There’s more to France than Paris – try Lyon

#LYON is top of the list for a city break by train this autumn, according toLoco2, a railway travel search and booking engine

The direct Eurostar train from London swerves around Paris to reach the southern French city in four hours/41 minutes, with trains departing three times a week in both directions, on Mondays, Fridays and Saturdays, October 31, and then once a week on Saturdays until Spring. Tickets cost from £89 return.

Passengers can head further south by staying on board to reach Avignon in five hours/49 minutes, and Marseille in six hours/27 minutes, with tickets from £99 return.

Other choices for a #citybreak by rail are Strasbourg, on France's eastern border with Germany and 5 hours/41 minutes from London. The journey, by Eurostar and double-decker TGV Duplex, requires a change of trains – and stations – in Paris. For Italy, Turin is 10 hours by Eurostar and TGV, from £125 return.

Booking for autumn rail travel is available up to December 12, when the winter railway timetable is due to come into force. Booking for travel beyond this date will open on October 15. 

https://loco2.com

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Christmas is coming!

THERE are hundreds of Christmas markets in Europe. Here are some of the biggest and best: 

Berlin … The home of more than 60 Christmas markets from the middle of November to end of December every year, Berlin has to be on this list. A favorite is the one at Charlottenburg Palace, lit up by lights. The market has a great mixture of art crafts, food, and drinks. 

Stuttgart … Stuttgart's inner city hosts the city's Christmas market, or Weihnachtmarkt, which was established in 1692. Shop for Christmas tree decorations, toys, woodcraft, candles, and lambskin. A friendly market with a dedicated area for the children.

London … London hosts many different Christmas markets all around the city, but Covent Garden is one of a kind. The decorating begins at the beginning of November and over the next two months, the piazza is lit up by 150,000 pealights and a giant silver reindeer. Expect antiques, arts and crafts, pictures, and clothes.

York … York's St. Nicholas Fayre is one of UK's favourite Christmas markets. You’ll find entertainers, arts and crafts, tasty treats, and hot mulled wine.

Gothenburg … With millions of Christmas lights, Liseberg Christmas market glows. Choose between homemade sweets, roasted almonds, hot chocolate and other delicacies for the Christmas table. Visit the arts and crafts area for Scandinavian designs.

Lille … Lille in Northern France has one of Europe's best Christmas markets.
Take a trip on the Ferris Wheel with a view over the market and the city.

Tallinn … A traditional Christmas market in the town hall square. Since 1441, the Christmas tree has been set up in the square, making it one of the earliest evidence of decorated trees for the Yuletide season. Wood decorations, hand-knitted jumpers, and other arts and crafts.

Prague … Prague has one of Europe's most popular Christmas markets, on the Old Town Square. It offers traditional Czech handcraft, Christmas ornaments, holiday decorations, Czech sweets, clothes, handmade wooden toys, plus concerts and plays.

Strasbourg … Strasbourg hosts one of the oldest Christmas markets in Europe. It was first held in 1570 and now has more than 300 stalls at 11 locations in the city centre. The main area is around the cathedral.

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Picture Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/32029534@N00/11330847766">swift like a rainbow : christmas ornaments on a tree, san francisco (2013)</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/2.0/">(license)