Today is Brussels Pride‘s main event: the march, the parade, the walk. Whatever you want to call it. Every Pride season, the same story returns. In June 1969, patrons of the Stonewall Inn in New York fought back against a police raid. The riots that followed became the symbolic birth of modern LGBTQIA+ liberation and…
Tag: Great Britain
Switzerland – United Kingdom direct rail link moves closer as SBB-CFF-FFS, SNCF Voyageurs and Eurostar sign memorandum of understanding
A memorandum of understanding for a possible direct rail connection between Switzerland and London in the United Kingdom was signed today by SBB-CFF-FFS, SNCF Voyageurs and Eurostar. The agreement marks a significant step towards meeting the growing demand for international rail travel, with London being the most popular destination from Switzerland.
Channel Tunnel competition plans hinge on depot access as Gemini Trains reveals Siemens–Uber partnership
The British start-up Gemini Trains has taken its most deliberate step yet towards launching new Channel Tunnel services, announcing Siemens Mobility as its preferred manufacturer and Rock Rail as its financial partner for a fleet of Velaro Novo trains.
EUROSTAR | London – Frankfurt, London – Geneva and Amsterdam – Antwerp – Brussels – Geneva from 2030?
In a press release on 10 June 2025, Eurostar announces the ambition to run direct high-speed trains from the United Kingdom to Germany and Switzerland and from the Netherlands via Belgium to Switzerland. But will it happen? Or when?
Alstom wants its double-decker trains to ride through Channel Tunnel
French train manufacturer Alstom has confirmed that it is in discussions to supply its high-speed double-decker Avelia Horizon trains for use through the Channel Tunnel. While no contract has yet been signed, the move could significantly reshape rail services between London and mainland Europe, particularly on the heavily trafficked London–Paris route.
GREAT BRITAIN | Network Rail tests steam locomotive with digital ETCS safety system
April 2025 has seen the start of testing at speed for the world’s first operational steam locomotive to be fitted with European Train Control System or ETCS technology. Tests are being done by Network Rail, the railway infrastructure (the tracks) in Great Britain. So England, Scotland and Wales. Not Northern Ireland.
Belgium to host Eurovision Song Contest 2026? But in which city?
Coming Saturday, 1 February 2025, a jury and the television watching public will decide will represent Belgium for Flemish public broadcaster VRT at the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest in Basel in Switzerland. Oddly, Belgium has been on top of the bookmakers’ charts for the outright win. Íf, and it’s a big íf, that happens, which…
2023 ANDALUSIA WHIRLWIND TOUR | Climate change travel habits, roaming by train and top hospitality mentality at hotels
Six days. Five overnight stays in five cities in Spain. Lunch in Paris. Stopover in Barcelona. Then Córdoba, Seville, Granada and Málaga. An Andalusia Whirlwind Tour where we visit the Mezquita and the Alhambra. We’re touring Andalusia in October 2023 to follow the trend of travelling to hot spots outside summer, as we did with…
Visiting Gibraltar
Six days. Five overnight stays in five cities in Spain. Lunch in Paris. Stopover in Barcelona. Then Córdoba, Seville, Granada and Málaga. An Andalusia Whirlwind Tour where we visit the Mezquita and the Alhambra. We’re touring Andalusia in October 2023 to follow the trend of travelling to hot spots outside summer, as we did with…
MIDNIGHT TRAINS | Unified Rail Europe? Coping with rail network challenges
Back in June 2021, a company in France called Midnight Trains launched its ‘Hotel on rails‘ project for luxury night train services worthy a hotel experience. Every Friday, Midnight Trains sends a newsletter with some sort of update on its project.