Our Expert Opinion on the Best Ways to Travel
Variety is the spice of...travel
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There are many ways to skin a cat (an absolutely abhorrent phrase we didn’t imagine using today – but there you are). And travel is just like a cat that needs to be skinned…or something. Sorry, we’ll move away from that metaphor for now. The point is, there are many ways to travel, whether you’re on Earth, wind or fire. Wait, that last one doesn’t sound right. Don’t travel on fire. However, you can travel on water, in the air, or on the ground, and we’ll be looking at the different ways to move from your house to one of our hand-picked Plum Guide homes in top destinations. While we’re at it, we’ll consider the effects on the environment and your wallet. And by the way, if your trip is cancelled for reasons related to Covid, here is information on how you can get a full refund. But for now, here are our ways to travel.
Travel by car if you're not going far
So, you’re not going to be driving from London to Sydney by car. You probably could, with a mix of ferries and what-not, but the journey would take so long that you’d have time to raise a family, before future generations of your family make it to Australia and erect a statue in your honour. But if you happen to be living in London, as many of our readers are, then you might enjoy a pleasant trip to Cornwall. By driving, you get to see more of the countryside as you go, and you could stop off in Somerset or Devon on the way. You can even see such iconic sights as the Roman Baths and the Cheddar Gorge & Caves. Alternatively, from New York City, you could enjoy a pleasant 100-mile drive east to some of our deluxe homes in The Hamptons. On the other coast, you’ll make it from Los Angeles to the Joshua Tree National Park in a similar amount of time. The other great thing about driving is that you are polluting the planet a little less than via air travel.
View across a field in Somerset, UK
Easy Listening, Plum Guide home in Somerset
Fly direct when travelling by plane
Sometimes, a destination is just too far to take the car. For example, if you’re based in California and are vacationing in Tel Aviv, then no train or highway in the world will be fast, robust and buoyant enough for the task. Wherever possible, try to get a direct flight to help the environment (if not your wallet/purse). Sustainable travel is important if we want to be doing this gig (and living and breathing) 100 years from now. Try not to pack your possessions in plastic bags, as that’s also a big no-no for the environment, and pack light if you can. Think: do you really need that third set of pyjamas and work-out weights for your weekend trip.
Tel Aviv white sandy beaches
The Sweet Life, Plum Guide home in Tel Aviv
Travelling by boat is often the best option
Many of our destinations are on the coast, and contain marinas and ports with cruises that’ll take you all over the place. You can get boats to the various islands in the Algarve in the south of Portugal, where we have plenty of exclusive homes. Croatia, Cyprus and Greece are among our other top destinations where a boat is your best mode of transport. In fact, Greece alone has around 6,000 islands, and good luck getting between them by walking.
A view of white buildings and the side of a mountain looking out to sea from high up in Oia, Santorini, Greece
Guilty Secret, Plum Guide home in Greece
Get eco-friendly exercise and explore by bike
Get ‘on yer’ bike to get around some of our top destinations. What could be better than cycling along the Cornish Coastal Path or zooming through the countryside in Istra, Croatia. Yet, it’s Copenhagen that stands out for being the world’s most bike-friendly city. The local government has invested millions in making the streets as bicycle accessible as possible, so get your helmet on. Cycling is also good for both the planet and your health, so there really is no better way to get around.
Copenhagen street view
The Apollo, Plum Guide home in Copenhagen
Take to the tracks and travel by train
Just like driving, riding a train is one of the best ways to travel if you want to see a destination’s countryside zoom past. You could take a scenic trip from Newcastle to one of our homes in Edinburgh for some of the most picturesque views in the United Kingdom. You’ll chug along Northumbrian cliffs with views of the North Sea, before reaching Edinburgh, which is one of the prettiest parts of the country.
The Jacobite Steam Train, The Highlands, Scotland
Get around by foot for the full experience
Before planes, before trains and before automobiles; before even the invention of the wheel, we came forth from water on our own two feet. Or something like that. In any case, we’re bipedal creatures who are pretty good at walking around. What’s great is: it’s free, it doesn’t pollute the environment (providing you stay on those tracks) and it’s good for you. Consider walking through the Dordogne countryside, the Catalonian coastline or the steep cobbled lanes of Lisbon, and truly experience your destination.
Tiled Building in Alfama, Lisbon, Portugal
