Book between February 16 – April 7, 2010* and enjoy this special 20% discount in Leisure Select class (which is just fancy wording for “first class”) on any Eurostar route. Tickets start at just $146**. This offer is subject to availability so don’t wait too long to book. Springtime in Paris is right around the corner.

·    Valid for travel from March 16 – August 31, 2010.   Leisure Select Class only.
·    ** Per person, one way. Tickets are non refundable.  Book your Eurostar trip Now!

Landed at CDG in Paris and used my France Rail Pass to board the RER train 30 minutes into the city center. Surprised as to how easy it was to get into Paris! I must say I was a little worried, good to keep in mind for future stop overs in Paris.

Then a guided tour of The Louvre by City Rama – our guide showed us the highlights, which were a tourist’s delight.

Afternoon: Touring Paris by bike or Paris a Velo is an experience! Biked to the 19th arrondissement and rode past Edith Piaf’s house! The tour takes you off the beaten path to explore the real Paris with lots of local flavor.

Day 2 Love, Love, Love Parisian Trains

Morning: Used Paris Visite Card to take the metro from my hotel the Lutetia to Gare de L’est where I boarded the TGV Est to Champagne. Arrived at Reims (great Cathedral!), to the heart of Champagne in 45 mins – love the TGV!

Noon:  Sampled some champagne at a little bar called Comme Champagne in Epernay – a guided taste tour of Champagnes for only 17 Euro. Best 17 Euros or $20 I’ve spent in a while.

Afternoon: Visited a family owned Champagne house called Jacquesson – the owner Jean-Herve Chiquet gave us a tour of his vineyards and his cellars – what great champagne they make!

Evening: Met with Philippe Wibrotte of the Comite Interprofessionnel du vin de Champagne – he can answer all your questions about champagne. Took the slow train home from Epernay to Paris – needed the hour on board to sit back, gaze out the window & reflect on my once in a lifetime day.

Day 3 At the destination stations

Morning: Used my Paris Visite Card & took the metro to Gare du Nord. Had the fast and comfortable experience of crossing the English Channel via Eurostar. Arrived in London 2 hrs and 15 mns later. The timing just felt like I was taking a commuter train and not going to a whole other country. Make sure you travel at a meal time – meals included in price of Leisure Select and Business class tickets, the food is actually worth it.

Afternoon: spent some time enjoying St Pancras – the “destination station” Now I see why everyone keeps calling it that.  More champagne..the station has Europe’s largest champagne bar.

Day 4 At London’s Langham Hotel (very posh)

London’s Langham Hotel reopened just months ago – beautifully refurbished and the food and service were excellent.

Day 5 Markets and Virgins (trains that is)

Just when I thought I’d seen everything London had to offer, I discovered the Borough market – take a guided tour by Celia Brooks Brown an American now living in London, her tour is such a treat. Save some time to shop, taste and explore the gourmet treasures of this charming old London market.

I always enjoyed the Virgin flights to London and now I can say I also enjoy the Virgin train experience from London to England’s North country. Had a freshly cooked breakfast on board the London/Manchester train – its a comfortable, quick and easy train ride with a BritRail Pass.

Day 6 Perfect ending with Tea at Betty’s of York

In some ways the best part of the trip! Took a train from Manchester to York. Took a walking tour of the city, along the old city walls, the Shambles, Mulberry Hall is a great place to shop. I learned that according to Medieval law it is still legal for a man from York to defend his city from a Scotsman by shooting at him with a bow & arrow!

Afternoon tea at Betty’s of York – a MUST for all visitors. The line is always out the door, so be prepared to wait, but it is so worth it! Try their scones with jam and clotted cream and don’t leave without one of their fruit cakes!

London and Paris are two of the most sought after destinations in Europe. Aside from being cultural icons, they are also jam-packed with fun things to see and do!

Now more than ever it’s simple to add both of these cities to your summer travel itinerary. By taking Eurostar you can arrive in Paris from London in just 2 hours and 15 minutes. That’s amazing!

You can start off in London and spend the day in Paris, seeing all you want to and then being whisked back to London where you can wind down in a nice English pub! Of course, you have the freedom to do the opposite route also, or spend more than a day, go for a night or two.

Rail Europe provides you with the small details that can make your vacation dreams come true, the only limits you have are the ones you set for yourself. Reserve your Eurostar ticket now!

And now we present you with our Top Ten fun things to do in London and Paris this summer.

10. Buckingham Palace - Try your skill at making one of those stuffy looking guards smile! Buckingham Palace is a must-see on any trip to London. How many opportunities do you get in life to visit a Royal residence? Oh, and if you succeed in getting one of the guards to smile in a photo, we’d love to see it!

