Travel
Eurostar could drop popular London route next year – despite only launching six years ago
EUROSTAR could ditch one of the most popular train routes from London next year.
Ongoing maintenance works could see the direct London to Amsterdam route scrapped for the entirety of 2025.
The direct route has already been suspended since June 15, due to renovations at Amsterdam’s main train station.
Instead, Brits have to travel to Brussels and change there, taking an extra hour.
But plans to restart the direct train in early 2025 may not be possible.
Eurostar CEO Gwendoline Cazenave warned that all trains running to Amsterdam may be scrapped entirely next year.
This is because it has not yet been confirmed that the international terminal at Amsterdam Centraal station will reopen in time.
She told local Dutch media Het Financieele Dagblad: “We are concerned there are no guarantees or clear commitments about the readiness of the surrounding infrastructure to reconnect Amsterdam and London.”
“Without clarity on behalf of the Dutch railway network […] Eurostar will be forced to suspend services between Amsterdam and Rotterdam, on the one hand, and London and Paris, on the other, during the course of 2025.
“This will not be Eurostar leaving the Netherlands, this would be Eurostar being pushed out from the Netherlands.”
She added that the deterioration of the train lines has resulted in “reliability problems, capacity restrictions and particularly inconvenient delays for passengers”.
Trains on the high speed lines have also reduced its top speed since 2023, going down from 99mph to 50mph.
Despite this, Cazenave said they still hoped to restart the services next year, if they can get the go-ahead.
The London-Amsterdam route launched back in 2018.
This follows Eurostar’s first ever London route back in 1994, running from Waterloo station to Paris and Brussels.
This later changed to London St Pancras in 2007.
A second UK train service was added at Ashford International back in 1996, although this was scrapped during Covid and is unlikely to return.
The UK to Disneyland direct service – which launched in 1996 – has also been scrapped, with Brits now having to change at Lille or Paris.
Despite this, Cazenave revealed Eurostar’s future plans for new European routes, as well as additional trains being added to the fleet.
But other train operators have revealed they could soon enter the market with UK routes.
Sun Travel’s favourite train journeys in the world
Sun Travel’s journalists have taken their fare share of train journeys on their travels and here they share their most memorable rail experiences.
Davos to Geneva, Switzerland
“After a ski holiday in Davos, I took the scenic train back to Geneva Airport. The snow-covered mountains and tiny alpine villages that we passed were so beautiful that it felt like a moving picture was playing beyond the glass.” – Caroline McGuire
Tokyo to Kyoto by Shinkansen
“Nothing quite beats the Shinkansen bullet train, one of the fastest in the world. It hardly feels like you’re whizzing along at speed until you look outside and see the trees a green blur. Make sure to book seat D or E too – as you’ll have the best view of Mount Fuji along the way.” Kara Godfrey
London to Paris by Eurostar
“Those who have never travelled on the Eurostar may wonder what’s so special about a seemingly ordinary train that takes you across the channel. You won’t have to waste a moment and can tick off all the top attractions from the Louvre to the Champs-Élysées which are both less than five kilometres from the Gare du Nord.” – Sophie Swietochowski
Glasgow to Fort William by Scotrail
“From mountain landscapes and serene lochs to the wistful moors, I spent my three-hour journey from Glasgow to Fort William gazing out the window. Sit on the left-hand side of the train for the best views overlooking Loch Lomond.” – Hope Brotherton
Beijing to Ulaanbatar
“The Trans-Mongolian Express is truly a train journey like no other. It starts amid the chaos of central Beijing before the city’s high-rises give way to crumbling ancient villages and eventually the vast vacant plains of Mongolia, via the Gobi desert. The deep orange sunset seen in the middle of the desert is among the best I’ve witnessed anywhere.” – Ryan Gray
Virgin Trains could launch between the UK and Europe.
And start-up Evolyn has revealed plans to launch train services between London to Paris.
Travel
Glasgow suburb named one of the coolest in the WORLD
A POPULAR area in Glasgow’s southside has been named one of the trendiest in the world.
Strathbungo beat stiff competition from Ekkamai in Bangkok, Thailand, and Palace Quarter in Budapest to come in 22nd place in Time Out’s list of the 38 coolest neighbourhoods for 2024.
Time Out contributing writer Sarah Gillespie claimed it was time for the district to step into the “spotlight.”
She wrote: “Cool new venues have been creeping up Pollokshaws Road for years, and now it’s time for Shawlands’ tiny-but-mighty neighbour to step into the spotlight.
“Strathbungo, in Glasgow’s Southside, began as a village of crofters and weavers before it was consumed by the city’s nineteenth-century expansion.
“Thanks to a dedicated group of residents, it became Glasgow’s first Conservation Area (together with Pollokshields) in 1973, preserving its Victorian terraces and tenements for future generations.
