My Flight Free Adventure Across Spain & France

I'm back after an epic six-week flight-free adventure across France and Spain. I arrived back at London St Pancras International station with my suitcase and backpack (yup, that's right - two sets of luggage. I tried so hard to condense my belongings but it just didn't work) on Wednesday evening, and remained on cloud nine for quite a few days. Not surprising given there was a local literary festival on my doorstep, fireworks to celebrate the jubilee, friends to catch up with and dancing at Mighty Hoopla festival, which is always a giant ball of fun.

And now, well, the post-holiday blues have definitely hit. Maybe that's why I spent part of this morning checking out how to reach Georgia and Egypt without flying. Seat61.com is one of my favourite travel websites. I can (and do) spend hours on there. 

Anyhow, this is the breakdown of the trip: London > Bordeaux > San Sebastián > Burgos > Seville > Tarifa > Granada > Alpujarras > Madrid > Sitges/Barcelona > Cadasques > Narbonne > Toulouse > Paris > London.

Like I shared on this LinkedIn post, the days were filled with magical experiences. I met so many new people. I hiked. Lost multiple pairs of sunglasses (hence why I always buy them from charity shops!). Heaved those bags onto multiple buses and up hundreds of steps. I worked from trains. Sunbathed in glorious coves. It felt like forever. Time slowed.

It's cemented a greater desire to travel more. To pack my bags and move abroad. And to do so sustainably. Forget heavy carbon-emitting planes. Travelling by train to many parts of Europe at least is pretty easy and accessible to most. And more of an adventure.

Now to reflect before plotting the next trip (or move if I can bag a visa) in the autumn. It's so much harder now that we're out of the EU. Grrrr.

I did work along the way (and rented out my place) but decided to reduce my hours to make it work – I didn't want to travel and then not properly see places.

While I re-adjust, please let me know what you'd like to see me cover in future newsletters.

I look forward to bringing you more journalist and PR-related tips soon.

Thanks

Susie