Eurostar Weekend Breaks - An Easy Way to Discover the Charm of Paris and Brussels

Added: 10/01/2006
Eurostar is a train service, connecting Waterloo station in London with Gare du Nord in Paris, South station in Brussels and Lille, and crossing the English Channel via the Channel Tunnel. Since its launching in November 1994, Eurostar has managed to establish dominant market share on the routes it serves, namely 63% for London - Brussels and 68% for London - Paris as of 2004. Currently such routes enjoy wide popularity as a great way to move quickly and conveniently from one grand European capital to the other. You'll soon discover that Eurostar weekend breaks and Eurostar holidays are an easy way to discover the charm of Paris and Brussels.

Additionally to the three destination cities of Eurostar, some of its services are operated on routes at Calais Frethun and Lille in northern France and Ashford International in Ashford, Kent. Beginning with 2007, some trains will also serve Stratford International station at east London and new stations at Ebbsfleet close to Dartford. Each train itself is 400 meters long and is capable of developing speed of 300 km/h.

Owing to the first class service and quick delivery, Eurostar weekend breaks enjoy great popularity all-the-year-round. In summer they are especially popular among families with children as the company runs services to Disneyland Paris, while a great number of winter sports enthusiasts consider Eurostar holidays at the ski resorts Aime-la-Plagne, Moutiers and Bourg-Saint-Maurice in the French Alps.

Among those enjoying the greatest popularity with travelers of all ages and interests are Eurostar Weekend breaks to Paris, notably Arc de Triomphe and Champs Elysees. This area boasts some of the most renowned attractions and sights of Paris and is a wonderful base for exploring the city. You'll enjoy such prominent places of interest as the Louvre and Arc de Triomphe - the second most recognizable image of the city after the Eiffel Tower.

The area of Opera and the Grand Boulevards embodies everything a sophisticated traveler may expect from Paris, from Bohemian Montmartre and splendor of the Right Bank to shopping on the Forum des Halles. With Eurostar weekend breaks to this part of the city it is easy to ramble around the boulevards and spend a couple of days exploring the monuments and museums of the area.

One of the greatest options for your short city breaks, Brussels is home to the fascinating Grand Place, regarded as the most beautiful square in Europe and one of the most breathtaking squares in the world. Brussels Upper Town is a great destination with its stunning buildings, museums, art galleries and wide open spaces. Nightlife is abundant in the city and restaurants and cafes can rival those of Paris and London, offering some of the world's greatest beer and best chocolate.

From the Grand Place visitors can view the official rooms of the City Hall, among them the sumptuous 18th century Council Chamber with its frescoes and tapestries. Displayed at the Museum of the City of Brussels is Manneken Pis, famous as the national symbol of the country. It was sculpted in 1619, and replaced the stone version called Little Julian that occupied the same place since the 14th century.

Among other must-sees during Eurostar weekend breaks to Brussels is the St Nicolas Church, the Theatre Royal des Galeries, the Theatre de la Monnaie, Place des Martyrs, Notre Dame de Bon Secours, Royal Palace, Cathedral of St Michel and Gudule, Palais des Beaux-Arts, Palace of Justice, St Jean Baptiste au Beguinage, Palais de Charles de Lorraine and much more.

While staying in the cultural capital of Belgium, you'll be surrounded by the medieval atmosphere, dominating its narrow cobbled streets and grand buildings.

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