Ffestiniog Travel

Why not take the train to European destinations and spend a long weekend enjoying a city’s culture, cuisine and sites? Ffestiniog Travel can arrange mini-breaks to European cities via Eurostar. As well as the popular destinations, we offer weekend packages to Lyon, Cologne, Strasbourg, Maastricht and Luxembourg, all of which have lots to offer visitors. Departing Thursday and returning Monday - midday departures and afternoon arrivals - we will plan your travel, accommodation and make sure your weekend runs smoothly by booking tours and arranging entrance into museums, art galleries and tourist venues and events where possible.

Lyon

Lyon is where the Rhône and Saône rivers meet and the city’s medieval sector, known as Vieux Lyon, is a World Heritage site. There is an efficient tram network that will take you around the city. Highlights include:

• Fourvière area with its
  • Roman amphitheatre
  • Basilica de Notre Dame
  • Palace of Archbishop
  • Resistance Museum
  • Funicular
• Museum Lumière (Lumière Bros were pioneers of cinema)
• Musée des Beaux Arts (one of the largest galleries in France with a collection of Van Gogh, Tintoretto, Rembrandt and much more)

Cologne

A city heavily rebuilt after the war with an extensive tram and U Bahn network. Organised city tours via bus or on foot are available. Highlights include:

• Boat trips on the Rhine
• Opera house and theatres
• 12C cathedral
• 12C city hall is the oldest in Germany and still in use
• 12 Romanesque major churches
• 3 original city gates
• Museum Ludwig - modern art museum with the largest Picasso collection outside the Iberian Peninsula. There is also a large section devoted to history of photography

Strasbourg

The city was established by the Romans but has a mixed history associated with the Alsace region. You can get around easily on the extensive tram network and enjoy the full splendour of this World Heritage site. Highlights include:

• Home of European Parliament
• Grand Ile district with Gothic cathedral and astronomical clock
• Petite France district with narrow medieval streets and half-timbered houses
• Musée des Beaux Arts – collection of paintings including Tintoretto, Goya, Rubens, El Greco and many more
• Musée Alsacien – ecological museum

Maastricht

This is an area with a long history with people having settled here before the Roman times. The town centre can be covered by a simple city bus (card) system. Highlights include:

• Various city fortifications with guided tours available
• Vrijthof with St Servaas Church and St Jans Cathedral
• The Markt with Stadhuis
• Centre Ceramiqu
• Bonnefanten Museum (housing a collection of old masters and contemporary art)
• Zud Limburgse Stoomtrein Maatschappij (a preserved railway that runs on Sundays and midweek at certain times of year)

Luxembourg

The city is situated at the union of the Alzette and Pétrusse rivers. Its history was influenced by its profoundly rural heritage and Luxembourg retains a number of folk traditions. It was the first city to be named European Capital of Culture twice and is on the UNESCO World Heritage List on account of the historical importance of its fortifications. There are several notable museums, mostly located in the capital. Highlights include:

• Cathedral of Notre Dame
• Grand Ducal Palace
• Neuminster Abbey
• Adolphe Bridge
• Casemates and other fortifications