I started planning this journey in my mind over 30 years ago. The first time I returned to London as an adult, I saw multiple advertisements at train and underground stations touting quick trips to Europe on the Eurostar.
Taking a train under the English Channel via the Chunnel fascinated me. On another trip to York, a visit to the National Railway Museum had me posing next to a retired Eurostar engine and grinning from ear to ear. I was hooked more than ever.
Fast forward to 2025, and I was finally able to put this plan into action. Better late than never.
The Reunion and Exploration
I recruited my UK-based cousin, Sally, for this adventure, and we started planning. I would come to London from my home base in Kentucky. We’d meet up, do a bit of a wander, and head on the Eurostar to Lille in France the next morning.
Our wander was great fun. We visited the British Museum and the Postal Museum, then headed on a long walk (20,000 steps that day) to see Covent Garden in all its Christmastime splendor.
We also visited the markets on Trafalgar Square and Leicester Square. Plus, we saw the massive angel lights that hang over Regent Street during the winter holidays. Walking around and catching up on our lives was a terrific way to reconnect.
This trip was more than a vacation for Sally and me. It was a chance to get to know each other better and to explore places we’d never been. Also, to pay tribute to her mum and my grandmother.
For you see, they were cousins and very good friends. While my grandmother eventually moved to the United States, she and Sally’s mum remained close and even traveled together, both here and there. For this generation of Brenner women, it felt very “full circle” to be with Sally.
If you’re planning a trip to France, check out our France Travel Guide, where you’ll find a curated selection of articles to inspire you and help plan your trip.
St Pancras Station and the Chunnel
Waking up bright and early, we headed to St. Pancras Station in London to check in for our 9:00 a.m. train to Lille, grabbing some food to go. St. Pancras Station is stunning. I recommend arriving early so you can look around.
The process was easier than I expected (it was mid-November and lines were quick). We waited in a large area until we were notified to board our train.
You can take both food and beverages through security, so you can bring a meal and drink along if you wish. Or you can grab something once inside Eurostar’s secure waiting area, or on the train. Eating an early breakfast made sense for me as I was looking forward to stopping at a patisserie in Lille as soon as I could.
Once boarding was called, we headed up one level and easily found our carriage and seats. The 90-minute journey passed quickly, and I enjoyed glimpses of both the English and French countryside.
The time spent in the tunnel held an eerie fascination for me. However, once in there, I was at ease and enjoyed the darkness and marveled at this feat of engineering.
Booking on Eurostar was easy, and there are several ticketing options and classes. You’ll want to book in advance and make sure you allow enough time for check-in.
Read More: How to Use Eurail to Travel Across Europe: A Eurail Guide
First Stop: Lille
Once in Lille, we headed from the station into the city. This is a short walk, about 15 minutes, unless you are directionally challenged, as I was on this trip. Thankfully, it was the only time we got lost, so I consider that a win.
Lille proved to be lovely. I’d been researching this northern French town and knew it was known for its many patisseries and beautiful architecture. We enjoyed both with stops at Meert and Paul.
Meert dates back to the 17th century. It offers a tearoom and takeaway items, including baked goods, ice cream, and chocolate. It’s very near Grand Place and we soon agreed that the hype was worth it.
Our selections were delicious. Paul is a well-known chain that was founded in Lille; we sought it out for a light dinner in our room and croissants for the next leg of our journey.
During our time in Lille, we visited the Notre-Dame-de-la-Treille Cathedral, which was beautiful and had a terrific shop with bespoke items in its crypt. We strolled the Grand Place, explored the charming, cobbled streets of Old Lille, and browsed inside the many shops.
As we had less than 24 hours in Lille, our time was limited, but every step and minute was well spent.
On to Brussels
The next morning, we walked back to EURALILLE (Lille-Europe), where we’d arrived the day before. This time, we were taking a TGV INOUI train. It provides transportation throughout France and Europe.
The train ride was only 30 minutes long and we soon arrived in Brussels. We’d booked a hotel near the station, Brussels South (Zuid-Midi). We dropped off our bags and headed back to the station to take the subway (Metro) to the Bourse station and explore the Grand-Place.
We found the Metro easy to use and the stations and trains were bright and clean.
I’d never been to Belgium before and had looked forward to what is often described as the prettiest public square in Europe. It did not disappoint.
The Grand-Place, or Grote Markt, is the central square of Brussels. It is surrounded by the former Guilds of Brussels, the Town Hall and the King’s House, which is now home to the impressive Brussels City Museum. Lovely during the day, it’s stunning at night when lit up.
From here, it’s easy to walk to other famous sites, including the whimsical Manneken Pis fountain, the Royal Galleries of Saint Hubert (home to upscale shops) and multiple other attractions.
