I love train travel so much that I go on vacation by train… while my wife flies to the destination

Meet the man who loves trains so much that he travels by train while his wife flies to the same destination.

Most of us prefer to travel with our travelling companion, but David Crossley, 74, from East Yorkshire, loves the train so much that he sometimes ditches his wife and takes the slower route.

Even if it costs him more money.

He explains: ‘I much prefer to travel by train rather than by plane, even though it takes longer and is more expensive.

‘There is less hassle and stress than traveling through an airport, and you can take in your surroundings at a more leisurely and relaxed pace.’

David Crossley, above left, 74, from East Yorkshire, loves the railways so much he would rather leave his wife and take the slower route. Pictured – David and his wife dining on the Orient Express

‘Last year I took the train from East Yorkshire to Narbonne in France while my wife flew. I’m sure my journey was much more relaxing.’

David has experienced some of the most sought after lines in the world.

He says: ‘For my 70th birthday we took the Eurostar to Paris and then the Orient Express to Venice. Then we used a Eurail pass to travel through Italy, Austria, Hungary, Germany and Belgium. It was amazing.

‘For my 60th birthday I took the plunge and took a two week All Lines Rover ticket and travelled freely across the network from Penzance to Mallaig and the Isle of Skye. It was truly unforgettable!’

Interestingly, the rail enthusiast’s favourite route is the UK. This trip was reviewed by Ted Thornhill, editor of MailOnline Travel.

For his 60th birthday, David took the Eurostar to Paris and then changed to the Orient Express (above) to Venice

David says that trains give you ‘the luxury of taking in your surroundings at a slower, more relaxed pace’. Above – David’s meal on the Orient Express to Venice

David recalls: ‘My favourite is the Caledonian Sleeper from London Euston to Fort William. It’s so special to wine, dine and sleep and then wake up to breakfast and the fantastic scenery of the West Highlands.’

But he is also a fan of more exotic trains. David says: ‘We also experienced train travel at its best with a Japan Railways Green Class pass and travelled extensively on the fantastic “bullet train” from Tokyo to Hiroshima.

‘Travelling overland by train allows me to see and experience more and the journey really becomes a big part of the holiday. Most countries also have a great train network so it’s usually quite easy to organise.’

David is far from alone in his preference for a slower way of travelling. According to research by luxury tour operator Scott Dunn, searches on Google in the UK for information on ‘slow travel trips’ have increased by 61 per cent in the past three months. On TikTok, there have been more than 16.3 million posts mentioning the trend.

The findings come from Scott Dunn’s latest travel trends report.

The train enthusiast says: ‘We travelled extensively on the fantastic “Bullet Train” from Tokyo to Hiroshima’. Above – a photo of a Japanese bullet train, taken by David

David notes, “We experienced train travel at its best with a Japan Railways Green Class pass.” On the left, a bullet train David rode in, and (on the right) a view of Mount Fuji from David’s seat.

The research found that British holidaymakers are prioritising well-earned rest and relaxation in 2024, with more than three quarters (81 per cent) travelling this summer specifically to de-stress and unwind.

Scott Dunn saw bookings for train travel triple between January and April compared to the same period last year. Data shows that 45 percent of the travel planner’s guests are planning to take a longer vacation this year, “suggesting a need for more rest breaks, a more relaxed schedule and enough time to relax.”

How do they do it? The research shows that half of people (50 percent) say eating and drinking out is their favorite way to relax on vacation.

Nearly half (42 percent) admit that reading is their way of relaxing, and a third of people (33 percent) say simply enjoying the sunshine does the trick.

Spending time in nature (31 percent) and excursions (30 percent) were the top five ways people chose to relax during their vacation.

The data also shows that Brits need three full days to really let loose on holiday, while those who regularly check their smartphones (and work emails) may need longer.

Simon Lynch, Global Product Director at Scott Dunn, commented: ‘Travelling more slowly and ‘gentlely’, and making the journey part of your trip, not only helps you relax and unwind more quickly, it inevitably leads to discoveries along the way. And this can help you create meaningful memories too.’

For more information on Scott Dunn’s latest Travel Trends Index or for more expert tips on how to have a ‘relaxing travel experience’ this year, visit: www.scottdunn.com/inspiration/travel-trends/this-year/summer