Alps2Coast
The gift of sustainable travel
I first considereded flightless when I realised that some of the medieval cathedrals and castles I wanted to visit in Germany where not very close to an airport. In order to get there, I would have had to rent a car, so why not drive my own? When I got there, I found incredible monuments in locations not completely taken over by mass tourism, even at the peak of high season. I also realised that most of the cities and even villages I was travelling to had a train station, so I could have visited by train too. That was a lightbulb moment...
My lightbulb moment
Most cities have a train station. Not every city has an airport. By organising our holidays around an airport, we actually miss out. We all end up visiting the same places, rubbing shoulders with the neighbours or colleagues we jetted off to forget, supporting chains rather than local economies, and exasperating the residents priced out of their own cities.
On a train or road trip, we could still go to Venice or Barcelona, but instead of blowing most of our hard-earned cash on an overpriced hotel there, we could take it easy, and spend more on the journey.
Train connections are natural stops that often gift us with unexpected treasures - places just as interesting but less crowded, where we could have a more authentic time hosted and dined by residents actually glad to put up with us!​ Sometimes even the stations themselves are works of art. When the train doors open in Antwerp or Toledo you are immediately plunged in the beauty and history of your destination.
Travel actions, travel choices
Catching a train, or embarking on a road trip - a single travel action allows us to discover so many unexpected corners of the country you have visited. That single travel action is also a meaningful personal step we take towards protecting the planet, its climate, and its community.
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Next time you plan a holiday and work out transport options, include EcoPassenger in your decision making. It will show you, instantly, the difference that a single travel action can make.​
After that lightbulb moment, I have not looked back. I still fly occasionally, if I have too -for work, emergencies, and when I have no other option, such as for seeing family in other continents. But when it comes to my free time, my well-deserved travel time, I know that nothing will be as rewarding as the train or the road.
I follow with passion the development of a movement towards sustainable tourism, towards an idea of conscious travel - gentle to the environment, the monuments, and the people.
Flightless travel is conscious travel
Occasionally, instead of providing flightless destination and travel tips, my blog posts will reflect on this topic. I believe it is important that we all become more aware of the impact of our actions and our needs as humans on earth.
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I will also share updates on initiatives to support and grow sustainable travel, from new routes opening to the introduction of legislation to protect Europe and the planet.
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If you agree with the content of these posts, please do share them. The more people join this revolution, the more people really do to travel consciously, not matter what their travel budget is, the sooner we can come to a point where travelling protects rather than harms the planet.