There was a point in time where travel from Manchester to continental Europe could only be done via boat or plane across the English Channel. That’s not the case today thanks to the Chunnel and Eurostar trains. Now, all you and your party need to do is get to London’s St. Pancras station. From there, you can take a day trip or an extended holiday to many European destinations.
To help you plan an upcoming trip, here are some holiday suggestions from Manchester to Europe.
Amsterdam
There’s a lot of good news when considering a trip to Amsterdam. First, an average of 34 trains run daily from Manchester’s Oxford Road Station to London. Second, getting from London to Amsterdam by train is a direct route that takes approximately four hours.
Depending on your schedule and the time you leave, there’s a potential to make your visit from London to Amsterdam by train a day visit. However, you would miss many of the city’s beautiful attractions. So, try to stay for at least a weekend to immerse yourself in the region’s culture.
For instance, you can’t rush through Amsterdam’s annual tulip festival. Visitors from across the world come to the city each spring to welcome the new season of these colorful flowers.
In addition, you want to linger along Amsterdam’s canals. Not only is this area filled with the city’s unique cafes and shops, but it also becomes a gorgeously lit landscape at night. A sight you and your party certainly want to wait for and possibly view from one of the boats that cruise the canals.
On top of these two items, a trip to Amsterdam isn’t complete without a stop at one of the numerous museums that dot the city. So, leave time to amaze at Dutch’s greatest artists at the Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum, and Rembrandt House Museum. Or, feel the strength and courage that comes from the Anne Frank House.
Rotterdam
While Amsterdam is home to classic European architecture and culture, its sibling to the south, Rotterdam, is more contemporary. Nevertheless, this Dutch city is filled with plenty of attractions for a day trip or extended holiday.
You’ll immediately see this when you exit the train into Central Station Rotterdam, an architectural beauty with part of its roof comprised of solar panels. As you make your way through the river city, you’ll see the stunning pylon of the Erasmusbrug — the bridge that connects the northern and southern parts of Rotterdam. And when you look skyward, you’ll see Euromast observation tower.
Rotterdam is more than its modern architecture. There are plenty of attractions as well. Many of them take place on the river in the form daily tours from Spido, one of the longest-running cruise businesses in the city. You can also see the skyline from Splashtours, a guided tour that becomes a river journey when the bus you are on transforms into a boat.
Like its northern sibling, Rotterdam also has its share of museums housed in buildings that are works of art in themselves. The Depot Boijmans Van Beuningen is a 40-metre high museum covered in mirrors that features art collections developed without the input of a curator. Also visit the Nederlands Fotomuseum for its 5.5 million photographic images and the Maritime Museum, the oldest of its kind in the Netherlands. When you’re traveling with kids the Rotterdam Zoo – Blijdorp will keep them amused all day.
Paris
Paris is a true day trip from London. And while it’s a destination in itself, it’s also a jumping-off point for other adventures in France. For instance, you can hop on another Eurostar train from Paris to Boudreaux or Lourdes. You can even take the family on a day trip to Disneyland Paris from London.
No matter the end destination, you want to spend some time in the City of Lights to absorb the architecture, the culture, and the food of this European city. While trips to the Eiffel Tower and The Louvre are essential for new or seasoned visitors, you also want to look for those off the beaten path attractions.
For example, the Gaîté Lyrique is a museum for adults and children that embraces the art and creativity of the digital age. Foodies must make a stop at Le Marché de Belleville for the smells and tastes of items from an international group of market vendors. And, if you want to see Paris from a different perspective, then do it through Le Ballon de Paris, a 12-story hot air balloon that travels across the city’s skyline.
Overall, a train holiday from Manchester to Europe is as grand of an experience as you want to make it for yourself and your party. Make each journey special by visiting something new in an already-visited city. Try out a new museum, see another show, or take part in one of their local events.
Finally, make sure you plan ahead. While spontaneity is great, it can be hampered when a train is fully booked, or an attraction is closed. By doing some research ahead of time you’ll make your European holiday a glorious one.
