Eurostar only, where to go?

[Looby]

If you could pick a destination on Eurostar, where would you choose?
Anniversary trip, 2 adults for maybe 5 days in mid July next year.
I guess we could do 2 destinations but would rather not.
We like food, bit of art/museums but not loads.
Happy to wander, get drunk and just spend time with each other.
Neither of us have been to any of the possible destinations.

I’m terrified of flying so train only please.

If you can recommend areas and hotels, even better. I would like to go to Paris but lots of people seem to hate it.

 

[Ax^]

Amsterdam and the rest of Holland

or go to paris if you want to go to paris

 

[Numbers]

Paris or Amsterdam for me. Both are differently brilliant.

 

[metalguru]

I got burnt by Eurostar last year. I'd booked a trip to Rotterdam and arranged my own hotel accommodation - but then came down with what was probably covid but didn't show up in LFT tests.

Had to cancel at short notice . Cancelling the accommodation was ok-ish. Had to pay for the first night only. But Eurostar don't do cancellations and would only let me reuse the tickets in the future if I paid an extra £80 or £90 per ticket for each 'leg' of the journey (some nonsense like that).

Finally I tried to claim with the insurance I had taken out alongside the Eurostar booking, paid £26 for a doctor's letter to accompany the claim, and heard absolutely nothing, I'm not inclined to use them again any time soon.

 

[moomoo]

Definitely Paris.

 

[ouirdeaux]

Definitely Amsterdam.

 

[The39thStep]

Lille is worth checking out , foods good, loads of French/Belgium beer places and a zoo and museum

 

[QueenOfGoths]

Antwerp or Ghent would be top of my list. Both have interesting museums, great bars and neither feel too overwhelming in the way Bruges or Amsterdam do. Though i do like those as choices too.

 

[Magnus McGinty]

I've only been to Belgium on Eurostar. If you want to get pissed on the best beers then that's the destination. Apart from Sundays. Everything closes.

 

[mx wcfc]

We went to Avignon, when you could get a direct Eurostar from London. I think you have to go via Paris now, so could do a day there then head south? Avignon was pretty good, with a couple of day trips out of the town itself.

 

[spitfire]

Maybe Lyon? Food and Romans and vineyards. Small enough that you can cover it all in a few days.

 

[marty21]

We went to Avignon, when you could get a direct Eurostar from London. I think you have to go via Paris now, so could do a day there then head south? Avignon was pretty good, with a couple of day trips out of the town itself.

This ^^^ been to Avignon twice on the train , and also to nearby Arles (a short train trip away) both well worth visiting.

 

[metalguru]

Have a look at the reviews (eg Trust Pilot ) before you decide. It looks like it has plunged downhill appallingly especially for customer services/booking issues.

 

[WhyLikeThis]

If you’ve got the cash 1st class is worth the extra wedge. You get access to the tranquil lounge and don’t need to turned ridiculously early. Plus drinks are included on the train.

 

[platinumsage]

I would have suggested Ebbsfleet but unfortunately the Eurostar station is closed until further notice.

 

[mx wcfc]

This ^^^ been to Avignon twice on the train , and also to nearby Arles (a short train trip away) both well worth visiting.

Yep we did Arles on the same trip, on the same day as a tour of the Camargue, which was good. Pont du Gard and Chateau Neuf du Pape also within striking distance. Easiest and cheapest day out we did was a bus ride over the river to Villeneuve les Avignon. Avignon itself was doable in a couple of days (at most).

 

[planetgeli]

Amsterdam (which I love) has become stupendously expensive for accommodation.

 

[JTG]

Ashford

 

[scifisam]

They're all lovely, really, but if you've never been to Paris before then maybe just stick with that. There's not much chance of running out of things to do or places to wander round, there are no changes on the train, and the last time I went I was surprised by how decent a hotel room you can get for a reasonable price.

 

[Ax^]

Ashford

kent or middlesex as the one near Staines is shite

 

[Elpenor]

kent or middlesex as the one near Staines is shite

Ashford not served by Eurostar until at least next year, and it may not return. The Kent one is also shite.

I’d suggest Lille, my folks went for a weekend and loved it.

 

[JTG]

Ashford not served by Eurostar until at least next year, and it may not return. The Kent one is also shite.

I’d suggest Lille, my folks went for a weekend and loved it.

Well I wouldn't bother at all then tbh

 

[A380]

Lille has enought to do for a weekend. You could combine it with Tourmei in Belgium. About 30 40 mins by local train. I'd never ever heard of it but it's lovely (And the only Belgium town that has had a representativein the British Parliament). Also Ypres, which as well as the First World War stuff is nice for a few days.

Or Paris or Amsterdam obvs.

 

[Looby]

Have a look at the reviews (eg Trust Pilot ) before you decide. It looks like it has plunged downhill appallingly especially for customer services/booking issues.

If I’m not going to fly then my options are limited.

For a different type of holiday we’d drive and get the ferry/eurotunnel with the dogs.
For this break I’d like to travel in relative comfort, dump the bags and go for a wander. So Eurostar it is.

City only I think, can’t be arsed navigating villages and countryside on public transport.

 

[Looby]

kent or middlesex as the one near Staines is shite

I ran away with a boy to Staines. No massive desire to go back.

 

[Ax^]

i like to got occasional and start talking a middlesex and which side of the thames its always a fun experience

 

[Bus Honeygun]

I'd also say Amsterdam is the obvious one. Four direct trains a day now taking around four hours A to B.

Or get an Any Station in Belgium ticket and change in Brussels for Ghent, which is like Bruges without all the tourists and associated tat, or maybe stay in Liège and explore the Ardennes.

 

[ouirdeaux]

I wouldn't do it in mid-July, but I assume you have reasons for wanting to do it then. Peak heat, peak tourists, peak prices.

 

[Winot]

If you’ve got the cash 1st class is worth the extra wedge. You get access to the tranquil lounge and don’t need to turned ridiculously early. Plus drinks are included on the train.

^ this

 

[Winot]

Paris needs lots of planning imo - it’s not an easy city to wrangle particularly food-wise. Amsterdam is straightforward and more relaxing.

Have done Paris recently so have lots of recs for food/drink if you need them.