RAIL AND SAIL- A DIFFERENT WAY TO TRAVEL

There are many people who have a deep seated, abiding fear or flying, a fear so firmly rooted in them that they will simply refuse to travel by air at all. And we are also seeing a slowly rising number of people who are simply so disillusioned with the entire experience of modern airports and decreasing standards of in flight service, played out against a backdrop of increasingly upward ratcheted flight prices, that flying becomes anathema to them altogether.

Luckily, there is an alternative for those people still wanting to take a cruise embarking in one of those sun splashed Mediterranean embarkation ports. Barcelona, Genoa, Marseilles and even Rome can be comfortably achieved by an overnight train journey from London, with a return journey at the conclusion of your cruise.

Consider it; for a cruise from Barcelona, you board a fast, comfortable RENFE train from St. Pancras. Your luggage is safely stowed, there is a restaurant car, and you can book a comfortable bed in a two or four berth compartment. By breakfast time the next day you are beyond the Pyrenees, skirting the Mediterranean coast line, before eventually arriving at Barcelona. 

Something similar applies to cruises originating from Marseilles. There is a direct TGV service from St. Pancras, though it might not always be an overnight journey, For Rome sailings, you can travel by train overnight and maybe spend a day or two, pre cruise, in that great capital of empire. On embarkation day, you take the simple, hour long train ride from Rome Termini to the port of Civitavecchia. It's easy, fast, reliable and safe.

Naturally, there are potential downsides that you'll want to give some consideration to. For a start, you'll often need to add three full days and two nights to any potential trip.And, if you're travelling from outside of London, then your outward and return rail or car travel will also have an impact. It is also possible that you might have to book an overnight stay in London as well. All of this can adversely affect your travel plans.

On the other hand, chances are that you will arrive at your embarkation port relaxed and fed after a good night's sleep, rather than frazzled and hassled after an early morning flight. Maybe take in an overnight show in London first, and start your trip in truly fine style. And haven't you always wanted to see the Tower of London?

Whatever you choose, I hope this blog has maybe given you at least an alternative take on getting to and from the continent Happy travelling.