With the chaos at airports widely circulating across the media over the past month or so, it’s no surprise that those who are looking to get their fix of international travels after such a long break are seeking out other ways to satiate their needs to avoid cancellations and disappointment. And they are in luck as there are plenty of ways to holiday from the UK without having to rely on an aeroplanes to get you there.
From trains to ferries, cars, cruise ships and more, we don’t need a plane to transport us to our luxury holiday destinations this year, and for those who suffer with aerophobia, this will surely be music to your ears. So, sit back, relax and read on for a great selection of holidays you can take this year that leave the stresses of airports and flight chaos behind. Where will you be heading?
A city break to Paris
Being so close to the delights of the French capital, it makes perfect sense to start this list with a city break to the culturally rich city of Paris. Thanks to the Eurostar, trains from London take as little as two hours and 16 minutes, so you could be gazing at the Mona Lisa or dining on some classic French dishes in no time. Check out OMIO for more information on trains and trips to this wondrous city.
Bountiful Belgium
Arrive in Belgium’s capital city of Brussels in under two hours by Eurostar and get ready to enjoy the resplendent architectural landmarks; the highlight of which is Grand Place, the cobblestone square with its spired 15th century city hall. Cafés, chocolate shops and quirky sights will delight in both Brussels and Bruges – a visit to this medieval city and its Markt square and canal trips is a must.
Foodie northern Spain
From the south coast of the UK, you can hop on a ferry enjoy a short cruise to Spain, with the Plymouth to Santander crossing being the shortest incorporating one overnight stay. Take your car with you and explore the delightful Bilbao and Donostia-San Sebastian, the latter of which is famed for its fantastic Basque cuisine served within its array of Michelin-starred restaurants and stunning scenery.
Northwest France
Head to France on foot or with your car by ferry enjoy the delights of Brittany and the surrounding area from Plymouth, Portsmouth and Poole. Great food, an interesting history, megaliths and more can be found here. St Malo, Brest, Dinan and Rennes are all worth visiting, while the tidal island of Mont-Saint-Michel sits close by and is certainly worth discovering on your trip.
The cultural heart of Holland
For those who love a museum or two, Amsterdam has to be one of the most inviting cities to visit, and it’s not just the selection of art, artefacts and informative hubs that visitors enjoy while travelling here as the city holds quite the array of activities for all to enjoy. Take the ferry from Newcastle to Ijmuiden and then make the short trip to the city or hop on the Eurostar from London and reach it under four hours.
The Channel Islands
Beautiful beaches, great food, historic castles and a winning blend of English and French influence, the Channel Islands should be on everyone’s travel list. Jersey is the largest at nine miles at its widest and is famed for its beaches, cliff trails, war tunnels and award-winning restaurants, while Guernsey’s beach resorts and notable sights including Castle Cornet are surely worth travelling for. Ferries from Poole and Portsmouth take you to the islands in a little as four hours.
Sunny southern France
If you fancy hitting up the like of Cannes, St Tropez, Monaco or Nice, then you could extend your Paris trip and head south on a direct train from the capital. In just over six hours from Paris you could be lounging by the pool, sipping on a cocktail before hitting the local boutiques and beautiful beaches.
Republic of Ireland
Castles, literary greats, stunning scenery and so much more makes this country worth visiting this year. If you’re travelling from Northern Ireland, you can of course drive across the border but from anywhere else in the UK, a ferry is your option. Fishguard in Wales to Rosslare takes two-and-a-half hours while Liverpool to Dublin takes eight and Scotland takes two hours 20 to Belfast with the option of an onward rail ticket (SailRail) to Dublin.
Cruises – anywhere!
The port of Southampton is the largest cruise port in the UK and offers up an impressive amount of options when it comes to planning your perfect luxury cruising holiday. Whether it’s the Baltics, Norway, the Mediterranean a trans-Atlantic cruise or other that interests you, you can be sure that an incredible experience awaits on board the range of lavish cruise liners that depart from here.
