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 Eurostar Celebrates its 10th Anniversary
 Eurostar, (www.raileurope.com), the high-speed passenger train with direct service from London to Paris or Brussels, celebrated its 10th anniversary in November 2004, and Luxury Experience Magazine was there to experience it!
Edward F. Nesta and I were in Paris in November 2004, and needed to travel to London, so we decided to forego arriving early and waiting at the airport, and decided to experience the Eurostar train. Talk about convenience combined with luxury! With our pre-purchased tickets from Rail Europe in hand, there was no need to arrive early and wait in long lines. We quickly passed through the security point and customs, went directly to the waiting lounge, which offered passengers duty-free shopping before we proceeded to our assigned cabin and our seats. Our first class seats were very comfortable with wide seats and footrests, and large tray tables, which allowed us ample workspace. Traveling on Eurostar was not only luxurious, but it was also very convenient since Eurostar offers 16 daily departures, in either direction, from London and Paris, (and 9 daily departures from London and Brussels), and the trip took just 2 hours and 35 minutes from the Paris Nord Station to the London Waterloo Station, as the high-speed train often reached speeds of 186-mph. Attendants came by 30 minutes after the train had departed the Paris station offering the passengers a beverage service of tea, coffee, and juice, as well as a selection of fresh breads and pastries served from a large tray, accompanied by butter, preserves and yogurt. They also distributed menus for a second service. Menus offered passengers a selection of Fromage blanc with fruit, a Plain omelet with pork chipolata, grilled tomato and dauphinois potatoes or Tartare of smoked salmon with a dill and lemon cream sauce, as well as bread and pastries. Passengers could choose from a beverage selection of fresh orange or apple juice, tea, coffee or hot chocolate. Edward selected the omelet, which was fluffy and hot, and I selected the salmon, which was a delicious ample portion. The meals were served on white china with real cutlery, a real treat when traveling these days. Service was courteous and professional, with frequent offerings of beverages. 20 minutes through the Channel Tunnel and we streamlined from France to the United Kingdom under bright blue skies. Just before we arrived at London’s Waterloo Station, the attendants came by offering the passengers hot towels to refresh themselves before departing the train. Congratulations to Rail Europe and Eurostar where over 59 million passengers have traveled on the Eurostar over the past 10 years. Happy anniversary, and may your success continue!
For more information on Rail Europe or Eurostar, please contact them at: 1-800-EUROSTAR or go to www.raileurope.com.
Read other articles on England in Hotels & Resorts, Destinations, Music Scene, Chefs’ Recipes and Restaurants.
© March 2005.Luxury Experience. www.luxuryexperience.com All rights reserved.
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