inexperienced couple

thebullsback

Hoping for guidance. my wife and i both have a fear of flying and i have a dread of ferries so our holidaying has been confined to UK outings.
WE would both like to venture out a bit and fancy some warm weather in a scenic part of Europe. 
We have looked at Passenger 61 site all about rail travel in Europe but looks a bit daunting. 
has anyone any suggestions for say a 7day break in a nice warm beautiful part of Europe accessible by Train from the UK
I know its a tall order but any help guidance would be much appreciated.
Thank you for reading 

Robin9

Look at the organised Rail Travel companies -  Rail Discoveries and Great Rail Journeys.   

Brie

Not sure you'll be able to get to the sunshine and back again this time of year if travelling by train.  European trains are wonderfully efficient but not that efficient!!

Eurostar to Brussells and other trains to other places nearby should be a dawdle.  But not warm.

I quite get the dread of ferries...I am not a sailor!

JGB1955

How about Nice? Google 'the man in seat 61'.

Just seen that you know about 61. Train travel in Europe is really easy and accessible. Go for it!  As a single 60+ year old I've travelled from Vienna to Bratislava, Hungary and other places with no problem.

twopenny

What time of year?
Northern France or Spain can be lovely and less crowded.
Madrid is supposed to be the sunshine city.
Have you considered for your first venture to use a coach to somewhere in Europe?
Some of the bigger companies do destinations rather than tours. Theyll take care of your luggage too.
Once you've been and had some experience you'll realise its not so daunting.
There a travel companies, use a high street one you can discuss with, that will book your rail travel for you then you just have to turn up on time.
You have time to investigate all the options mentioned if you want to avoid all the testing and restrictions.

Voyager2002

Your chances of warm weather are probably greater in Southern Spain or Portugal than anywhere else at the moment, and those parts of the world are definitely scenic. The Man in Seat 61 probably offers the best guide to the process of booking and getting hold of tickets, so I suggest that you follow his instructions in detail to get yourselves to Malaga in Spain. Probably this will involve a daytime ride on Eurostar from London to Paris; a couple of hours to get from one station to another in Paris; and an overnight train with a restaurant and bunk beds. From Malaga it is easy to to somewhere magical like Ronda, with dramatic scenery, good food and tons of atmosphere.

martindow

If you go to the south of France a good option is to take the Eurostar to Lille and connect with a train to Nice or wherever else you choose.  Going via Lille avoids crossing Paris from one station to another.  Its always better to travel on the top deck in France if is is a double-deck TGV.

Follow Seat 61's excellent and detailed advice as others have mentioned.  You will find it is very straightforward and much more pleasant than going by plane.

Archergirl

I would be inclined to take a coach holiday for the first time.

zagfles

Travelling by train in Europe is easy, probably easier than the UK! And in western Europe quick, about 2.5h London to Paris and then from Paris you can get eg to Barcelona in 7 hours, or further on a sleeper.

But don't really think it's worth going too far for just a week.

Emmia

Archergirl said:

I would be inclined to take a coach holiday for the first time.

On a coach with other people (you may or may not like) in a confined space, and a potentially fixed itinerary? Personally, I'd rather organise the trip myself and not be fixed into a regimen organised by someone else... 

MalMonroe

Emmia said:

Archergirl said:

I would be inclined to take a coach holiday for the first time.

On a coach with other people (you may or may not like) in a confined space, and a potentially fixed itinerary? Personally, I'd rather organise the trip myself and not be fixed into a regimen organised by someone else... 

Also there's still the danger of coronavirus, although many seem to be fed up with it now. It's still killing people though and being in a coach for long periods could literally be the death of you.

My sister in law isn't vaccinated at all (hates needles and won't consider it) and she enjoys coach holidays. Would she be allowed to go though? I don't know but until things have eased a lot I wouldn't go by coach. I'd rather drive myself. 

Just be careful out there. And do ensure that you do testing or whatever you need to do, wherever you go!

Apart from all that, have fun and good luck!      And wear face coverings?