According to recent reports from Virgin Trains, the number of people using rail services to get to France versus flying to other short haul destinations is increasing.
Virgin Trains reported that rail works and the Channel Tunnel are being “well-used” and increasingly seen as a greener and more convenient way to travel.
Philippa Richardson, Communications Manager for Virgin Trains, said: “More and more people are choosing rail services as a means to get to destinations they might have previously gone to by car or plane.”
Eurostar has recently launched a high-speed rail service from London St Pancras to Paris that offers a reduced journey time of just two hours and 15 minutes. And with high-speed trains available from Paris to the south of France, the number of tourists using rail services and seeking high quality holiday rental property is expected to continue to expand.
Since the first package holidays were offered to Spain in the 1960s its popularity as both a holiday and investment destination has remained undimmed.
Even today when cheaper air fares have made more of the world affordable and accessible, Spain still ranks as the number one destination after nearly 50 years for five key reasons:
- Accessibility - a network of airports across the country operating all year round and good inward infrastructure
- Affordability - whilst prices have rocketed in some areas for buyers there are still bargains to be had and the wealth of holiday property for rental keeps prices keen for tourists
- Quality - if you pick your investment property or holiday rental wisely you can get a lot for your money
- Wide appeal - holidaymakers, second home owners, business owners, family relocations, retired…there’s something for everyone in Spain
- Investment potential - whilst the ‘rock bottom’ bargains may have gone, any investment in Spain can generally be a lower risk than emerging countries
Researchers in Israel have uncovered a new reason for adopting the Spanish custom of siestas.
A study by researchers at the Brain Behaviour Centre in the University of Haifa showed that a 90-minute siesta improves long-term memory and improves the ability to retain data.
Two groups took part in the testing and those who took a siesta adapted to new learning tasks better than the group that did not, provided the comparison was made before nightfall. The following morning, abilities between the two groups were back to equal.
So if you enjoy a siesta on holiday in Spain, make sure it’s a habit you get into back at home too!
Despite increasing competition for the tourist pound, dollar and euro, France still regularly attracts enormous amounts of visitors from around the world.
According to the World Tourism Organization, France receives more foreign visitors per year than any other country - some 76 million in 2006. This is followed by Spain with 55 million, the US with 50 million and China with 47 million. Italy completes the top 5 with 37 million (just ahead of the UK).
And whilst Time Square was the most visited place in 2006 with 35 million tourist visitors, the top 50 most visited places compiled by Forbes Traveller includes 7 attractions in France:
9. Notre Dame, 12 million
10. Disneyland Paris, 10.6m
11. Sacre-Coeur, 8.2m
15. The Louvre, 7.5m
18. The Eiffel Tower, 6.7m
25. The Pompidou Centre, 5.1m
45. The Palace of Versailles, 3.45m
