Short breaks by train

Lille

Oh-so-cool neighbourhoods, vibrant fusion food and vintage markets. Meet the capital of the Hauts-de-France region and rising star of regenerative tourism.

Cassel and Bergues

Discover the fortified towns of Bergues and Cassel, recognised as one of the most picturesque rural communities in northern France.

Bordeaux

Explore honey-hued streets, art museums and bustling wine bars. Take a day trip to the seaside, Europe's largest dune and the cool waters of the Arcachon Basin.

Dijon

Burgundy's capital and UNESCO site, Dijon's walkable centre is filled with half-timbered medieval and Renaissance buildings dating back to the 15th century.

Rotterdam

The second-largest city in Holland, characterised by striking modern architecture, sustainable urban design and a rising plant-based food scene.

Apeldoorn

On the edge of the Hoge Veluwe National Park, Appeldoorn’s regal, historic centre extends out into miles of biodiverse countryside, easily explored on foot or by bike.

Delft

The home of Vermeer, Delft Blue pottery, and lazy Saturday bric-à-brac markets along the canal. Perfect for enjoying museums without the crowds.

Betws-y-Coed

Go off-grid in the mountains of Betws-y-Coed. The Rocks hostel in Snowdonia is all wood beams, log fires and life’s simple pleasures.

Falmouth

Enjoy a wellness weekend in Falmouth. Book into the spa, get your cold water fix in the Cornish sea, or discover your creative side at an arts class.

York and Malton

An ode to God's own country. Explore York and Malton, both Yorkshire towns that inspired two classic authors: JK Rowling and Dickens.

Glasgow and Oban

Stay in lively Glasgow, with its rich heritage, before heading to the seaside town of Oban for relaxation and wildlife-spotting.

Norwich and Hoveton

The Broads is Britain’s largest and most wildlife-rich wetland. Spend a weekend exploring fens and woodlands along its gentle waterways.

Edinburgh and Glasgow

Two nights. Two sleeper train journeys. Two Scottish cities. Enough galleries, restaurants, and live music to make you go back for more.

With parks and nature reserves, Ghent is a city green to its core: home to the largest car-free zone in Europe and Belgium's 'Veggie Thursday' movement.

Leafy canals, gingerbread houses and cobbled streets, with a history of lace production and a beer culture so good it's been declared UNESCO Heritage.

Brussels ticks all the boxes of culture, nightlife and gastronomy, from Michelin-starred dining to paper cones of moules-frites washed down with Belgian beer.

Authenticity meets glamour: Turin’s charachterful crumbling Roman old town opens up to palatial squares and elegant city parks.

Forget what you know of this Swiss financial hub and discover the West’s buzzing warehouse galleries and bars. All backdropped by Alpine views.

A spa city in Germany’s Three-Border Region, home to beautiful forested landscapes, lake-side hiking trails and sprawling national parks.

One of Germany’s most diverse cities, with a bounty of museums that range from chocolate to perfume, modern art to Roman history.