“That same independent spirit endures in its fresh, young businesses: laid back restaurants such as Lobo, boutiques such as BAM and Seamster Vintage, and bars supporting local breweries.”
It went on to point out other popular attractions in the area, such as its wildlife pond, rose gardens, and views over the Southside.
Strathbungo is also on the outskirts of some of Glasgow’s most-loved cultural attractions, including Pollokshields arts venue Tramway.
According to the magazine, the list focused on places that balance great local culture, food, street life, community, and one-of-a-kind local flavour.
To rank the list this year, Time Out’s global network of editors and experts factored in not just great vibes, food, drink, nightlife and independent culture, but also community.
And Notre-Dame-du-Mont in Marseille bagged the top spot.
Despite its reputation as an ‘unholy area’ with a ‘rebellious spirit,’ the town named after the local church boasts colourful cul-de-sacs, graffiti-covered alleyways, streets lined with plane trees, and twisting staircases.
Although it is a far cry from the ‘picturesque charm of Vauban,’ the neighbourhood exudes the jovial, laid-back atmosphere of a local market, the magazine claims.
Grace Beard, Travel Editor at Time Out, said: “Time Out’s annual ranking of the World’s Coolest Neighbourhoods celebrates the most unique and exciting pockets of our cities. The neighbourhoods on this year’s list have a lot in common: great places to eat and drink, cutting-edge culture, street life and a thriving community.
“But they’re also a distinct reflection of their cities, with each of them offering something special you wouldn’t find anywhere else.
“Some have only just reached their moment; others have been ‘cool’ for some time and are finding a new groove – all of them should be on your radar to visit in these cities.”
Last year, we told how Glasgow’s West End and Edinburgh’s lovely Leith made the popular list.
Leith in Edinburgh and Glasgow’s trendy West End came in at 16th and 20th in the top 40 of the World’s Coolest Neighbourhoods.
Travel
Eurostar set to join SkyTeam as first non-airline partner
Customers will be able to book combined rail and flight reservations “while enjoying SkyTeam benefits”
Continue reading Eurostar set to join SkyTeam as first non-airline partner at Business Traveller.
Travel
Seaside theme park in the UK is home to Europe’s best water ride
A THEME park in the UK right by the beach is now home to a ride named the best in Europe.
Blackpool Pleasure Beach’s Valhalla won the accolade of Europe’s Best Water Ride in the 2024 European Star Awards.
The ride, which first opened in 2000, reopened last year after a £4million revamp which took four years.
Claiming to be the UK’s “wettest rollercoaster,” it won big at the annual awards ceremony.
It comes after it was also named the Best Water Ride in the World at the 2023 Golden Ticket Awards last year – for the seventh time.
The ride sees passengers board a longboat before being taken to Valhalla by Ivar the Viking.
The website states: “Brave the adventure as the rider embarks on a thrilling journey on the best water ride in the world, experience all the elements through state-of-the-art special effects and immersive storytelling.
“Those adventurous enough to ride will be rewarded with more than four minutes of high-speed action thrills including multiple dramatic drops and real fire as they complete half a mile journey seated in a Viking longboat.”
You can even buy merch from the ride, including hoodies, t shirts, socks, cups and belts.
The park’s director of operations Andy Hygate said: “Valhalla is an incredible ride, and after its £4 million re-imagining last season we know that guests travel from near and far to experience it.”
The theme park has won a number of other awards this year too.
It won the gold award in the Best Seaside Park category at the UK Theme Park awards, as well as a bronze award for Best Theme Park for Thrills.
And both Big Dipper and the Grand National were awarded Rollercoaster Landmark Plaques, the only two in the UK.
Also new this year are two new live-action “scare zones” during their Halloween events.
This includes the Alice in Wonderland-themed ‘Down the Rabbit Hole’ and an unusual ‘Cabinet of Curiosities.’
Otherwise the theme park is now home to 10 rollercoasters and the country;’s only Nickelodeon land.
Having first opened in Blackpool in 1896, The Big One rollercoaster was once the world’s tallest rollercoaster.
It is now the UK’s second tallest and fastest ride, missing out to Thorpe Park’s new Hyperia, which opened this year.
One mum has revealed why Blackpool should be on your staycation bucket list.
And we’ve rounded up five coastal theme parks that have new rides and attractions this year.
What is it like to ride Valhalla?
The Sun’s Graeme Bryce recently tried Valhalla – here’s his verdict.
After four minutes of high-speed thrills on a Viking longboat, my family and I were absolutely DRENCHED.
I’ll certainly vouch for it being the wettest.
As we hurtled towards the finale, we passed through a fiery hell – nearly hot enough to melt our plastic ponchos – and even that couldn’t dry us out.
