Top 10 flight free vacations

Our best flight free vacations allow you to really explore Europe, Asia and Africa rather than whizzing over the top of them. Yes, you can fly to the start point of each trip if you want to. However, with the help of our vacation partners, we’ll give you every opportunity to ditch the plane and travel by train, bus and boat instead. From long-distance train travel to luxurious cruises, this is where we can start to free ourselves from flying. Keep reading to discover our top 10 flight free vacations.
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1. Kayaking in Sweden

Composed of some 6,000 islands, Sweden’s Saint Anna Archipelago is on the east coast, less than two hours by train from the capital, Stockholm (which can also easily be reached by rail, by the way). Wild camping is permitted on the islands so you’ll carry tents with you, and some of them are inhabited too so you’ll call in on small fishing villages to stock up on food. Both guided and self-guided kayaking tours are available around the archipelago, and because there are so many islands the sea is nice and calm.

2. Cruising in Croatia

With the help of our flight free Croatia specialists, you can travel overland to Split before swapping road and rail for the comfort and luxury of a small cruise ship. It’s lots of travel, followed by lots of relaxation. From Split, you’ll embark on a week of cruising as you sail between the Adriatic islands of Bol, Hvar, Korcula and Mljet before finally docking at Dubrovnik. Experiencing Croatia’s coastline by small ship (40 passengers maximum) allows you to anchor at lesser-known seaside towns that larger vessels rarely reach. You’ll also have plenty of chances to enjoy island restaurants and family-run café-kitchens without the scrum for tables.

Our top trips: Southern Croatia cruise in comfort and Split to Dubrovnik luxury cruise
All our trips: Croatia small ship cruises
Read more: Croatia cruising travel guide

3. Walking in southern Italy

Traveling overland to Naples in Italy is just the start of the adventure before you swap rail for your own two feet and set off on a walking vacation overlooking the Amalfi Coast. This is an opportunity to spend time in the lesser-known village of Bomerano as you explore around the Agerola Plain and take in Mediterranean vistas and undulating hillside tracks. You can also travel by bus to the Bay of Naples, hike to Ravello and set sail to the cosmopolitan island of Capri.

Our top trip: Amalfi Coast walking vacation
All our trips: Italy walking vacations
Read more: Amalfi Coast travel guide

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4. London to Morocco by rail

A unique opportunity to travel from London to Morocco via train, and a short ferry across the Straits of Gibraltar, with an overnight in the Catalan capital of Barcelona. One of the highlights of this trip is actually your arrival into Tangier, when the sights, sounds and smells of north Africa assault the senses in direct contrast to those of Europe just an hour in the past, a sensation you don’t get when you fly into an airport. And as this is a tailor made tour, you can of course extend your stay in Barcelona, and continue your explorations in Morocco and even beyond according to your time and interests.

5. Yoga vacations in Spain

Traveling to Alicante in south-east Spain can be a real experience, especially if you’ve tackled the trip on overnight trains and sleeper buses. And there’s only one type of vacation that’s going to ease you out of any aches and pains: a yoga retreat. Flight free yoga vacations in Spain give you the freedom to explore overland before inviting you to explore your mind, body and soul in sublime Spanish sunshine. The combination of daily yoga and meditation classes combined with healthy eating and mountain air is ideal for slow travel lovers.

Our top trip: Yoga retreat in Valencia
All our trips: Wellness vacations in Spain
Read more: Valencia travel guide

6. Family adventure in the French Alps

Traveling overland to the French Alps might not be everyone’s ideal start to a family vacation in France. However, if you’ve got kids who are keen to have an adventure, then this is an exciting start to a week of outdoor activities. From wild swimming and high ropes courses to rock climbing and a two-day hike into the mountains – this is how you keep the family entertained in France without flying.

Our top trip: Family adventure vacation to France
All our trips: France family vacations
Read more: France family travel guide

7. Cross country skiing & snowshoeing in Italy

Winter vacations in Italy don’t have to start and end at the ski slopes. You also don’t have to fly here – you can arrive by rail or a combination of rail and road. Cross country skiing and snowshoeing have little impact on the environment and allow you to explore snow-covered areas that the ski buses can’t reach. Discover the alpine village of Dobbiaco, as well as the snowshoe and cross country ski trails of the Dolomites. The pizza, pasta and hot chocolate are out of this world.

8. Exploring Portugal's iconic Fishermen's Trail

Walking trips are some of the most low carbon vacations it’s possible to take, especially when you’re able to get to your destination without a flight. When you walk a stretch of the iconic long distance Fishermen’s Trail through Portugal’s Alentejo and Algarve regions, you can do just that. You’ll be given full details of how to reach Lisbon from a European city starting point of your choice, and information too on how to reach the starting point of this dramatic coastal walk from Lisbon by express bus.

Our top trip: Rota Vicentina Fishermen’s Trail walking vacation in Portugal
All our trips: Portugal walking vacations
Read more: Portugal walking travel guide

9. Around the world without flying

An epic tribute to Phineas Fogg, this 11-week adventure replaces the steam ships and hot air balloons of Jules Verne’s novel with comfortable long-distance trains and modern cargo ships. The trip can broadly be split into three parts: London to Central Asia and the legendary cities of the Silk Road, by train; China; and after a two-week crossing of the Pacific, a journey around North America, after which you sail back to the UK across the Atlantic.

Our top trip: Around the world vacation without flying
All our trips: Flight-free vacations

10. Balkans tour

Traveling overland to Tirana is just the start of this flight free tour of the Balkans. From the Albanian capital, you can drive north to Kosovo before heading south to Albania via Macedonia. Traveling by road is the best way to experience every lump and bump of the Balkans – in some cases, quite literally. You’ll learn about the history of the region and visit some of Europe’s lesser-known treasures, including Rozafa Castle, Peja monastery and Et’hem Bey Mosque. You’ll also cross Koman Lake by boat, tour vineyards in Rahovec on foot, and follow the Radika River as it meanders past Macedonia’s most important ecclesiastical architecture.

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Written by Chris Owen
Photo credits: [Page banner: Kevin Schmid] [1. Kayaking in Sweden: The Dumfries Dynamo] [4. London to Morocco by rail: CALIN STAN] [7. Cross country skiing & snowshoeing in Italy: Giorgio Montersino] [10. Balkans tour: Ervo Rocks]
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