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PARIS TO LONDON VIA THE EUROSTAR
Without a doubt, the easiest and quickest way to get from the center of Paris to the center of London (or vice versa) is by taking the Eurostar. It's a high-speed train service that goes up to 186 mph, traveling between the two cities and a number of other destinations. It began service in 1994 and I must admit, my first time doing this (two years ago) I was a little nervous, because it travels under the English Channel for 23 minutes. I used to think that the Channel Tunnel must be a prime terrorist target, but after doing some research, I realize that it would be very difficult to do any significant damage. The 31- mile-long tunnel (24 miles are actually underwater) runs 150 feet below the seabed. That's not easy to blow up. And even if something as unthinkable as this happened, it wouldn't fill with water. Both entrances are heavily guarded and passengers go through airport-style security checks as well as passport control for both countries before getting on.

SAVE TIME AND MONEY
In Paris, passengers travel to/from Gare du Nord and as of this past November, Londoners use St. Pancras International Station (it used to be Waterloo). When they made the station move, it gave them access to a new high-speed line so the journey became 20 minutes faster! If you get on a nonstop train, it takes two hours and 15 minutes. For some reason I didn't look at the schedules closely enough so my train made two stops and it took two hours and 35 minutes. But I wasn't complaining because I had a business class ticket, which also gave me use of their swanky biz class lounge.

Book Eurostar Tickets London to Paris under the Channel

DINNER ONBOARD
Within a few minutes of our on-time departure, the eastern European conductors came down the aisle with the drink cart and passed out food menus. This is included in the ticket price. Dinner was a choice of mushroom risotto or pork. And it was surprisingly good. The little wrapped chocolate was the best! The drink cart came ‘round again and so did the hot towels. My seat was comfortable and there was a power port to connect to but you have to share it if you are in one of the quad seats. If traveling alone or with one other person, be sure to get the single seats along the window. A good website to check out for train travel advice and seating charts around the world is Seat61.com. Eurostar prices are reasonable, especially if you book in advance. Prices start around $105 USD roundtrip for coach class, $242 for Leisure Select (first class). Get your tickets online from RailEurope.com before you leave North America.



PACK LIGHT
One of my best tips for traveling by train (especially in Europe) is to pack light. Trust me: It will make your travel experience so much easier. Just take one rolling bag and a smaller tote/backpack/camera bag as the maximum to carry.

ST. PANCRAS INTERNATIONAL
St. Pancras International was built in 1868. It has a train shed arch designed by the engineer William Henry Barlow that spans 240 feet and is over 100 feet high at its apex, which at the time, was the largest enclosed space in the world. The station unfortunately went down the tubes in the 1980s but was recently restored and it's now one of London's greatest Victorian buildings. It has impressive Victorian Gothic architecture and a replica of the famous St. Pancras station clock. Walking through it, I realized this place really is how it's billed ... "It's more than a train station, it's a destination." Many locals come here just to shop, eat or meet at Europe's longest champagne bar, which is over 90 meters long. Seven mainline rail services and six London underground lines also service the station.

ST. JAMES HOTEL
From St Pancras to my hotel in the heart of London took 15 minutes and cost £15 ($29.45USD) by taxi. It was late at night so there was no traffic otherwise I would've taken the tube. I love London except for the prices of everything – with £1 equaling $1.96USD, the place is ridiculously expensive. So was the five-star St. James Sofitel hotel, which combines a traditional British design with a contemporary style that is decidedly French. A French company runs Sofitel hotels so that explains the bottles of free Evian water by the bed, macaroons for a midday snack and the brasserie. The hotel was absolutely brilliant and built solid (I could not hear any hallway traffic). The rooms are quite masculine in decor, with brown wool curtains and a brown headboard. At the foot of the comfy bed was a wool blanket. There's A/C if needed, a working desk with Internet costing £15 a day (what a rip!). The bathroom was fantastic with an oversized rain showerhead hanging from the ceiling with incredible water pressure. There's a heated towel rack, which I quickly learned is piping hot after I foolishly grabbed it because I wasn't feeling well and the step from the tub is high.

DEALS FOR LONDON AND PARIS