The fire in the Channel Tunnel and the demise of XL - the UK’s third largest travel group, made last Friday a pretty grim day for the travelling public. Eurostar services were cancelled for Friday and services were limited throughout the weekend. At least we are able to offer definitely a refund on the Eurostar element of anyone’s travel and in 95% of cases offer a complete refund or rebook clients on different dates.

With XL though, it’s a completely different ball game. The group consisted of a number of travel brands and dependant on how/who you booked with depends on whether you are likely to get a refund or not. I am pretty sure that when customers booked they were not necessarily explicitly advised whether they were covered or not. There is a strong case for any form of travel booked to have a levy which would mean that everyone would know where they stood…

As well as the customers who’s holidays have been ruined when companies do go bust, whenever I do spare a thought for the everyday staff at these companies, in general, they are normal people like you and me….wish them luck too.

We wanted to start blogging to give the team here at Short Breaks Ltd a channel with which to share our thoughts on what’s happening in our world and also the destinations that we service. It’s not just about letting you know what we’re selling but also to provide a source of info for anyone travelling - whether with us or not. Check out our history and you’ll get a feel for where we have come from and where we are going…enjoy.

As well as boasting a brand new international terminal with top class facilities, there’s now even more to see and do at St Pancras while waiting for your Eurostar train. A collection of photos, some dating back to Victorian times, are currently being displayed to celebrate 140 years of the Press Association and St Pancras itself. Images include those from the 1908 Olympics as well as more up to date images…worth getting there that little bit early. The exhibition runs until the 26th September.

Here’s the first in a series of regular blogs on how to get the best out of a trip to Europe’s magical Kingdom.

The UK provides the biggest number of non-French visitors to the Parks with approximately an equal volume travelling by air, driving themselves, and those arriving by Eurostar.

From experience, and because it’s the most convenient, I usually travel by Eurostar. The journey is just over 2 ½ hours and the station (Marne Le Vallee) is right at the entrance to the parks (with lovely yellow, regular buses just outside to take you to your hotels). This way you can make the most of your time there.

Book as far ahead as possible – there is only one direct service a day departing from St Pancras (with a scheduled stop at Ashford) and returning from Disney at about 19:30. This service does book very early, especially at peak times weekends, school holidays and when Disney run one of their promotions. Eurostar are very much in line with the low cost airlines, in that the earlier you book, the better the deal you are likely to get.

Travel via Lille – Another way to arrive by rail is to use the ‘indirect service‘. This means taking Eurostar to Lille (as well as being able to travel from St Pancras or Ashford, you can travel from Eurostar’s new station at Ebbsfleet near Bluewater Shopping centre) and then hop onto a fast SNCF train taking you direct to Disney. There are numerous connections and a half hour ‘transit’ time is enough. Sounds like a hassle, but I have travelled this way twice and my wife has done it with my two young sons by herself. It’s made easier by having lifts from the platforms to the station concourse and also having a train plan on the platforms so you wait exactly in place for your carriage. If you are travelling back from Disney via Lille you’ll go through passport control and security at Lille. Again, it’s no hassle.

A Guide to Disneyland Paris, image courtesy padrian2, Flickr

Final tip is to consider using the service known as Disney Express. With this (only available on the direct Eurostar service), your bags are taken from the train to your hotel, allowing you to go directly to the parks when the train arrives at about 12:30. Your luggage is then waiting for you to take to your room when you check in at your chosen hotel. On the way back, you check out in the morning of departure and then head off to the parks, collecting your luggage at the station ready for your journey home. This works especially well if you have a lot of baggage or if you are just taking a short break to Disneyland Paris - either one or two nights. The service costs £12 cost per adult and no charge for children…

Look out for our self drive and flying tips, coming soon.

Residents in the Paris district of Marais are upset that there is a plan to use a house in their neighbourhood as a base for France’s very popular Star Academy reality TV show.

Star Academy at The Marais, image courtesy Daquella Manera, Flick

The genteel inhabitants of the district, which contains the beautiful Place Des Voges (Paris’ Oldest Square) and the Musee Picasso, are worried that their lives will be tuned upside down with comings and goings and rehearsals for the reality show - I suppose it depends on how good they are…