Are you afraid of flying? Visit these destinations by car or train

Let's face it, nobody likes turbulence. Even though we know that aeroplanes are the safest form of transport in the world, few people feel deeply relaxed while travelling by plane. And since we don't want you to miss out on seeing the world just because you want to avoid aeroplanes, here are some solutions to increase your range of trips without taking your feet off the ground.

Train journeys: bit by bit

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Who doesn't love a good train journey? Europe is right next door and you can explore it from one end to the other from the comfort of a train carriage. The railways throughout Europe offer you the chance to visit 33 countries and spend your holidays collecting stamps from new places you've discovered. 

There are many ways to buy an interrail pass and spend days and days crossing borders and collecting memories. 

Nice

Baguettes and wine from the Bordeaux region are irresistable. The most visited country in the world is obviously on our list of destinations to visit without having to fly, the TGV is very fast and in fact it's not that far away! A train journey from Lisbon to Nice in the south of France takes little more than a day and is well worth it.

The romance of Nice leaves no-one indifferent and the Cote d'Azur area, known as the French Riviera, is worthy of special attention. From Montpellier to Nice there are trains that stop at every station and give you the chance to explore this rich and unique area. Not to mention the trip to Italy, which is right next door, where you can have a real pizza for lunch or start with spaghetti Bolognese. 

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Cinque Terre

Since we've entered the country of the Roman Empire, it's definitely a must to go to the beaches of the Cinque Terre (five lands). A group of five century-old villas located on the Italian Riviera. Colourful houses cover the hillside and make the landscape rustic and original. You'll find granite churches by the sea, hilltop viewpoints and trails to explore on foot.

And don't forget, you can't go to Italy without trying pesto (originally from the Liguria region), it's a must! You have a train that will take you to each of the five lands and on which you can transfer and catch another to a major Italian city (Pisa, Florence, Turin... the Italian sky is the limit). It's a trip worth taking and you can feel the Italian energy, which overflows with joy and enthusiasm.

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Vienna, Austria

Ah, Austrian culture... an undoubtedly culturally rich country. Vienna, its capital, has an extensive artistic and intellectual legacy and is a great choice of holiday destination. And the good news: you can go by train!

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The journey from Portugal to Austria takes no less than 42 hours. You have to change trains eight times, but that actually makes the journey a lot more fun. You go to one destination and end up meeting many others along the way, something that doesn't happen when you fly.

Budapest

The best night out in Europe! If you're looking for fun, Budapest is the holiday destination for you. Spa during the day, party at night. Budapest has the benefit of being a city that is close to other capitals, such as Vienna and Bratislava.

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While you're there, you can always catch a bus and extend the journey to the two neighbouring countries. The Buda and Pest areas have a whole host of special places to visit, from the bridges that run along the Danube, the famous Margaret Island in the middle and the parliament by the river.

Travelling by car: on the roads of Portugal and beyond

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Car journeys have a lot to offer and are a great option for visiting incredible destinations. You have all the freedom in the world to change your route whenever you want, go at your own pace and bring as much luggage as you need (without carrying the whole house on your back) and add memories along the way. Here are some destinations you can explore by car:

Spain: tapas, siesta and flamenco

Seville, Malaga, Madrid, Zaragoza, Barcelona... our siblings have beautiful cities and the whole of Spain is on the list of possible holiday destinations you can visit by car. You can make Seville your first stop for some great tapas, head south to Malaga for a dip in the Alboran Sea, continue on to Madrid and visit the Rastro market, then a siesta in Zaragoza and finish the route in Barcelona for a stroll along Las Ramblas and a visit to the Sagrada Familia. 

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Morocco: couscous, carpets and markets

It's a 13-hour drive from Lisbon to Fez. On the way you'll pass through Tangier and Rabat and get to know and feel the real Moroccan culture. Taste the couscous, be invaded by the smells and spices of the old Islamic world, get lost in the huge markets full of things, carpets and materials of all colours, the medinas and the seven gilded doors of the Royal Palace of Fez that are worthy of a postcard. Morocco has so much to offer and it's so close.

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Copenhagen: dark bread, bicycles and canals

It's a little further, yes, (almost 3000 kilometres from Lisbon to Copenhagen and a 30-hour direct journey) but nothing is impossible when travelling by car. To get to Copenhagen you have to take the ferry, which connects part of Germany and Denmark, and once the boat trip is over it's just a short hop to Copenhagen. You can try the typical Scandinavian dark bread - delicious, explore the canal and old Nyhavn harbour and visit Rosenborg Castle, among the thousand and one other things the capital has to offer.

Take a trip to Malmo, Sweden, which is less than an hour's drive from the centre of Copenhagen. Another country for the collection and more experiences waiting for you.

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Overland travel has never been easier and there are no more excuses for those who are afraid of high-flying transport to stay at home during the holidays.