Tag Archives: Eurostar

PARIS IS CALLING: 2 FOR 1 Eurostar Cultural Offer

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2 FOR 1: Eurostar Cultural Offer: Your Eurostar ticket does so much more than get you to your destination. It takes you on a cultural journey through the greatest museums and galleries of Paris, Brussels and Lille.

Explore the heart and soul of Paris by soaking up its museums and galleries. All with 2 for 1 entry, just by showing your Eurostar ticket.

Eurostar have partnered up with some of the finest galleries in Paris: Musée d’Orsay, Grand Palais; Galeries nationales, Musée du quai Branly, Jeu de Paume, Musée d’Art moderne de la Ville de Paris and Cité de la musique.

2 FOR 1 offer is subject to conditions and valid in your destination city, 5 days from the travel date stated on your outbound ticket.

Book your cultural trip to Paris with Eurostar now here.

www.eurostar.com/uk-en

Thanks to the Paris Tourist Board, more information here.

parisinfo.com

Renaissance St Pancras Hotel and Booking Office

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The Renaissance Hotel at St Pancras is a magnificent establishment. Standing for years dilapidated and dirty, this epic building has recently been restored to its former glory and now welcomes guests to stay in its divine quarters. Although it is part of the Marriott brand, it cannot be easily categorised, and just by observing the intricate exterior facade you know this building always will be one of kind.

We have architect Sir Gilbert Scott to thank for this fairytale edifice… he created it for the Midland Grand, and now the huge building has been redesigned to offer 245 guest rooms, including 38 beautifully restored suites. Inside there are still obvious vestiges of the building’s previous functions, most notably… the station Booking Office which is now transformed into a contemporary bistro; the Ladies Smoking Room, open for functions and the many small details like the old heating system which are still evident amongst the luxurious modernisation.

I learnt a great deal whilst taking a short tour of St Pancras and most memorably walked up the famous staircase which has featured in numerous films, including Harry Potter and the Spice Girls Wannabe video. Everything about this building is steeped in history and elegance, our guide had an endearing story to tell at every stage, for instance the grandiose corridors are so wide to allow two women in full dresses to pass easily.

We were lucky to be staying in the VIP chambers, an elite area for special guests which offers complimentary afternoon tea and evening canapés as well as a lovely lounge for dining and relaxing. Our suite was stunning: tranquil and luxurious… with picturesque views of the Eurostar trains travelling to and from Paris, it was charming and romantic. The living area was gorgeous and plush – a sofa, writing desk and flat screen TV all available for our convenience. The bedroom was stylish and minimalist with just the essentials: TV, reading lights and bedside tables.

The marble clad bathroom was a bright and shiny place to refresh, with St Pancras detailing. A complimentary Renaissance themed rubber duck sat on the bath and organic REN products were placed everywhere for our convenience.

There are several dining options: the prestigious Marcus Wareing restaurant, Gilbert Scott or the trendy bistro, The Booking Office where we ate dinner and breakfast. I can’t fault the food here, bold British dishes: the steak with peppercorn sauce and triple fried chips were particularly yummy, but it was the exceptional cocktails that really impressed me. Strong and expertly mixed with unique flavour combinations, each and every concoction we tried was exquisite and original.

Relaxing in our huge king size bed, that Sunday night I could not think of a place I would rather be… wrapped up in my big super soft robe, I felt like a princess in a palace of ultimate indulgence. I slept completely through the night, the gentle purr of trains beneath the window, soothing and reassuring. Next morning, after a short Nespresso coffee in the room, we wandered down to breakfast. The Booking Office was already buzzing, with hotel guests and diners visiting for a morning meal or a meeting. Every breakfast dish you could imagine is on offer as well as an array of continental treats. Although our waiter muddled our order slightly, the food we did receive was delicious and carefully prepared with the very best seasonal ingredients.

I left dreaming of horse-drawn carriages, trains to Paris and a world of beauty and wonder. Renaissance St Pancras will inspire, comfort and intrigue… it is a venue for the most special of occasions, and promises an unforgettable stay.

More information on the website here.

http://www.marriott.co.uk/hotels/travel/lonpr-st-pancras-renaissance-london-hotel/

London to Amsterdam by Eurostar

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I’m not a keen flyer, so for me the Eurostar is a heavenly way to travel.

I have always loved the short and sweet trip on this train to Paris, one of my very favourite cities. I was overjoyed when I heard the announcement of its new services further afield. In just four hours you can be transported from the centre of London to the heart of Amsterdam. Now a trip to Amsterdam seemed possible without the dreaded plane journey either side of the stay.

After hopping on at St Pancras with a Nero coffee in hand, we settled into our seats and prepared for the ride. A bit of gossiping and croissant munching and soon we were pulling into Brussels for our quick and easy changeover. The next leg of the journey was even quicker, and we appreciated the Belgian countryside while we flicked through our Amsterdam guide books planning our weekend meticulously.

It seemed bizarre to get off the train in Holland, after a journey that takes less time than London to Edinburgh and is certainly less tiring. No passport check, no waiting for luggage – within minutes we were on the streets of Amsterdam admiring our astoundingly beautiful surroundings.

To reach such a destination in Europe in a few hours just seems too good to be true. And the new Eurostar Amsterdam service brings even more possibilities… I wouldn’t be surprised if soon this magical train service extends right across in Europe.

Visit the Eurostar website here for more information and to book.

Amsterdam Services

All the best things come in small packages and Amsterdam  is no exception. With more canals than Venice , this beautifully compact city is the perfect choice for a relaxing and romantic break. One of the most enjoyable and easiest ways to get to this gem of a capital is with Eurostar. With one easy connection in Brussels passengers can arrive in the heart of Amsterdam  in just over four hours. Eurostar offers return fares to Amsterdam from just £99. Eurostar also offers connecting fares from more than 200 stations in the UK . For more information or to book, visit eurostar.com or call 08432 186 186.