Brilliant no-fly holidays in Europe
Far-flung destinations aren’t the only holidays that are fun and fabulous. Discover our edit of flight-free getaways, no airport required
The UK may be an island, but that doesn’t mean we always need a plane to venture beyond our fair shores. Thanks to an array of increasingly accessible links to France, Spain, and islands closer to home, you no longer have to visit an airport to enjoy a summer holiday. From getaways in the Isles of Scilly and Channel Islands, to trains and ferries offering easy access to our European neighbours, here are our favourite flight-free holidays to consider for your next break.
Loire Valley, France
How to get there: Eurostar from London King’s Cross to Paris Gare du Nord. Take the metro to Gare d’Austerlitz, from which you can reach the Loire Valley in less than 2 hours.
As Audrey Hepburn said in the 1954 film Sabrina, “Paris is always a good idea”. However, if it’s an idea you’ve already had once or twice, perhaps it’s best to venture further into the French countryside for your next no-fly trip. Approximately two hours from the capital is the Loire Valley: a haven for old-fashioned romantics which oozes French splendour and style. A former playground of France’s aristocratic elite – who retreated to their majestic châteaux here during the conflicts of the 14th and 15th centuries – what is most breathtaking is the architecture. History buffs can explore a cornucopia of châteaux to learn more about the country’s history, before rewarding themselves with a trip to some of the adjacent vineyards. Case in point, Domaine Fabien Duveau, Caves Ambacia, Cave de Vouvray and Domaine Thierry Cosme are famous for some of the best sauvignon blancs in all the land.
Where to stay: Hotel Château du Grand-Lucé
If you want to feel like you’re holidaying at the Palace of Versailles, the two Michelin Key Hotel Château du Grand-Lucé is the place for you. Dating back to the 18th century, when it was the home of Baron Jacques Pineau de Viennay, it’s home to 19 individually-designed suites, one of which is the breathtaking Baron Suite. Featuring soaring ceilings and a marble-clad bathroom with garden views, the pièce de résistance is the Salon Chinois, aptly named for the canvas covered walls painted in the Chinoiserie style by artist Jean-Baptiste Pillement, whose work can be found at the palace of Versailles and the Louvre. When you’re not marvelling at your room, enjoy the boutique spa, signature restaurant and bar, and make the most of the 80 acres of landscaped gardens thanks to the on-site boats and kayaks.
From £475 per night.
Isles of Scilly, UK
Images: Shutterstock
How to get there: The Scillonian ferry runs daily from Penzance in Cornwall.
A criminally underrated corner of the UK is the Isles of Scilly: a mild and gorgeous archipelago just 28 miles off the coast of Cornwall. Home to more than 140 islands, just five are inhabited: St Mary’s, Tresco, St Martin’s, Bryher and St Agnes. The summer is the best time to visit as the islands, and their nature trails, bloom into life under the seasonal sun, but those hardy enough to endure rain and wind will no doubt enjoy rural life here come winter. St Mary’s is the main hub, home to Hugh Town and its plethora of shops, cafes, local art galleries, and the main quay for day trips to other islands such as Tresco, which is just 20 minutes away. Whether you’re visiting the other islands or not, a day on the water is certainly worth it, as you’re practically guaranteed sightings of grey seals and puffins, with the latter being especially active from April until July.
Where to stay: Star Castle Hotel
Built in 1593 by Queen Elizabeth I, Star Castle was originally created to defend the Isles of Scilly following the Spanish Armada. Its unique eight-pointed structure – designed as a geometric star fort to eliminate blind spots for defending cannons – is still in place today, and, thanks to its prime position on Garrison Hill, commands magnificent views of the sea and isles in every direction. It was converted and opened as a hotel in 1933 – an occasion which was commemorated with a visit from the then-Prince of Wales, Edward VIII, who later abdicated the throne – and is now a four-star, family-run hotel.
Inside, pick from 38 bedrooms, relax at the indoor heated pool and sun deck, or explore four acres of secluded, sub-tropical gardens. Foodies can dine at two award-winning restaurants – the Castle Dining Room was the original officer’s messroom, while the Vine Restaurant is exclusively open for summer – and enjoy a bounty from the hotel’s garden, fresh fish caught daily by the owner Robert Francis, and meat and dairy from Cornwall. You won’t want to miss a nightcap in the Dungeon Bar which, as the name suggests, held some of the most notorious prisoners in the country more than 400 years ago. Whisky, anyone?
From £480 per night.
Île de Ré, France
How to get there: Ferry from Portsmouth to St Malo, then a four-hour drive.
Île de Ré – south of Nantes and just off the coast from La Rochelle in mid-western France – is a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its white-washed houses, salt-marshes, pristine beaches, and 17th-century fortifications. Nicknamed the ‘21st arrondissement of Paris’, this is where the French (and those in the know) holiday. Spanning just 30km in length, the main way to get around the island is via its network of criss-crossed cycle paths, which lead to the historic capital of Saint-Martin-de-Ré and quaint market towns of La Flotte and Ars-en-Ré. Loved by the cognoscenti, Île de Ré is where to get your fill of oysters, champagne, and French seaside life.
