48. Holiday in Brussels & Amsterdam-05-13.07.18

THE ARCHIVE FILES > Archive-2018 > 48. Holiday in Brussels & Amsterdam-05-13.07.18
Our summer holiday this year was to Brussels and Amsterdam each for a few days each to sample their respective delights! I went with my wife and son. We travelled out via Eurostar and back by plane from Schiphol. We used the trains a number of times and our hotel in Amsterdam was five minutes from Central station which was ideal! I like sampling foreign train travel and stations. It's always good to see how things are done elsewhere; to see what we could learn (and vica versa).
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1. Journey to Brussels-05.07.18 By London Midland to Euston from Northampton, a short walk to St. Pancras and a superb trip by Eurostar to Brussels Midi. This was my wife's first trip on Eurostar and, she had to admit that she was very impressed (and that takes some doing; believe me!). This was despite that she slept the entire journey through the tunnel waking up somewhere between Calais and Lille! Arrival time into Brussels was spot-on to the second!
By London Midland to Euston from Northampton, a short walk to St. Pancras and a superb trip by Eurostar to Brussels Midi. This was my wife's first trip on Eurostar and, she had to admit that she was very impressed (and that takes some doing; believe me!). This was despite that she slept the entire journey through the tunnel waking up somewhere between Calais and Lille! Arrival time into Brussels was spot-on to the second!
2. Trip to Bruges-08.07.18 A day trip on the train to Brugges. We were very impressed with Belgian Railways, trains were fast, clean and regular. They all seemed to to run to time too! Just remind me, are Belgian Railways state owned........?
A day trip on the train to Brugges. We were very impressed with Belgian Railways, trains were fast, clean and regular. They all seemed to to run to time too! Just remind me, are Belgian Railways state owned........?
3. Transfer from Brussels to Amsterdam-09.07.18 We transferred from Brussels to Amsterdam using Thalys. Again, a very impressive and fast service.
We transferred from Brussels to Amsterdam using Thalys. Again, a very impressive and fast service.
4. Amsterdam Central-11.07.18 I finally gained access to the gated Amsterdam central station by using one of their key cards available from a ticket seller. He was more than happy to issue one and was interested in what I was doing. I was able to use the same ticket to access the station next day too by simply scanning it in and out.
I finally gained access to the gated Amsterdam central station by using one of their key cards available from a ticket seller. He was more than happy to issue one and was interested in what I was doing. I was able to use the same ticket to access the station next day too by simply scanning it in and out.
5. Amsterdam Central-12.07.18 A short visit to Amsterdam Central station. Again, I utilised the key card gate pass that I was issued with yesterday.
A short visit to Amsterdam Central station. Again, I utilised the key card gate pass that I was issued with yesterday.
6. Journey home-13.07.18 The journey home from Amsterdam to Northampton via Central station, Schiphol and Luton airports. A trouble free journey except for very slow progress through both airports, it's better by train!
The journey home from Amsterdam to Northampton via Central station, Schiphol and Luton airports. A trouble free journey except for very slow progress through both airports, it's better by train!
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