by Hop on a train at St Pancras in London and later that day you could be sipping Trappist beers in Belgium, strolling through fairytale grounds. castle, or by bicycle through the Loire Valley. All of these experiences are at your fingertips without the hassle of air travel: a trip without long lines at passport control, turbulence or problems with luggage.
When you travel by train, you can watch the landscape evolve as you travel, and maybe even stop for lunch along the way, all while feeling a little satisfied with your less cumbersome carbon footprint. However, if you plan to travel through Amsterdam in 2024, be aware of track closures during renovations.
The Eurostar, through continental connections, opens up dozens of cities that can be reached from London in one day. Options with journey times of six hours or less include capital cities, quaint towns and picturesque rural areas – here we’ve selected a few to consider.
Zaanse Schans, Netherlands
Fight the crowds of central London in the morning and by late afternoon you will be transported to the Netherlands of the 18th and 19th centuries. Of course, the most practical plan would be to enjoy an afternoon in Amsterdam and a quiet morning, before hopping on a 20-minute train.
A living museum of sorts, Zaanse Schans is a residential neighborhood and an area where traditions of baking, cheese making and metal casting (in the pewter foundry) are still alive.
Take a long walk past sculptural windmills on football fields, wooden houses and picturesque workshops, and whet your appetite for pancakes with apricot jam at De Kraai restaurant.
Travel time: approximately 5 hours (one change: Amsterdam).
Namur, Belgium
The city of Namur, capital of the Belgian region of Wallonia, has an intricate history. It sits at the confluence of the Meuse and the Sambre, which made it a strategic base for previous rulers.
The medieval citadel looms over the city and, within its walls and underground passages, traces some 2,000 years of European history. You can even taste some of the local beers in their underground rooms.
Wallonia is known for its Trappist breweries and there are many local varieties to try, such as Blanche de Namur, Gauloise Blonde and Chimay Gold. Hop on the Eurostar to Brussels-Midi and from there take a train for about an hour to Namur.
Travel time: approximately 3 hours and 20 minutes (one change: Brussels)
Gouda, Netherlands
Maybe you like the cheese that bears your name or are simply intrigued by the cheese-making process? If you travel to Gouda, you will arrive at the “cheese valley”, an area comprising four regions: Gouda, Bodegraven-Reeuwijk, Woerden and Krimpenerwaard.
Start at the Gouda Cheese Experience, before trying the Gouda Cheese Market, where wheels of the produce are delivered by horse-drawn carts before piling up in front of the old town hall.
Once you’ve had your cheese fix, take a stroll around the Saint-Jan church, which towers over the city and admire its vibrant stained glass windows. A Eurostar to Rotterdam Central followed by a short connection to Gouda.
Travel time: approximately 4 hours (one change: Rotterdam)
Strasbourg, France
‘Tis the season for mulled wine, gingerbread and well-lit urban squares. The Strasbourg Christmas market is the largest and oldest in France: its stalls stretch in front of the cathedral, which dominates the city, as well as emerging between the traditional Petite half-timbered houses and along its cobbled streets.
To escape the crowds, layer up and join a city boat tour on the River Ill, then retreat to the bars of Marché-Gayot. To get to Strasbourg, board the Eurostar to Paris and transfer at Gare de L’Est to take a train to Strasbourg.
Travel time: approximately 5 hours
Loire Valley, France
Plan a spring trip to the big castles to have something to look forward to in 2024. The delights of the Loire Valley are about an hour from Paris, which (on the faster Eurostar service) is about two and a quarter hours from London St Pancras. International.
Take the metro to Paris Montparnasse, where you can connect to the city of Chartres. Include a stop at the medieval Notre Dame Cathedral, perhaps exploring its crypt, before taking a bus to the vineyards.
Beyond the city, castles, vineyards and villages await. Local buses are a way to get around castles, without depending on a car. Plus, of course, more than 1,000 vineyards are open to the public – wait until spring or summer and take advantage of longer days to taste and buy your favorite vintages. Rent a bike and pedal among a carefully selected few, which further limits your carbon count.
Travel time: approximately 3 h 45 min (one change: Paris)
Drachenburg Castle, Germany
Winter is an appropriate time to explore Germany’s grand villas, palaces and castles: the cold, with the not-too-distant prospect of a little snow, only adds to the atmosphere.
Schloss Dracnehburg, perched above a valley with rounded spiers and a rose-tinted exterior, could be taken from the pages of an 18th-century fairy tale and can be reached from London in about half a day, traveling to Königswinter station.
The history of the castle began with Stephan Sarter (born 1833), the youngest son of an innkeeper from the city of Bonn. He became duke in 1882 and soon laid the foundation stone for his dream residence: a mix of villa, mansion and castle.
Sarter never lived there, but it went through several periods, including as a summer resort and boarding school. Its park, terraces and towers are now open to visitors.
Travel time: approximately 5 hours (two changes: Brussels and Cologne)
