loop cycle from Zurich, one of the best connected cities in Europe by train, you will learn the secrets of Swiss chocolate production, visit two chocolate factories and even create your own bar.
Switzerland is ideal for fans of rail and sustainable travel so if you prefer train over plane, there are so many iconic holidays you can have in the country, including of course Mont Blanc, the ‘roof of Europe’.
> Find all trips in Switzerland
National Parks UK says: “Rugged yet beautiful. An awe-inspiring landscape of high fells, deep glacial lakes and quaint rural villages.” Celebrated by the poetry of Wordsworth and the stories of Beatrix Potter and Arthur Ransome, the Lake District is the first National Park in the UK to be awarded UNESCO World Heritage status. In between quaint market towns, the Cumbria Way leads past the peaceful depths of Coniston Water and Derwentwater lakes, as well as the superb Tarn Hows, set in picturesque wooded hills. Get there by train, bus or car.
> Find all trips in the English Lake District
Hey, it involves a flight for your return journey, but those travellers based in the UK can board this Antarctic cruise journey directly from the island. Drive or train to Edinburgh and start your voyage from the Scottish Isles to the High Arctic. From here, sail north to the historic Orkneys and on to the lush and craggy Faroe Islands and via Jan Mayen Island, whales, dolphins and a birdwatchers‘ paradise we reach the incredible landscape of Svalbard. Spot polar bear and walrus, plus enjoy tundra hikes and multiple zodiac landings.
> Find trip details
To get more ideas for flight-free holidays in the UK or Europe, please contact our friendly team of travel experts with your queries and they'll be pleased to assist you in your trip planning.
Where will you take your no-fly holiday to Europe or the UK this year? How are you getting there? Tell us in the comments section below!