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 also a great way to reduce your carbon footprint as sustainability becomes more and more important to us.
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 a more memorable part of the trip.
The good news is that there's a great variety of no-fly holidays available for those who want to keep their feet on the ground, and we’ve rounded up some of the best of them below.
If you fancy taking a shorter journey and staying in the UK, there are plenty of options to choose from. How about 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 flight-free trip though. If you’re itching to go further afield, you could travel by train to wooded hills of France's Loire Valley, or cruise around Holland with Ground Force's Charlie Dimmock to see its fabulous gardens in full bloom.
These are just a few 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, you're in for a treat.
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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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.
Enjoy the spectacular sight of Holland's gardens in bloom
We can't think of a more beautiful place to visit in spring than the Netherlands, where you can witness epic tulip displays up and down the country, and soak up the Dutch culture on a wonderful mini-break. At this time of year, the country will be in full bloom, and its many famous gardens and parks will be carpeted with bright tulips.
Join Prima on a special cruise of The Netherlands on the small, luxury ship Balmoral. This cruise includes a visit to the world-renowned Keukenhof Gardens, where more than seven million bulbs are planted each year across 80 acres. You'll also enjoy very special talk and Q&A with TV gardener Charlie Dimmock, as well as a cocktail masterclass with bar owner and TV bartender Merlin Griffiths.
Taste your way around Bordeaux and meet a top chef
With spectacular scenery and good weather throughout the year, Bordeaux and its surrounding countryside is one of the best French regions for any lover of good wine and food to explore. It’s easy to reach by train too. Take the Eurostar from London to Paris Gare du Nord, where you’ll connect to Gare Montparnasse to continue on to Bordeaux.
You can join charismatic TV chef Tom Kerridge on an exceptional cruise through France’s Bordeaux region with plenty of chances to savour delicious wines from the region's stately vineyards. As you sail on board the swish S.S Bon Voyage, you’ll be treated to delicious French food with wine pairings and a cooking demo with Tom.
Capture the beauty of the Peak District on paper
The Peak District is a magnet for artists. This national park at the tail end of the Pennines is known for its dramatic, heather-clad moors, wooded valleys, and intriguing rock formations. It's the perfect location for a creative staycation, where you can try to capture the beauty of these dramatic landscapes in your art.
If you need a bit of help getting started, join Prima's four-night Peak District drawing holiday. The getaway is specially-designed for those looking to take up drawing as a hobby and you'll enjoy several workshops with tutor Alison Carr, an artist with experience in multiple mediums. Over three full days of workshops, Alison's aim will be to help you capture the beauty of the Peak District in your drawing.
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Dance the night away with your favourite DJs on a cruise to Hamburg and Amsterdam
If you're keen to try a European cruise as an alternative to flying, but are looking for something a little different, how about a cruise with a whole host of celebrity guests? Any pop music fans will be thrilled to hear about a very special sailing with some familiar faces (or voices) from Greatest Hits Radio.
You'll set sail from London Tilbury for Hamburg and Amsterdam on the stylish ship Ambience, where you'll be joined by Ken Bruce, Martin Kemp, Jenny Powell, and Kate Thornton for exclusive DJ sets and a special edition of Ken's PopMasters music quiz. In Amsterdam and Hamburg you'll have free time to explore these culture-packed cities at your own pace.
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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