But fun? You better believe it.
Feeling a little soggy, we were relieved that The Boulevard Hotel was within walking, or squelching, distance of here.
Travel
Turkish Airlines to serve “world’s oldest bread” on select flights
Turkish Airlines has added “The Oldest Bread” to its in-flight service menu. Served heated and in a special bag with butter and olive oil before meal service, the bread will be available for intercontinental business class passengers
Travel
YOTEL to open Belfast property
The new-build hotel will be situated on Shaftesbury Square and will feature 165 rooms, “a dynamic food and beverage concept”, a fitness centre and meeting space
Continue reading YOTEL to open Belfast property at Business Traveller.
Travel
UK’s No.1 staycation town is near one of the country’s best value theme parks
IF you’re looking to explore a new corner of Britain, the UK’s best staycation destinations have been announced.
With things like the happiness rating of the area and what you can do there taken into consideration, Harrogate in North Yorkshire was named the best place to head.
The list was put together by the AA, who took over 30 locations in the country and scored them on six factors. These included:
- Things to do in the area
- Places to stay
- The happiness rating of the area
- The number of car parking spaces
- The number of petrol stations
- The number of EV chargers in the area per 100,00 people
Harrogate took the top spot on the list because it has one of the highest happiness ratings (7.8/10).
The motoring company said happiness is a good indication of how nice a place is to visit.
There are also plenty of EV charging spots and petrol stations to keep you on the move.
And after a long drive up there, there’s plenty to do.
Harrogate’s a wellness resort and there are many spas in the area to be pampered at.
Its history as a spa town dates back to the 16th century when William Slingsby, an English soldier, discovered a medicinal spring in the area.
In the centre of the town is Turkish Baths Harrogate, a moorish-style bath house that was built in the 19th century with three hot rooms, a steam room, and a plunge pool.
Rudding Park Spa, on the outskirts of the town, is also very popular with its rooftop spa and garden.
Aside from working up a sweat in the sauna, Harrogate has lots of shops, high street retailers and independent stores, and many restaurants offering different cuisines.
Some of the top restaurants include Royal Baths Chinese Restaurant, close to the Turkish Baths, and La Feria, a chic restaurant and bar with a terrace that offers traditional Spanish cuisine.
Best staycation destinations to drive to in the UK
- Harrogate
- Stratford-upon-Avon
- Newquay
- Horley
- Richmond
- Poole
- Great Yarmouth
- Carrickfergus
- Anglesey
- Abergavenny
Harrogate is also an ideal location to explore a bit of nature, such as Brimham Rocks on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales – collection of huge natural rock formations around a 20 minute drive away.
Some of the rocks are safe to climb on and incredible views of the surrounding area can be seen from the top.
Less than half an hour drive north of Harrogate is Lightwater Valley theme park, which was a finalist for the Best Value Theme Park award in the 2023 UK Theme Park Awards and voted Yorkshire’s Best Value for Money Family Day Out on Tripadvisor.
The theme park, in North Stainley, has over 40 rides and attractions.
The popular ones include The Ladybird, a family-friendly roller coaster which is ladybird themed, Dragon Drop, a drop tower ride, and Skyrider, also known as the ‘chair swings’.
Ticket prices start from £11.25 depending on the day you visit. If you’re under 90cm entry is free.
I grew up near Harrogate – here are three things you need to do if you visit
Harrogate is just a 15-minute drive from the historic market town Knaresborough where travel writer Katrina Turrill grew up.
If you spend a day in Harrogate here are three things she reckons everyone should experience:
Visit Bettys Cafe Tearooms and pick up a Fat Rascal
If there’s one thing Harrogate is famous for, its Bettys tearooms. There’s always queues to get in at the weekends and I consider them experts in afternoon tea. If you don’t have time for a sit down meal, you can bypass the queue for the cafe and just visit the shop, where you have to pick up a Fat Rascal – a cross between a rock cake and a scone. If you just can’t face how busy it can get, there’s a slightly quieter Bettys tearooms at RHS Garden Harlow Carr, less than a 10-minute drive away.
Enjoy a stroll through Valley Gardens with the family
Valley Gardens is a lovely space in the town centre of Harrogate with lots going on. There’s a cafe where you can pick up hot drinks and ice-cream, a play area for children, a skatepark, beautiful flowers to admire, and plenty of quiet spots to sit and relax.
Go shopping or enjoy a meal at one of the restaurants around Montpellier Quarter
The quarter is very picturesque with its cobbled streets, floral hanging baskets and independent businesses that include art galleries, antique shops, fashion boutiques, cafes and restaurants. It’s a short walk away from Vallery Gardens and great if you like to shop independently.
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