'Most magical' European city named best to visit on short break from UK by train
If you're after a European getaway that doesn't involve the rush of an airport, then Which?'s latest survey might have just pinpointed your next destination. They've recently conducted a study to find European cities within half a day's rail travel from the UK, which are worth a visit based on several criteria.
Over 1,000 Which? members were asked to rate their experience in various cities reachable by a train journey seven hours or less from London. They gauged these locations on food and drink, accommodation, cultural sights, attractions, value for money, and provided an overall score that reflected satisfaction and likelihood to recommend.
Topping the list with a stellar score of 85 per cent is Bruges in Belgium, surprisingly surpassing even the likes of Paris and Amsterdam in holidaymaker satisfaction, reports the Express.
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Conveniently, Bruges is just a three-and-a-half-hour train ride away from London St Pancras, making it a brief jaunt across the Channel yet transporting travellers to what feels like a different world entirely. Visitors praised Bruges' enchanting canals and historic cobbled streets, rewarding it with glowing testimonials, highlighting its "magical" and "enchanting" ambiance.
Furthermore, gourmands will be pleased as the city clinched a four-star rating for its sumptuous food and drink, tempting travellers with its famed chocolate shops and charming cafes. The city also earned four stars for its cultural sights and attractions, accommodation, value for money and ease of getting around, with many visitors noting the compact and walkable nature of the city.
Bordeaux in France came in a close second place with 84 per cent. The journey from London to this city, famous for its wine, takes approximately six hours.
The city was one of only two in the survey (the other being Lyon, at 71 per cent) to receive a five-star rating for food and drink. Many respondents highlighted its "superb restaurants" which "cater to all tastes and pockets".
Bordeaux also received five stars for ease of getting around. Visitors found the city easy to navigate on foot or by public transport, thanks to its efficient tram network.
It earned four stars for its cultural sights and attractions, including the popular wine museum and cultural centre, La Cite du Vin. Here, visitors can partake in a range of activities, from an interactive exhibition on the history of wine-making to wine-tasting sessions.
Amsterdam, the Dutch capital, and the historic French city of Avignon tied in third place, each scoring 82 per cent.
Amsterdam, known for its maze of waterways lined with distinctive canal houses, is just a four-hour journey from London St Pancras. Travellers have rated the city highly, awarding it five stars for its cultural sights and attractions, which feature the prestigious Rijksmuseum with its world-renowned artworks and the moving Anne Frank House.
It also scored four stars for the ease of travel within the city and three stars for offering good value for money, food and beverage experiences, and accommodations.
Just a six-hour trek from London, the historical town of Avignon received top marks for its cultural attractions, not least the prominent Popes' Palace, a UNESCO acclaimed site labelled as "an essential visit" by those surveyed. The palace provides a deep dive into the riveting segment of European history when Avignon played host to the papacy between 1309 and 1379.
Avignon didn't disappoint in terms of value for money and the facility of getting around, achieving four-star ratings, and earned three stars for both accommodations and the mild volume of tourists.
In under four hours from London, Rotterdam completes the top five list with an 81 per cent approval rating. One participant praised Rotterdam as "an underrated post-war gem", acknowledging its rebirth following near-total destruction in WWII.
Today's Rotterdam glimmers with modernity, home to the imposing De Rotterdam skyscrapers, the celebrated Markthal Rotterdam food market and the reflective facade of the Depot Boijmans Van Beuningen museum.
Geneva, in Switzerland, received the lowest city score of 60 per cent. The journey from London to this city by rail takes roughly six and a half hours.
Despite being awarded four stars for its ease of navigation, and three stars for food, drink, and lack of crowds, it only received one star for value for money - the only city to do so. Several respondents pointed out that Geneva is pricey. While it was praised as "beautiful" and "clean", some visitors felt it was quiet and "dull" compared to other destinations.
Rory Boland, editor at Which? Travel, commented: "You can reach some of Europe's most spectacular cities by train from the UK in about the same time it would take to fly, and often for less money too."
He added: "It's easy to discount Eurostar if you don't live in London, but with cities as far afield as Birmingham, Cardiff and Portsmouth only two hours from the capital, the train can still be quicker than the plane to many European destinations it's certainly more enjoyable and far better for the environment."