We enjoyed indulging in frites and visiting the charming Choco-Story Brussels. There, we learned about how chocolate is made, viewed retro vending machines and moulds, were treated to a chocolate-making demonstration (with samples) and shopped at Mary’s Chocolate (founded in 1919). It really wouldn’t be fair to just sample one chocolate that day.
On a return trip to this area, we spent time exploring the Brussels City Museum, which houses an earlier version of Manneken Pis and many fine examples of decorative art and paintings. Then we enjoyed a delicious Belgian waffle.
If you want to take in the Grand-Place, the Manneken Pis, and the Royal Galleries while also working your way through Belgian chocolate, waffles, fries, and a few local beers, this well-reviewed walking and tasting tour covers all of it in one go. Book the Brussels walking and tasting tour here.
Belgium Beer
Later, we headed to the Belgium Beer World Experience to learn more about another famous Belgian product, beer. We learned much about the history of beer in its informative and interactive galleries, sampled a couple and even got to go underground and explore Bruxella 1238.
This archaeological site is the remains of a former Franciscan convent, built during the first half of the 13th century. The foundations of buildings from the Middle Ages tell stories of the past. The artifacts and burial grounds were discovered in 1988.
Your ticket to Belgium Beer World also includes a chance to visit their rooftop terrace to enjoy beer with a view. The building itself stuns and occupies the former Stock Exchange.
Other places we visited during our time in Brussels included the European Parliament’s Parlamentarium (visitor center), a great way to learn about democracy and history, and the whimsical area around the Comics Art Museum.
There was much we didn’t have time to do, another reason to return.
Cold in Cologne
While we were based in Brussels for three nights, it was the Christmas holiday season, so it made sense to take a day trip to Cologne (Köln) for the Christmas Markets and to see its breathtaking cathedral. We booked round-trip same-day tickets on DB (Deutsche Bahn), which is the national rail service.
It was cold and wet on this day, but being the intrepid tourists that we were, we carried on and bundled up.
The journey is 2 hours each way, giving us plenty of time to see more of Belgium and Germany from our warm seats. For travelers, the main Cologne train station happens to be adjacent to the Cathedral, Köln Hauptbahnhof.
Our first destination was Cologne Cathedral. This stunning building is a World Heritage Site and you can opt to tour the Cathedral, the tower, the Cathedral Treasury, and guided tours are available. We opted to self-tour and found the Cathedral to be more than we could have imagined.
Construction began in 1248, took place in several stages, and was completed in 1880. Its towers, nave, transept, and windows were created by generations of craftsmen. Some highlights include the carved oak choir stalls (1308-1311), the largest installation of stained-glass windows in Europe during the early 14th century, and the tombs of twelve archbishops from 976 to 1612.
This highly rated Old Town walking tour covers the Cathedral, the Hohenzollern Bridge, the Rhine waterfront, and the city’s Roman history in one well-paced circuit, with guides consistently praised for making 2,000 years of history genuinely entertaining. Book the Cologne Old Town walking tour here.
Christmas Market
The Cologne Cathedral Christmas Market was steps away from the Cathedral entrance, and despite the rain, we enjoyed walking around the Market. I’d long wanted to see a Christmas Market in Germany, and this was my chance.
Delicious smells filled the air as sausages were grilled and Glühwein (mulled wine) was served in a souvenir mug. Gingerbread treats, pretzels, and more added to the ambiance and vendors offered every sort of gift you could imagine.
Not wishing to battle the elements much longer, we headed into the modern art museum, Museum Ludwig, a short walk away. Gallery after gallery greeted us with works of wonder and whimsy.
I was excited to see two artists from my hometown of Cincinnati represented and they had an impressive amount of work from Andy Warhol and Pablo Picasso.
Leaving the museum, we explored nearby shops and took a final rainy walk to look at the Rhine River before heading back to the train station.
Would We Do It Again?
Absolutely! This train journey had a few hiccups (late trains, bad weather), but being able to take advantage of the network of commuter rail options made our trip easy and affordable.
Plan to be flexible, as trains can run late for a variety of reasons. The weather is unpredictable at times, and businesses are open at different hours than we are used to in the United States.
Having a joyful travel companion in Sally certainly made this a memorable adventure. I think the generation before us would be proud.
Need a hand planning your trip? Here are the sites and services we rely on most, from booking tools to travel products we love.
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Author Bio: Mary Casey-Sturk is an Editor and Writer for Living Magazines (Kentucky) as well as a contributor to Smoky Mountain Living Magazine (North Carolina). Mary is also a content developer, freelance travel, food, wine and features writer and the author of “Eating Cheese Curds With Strangers”.
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