October 2024. During a week-long whistle-stop tour of Germany, we visit Dessau-Roßlau in Saxony-Anhalt, Weimar in Thuringia, Coburg in Upper Franconia (Bavaria) and Kassel in Hesse. Smaller cities, yes. But each with their own significance. Untouched by overtourism. We’re avoiding using the white trains of DB Fernverkehr, Deutsche Bahn‘s long-distance section and opt to use…
Tag: United Kingdom
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.
Belgians choose safety, sustainability and convenience for summer travel: climate change, geopolitical instability and flight convenience shape 2025 holiday trends
The 2025 Europ Assistance Holiday Barometer reveals changing travel habits shaped by climate, politics and practicality.
CHANNEL TUNNEL | Uber Trains-branded Gemini Trains plan London-Brussels and London-Paris route via Stratford
A new contender has entered the race to break Eurostar’s long-standing monopoly through the Channel Tunnel. Gemini Trains, a British start-up, has revealed on 21 May 2025 ambitious plans to launch high-speed international rail services linking London in England with Paris in France and Brussels in Belgium. In a move drawing significant attention, the company…
COBURG | Ehrenburg Palace
October 2024. During a week-long whistle-stop tour of Germany, we visit Dessau-Roßlau in Saxony-Anhalt, Weimar in Thuringia, Coburg in Upper Franconia (Bavaria) and Kassel in Hesse. Smaller cities, yes. But each with their own significance. Untouched by overtourism. We’re avoiding using the white trains of DB Fernverkehr, Deutsche Bahn‘s long-distance section and opt to use…
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.
TRAINS IN LUXEMBOURG | CFL’s Alstom Coradia Stream HC ‘Série 2400’
We haven’t travelled to the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg since 2018 and 2019, but in January 2025 we returned to get a taste of the Alstom Coradia Stream HC which the Société Nationale des Chemins de Fer Luxembourgeois (CFL) runs under the name Série 2400. The Coradia Stream HC was a candidate to become NMBS…
RAINBOW EUROPE MAP AND INDEX 2025 | United Kingdom, Hungary and Georgia drop dramatically on LGBTQIA+ rights ranking
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland has dropped six places on this year‘s ILGA-Europe’s Rainbow Map and Rainbow Index, as Hungary and the Republic of Georgia also register steep falls following anti-LGBTI legislation. The data highlights how rollbacks on LGBTI human rights are part of a broader erosion of democratic protections across…
London to Switzerland direct train moves a little closer with new bilateral agreement
A new step toward a direct train link between Switzerland and the United Kingdom was taken last week, as Swiss Federal Councillor and Transport Minister Albert Rösti (Swiss People’s Party) and UK Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at London St. Pancras Railway Station.
REVIEW | F1 The Exhibition in Amsterdam
The Kromhouthal in Amsterdam currently hosts The Formula 1® Exhibition / The F1® Exhibition / F1 The Exhibition. No, I don’t know what the definitive name is. On site, I felt ‘F1 The Exhibition’ was prevalent. I first saw Formula 1 live on television on 1 May 1994. Since 1996, I follow F1 closely. Amsterdam…