The most amazing no-fly holidays
Not a fan of flying? Want to travel greener? Or simply looking for a different kind of journey on your next escape? No-fly holidays are worth considering if you've always wondered what it's like to visit Europe by rail, road or sea.
No-fly holidays are great if you're looking to reduce your carbon footprint, with sustainable travel options that beat long-haul flights.
Travelling by boat or train rather than flying also allows you to take in the scenery at a more relaxed pace, so the journey becomes part of the experience, rather than just an inconvenience.
The good news is that there's a great variety of no-fly holidays available for those who want avoid air travel this year, and we’ve rounded up some of the best of them here.
If you fancy a short and convenient break in the UK, there are plenty of great holidays to choose from. Maybe you'll be tempted by a break in the beautiful Northumberland countryside, with its grand stately homes, quiet cobbled streets and pristine dark skies? Or maybe you'd like a crafty staycation at a country house in the spectacular Peak District or the pretty Cotswolds?
There's no need to limit yourself to UK destinations for a no-fly holiday though. Thanks to the Eurostar and Europe's high-speed railways, there are plenty of fabulous European destinations you can reach without flying. You could travel by train through the snowcapped peaks of the Swiss Alps on the historic Glacier Express, or visit Monet's famous gardens in Giverny.
This is just a small selection of the exciting holidays available without the hassle of flying.
So, if you've always wondered what it's like to visit the UK or Europe without the flight, we've rounded up some of our favourites below to inspire you...
Ride the magical Glacier Express in Switzerland
Hop on the Eurostar before taking the high-speed train to Interlaken in Switzerland for the winter no-fly holiday of dreams. Staying in a hotel with character close to the emerald waters of Lake Thun, you'll be in a great position to get to know the Swiss Alps.
The iconic Glacier Express is the perfect way to do this and will take you to wintry scenes through beautiful forests and over amazing bridges as you enjoy a delicious three-course lunch. You'll also have time to visit the Swiss capital Bern and its UNESCO-listed medieval old town, as well as the charming town of Thun with its historic old town, castle and tranquil lake.
Study the starry skies above Northumberland
Northumberland is not only a county of exceptionally beautiful landscapes — from wild, sweeping coastlines to rolling, castle-studded hills — but it also boasts some of the most pristine dark skies in the whole of England. The region's extremely low levels of light pollution make it one of the best places in the country to discover the night sky and go stargazing.
Join Prima for a stargazing holiday in Northumberland and you'll learn all about the fabulous sights in the skies from an expert astronomer, Richard Darn. Richard is part of the team that gained International Dark Sky Reserve status for the Northumberland Dark Sky Park, so there's really no better guide for this trip. You'll visit two observatories and enjoy illuminating talks, workshops and demonstrations with experts.
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Learn about the nature and wildlife of the Isles of Scilly
Some of the most idyllic beaches in the UK can be found in the Isles of Scilly. In fact, they're often compared to the beches of the caribbean, with their powder-soft white sands and turquoise waters. And the good news is these beautiful shores are easily reachable by boat from Cornwall.
Join Prima on a no-fly holiday to the Isles of Scilly, catching the ferry from Penzance in Cornwall to the peaceful isle of St Mary's. You'll visit the famous, sub-tropical Tresco Abbey Garden and meet the head of the Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust, Julian Branscombe, who'll give a talk on Isles' native wildlife, which includes porpoises, dolphins, seals, and many species of birds.
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See the chateaux of the Loire Valley and explore Monet's garden
The Loire Valley is known as the 'Garden of France' and is one of the country's most delightful rural regions, with fruit orchards, vineyards, pretty parks and manicured gardens dotting the hills. It's also famous for its stately chateaux, including Chateau Chenonceau, once home to Mary Queen of Scots, and Chateau Amboise, the 15th-century residence of King Charles VIII.
And the good news is, the Loire Valley is easily reachable by train. On Prima's seven-day tour of the Loire Valley, you'll take the Eurostar from London St Pancras and then connecting rail from Paris to Vernon. Once there, you'll enjoy visits to several magnificent chateaux, and even take a day trip to nearby Giverny and see the garden that inspired Claude Monet.
Explore captivating Carcassonne and the Dordogne
Of course, there are more glorious regions of France which are easy to get to by train. The Dordogne, just south of the Loire Valley, is another idyllic rural region packed with medieval villages, sprawling palace gardens and historic walled cities. A highlight is the incredible stone-age cave paintings of Lascaux, a UNESCO World Heritage Site near the village of Montignac.
You can visit Lascaux and other highlights of the Dordogne with Prima's eight-day tour, which will also take you to the incredible walled city of Carcassonne. This exceptional citadel is like something out of a fairytale with its cone-topped turrets and cream-coloured battlements.
Island-hop in the wild and wonderful Hebrides
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Explore Scotland's Highlands by steam with Carol Kirkwood
There are some truly cinematic landscapes to discover right here in the UK, and perhaps none more breathtaking than the Highlands of Scotland. Here you’ll find glistening waters, wild landscapes, towering castles, and majestic flora and fauna. A brilliant way to explore this part of the country is by heritage railway, as you glide along the banks of tranquil waterways and steam past towering mountains and ancient ruins.
On a trip to the Highlands with Prima you’ll travel on the famous Jacobite steam train, passing over the spectacular 21-arch Glenfinnan viaduct, seen in the Harry Potter films. You’ll be joined for part of the trip by proud Scotswoman and weather presenter Carol Kirkwood, who'll host a private talk and Q&A session.
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