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Press Release: Starry, starry night

Thursday 6th December 2007

There is nothing like a fine dining experience to put the garnish on the perfect holiday. Railbookers advice is, if in doubt follow the (Michelin) stars.

It may be the obvious choice but Paris had to be at the top of our gourmet list. Traditionally seen as the culinary capital of the world it is testimony to the genius of chefs like Alain Ducasse and Pierre Gagnaire that they stand out against such tough competition. To sample the 3 star fruits of this genius, book a table at the restaurant, “Alain Ducasse at the Plaza Athénée” where you can experience modern and authentic French dishes underneath a ceiling of chandeliers. Alternatively enjoy an evening in Pierre Gagnaire’s restaurant at the exquisite Hotel Balzac where the chef is world famous for his modern French cuisine. Visit Paris and stay at the luxurious 5* Plaza Athénée from £349 per person for 1 night including breakfast and return train travel. Or you could stay at the charming 4* Deluxe Balzac Paris Hotel from £219 per person for 1 night including breakfast and return train travel.

Belgium can hold its own in the fine dining stakes; a trip to Bruges offers such gems as De Karmeliet, the 3-star restaurant presided over by Geert Van Hecke offering Belgian gastronomy in elegant surroundings. A menu highlight is “Zeeland Oysters, poached quail eggs, Belgium Royale caviar, mousseline of potato and a foamy butter sauce with Champagne and shallots”. Visit Bruges with Railbookers and stay at the 4* Hotel de Orangerie overlooking the canal from £249 per person for 3 nights with the 3rd night free including breakfast and return train travel.

With a reputation for having more restaurants per square metre than anywhere else, it is not surprising that some of France’s finest cuisine can be sampled in the historic city of Lyon in the heart of the Rhône Valley. To sample such delights as “Fresh Scallops lightly poached in Shrimp Stock with a hint of Aniseed and Citrus Fruits” head to the 2-star restaurant of Nicolas Le Bec where the chef combines flavours to wonderful effect. Visit Lyon with Railbookers and stay at the 4* Deluxe Villa Florentine, set in a historic 17th century convent building, from £479 per person for 2 nights including breakfast and return train travel.

Notes to Editor:

Paris price quoted for the Plaza Athénée valid for Sunday – Thursday arrivals before 30 April 2008. Price quoted for the Hotel Balzac valid for Sunday – Friday arrivals between 10 November – 27 December 2007. For further dates and prices please see www.railbookers.com  Eurostar trains run from London St Pancras International, Ebbsfleet International or Ashford International to Paris Gare du Nord in approximately 2 hours 15 minutes.

Bruges price quoted for the Hotel de Orangerie valid for Sunday, Monday or Tuesday arrivals before 20 December 2007. For further dates and prices please see www.railbookers.com  Eurostar trains run from London St Pancras International or Ebbsfleet International to Brussels Gare du Midi in approximately 1 hour 51 minutes. Change trains at Brussels Gare du Midi and connect onto a Belgian Railways train for the 55 minute journey to Bruges with at least 2 trains per hour.

Lyon price quoted for the Villa Florentine Hotel valid before 31st December 2007. For further dates and prices please see www.railbookers.com  Eurostar trains run from London St Pancras International, Ebbsfleet International or Ashford International to Lille Europe or Paris Gare du Nord in approximately 1 hour 20 minutes and Paris in approximately 2 hours 15 minutes. There are 2 stations in Lyon – Part Dieu and Perrache – Part Dieu is the better station to access Central Lyon.
Via Lille there are 10 TGV trains a day. The journey takes 3.5 hours.
Via Paris Gare de Lyon there is a TGV train at least every hour throughout the day taking about 2 hours.

Railbookers

Railbookers tailor-makes short breaks and holidays to Europe by Eurostar and rail, including handpicked quality hotels.

 

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Press enquiries: contact Marion Leming on 0844 482 1011 or email us

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