Train ticket prices between UK and EU to drop
A reduction in the cost of rail tickets between the UK and Europe is likely to take place in April, as the cost to train operators is set to decrease.
The UK Office of Rail and Road has ordered that High Speed 1 (HS1) – the tunnel used by Eurostar to travel between London and the Channel Tunnel, which connects to Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam – should drop charges to train operators by 10,4% by April 2025.
HS1, which is owned by private investors, said it planned to reduce costs by up to 16,5%, and hoped that operators would pass the cost reduction to passengers.
Le Grand Tour France train opens bookings
Le Grand Tour France, a new luxury train trip introduced by French theme-park manager Puy du Fou, is to debut this year.
The trip offers a tour of France, its top attractions and Puy du Fou immersive shows, on a five- or six-day 4 000km journey.
The train, which epitomises Belle Époque design, features a bar car that offers high-end mixology and live music, and a restaurant car with a three-Michelin-starred chef creating dishes using fresh seasonal and regional ingredients collected along the way.
It also offers three types of spacious rooms based on the number of occupants: the cabin for one to two travellers; the suite for one to three travellers; and the adjoining suite for two to five travellers. Every room includes its own shower, bathroom and butler.
Excursions include visits to galleries, national and historic monuments, live musical and theatrical performances, gastronomic experiences, architecture tours and educational meet-and-greets with artisanal craftsmen.
Vietnam launches the luxury La Reine
On December 24, the Vietnam Railways Corporation launched its luxury tourist train, La Reine, at Da Lat Station in the Central Highlands of Lam Dong, to serve passengers on the Da Lat-Trai Mat route.
The train offers commercial cabins with 36 seats, and private cabins with 12 seats, set out in an open-seating plan to accommodate musical performances along the journey, with refreshments served along the way.
Da Lat and Trai Mat are well known for attractions that include the Datanla Waterfall, the Crazy House, Truc Lam Monastry, Valley of Love, and beautiful pagodas.
