France

Eurostar has unveiled a £700m investment program to overhaul its aging rolling stock.

The Channel Tunnel rail operator – which offers services between London, Paris and Brussels – confirmed the plans will see the company purchase ten new trainsets from German manufacturer Siemens. A complete overhaul and refurbishment of the existing fleet will also begin in 2011.

The move represents the first key initiative since the recent transformation of the Eurostar business from a partnership to a single, unified corporate entity.Eurostar was established in 1994 as a partnership between SNCF, SNCB and LCR railways, but became a single company owned by the three founders last month.

Eurostar chief executive, Nicolas Petrovic, said the transformation of Eurostar into a standalone business and the major capital investment announced today is a mark of our growth ambitions for the future.

“The combination of our new state-of-the-art trains and our refurbished fleet will assure our position as the leading rail operator between the UK and the continent and make us the obvious choice for short haul European travel.

The investment in the fleet will be funded privately by Eurostar with a combination of cash and bank financing.

Eurostar chief executive, Nicolas Petrovic, argues the move will transform the business Last month Deutsche Bahn outlined proposals to begin services through the Channel Tunnel.

The German train operator plans to offer services between the financial capitals of London and Frankfurt once safety requirements have been met.

New Trains

THe new Eurostar e3202 trains will be interoperable, allowing them to operate across the European high speed rail network.

With capacity to carry more than 900 passengers, the Eurostar e320 will have 20 per cent more seats than the existing Eurostar trains which carry 750 travellers.

Capable of a speed of 200 mph, the new trains could see journey times between London and Paris reduced to just over two hours, London to Amsterdam to under four hours and London to Geneva to around five hours.

Secretary of state for transport, Philip Hammond, said: “The transformation of Eurostar into a single entity has created a company well placed to attract the resources and investment needed to deliver a world class service. AP

The Courchevel 1850 resort in France is one of the best ski resorts in the world if you happen to be a beginner. Yes, we were all beginners once, but maybe not the Courchevel 1850 resort. The resort knows that if you get the beginners, the intermediates and advanced will follow. With over 50% of all runs dedicated specifically to beginners, it is a haven for those learning to ski, or looking to refine their skills and expertise whilst on a French ski holiday.

Rumored to be the most expensive resort on the French Alps, this isn’t strictly the truth. You can find really good deals if you know where to look, and there are really good discounts for group bookings too, although you get what you pay for like everywhere else.

Courchevel is part of the Three Valleys resorts, and itself is divided into four distinct areas from the bottom to the top: 1300, 1550, 1650, and 1850. In general, the further up you go, the more expensive your trip is likely to be, so it is wise to consider going slightly further down, where you can still find some amazing skiing, both off piste and cross country, as well as some great downhill runs. With an astonishing 65 ski lifts across the resort, the Courchevel is an enormous skiing resort, and attracts a wide variety of tourists from across Europe, and indeed the world.

The Courchevel 1300 is located right at the very bottom of the resort, and is truly beautiful in an unspoilt, picturesque sense. It is a fantastic challenge for beginners, and is ideal for those looking for some relaxation or even entertainment outside of their skiing holiday. Alternatively, moving up, there is the 1550, which is seen as the playground of the locals. Here you can benefit from some amazing self catering deals, and also manage to find great skiing, so this is perhaps a good consideration for those with families. Again, moving up there is the 1650, home of the famous ski school, and a number of top quality restaurants. With largely chalet accommodation, this is also a great resort to choose for your French skiing holiday. Finally we have the 1850 – The 1850 is home to the rich and the famous, and you’re looking at an arm and a leg if you want to ski there. Although the skiing isn’t that much better (unless you’re looking for off-piste), there are heftier queues, and the resort isn’t overly child friendly or family orientated.

Of the four resorts on the Courchevel, you are guaranteed to have a great skiing holiday whichever you choose. Each has the benefit of world class skiing, although the facilities may differ between each. It is important to decide what it is you are looking for, and then to base your choice around this, so you can make the most of your skiing holiday. Why not consider taking a few lessons at the world famous Courchevel ski school? Or how about sampling some of the extensive night life these resorts have to offer? Whether you are a dedicated skier, or have never been on a pair of skis in your life, you are sure to find exactly what you are looking for on the Courchevel, and you are guaranteed a holiday to remember.

