On a recent tour of Europe with a group of Australians, someone asked “why do British people not visit Europe more? It is so close!”
Unable to come up with a good enough reply, it seems fair to say that we Brits should see our European neighbours more; and with tonnes of Eurostar deals on offer this summer, there really is no excuse.
It might surprise you to hear that you can get from London St Pancras to Paris Gare Du Nord in two hours and 15 minutes, from St Pancras to Brussels in an hour and 51 minutes and all the way to Avignon, Southern France in five hours and 53 minutes.
This is truly incredible, considering a trip from London to Bristol takes around two hours.
If you are travelling with children, then why not take advantage of how easy it is to get to mainland Europe. What better treat then a holiday in Disney Land Paris; once you arrive, you will be blown away by the amount of activities on offer. It truly is a magical place.
After going on several rides with the kids then why not enjoy a tour of Paris and take in all that the world’s most romantic city has to offer.
Another great place to holiday is Brussels and you can get there easily, with prices considerably cheaper if you book in advance.
You can also book hotels, car hire and other travel essentials when you get your train ticket.
The Thon Hotel Brussels, in the city centre, is a popular pick for tourists. It offers excellent lodging for a reasonable price; 29 stories high, this hotel is truly spectacular with contemporary architectural features, and is located at the heart of Brussels.
You can tailor your holidays online by selecting the date of your departure and arrival, who you will be travelling with and what sort of accommodation you are looking for.
Depending on how you want to travel, Eurostar has a variety of on-board facilities. If you choose to go Business Premier you will enjoy your journey in sophisticated surroundings with fast-track check-in, delicious food and wine plus access to Eurostar’s Wi-Fi network.
You can take a leisurely trip to Paris, while checking your emails and catching up on some work on the train.
For those who also want to treat themselves but are not on a business trip, the Eurostar Leisure Select option could be for you. You can enjoy extra comfy seats, while being served champagne and a three-course meal. There is no better way to travel!
With a standard ticket you can still make the most of travelling. You will have a reserved seat in an air-conditioned carriage with buffet options for you to choose from.
Travelling on the Eurostar means you can plan action-packed, romantic weekend trips away and not have to worry about who is going to drive.
As it takes next to no time to arrive in your perfect European destination, a lot of people choose to travel for the weekend and book into a glamorous hotel in Paris or Bruges; Nantes is also a popular choice.
So, what are you waiting for? There are dozens of exciting trips that you could be booking this minute. Whether you are on a budget or looking to splash out on a luxurious weekend away, you will find exactly what you want online.
After being reprimanded about not making the most of Europe by a group of Australian tourists who were mesmerised by Paris, I made a vow that I would visit more places on my doorstep and I would advise you to do so too.