Where to stay: L’Hôtel de Toiras
Set in the picturesque Saint-Martin-de-Ré, L’Hôtel de Toiras is a meticulously restored 17th-century merchant's house with just 18 individually-designed rooms and suites. Having recently emerged from a renovation in partnership with designer Pierre-Yves Rochon, the hotel is sporting a new look across its lobby and seafood restaurant George’s – but we recommend bagging a table (and a glass of champagne) at the large, sun-dappled terrace, Clarisse, early to enjoy its views reaching out to the harbour. Enjoying the bottle? Head to the adjacent La Cave de Clarisse to purchase fine wines produced at the owners' vineyards in Saint-Emilion: Château Clarisse. Elsewhere, make the most of its pool, in-room spa treatment menu, and ask the team to point you in the direction of the best local beaches to discover the real draw of Île de Ré.
From £200 per night.
Lake District, UK
How to get there: Belmond Britannic Explorer, departing from and returning to London Victoria. Regional train routes are also available.
With 16 picturesque lakes and more than 100 soaring peaks, it’s no wonder the Lake District has served as inspiration for some of the nation’s most beloved literary heroes, most famously Romantic poet William Wordsworth and Beatrix Potter, whose farmhouse set the stage for some of her children’s books and can even be visited today. Named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2017, the area’s craggy hilltops and moody lakes are a magnet for more than 15 million people each year. The national park itself is divided into Central, Northern and Eastern Lakes, with the former home to England’s largest lake and bustling boat cruises, and the latter home to hiking routes such as Scafell Pike. Stop off in the main hubs of Windermere, Keswick, and Ullswater to refuel at pubs, restaurants and cafes.
Where to stay: Belmond Britannic Explorer
One of the most highly-anticipated launches in the world of luxury travel last year was Belmond’s Britannic Explorer: its first luxury sleeper train touring the rolling countryside of England and Wales. Of the 18 cabins, we recommend nabbing one of the three gorgeous Grand Suites – named Elder, Valerian and Juniper and designed to reflect the fauna and flora of the British countryside – which feature plush double beds, marble ensuites, and lounge areas with personal butler service. One complimentary spa treatment is standard for all guests and is administered in the Wellness Suite, which boasts a Wildsmith Skin treatment menu. You won’t go hungry, unsurprisingly, thanks to an array of menus curated by Michelin-starred chef Simon Rogan.
Three- and six-night journeys depart from London and venture through the landscapes of Cornwall, Wales and the Lake District. Optional off-train excursions have been designed to showcase each destination and, specifically for the latter, expect pitstops at Lingholm Estate – a Grade II-listed Victorian mansion where author Beatrix Potter holidayed – a farm-to-table lunch at Rogan's Cartmel Valley, clay pigeon shooting at Graythwaite Estate, or an exhilarating boat ride on Lake Windermere.
From £11,000 for a three-night itinerary.
San Sebastián, Spain
How to get there: Ferry from Plymouth to Santander, and then a three-hour drive.
San Sebastián is notoriously hard to get to if you don’t have a car – and is therefore the perfect choice for travellers keen to embark on a no-fly holiday. Situated on a peninsula in the Bay of Biscay, and set to the backdrop of the mountainous Basque Country, San Sebastián is undoubtedly a destination for foodies, boasting the highest concentration of Michelin stars per capita in the world (19 stars within a 25-kilometre radius, to be precise). Spend your days at La Concha Beach, a golden sandy crescent-shaped beach fringing the city, before venturing into the historic quarter of Parte Vieja. While it’s easy to dine on Michelin stars here, it would be remiss not to try the selection of laidback and vibrant pintxo bars which serve some of the best Spanish fare in the country.
Where to stay: Nobu Hotel San Sebastián
Nestled along La Concha Bay, Nobu Hotel San Sebastián is housed in the beautifully restored Vista Eder Palace, blending Japanese minimalism with local Belle Époque flair across just 20 elegantly appointed rooms and suites. While its rooftop infinity pool, sun terrace, and sweeping views of the Cantabiran sea are enough to impress, it wouldn’t be a Nobu hotel without delectable Japanese food – and there are few better places to enjoy signature dishes of black cod miso, yellowtail sashimi, and rock shrimp tempura than from the second-floor terrace which overlooks the bay. Its proximity to the beach and Parte Vieja only adds to its appeal.
From £340 per night.
Jersey, Channel Islands
How to get there: Ferry from Poole to St Helier.
The largest of the Channel Islands, nestled between England and France, Jersey is a self-governing dependency of the UK and, thanks to its unique geography, offers a unique blend of French and British culture. Famous for its sandy beaches, cliffside walks, verdant lavender fields, and historic fortifications, the capital of St Helier is the place to go shopping and dining, having transformed from a sleepy fishing village into the island’s main commercial and financial centre. Must-visit historic sights include the 16th-century Elizabeth Castle, which can be reached by foot at low tide or via boat, and the Jersey War Tunnels – a complex underground rabbit warren which was built during the German occupation of the island in the Second World War – as well as beaches, St Brelade’s Bay and Plémont Bay.
Where to stay: The Club Hotel and Spa
Just a short walk from the island’s picturesque south coast, and moments from St Helier, The Club Hotel and Spa is ideally located for summer walks along cliff paths, beaches and country lanes. Home to 46 elegant rooms and eight suites, highlights include the two pools, one heated indoor saltwater and the other seasonal and outdoor, a gorgeous sun deck, the Michelin-starred restaurant, Bohemia, which has held the accolade for 21 consecutive years, and the more casual Club Bar and Roof Terrace.
From £125 per night.
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