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BOOK THIS TOUR – CLICK HERE!

Duration: 2 days / 1 night

Location: Reims, France

From GBP £153.91

Highlights

Get in the festive mood with an indulgent overnight stay in the heart of the Champagne region – Reims. See the Christmas Exhibition at Tau Palace, try mulled wine as you stroll through the Christmas Village, and make the most of your time with a Reims City Pass.

This is the season to be jolly when you book an Overnight Christmas in Reims Package!

Conveniently located only 2 minutes from downtown Reims and just a few kilometers from the region’s renowned vineyards, The Assiette Champenoise, set within a peaceful 4 acre park, will entertain you with refined luxury and gourmet indulgence.

Your package includes a Reims City Pass is valid for 1 month from time of collection and gives you entrance to a variety of different museums. You can also visit the cellars of a famous champagne house (Mumm, Pommery, Piper Heidsieck, Taittinger, Martel, Canard Duchene), including a tasting, and get the chance to discover the famous “Biscuits Roses” made by the Maison Fossier.

Stroll around the Christmas village in the heart of Reims as you sip a glass of mulled wine. Visit the special Christmas exhibition at Tau Palace

Easily accessible by car (1.5 hours) or by the new TGV link (45 minutes), a visit to Reims and the Champagne region is within reach if you are staying in Paris.

Book Overnight Christmas in Reims

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BOOK THIS TOUR!
From £55.26
Location: Paris, France
4star based on 184 reviews

Take a tour of Versailles with a difference – by bicycle! It’s the only way to see Versailles’ expansive gardens plus you’ll get to see highlights of Versailles that most visitors miss, including Marie Antoinette’s country-style Hameau, the Petit Trianon and the Grand Trianon. You’ll also enjoy a picnic by the Grand Canal then take a tour of the palace of Versailles.

Highlights

• Recorded commentary by audio headphones
• All entrance fees included
• Cycle the city streets to absorb the local atmosphere
• Rail Tour
• Conducted in English

Together with your guide, you’ll cycle your hired bicycle to the RER train station to make the 20-minute trip by train to Versailles. The first of many highlights on this active day out is a visit to Versailles’ village market to buy baguettes, cheese, ham, wine and whatever else you desire for your delicious picnic lunch in Versailles’ gardens. These picnic provisions are purchased at your own expense.

The next highlight today is a bike ride through the gardens behind Versailles palace. You’ll leave foot visitors behind on your tour of the palace by bicycle, as visitors on foot can visit only a small fraction of the palace gardens. Versailles’ gardens and forests are crisscrossed by a network of fantastic trails and tree-lined paths, so bring your camera for picture-perfect views in every direction.

Arriving at the far end of the Grand Canal, you’ll settle down for a picnic in the exact spot where Louis XIV, XV and XVI ate in order to marvel at their palace. Relax on the grass in peace where only your cycling group will be able to easily reach this end of the Grand Canal.

After lunch, pedal back towards the palace itself for an unforgettable view into the lives of the French monarchy before their removal from power by the Revolution in 1789. You’ll visit the Hall of Mirrors (site of the treaty ending World War I), the King’s State Apartments and the amazing King’s Chapel (audio guide available). After your visit to Versailles you’ll return to Paris via RER train.

Special Offer – FREE Paris t-shirt for all guests who book and travel in June or July – BOOK NOW!

Schedule

Departure Dates: Seasonal

March 01 to March 31 – Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday

April 01 to October 31 – Daily, except Monday

November 01 to November 30 – Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday

Departure Point: Tour departs from 24, rue Edgar Faure, Paris which is located only a 5 minute walk from the Eiffel Tower

Departure Time: 9:00am

Return Details: Returns to original departure point at approximately 4:00pm

For additional information GO HERE!

Our guide was fun, energetic and knowledgeable. Had been to Versailles before and just done the palace–this was the better way to go. Seeing more of grounds was far more interesting. Long day but worth it.

Reviewed by: Dudley B, United States of America, May 2009

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