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Top 10 flight free holidays

Our best flight free holidays give travellers the chance to do just that: travel without flying. No more waiting around in air-conditioned airports – this is where we reignite that overland (and over sea) travelling bug as you find out how to roam by rail, road and water. Read our top 10 flight free holidays for more.

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Top 10 flight free holidays

Our best flight free holidays 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 holiday 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 holidays.

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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.

Our top trip: Sweden kayaking short break
All our trips: Sea kayaking holidays
Read more: Sea kayaking travel guide

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

Travelling 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 holiday 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 holiday
All our trips: Italy walking holidays
Read more: Amalfi Coast travel guide

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4. Scotland by rail

The West Highland Line, the Kyle Line, the Far North Line: reminiscent of its own flag, Scotland is criss-crossed by railways, and some of them offer absolutely iconic scenery out of their rattling windows. The highlight is the Jacobite Express, a historic train that belches plumes of steam as it billows across the Glenfinnan Viaduct to Mallaig. Combine whizzing scenery with moments of peace and quiet – in family run guest houses, over local seafood dinners.

Our top trip: Grand rail tour of Scotland
All our trips: Scotland railway tours
Read more: Scotland railway travel guide

5. Yoga holidays in Spain

Travelling 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 holiday that’s going to ease you out of any aches and pains: a yoga retreat. Flight free yoga holidays 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 holidays in Spain
Read more: Valencia travel guide

6. Family adventure in the French Alps

Travelling overland to the French Alps might not be everyone’s ideal start to a family holiday 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 holiday to France
All our trips: France family holidays
Read more: France family travel guide

7. Cross country skiing & snowshoeing in Italy

Winter holidays 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.

Our top trip: Cross country skiing holiday in the Dolomites
All our trips: Dolomites holidays
Read more: Dolomites travel guide

8. Exploring Portugal's iconic Fishermen's Trail

Walking trips are some of the most low carbon holidays 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: Self guided Rota Vicentina walking holiday
All our trips: Portugal walking holidays
Read more: Portugal walking travel guide

9. Cycling, cider and calvados in Normandy

If you want to eat dinner like a true Norman, you need to partake in the “Trou Normand”, which is the practice of downing a glass of Calvados (dangerously delicious apple brandy) between each course of your meal. But if you want to continue with your cycling holiday afterwards, best proceed with caution, otherwise you’ll miss out on the fabulous, historic Normandy coastline, and the lovely towns of Cabourg and Honfleur.

Our top trip: Normandy cycling holiday Bayeux and beaches
All our trips: Normandy holidays
Read more: France cycling travel guide

10. Balkans tour

Travelling 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. Travelling 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.

Our top trip: Albania, Kosovo and Macedonia holiday
All our trips: Balkans holidays Read more: Balkans travel guide