9. Trocadero – See just how “in shape” you are as you make you way up to Trocadero. In 1937, the old Palais du Trocadero was demolished and then replaced with the Palais de Chaillot, found at the top of the hill. Once you reach the wide esplanade, you will have the most amazing view of the infamous Eiffel Tower. This vantage point is one of the best ways to get you in a photo with the Eiffel Tower without cutting off heads or part of the tower. You can get nearly the entire tower and you (or your travel partners)!

8. Strolling the Thames - A great way to take in more of London culture and atmosphere is to take a relaxing stroll down the Thames River. Have your camera ready as you will pass some truly picture perfect sites. Stop and have a bite to eat along the way, maybe even take a few moments to feed the birds (actually, if you’re wanting to feed the birds, you should go sit on the steps of St. Paul’s Cathedral, just like the Bird Woman did in Mary Poppins!).

7. Paris Dinner Cruise – The Seine is just as great a river to stroll down as the Thames, or why not treat yourself to a wonderfully romantic dinner cruise along the Seine River. Watch notable attractions pass by as you and your special someone float on your own piece of paradise. Along with breathtaking scenery, you’ll enjoy a terrific meal presented with a fine assortment of wine and cheese. Live music fills the vessel and you can share a special moment on the dance floor. The evening ends at the base of the Eiffel Tower…it doesn’t get more romantic then that!

6. Tower of London - Take a step back in time with a visit to the Tower of London. Our advice would be to join one of the Yeoman Warders tours (commonly referred to as Beefeaters). The Yeoman will keep you entertained with tales of imprisonment, execution, torture and more. You will not only be entertained but you will learn a tremendous amount of history about the tower and British history. Other noteworthy things at the Tower of London are of course the Crown Jewels – including some of the world’s most famous diamonds, and the Ravens. According to legend, if the six ravens leave the Tower, the Kingdom and Tower will fall. To date, all six are there and accounted for!

5. Paris Museum Hopping - Spend a day museum hopping! Take some time wandering down the long halls of the Louvre, embracing the magnificent work that fills the museum. Make a point of viewing the Mona Lisa and playfully debate the mood of the subject as well as who is being portrayed in the painting. Is it the artist’s lover? Self-portrait? You be the judge! Other notable museums you can see with the Paris Museum Pass are: Musée d’Orsay , Musée National du Château de Versailles, Musée National Picasso, Pompidou Center and so many more!

4. Big Ben/Clock Tower - Know what time it is? Time to visit the Clock Tower! This tower has been commonly mislabeled as Big Ben. Big Ben is actually the nickname given to the main bell (largest in the tower) found within the tower (also known as the Great Bell). The Clock Tower is the largest four-faced clock in the world that chimes. Nearby the Tower you will see the Houses of Parliament. This is another great location to snap some pictures for your photo book!

3. Eiffel Tower - Paris seems to be synonymous with love and the Eiffel Tower always seems to emit that certain romantic feeling! There is no better way to experience Paris then to reach the top of the Eiffel Tower with the one you love. Stare out across the city and embrace the vision before you. Take your partner in your arms and practice the fine art of kissing (which the French have perfected as well as they have wine making!). For those not married or engaged…well, there’s no time like the present to pop the question! If you’ve already crossed that bridge, well, simply enjoy the moment. Close your eyes and take a deep breath. Do whatever you need to, to ensure you will never forget the way you feel at that very moment!

2. London Eye - Better than the ferris wheel at your local carnival, the London Eye is a spectacular way to see London! This observation wheel will allow you to see even more of the city of London. Great fun for families, children love the London Eye! Flights (as they’re called) on the London Eye take about 30 minutes. It will be 30 minutes you do not regret during your time in London!

1. Travel at the speed of light - Well, pretty close to it anyway! Eurostar whisks travelers between London and Paris in just over 2 hours time. The trip on Eurostar is so much more than just a train ride from one city to the next. To travel on Eurostar is to experience high-speed rail travel at its finest! Picturesque views right outside your window, friendly staff on-board and best of all, you have the chance to meet some great people, those traveling along with you on this state of the art train. It’s always fun to mingle with the locals, you may learn something new, or at least gain some insight on things to see and do that you may not have previously thought of. And Eurostar now departs from St Pancras international, London’s destination station is a landmark and a place everyone can enjoy.

You can even toast your journey at Europe’s longest champagne bar, right inside the station! Book your Eurostar trip today and get ready for an adventure of a lifetime!

For some travelers, London and Paris are ice-breakers to the rest of Europe, for others, they are favorites. London and Paris are both very active cities offering something for everyone. From parks and museums, to iconic monuments and theater, you will find the right activities to ensure you have a fantastic vacation. And we highly recommend visiting both cities on your trip, especially with them just being two hours apart! Eurostar is an amazing ride through the French and English country sides and of course, you’ll also be able to say you’ve traveled through the Chunnel!

For a family-fun vacation, consider taking a trip to London and Paris, trust us, you won’t be disappointed!

