Eurostar Train

The Eurostar is the amazingly easy-to-use train that connects London, Paris, Lille and Brussels. Comfortable seats, easy check-in and a quick trip are all reasons why you should skip the plane from London to Paris and hop on the Eurostar.

Last week, I experienced the Eurostar first hand. I started my trip in Amsterdam, then took a flight to London and then the Eurostar from London to Paris. I can’t emphasize enough how much easier Eurostar is then taking a flight.

With a flight, you have to get to the airport first, then go through lines at check-in and at security and the border control. It’s line after line and at the end of it, you’re stuck in a usually small airplane with very little space and a “fasten seatbelt” sign that keeps you from stretching your legs a little.

On the Eurostar, it is a breeze. The check-in is very easy. When you purchase a Eurostar ticket from STA Travel, you’ll get a ticket that you take to Eurostar area at the train station with plenty of agents to help check you in. You then make a quick stop at security and get your passport stamped. After that, you head to your train platform and grab your very comfortable seat and enjoy a smooth ride to your destination.

In total, it took me 10 minutes from the time I got to the train station to the time I was in my seat on the Eurostar. That’s compared to the hour-and-a-half to go through two security lines and check-in at Amsterdam Schipol. Eurostar itself recommends arriving at least 30 minutes prior to train departure. For international flights, most recommend arriving two hours prior to your flight departure.

So save some time – and money – and book a Eurostar ticket for your next trip.

The Dail Museum

I am typing this entry from the bus on the way back from a mind-blowing University of Dreams weekend excursion to Carcassonne, France, and Figueres, Spain. I should mention that yesterday was the 4th of July, so it was a bit nuts to be in France with a group of Americans visiting from Spain.

Still, I was more than happy to be revisiting my first European love, France, and to work my way around the castle grounds of Carcassonne (I was quite popular this weekend for that reason). I’d never been to Carcassonne before but had heard nothing but good things about it. The good things were real. Carcassonne is a medieval city in the southwest of France, not terribly far from the Spanish border, and you know, aside from all its outrageous history (which we got to learn about during our walking tour), it should be noted for how photogenic it is.

So we spent Saturday in France (bon anniversaire, America!), and Sunday in Spain – in Figueres,
where we visited the Dalí museum. And now I would like to start a new paragraph, for dramatic effect, because what I am about to say about the Dalí museum deserves your attention.

THE DALI MUSEUM IS THE MOST AMAZING MUSEUM I HAVE EVER SEEN IN MY WHOLE LIFE OMG.

And guys. I’m not just talking about the works of art on display. I’m also talking about the museum itself.  I have now seen the genius and craftmanship and sheer MAGNITUDE of Dali’s artistic output, and I have developed new feelings towards Dalí: feelings of DISBELIEF.It is literally unbelievable how much amazing art this man made in his lifetime.

So, sorry, Sal ol’ Pal, but I have my doubts about you. Better turn those melting clocks back in time so you can make something more reasonable that isn’t simply going to blow everyone else’s art out of the water or make me want to throw it all away to become a curator in your museum and live and breathe your art every day. DAAA DALI IS SO GOOD! I DON’T CARE ANYMORE! I WILL SING IT FROM THE HILLS! DALIIIIIIII IS SO GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOD!!!!!

Kelly Doyle-Mace was a runner-up for the 2009 World Traveler Internship and chronicled her prize for the STA Travel Blog – a spot as a University of Dreams Intern at BCN Week in Barcelona, Spain.

“Germy” sites? Whatever.

CNN.com reports today on “The 5 Germiest Tourist Attractions.” Must be a slow news day.

Photo Credit: brosner on Flickr

Here’s the list:

• Blarney Stone (Blarney Castle, Ireland) because about 400,000 people kissed it last year alone.
• Market Theater Gum Wall (Seattle) because it’s a wall of chewed gum.
• St. Mark’s Square (Venice, Italy) because pigeons crowd the air and cover the ground here and leave their mark (poop) wherever they please.
• Grauman’s Chinese Theater (L.A.) because people put their hands in the handprints of their favorite celebrities.
• Oscar Wilde’s Tomb (Paris) because of the massive amount of lipsticked kisses covering it.

Yea, you can see the point. But, really, is it a big deal? You probably pick up the same amount of germs using a public restroom, pushing a shopping cart at the grocery store or just by using weights at your gym. I’ve kissed the Blarney Stone and the germs didn’t kill me.

So, don’t let the thought of germs put a damper on your travel plans. Between the rain and scheduled cleanings of the above-mentioned, you’re okay.

A few months ago, Robin Chase, our national training manager, visited Paris and came back with a few Paris tips for you guys. She also shot an amazing video tour of Paris that shows seven different famous places and/or sights in Paris.

We completely forgot about sharing the video with you guys until we heard from our pals at Lufthansa and United who are offering some crazy fares to Europe from now until December. With these fares, you can head to Paris in late October for as low as $328 round-trip, including fuel surcharges, to see all of these sights for yourself in person.

In the meantime, check out the video and try to spot the seven different sights. The first person to do so and reply in the comments section below gets a free Europe guidebook. Make sure to use a valid e-mail address when you comment so we can notify you if you win.