Inaugurated in 1994, following the completion of the undersea Channel Tunnel linking England with France, Eurostar is a high-speed international passenger-rail service. Reaching speeds of up to 186mph (299km/h) on dedicated lines, the Eurostar journeys through the Kent countryside before diving into the 31.4 mile (50.5km) long Channel Tunnel at Folkestone. The train emerges at Coquelles in Northern France.
Connecting the cities of London, Paris and Lille in France, and the Belgian capital of Brussels, Eurostar allows travellers to avoid the long queues and lengthy transfers associated with air travel whilst maintaining a comfortable, fast service.
Eurostar launched services from St. Pancras and Ebbsfleet International in November 2007 following the completion of the second section of the UK's first high-speed line. Journey times have subsequently fallen, with London-Paris taking 2 hours 15 minutes, London-Brussels taking 1 hour 51 minutes, and the trip from London to Lille lasting just 1 hour 20 minutes.
Eurostar's fleet of 38 modified Train à Grande Vitesse (TGV) trains consist of two power cars and either 14 or 18 passenger carriages offering a modern and comfortable service to passengers.
A fleet of Eurostar E320 trains will be introduced in 2015, capable of speeds of up to 320km/h. The brand new trains boast interiors designed by Italian firm, Pininfarina.
Eurostar's Standard Class coaches feature two seats on either side of the central aisle, most of which is arranged in an 'airline' seating configuration with drop down tray tables. There are two tables for four per carriage. Passengers travelling in Eurostar Standard Class coaches can take advantage of the Bar-Buffet, which sells a range of snacks, meals, hot and cold drinks - including Champagne!
The highest class of Eurostar travel available for leisure customers is Standard Premier Class. In your dedicated Standard Premier carriage, you'll find a less dense seat configuration, meaning the seats are larger and you have ample space to relax and stretch out. As part of the service, you'll enjoy complimentary drinks and refreshments, served at your seat by friendly, helpful staff.
For the class of Eurostar travel used on your chosen tour, please refer to the 'What's Included' section of the tour page.
There are 157 holidays in this category
Experience the very essence of Italy as we discover stylish Milan, the Eternal City of Rome, the tiny yet powerful Vatican City, graceful Renaissance Florence, the labyrinthine port of grand Venice, and iconic Pisa with its unmistakable Leaning Tower, with comfortable rail travel and 4-Star hotels throughout.
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Cruising the scenic Seine, explore the world of the Impressionist artists, from Monet's famous garden at Giverny to the city galleries of Paris and Rouen. Paired with informative on board talks and shore excursions along both the Route des Abbayes and the Alabaster Coast, this is a tour that delivers the very best of Northern France.
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Innsbruck, our base in the Tyrol, is ideal for yuletide trips to pretty Kufstein, medieval Rattenberg and the Alpine town of Seefeld. The Zillertalbahn steam railway is a real highlight, as it winds its way up to the winter resort of Mayrhofen through stunning scenery.
Step on board the Celebrity Silhouette, for a superb ocean cruise experience through the warm waters of the Western Mediterranean. Boarding at Barcelona, we travel across the sea, stopping at charming ports of call - from Cannes and the Côte d'Azur, to Tuscany and Rome, our tour takes us to the highlights of this beautiful European region.
Experience some of the most glorious destinations in the whole of the Mediterranean such as the idyllic, golden island of Corsica, with its picturesque beaches, and the quintessential holiday spots of the Italian and French Rivieras. Taste one of Italy's most famous dishes and discover the glamour of Monaco and Cannes, all from the comfort of your unique five-masted tall ship, the Royal Clipper.
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Cruise the mighty Danube and Rhine on this epic journey through Europe's heartland. From the Hungarian capital of Budapest, explore the heritage of regal Austria before following the winding valleys and traditional riverside towns of historic Bavaria. Then, continue to the Dutch capital of Amsterdam and explore the city's beautiful network of canals.
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Journey along two of Europe's most important rivers on this awe-inspiring cruise. Follow the Rhine from Amsterdam to Cologne, meandering through the iconic Rhine Gorge before joining the Main and passing through the heartland of medieval Germany, all aboard a fabulous Travelmarvel vessel.
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Experience a true taste of Russia on this epic cruise along the tributaries of the Volga River. From traditional Russian villages to the cultural cities of St Petersburg and Moscow, delve into Russian heritage both ashore and aboard the fantastic MS Rostropovich.
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Stunning scenery and spectacular views are enough to take your breath away as we travel by rail through the heart of the Swiss Alps on the world-famous Glacier Express train. We enjoy thrilling mountain railways, charming towns and dramatic Alpine scenery for which Switzerland is justly famous.
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On this Christmas Market holiday, we stay in Luxembourg whilst enjoying the best of the festive season with visits to the Christmas Markets of medieval Trier and nearby Metz.
Late departures available