We have many options available from museum passes to escorted city tours. And let’s not forget, to complete a meal you need just the right wine…if you’re not exactly an oenophile, you may want to consider a wine tour on your next trip to Paris. In this issue of Explorer, we’ve chosen a few of our favorite “sides” to share with you.

Some of the most popular travel destinations include cities in England, France and Switzerland. With this in mind, we have chosen products for each of these countries!

When people visit England, London is typically at the top of the “cities to visit” list. It’s understandable seeing as London has so much to offer visitors. There literally is something for everyone in this great city. Once you arrive, we suggest acquainting yourself with your surroundings and what better way to do that than with the Total London Experience?

This full-day guided tour will take you to all of London’s major sites. You’ll get to watch the prestigious changing of the guard ceremony at Buckingham Palace and snap some great photos of Sir Christopher Wren’s St. Paul’s Cathedral, site of royal weddings and home of the whispering gallery. You’ll be taken to Westminster Abbey, Houses of Parliament and Big Ben. Drive past Downing street, where the British Prime Minister takes residence.

This tour includes a quaint pub lunch in Covent Garden, a cruise on the River Thames and concludes with a flight on the London Eye. A terrific tour that includes an experienced guide on a luxury air-conditioned coach. All entry fees are taken care of in the price of the tour you simply meet at one of the hotels or bus station near VIctoria Station for pickup and your journey begins! Don’t forget your camera!

Once you’ve seen London, you may want to venture outside of the city. One of our favorite tours is the Bath, Stonehenge and Salisbury tour. Some of the most sought after places are included on this tour.

Visit Bath for a panoramic tour. This city was chosen as the first city in England to be designated a World Heritage site. Thanks to the hot spring water that flows, Bath got its name out there. You’ll have the chance to visit the Roman Bath’s on your tour as well as some free time to explore Bath Abbey.

Salisbury has one of the nicest medieval Cathedrals in all of Britain. The spire that rises from the cathedral is the tallest in England, at an impressive 404ft. It truly is an impressive display of architecture and design. After seeing the cathedral you can visit the Chapter House to see the Magna Carta. You’ll certainly get your fill of architectural design on this tour! The Chapter House is one of twelve remaining Octagonal Chapter Houses.

Stonehenge has mystified millions of people for centuries. 40-ton rocks that had been dragged through a desolate plain to Salisbury Hill to this day puzzle scholars and visitors. The history behind these stones is unclear. Whether Stonehenge was a religious temple, astronomical clock or a burial ground has never been proven. As you visit the site, let your imagination be your guide to the mystery and legend that surrounds Stonehenge.

Aside from these two tours, we have several other “sides” for England, be sure to check them all out!

Moving on to France, we have several add-ons for Paris. We’ll start with the Paris Dinner Cruise. Some people choose one really nice evening out in each destination they travel to, if you’re that kind of traveler, we strongly recommend this cruise!

You step on board the boat at the foot of the Eiffel Tower and begin your 2 1/2 hour cruise down the Seine River. Cruising down the left bank, seeing all the sights while enjoying a full-course dinner served at your seat. The atmosphere is great, live music surrounds you during the entire cruise. The cruise turns around the Statue of Liberty and brings you back to the Eiffel Tower. Usually the tour ends at the top of the hour so the Eiffel tower is illuminated in light, a truly magical ending to a perfect evening.

If you were planning on taking a sightseeing tour of Paris, as well as treating yourself to a nice meal in a fancy French restaurant, then this is the perfect “side” for you, it combines the best of both worlds! You get a panoramic tour of the sights and a fantastic meal.

If you’re a museum hopper, you may want to consider saving yourself time and money with the Paris Museum Pass. You simply cannot visit Paris without going to the Louvre or Notre Dame. The Museum pass is available in several day validities to fit your schedule. It provides you access to 70 museums and monuments in Paris. With this pass, you do not need to pay admission fees at the participating museums and you will not need to wait in line to enter.

There are more Paris add-on products available from Rail Europe, you’re sure to find something of interest for your trip.

Last stop for this issue is Switzerland. As you know, Switzerland is home to some of the most impressive mountain peaks in the world. You can get tickets to go up to the top of some of these peaks. The Jungfraujoch excursion will take you, by train, to the highest railway station in Europe. You will stand at an elevation of over 11,000 feet, take a look down below and capture the amazing scenery set before you.

There are a few different Mountain Peak excursions available, choose the one that interests you and fits your itinerary!

Luggage can sometimes be a bit of an issue when traveling. When your travels take you to Switzerland, may we suggest you look into Fast Baggage? The best way to travel light and worry-free. Fast Baggage makes it possible for your luggage to be transferred from a number of train stations in Switzerland to your destination. This is a great idea especially when making trips up to the tops of various mountains! No need to worry about lugging a heavy suitcase along with you. Simply grab your camera and send everything else on the train!

This has been a look into some of the add-on products Rail Europe can offer you on your next trip. These sides, like any good side dish, can help make your trip truly unforgettable!