When you’re planning a holiday in an unfamiliar country, and you’d like to visit many different parts of it, then your first instinct might be to hire a car.
A good road trip can be hugely fulfilling and convenient. But in many cases, it’s not the best option available. Certain routes will expose you to natural beauty, culture and history that would otherwise be overlooked. And these are often the ones that involve rail, cycling, or even walking.
Let’s take a look at each of these alternative modes of transport, and consider what they have to offer.
Discover a Destination on Foot
If you want to be truly immersed in a destination, then you’ll need to walk through it. Walking holidays will expose you to natural vistas, viewpoints, and tiny remote communities. What’s more, you’ll get a sense of distance from the noise and bustle of the big cities. Given the benefits of walking when it comes to both physical and mental health, it’s an easy activity to recommend when we’re talking about going on holiday.
Make the Journey Part of the Trip With Rail Travel
One of the major advantages of travelling via train is the view that you’ll get from the carriage window. Rather than being confronted with endless stretches of tarmac, you’ll be able to see the rolling countryside.
Of course, this is something that certain routes do more effectively than others. You might consider, for example, the Venice-Simplon Orient Express, which offers much of the same luxury and fine dining that its namesake did.
Before you book a ticket, you’ll want to consider the facilities and comfort that your chosen service might provide. In some cases, you might find this on a par with a high-end hotel. The train ride, in other words, might be more than a simple means of travelling from one point to the next.
Explore at Your Own Pace by Bike
Cycling can be thought of as an alternative to walking. It’s something that you’ll be able to do in a number of countries throughout Europe, thanks to a well-developed infrastructure and cycling culture. You might use a bike to navigate the vineyards of southern France, or the cobblestone streets of central Amsterdam.
You’ll tend to be able to cover more ground than you would on foot, which means that you’ll be able to see more on any given day. Just be sure that your chosen route is suited to your level of cycling experience.
Embrace Local Transport and Slower Travel
Of course, there are a number of alternative ways of getting around, which in many European countries might actually be considered a default. You might be able to take your bicycle on a ferry, tram, or bus, and explore your surroundings as a local does!
- Bex Smith
- Bex Smith