As environmental concerns about air travel continue to grow, one long-forgotten sector of the travel market is beginning to benefit.
Overland coach travel, once dismissed as laboriously slow, uncomfortable, and outdated, is making a comeback. Two new overland tours to Asia are starting this autumn. Buddhabus (07824 191794; buddhabus.co.uk), which opened for bookings yesterday, aims to offer a genuine alternative to flying between Europe and Asia - although the 16-day journey time means it will only appeal to those with plenty of time on their hands. 'Other overland operators offer more of a "holiday" experience,' says Buddhabus founder Jack Phillips, 'whereas for us it is all about the journey. Increasingly, people are looking for alternatives to flying, and what we are offering is a return to old-fashioned travel - where you actually see the various destinations as you pass through them.'
Continue reading...