I’ll say it plainly: I’d choose a train over a plane almost every time. No security queues, no shuttle buses, no waiting at a gate. You step on in the centre of one city, settle into your seat with a coffee, and step off in the centre of another.
Living in Belgium makes this wonderfully easy. Some of the best weekend trips by train from Brussels take less time than a long lunch, and a few of my favourite cities in Europe are suddenly within reach for a Friday evening. Here are the three I’d suggest first, and how a Train Me To You weekend together works.
Why I Love Travelling by Train
Train travel turns the trip itself into part of the weekend, rather than something to get through.
There’s room to stretch out, a window full of passing countryside and, best of all, time to talk. By the time we arrive, the week is already behind us. I also love arriving right in the heart of a city, close enough to walk to the hotel, rather than an hour away at an airport.
And yes, I travel first class. Not to be fussy, but because a quiet carriage and a comfortable seat mean I arrive looking and feeling my best.
Paris in Under an Hour and a Half
Paris is the easiest weekend escape from Brussels, at around 1 hour 22 minutes by high-speed train.
That’s barely enough time to finish a glass of champagne and a good conversation. My ideal Paris weekend is unhurried: a morning at the Musée d’Orsay, lunch on the Left Bank that drifts well into the afternoon, and an evening walk along the Seine as the lights come on. Paris rewards people who don’t try to see everything. Pick one neighbourhood, find a café you like, and let the city come to you.
Amsterdam: Canals, Museums and Long Dinners
Amsterdam is just under two hours away, and it’s an ideal city for a slower, more intimate weekend.
I love its canals in winter, when the water reflects the warm windows of the old merchant houses. The Rijksmuseum and the Museumplein are ideal for a lazy afternoon, and a canal-side hotel makes every evening walk feel like a scene from a film. Amsterdam is also a city made for long dinners, the kind where nobody checks the time until the candles have burned down.
London for a Long Weekend
London is under two hours from Brussels by Eurostar, which still feels a little like magic to me.
London is the place for a long weekend with a touch of theatre: a West End show, dinner in Mayfair, afternoon tea in a grand hotel lounge, and a stroll through one of the royal parks on Sunday morning. It’s busier than Paris or Amsterdam, of course, but that’s part of its energy. I’d always choose a hotel close to the parks, so there’s a quiet green escape just outside the door.
How a Train Me To You Weekend Works
A Train Me To You weekend means you invite me, I join you by train, and everything is confirmed in advance so all that’s left is to enjoy it.
It works in much the same way as Fly Me To You. If you’re new to the idea, you can read what FMTY means and how I plan those trips. In short:
1. Tell me your plans. The city, the dates and the kind of weekend you have in mind.
2. We shape the weekend together. A loose plan, a good hotel and room to be spontaneous.
3. Everything is confirmed in advance. Tickets, hotel and a retainer to secure the dates, so nothing is left to chance.
Train Me To You is ideal if you live in or near one of these cities, or if you’d simply like to meet halfway and turn a weekend into something more.
FAQ: Weekend Trips by Train From Brussels
What does Train Me To You (TMTY) mean? It means you invite me to join you in your city, or somewhere in between, and I travel by train to meet you there.
Which city is best for a first weekend away? Paris, for me. It’s the quickest ride and the city is made for long lunches and evening walks.
Do you travel first class? Yes. I travel first class so I arrive rested and ready to enjoy our time together.
How far ahead should we plan? As early as you can. Good hotels in Paris, Amsterdam and London fill quickly, especially at weekends.
A Weekend Away With Gabriella Allure
A weekend away doesn’t need a long flight or a complicated plan. Sometimes all it takes is a train ticket, a beautiful hotel and the right person beside you.
You’ll find all the practical details on my travel companion Belgium page, and you can learn more about me as a worldwide companion based in Belgium. When you’re ready, send me a message with the city and dates you have in mind.
Advance reservations are recommended for travel and weekend engagements.