In praise of: close-to-home travel

In the quiet breath between seasons, I find myself asking: is there anything more restorative than the three-day weekend? A stolen Friday or Monday, away from the office, creates space for exploring. Somewhere close to home, with just enough distance to turn off the mental chatter. No airport stress in sight. 

A short train ride, a good book, coffee in hand. Disembark someplace that feels restorative: the heady scent of tulip fields in the Netherlands, farmers markets in France, or Belgium's answer to La Dolce Vita, within reach in a few hours. Read on for our top curated picks for a close-to-home long weekend by train. 

Wallonia and the Ardennes

Dubbed Belgium's answer to La Dolce Vita, the Wallonian town of Namur has a penchant for slowness and good food. Think a medieval old town, riverside setting and a slew of alfresco cafes that won't rush you for the check. And if you want to adventure further afield, there are over 100km of bike routes and the ancient forested hills of the Ardennes on your doorstep.

Thomas Würth

Lille

Despite being only a 90-minute train ride from London, Lille still feels like a place that’s not hit the mainstream weekend getaway bucket list. But it’s all the better for it, with galleries that rival Paris (including the Palais des Beaux-Arts), but less crowded. Most recently, eyes have been on Lille’s rising culinary scene, from artisan bakeries to its buzzing bistro culture, where locals far outnumber tourists.

Jose Zuniga

Leiden

There's a time and a place for spandex, but not in Leiden. A pastel Dutch upright is the preferred transportation for bike routes along canals quieter than Amsterdam. The Bollenstreek's tulip fields are easily reached in spring, or visit Polderpark Cronesteyn's marsh woodland and bird-filled meadows year-round, picnic in tow.

Bruges

Few places are as photogenic as Bruges, but the 'Venice of the North' has more than just a pretty exterior. Inside the UNESCO medieval buildings, Dutch masters hang in tucked-away chapels, small museums preserve esoteric histories, and chocolatiers glisten with pralines, truffles, and ganaches.

Tanya Prodaan

Le Perche

Le Perche is a coveted secret among Parisians seeking a taste of rural bliss. A short direct train ride from the French capital will transport you into a bucolic haven of forest and valleys, with the clip-clop of the famous Percheron horses as the soundtrack to escape. 

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