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Honor a Veteran, in Normandy
With Veteran's Day just around the corner, we would like to dedicate this issue of Explorer to all of our heroic Veterans who fought and sacrificed their lives for our many freedoms.
Special emphasis is placed on those who braved the beaches of Normandy. Many lives were lost during the Invasion of Normandy, but these men shaped history on that dismal June day.
Though rebuilt and revived today, travelers can still visit the shores of Normandy and stand where, 65 years ago, so many courageous soldiers fought and defended our freedom.
This Veteran’s Day, go to Normandy and pay tribute to these brave men. Travel by train from Paris to Rouen or Caen, and then pick up a car to tour the beaches of Normandy. Using a France Rail ‘n Drive Pass gives you the flexibility to travel by car and train.
If you'd prefer not to drive in France, a France Rail Pass provides you with unlimited travel on the entire French rail network. With services such as the TGV, trains can take you where you want to go.
If you'd like more information on Normandy, we invite you to read our blog post, focusing on Normandy.
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From our friends at the French Government Tourist Office... |
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Find Your Art of Living in the ABCs of France
Make your next getaway to France truly unforgettable with a visit to the ABCs of France: Alsace, Burgundy, and Champagne!
These three regions produce some of the world’s most delicious wines, but they’re home to much more than just breathtaking vineyards.
We’ve got videos, guides, and special trip offers to help you discover everything waiting for you in the ABCs of France. With no shortage of culture, cuisine, or truly unique adventures, you’re sure to find your art of living here!
You can also click here to play our ABCs game for a chance to win your own trip to Alsace, Burgundy, and Champagne! Bon voyage!
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For more information on traveling in France, including these regions, be sure to visit the French Government Tourist Office. |
Find out more about France and how to make the most of your trip there with Rail Europe |
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Here are some excursion ideas to work into your France vacation
Get ready for Hamburger DOM
Hamburg hosts the tri-annual Dommarkt at the Heiligengeistfeld. This festival has made its name as one of the most spectacular festivals in all of Germany. Various attractions stretch as far as the eye can see, drawing a staggering 2.8 million visitors! Treat yourself to a magical wonderland with true Christmas ambience.
Dommarkt begins on November 6th and concludes on December 6th. During this time, the Heiligengeistfeld will turn into a bustling fairground from afternoon until late night. Fun for all ages!
You can travel to Hamburg from Paris via Cologne. Take the Thalys from Paris to Cologne, it takes roughly 4 hours. Then take the train from Cologne to Hamburg, travel time is approximately 4 hours by train.
PLUS, don't forget, right now, in celebration of the 20 year anniversary of the Fall of The Berlin Wall, you can purchase a German Rail Pass and receive 20% off! Passes must be purchased by November 20, 2009.
If you'd like more information about Dommarkt, please click here.
Abracadabra! Time for the Hocus Pocus Festival!
The annual Hocus Pocus Festival fills Granada with fascinating magic. Enjoy events for both the public and professionals, including HocusNights (magic shows), lectures and workshops at venues throughout the city.
This year's festival will feature performances by magicians and masters of illusion from Spain, China, France and Argentina. There will be gala performances and clown workshops as well!
The festival runs from November 25th-29th. Come to Granada and be mystified by illusions beyond your imagination.
Travel by train from Toulouse to Barcelona, via Narbonne. This route will take approximately 5 hours by train. Once in Barcelona, you can take an overnight train to Granada, the train takes about 11 hours.
For more information on Granada, please visit the Spanish Tourist Office. More details for the Hocus Pocus Festival are available here, however the site is not available in English.
Brussels Antiques Fair Coming in January 2010
The 55th Annual Brussels Antiques and Fine Arts Fair (BRAFA) will transform the capital of Europe into the capital of the arts when it hosts over 150 of the world’s top Belgian and foreign art dealers.
BRAFA 2010 will be held on January 22-31, 2010 in the Tour & Taxi building from 11:00am to 7:00pm, with a special late night opening running until 10:30pm on Thursday, January 28, 2010.
The Tour & Taxi is located on Avenue du Port 86 C, B-1000 Brussels Located in the heart of Brussels, the building is a classic example of the Belgian industrial heritage dating from the 20th century.
The fair will feature world treasures such as Roman statues, Greek torsos and busts of the Buddha alongside modern portraits, contemporary creations and jewelry.
Brussels is easily reached from Paris using Thalys trains. Travel time using Thalys is approximately 1 hour, 22 minutes.
For more information about the Brussels Antiques Fair, click here. If you'd like more information about Brussels, please visit the Belgian Tourist Office. |
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Rail Europe's Rail Protection Plan™
Did you know that the Rail Protection Plan™, offered by Rail Europe, will protect your passes/tickets in the case of exchanges or cancellations due to medical illness or death, railroad strikes, and in the case of loss or theft in Europe? Definitely a product to consider when purchasing your rail products. Please read details about how the Rail Protection Plan™ works by clicking here.
Take a seat, sit back and relax!
Don't forget to make reservations for the trains you wish to travel on during your European trip. While not all trains require or offer reservations, it's a good idea to confirm your seats on the trains you are able to reserve. This will help avoid any disappointment locally, if the train you want to travel on ends up sold out. If you've already purchased your rail pass, click here to make your reservations.
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Find the latest Travel Tips on Rail Europe's Europe Destination Guides. |
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Want to learn the basics about traveling by train in Europe? Or looking for the answer to your most obscure question. It's all in our Train FAQ's. |
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We value your opinion and would appreciate you taking a few minutes to complete our survey. It is a great opportunity for you to provide us with feedback about your experience using our site.
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Vacations are all about relaxing. How about taking 6 months to pay? Easy. Secure. Stress free. (For orders over $750 when you pay using Bill Me Later®. See site for complete details.)
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There's no more affordable way to stay in Europe than hostels. So check them out to turn your trip from a dream to a reality.
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Especially when you can take advantage of the BritRail Low-Season Promo and receive 20% savings on BritRail and BritRail England passes. This promotion is valid for purchase through February 15th, 2010 for travel from November 1st, 2009 - February 28th, 2010. Get your BritRail passes today!
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Special savings for Groups
Get a 5% discount for groups of 10 or more on selected add-on products. We offer hop-on/hop-off city sightseeing tours, metro cards, museum passes, wine tasting & more! Contact our Group Department for complete details. |
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Eurail ISIC Promotion Pass
Rail Europe is offering a special deal to any student under the age of 26 with a valid ISIC card. Purchase a Eurail Global 21 day pass through December 31, 2009, and you’ll get 2 additional days free. That means your 21-day pass becomes a 23-day pass! So go global and buy your pass today!
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Click here to book! |
European Rail Timetable
The Thomas Cook Rail Timetable includes comprehensive schedules for all rail connections throughout Europe. Plus, you can find ferry crossing information as well. |
Order your copy today! |
If you're planning a trip to France and would like further tourism information, we encourage you to contact FranceGuide, the official guide for tourism in France. |
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