Mark's highspeed journey to Portugal

"When I started planning my trip to Portugal, I knew I wanted to avoid flying, but taking the train all the way felt daunting at first. Luckily, with the extra paid travel days, I had the time and flexibility to make it happen.

I set off from London by Eurostar, spent a night in Paris, then took high-speed trains through Spain, watching the landscapes change from green hills to sun-soaked plains. Crossing into Portugal by train felt like a real achievement.

Travelling overland made me feel much more connected to the journey. It was slower, but far more rewarding - and knowing I was massively reducing my emissions made it even more meaningful. Without the Climate Perks scheme, I probably wouldn’t have considered it but I’m so glad I did!”