Posts Tagged ‘Hotel’
Eurostar Breaks to Lille
Eurostar breaks to Lille in northern France should not be overlooked when planning short city breaks from London. We don’t know so much about Lille in the UK apart from being a Eurostar station on the way to Paris or Brussels, but the city has both an international history and a modern claim to fame in the art world and museum sector. So what is there to see in Lille of special interest to the busy tourist? Well there’s the magnificent town square first all, with its grand buildings and famous Christmas market. Then there is a classical art museum that is second only to the Louvre in the whole of France, with collections by all the grand masters.
Getting to Lille couldn’t be easier with Eurostar Breaks from London arriving in Lille only one hour and twenty minutes after departing from St Pancras. So that makes the Lille appear close to St Pancras than some parts of South or West London, let alone Manchester or Brighton. The return journey usually takes five minutes longer for some reason, maybe it’s because the trains have to go uphill to get from France to England
Lille is close to the border with Belgium and has been part of the Flemish state in the past, so some of the atmosphere and traditions of Lille are more Northern European than typically French, so that makes it an interesting culture to discover. It’s very much a part of modern France now though as far as fine dining and general good living are concerned. In the summer there are plenty of good brasseries that lay out their outdoor terraces in the little squares and pavements, while in the winter there are beautiful dining halls and grand hotels in which to escape the sometimes bitter continental weather.
There’s even a substantial zoo or rather parc zoologique which can be a pleasant place to while away a sunny afternoon, with free entrance, picnique spots and of course well looked after animal enclosures which delight both children and adults.
The first ever patisserie, Meert is located in Lille, not Paris, so how about that then? There you can learn how the waffle was invented and take away delicate little fruit cake creations that look far too beautiful to eat.
I’ve only just started to mine the surface of what Lille has to offer, as there is a flourishing modern art scene which would be difficult to pin down to any one specific venue, as it changes all the time but do have a look at the swimming pool, a former Art Deco public baths called simply “La Piscine”. Another is at Wazemmes, la Maison Folie which has art exhibitions and theatre on the first floor, and on Sundays the busy Wazemmes market is a huge attraction just outside the gallery.
Longer Eurostar Breaks
Eurostar breaks to Lille, being so easy to fit in to a busy lifestyle can provide a tempting taste of what the area has to offer, and I’m sure once you’ve been over and had a quick look around you’ll be dying to come back for a longer stay, maybe after seeing the Christmas market and understanding the potential for a relaxing summer break in the North East of France. I’m thinking that a Eurostar to Lille and then car hire for a short week would allow for the flexibility of a smart city break and the chance to explore some of the rural north of France.
picture credit: Peter16
I live in London and when I’ve finished my college course, I’d like to get a job and save up for my boyfriend and I to go to Paris for the weekend.
Some of the prices I’ve seen are outrageous (nearly £400 for two days) and I know nothing about booking a holiday. Help!
Paris is not a weekend affair for couples but for louveures (lovers).
Let the boyfriend pay for yourself to go alone or for the two of you to go together. Either way you go to Paris. Though, it is commendable you
want to go dutch (you treating), I find it uneventful that you pay for the trip.
Perhaps go half, 50/50,right down the middle,including to the hotel/motel room. Boyfriend shouldn’t have any problem tipping, paying for meals for two (2),tourism,car rental and souvenirs. However, clothing, shoes and accessories are the girlfriends’ department.
Check with travel agencies,for various prices.Cheap Tickets, book the reservations months in advance. (Go to www.cheaptickets.com)…
Fill out the form over the internet to get prices that way.
Adieu and Bon voyage!
What’s the best way of booking a holiday to Disneyland Paris with my baby son? I want to stay at the New York Hotel on site and go for 2 nights next Feb, is it cheaper to book last minute? How do I get hold of these ‘vouchers’ I keep seeing advertised? Does anyone know? Thanks
P and O are offering a free Disneyland ticket with bookings. See details here: http://www.ferrytime.co.uk
http://www.Hoteloogle.com The Warwick Brussels Hotel is a five-star hotel ideally located on the prestigious Avenue Louise, in Brussels’ fashionable shopping area, and in close proximity to the Bois de la Camber and the Place du Chatelain, the ‘Soho of Brussels’. The Warwick Brussels Hotel is only five kilometres from the Midi Train Station (Thalys and Eurostar) and just a 20-minute journey from Brussels Airport, Zaventem. Luxurious and cosy, The Warwick Brussels Hotel has been entirely decorated by the famous French designer, Jacques Garcia. A unique blend of neoclassical and Napoleon III styles, the hotel offers the very best in Brussels accommodation and is the ideal place to stay whether on business or leisure. The Warwick Brussels Hotel offers 100 guest rooms, all very well appointed and offering maximum comfort together with the best traditions of hospitality and elegance.
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