Browse over 70 rooms each as inspiring and eye-opening as the next.  On the first floor, sixteen rooms will take you on a journey through ancient civilisations: Egypt,  Cyprus, the Roman Empire and Greece.

You can then explore precious arts, medieval and Renaissance sculpture, from Byzantine ivory to a rich collection of Limoges enamel and goldsmith art.

Walk into the rooms dedicated to Islamic art and Japanese stoneware before embracing the collects from the Art Nouveau and the Art Deco era.

A great feature of the museum is the guided tapes available, allowing you to wander the rooms with headphones on, listening and discovering more about what each piece has to offer.

The museum truly is a great place to explore, and a great choice for a family day trip. If you are planning a visit, it’s good to remember the building is closed on a Tuesday but open daily from 10.00am – 6.00pm except for Fridays when it’s hours are 10.30am to 6pm. There is also a beautiful garden free to explore; in summer from 7.30am to 7.00pm and in winter from 7.30- 6.00pm.

So next time you take a journey to Lyon, be inspired as you take a journey through art history, from around the world.

If you’re planning a trip to France soon, why not take a look at the deals and online booking available on our website.

Photo one: ‘Modele’ by ‘dalbera’.  Photo two: ‘Charlet-episode de la campagne de russie’ by ‘Casbr’

A venue that stands out amongst the rest is one of Amsterdam’s oldest jazz bars, Jazz Café Alto. Renowned for its cozy, informal atmosphere, Jazz Café Alto allows its guests to seep into the fluid world of jazz music, with particular focus on enjoying the sounds of European jazz masters.

Just off the busy Leiden Square, the cafe is a hidden gem amongst tourist restaurant and attractions. A giant Saxophone directs you to the entrance of the club and once inside you’ll be submerged within the brown decor, which instantly relaxes and reflects the laid-back, enjoyable vibe of the venue.

As the music begins, ease back with a whiskey or beer, or choose to stand up with a cocktail and dance. However you decide to view, you’ll struggle not to enjoy the enigmatic performances around you.

It’s advised to go early for a table near the front of stage. Doors open at 9pm every night of the week, and music kicking off and 10pm, ending in the earlier hours of the morning;  3am on weekdays and 4am on weekends.

So if you fancy an evening of jazz and entertainment, make sure to stop by Jazz Café Alto for an unforgettable evening.

To find out more about the venue, take a look at their website. If you are planning a trip to Amsterdam soon, make sure you have a look at the lastest Eurostar deals.

Photo: ‘Jazz Saxaphone’ by Sachitha Obeysekara

Paris is rife with incredible places to eat and drink, most with a pretty hefty price tag to justify the splendour; it is of course down to personal taste, but our favourite bistro in Paris has to be the amazing Josephine “Chez Dumonet”.

Stepping through the door, takes you back in time to the golden era of pre-war Paris, with warm, friendly waiters to greet and the smell of boeuf bourguignon wafting outwards. Portions are often huge and could be shared between two, however with so many magnificent dishes on the table, it would be hard not to sample as many as possible between diners.

Josephine has a distinctly family feeling with couples and many generations of family member eating side by side in the big sepia dining room. We’d suggest trying the duck confit, where the crispy skin is sure to impress even the most discerning patron. Josephine is as much about atmosphere as it is about food, and they are as generous with the wine as they are with the portions. It’s the perfect place to wile away many hours, in great company.

Take a look at this great in depth review of the restaurants charm, character and some more fantastic images. Take a look at more information on trains from London to Paris or our £59 deal running until 23rd January 2012.

There are many restaurants and cafes in Geneva with a range of history and their own stories; however, few of them are quite as rich as that of Café Du Soleil. Café Du Soleil opened up in Geneva approximately 400 years ago, even before the temple of Petit-Saconnex.

Although rich in interesting history, the main draw of Café Du Soleil is their fondue.  For around 22CHF you can purchase what is said to be ‘possibly the best fondue in all of Switzerland’.  Served by friendly staff in a cosy and rustic atmosphere, it can be a breath of fresh air when compared to many of the modern restaurants of Geneva.

Café Du Soleil can become a bit lively with large groups of locals coming in regularly to enjoy the traditional delights, this also means it’s often a good idea to book in advance. The restaurant is a great place to go for uncomplicated and delicious food all year round. So for a real taste of Geneva, be sure to check out the Eurostar deals.

Photo: Café Du Soleil by http://www.cafedusoleil.ch/

The carnival has been celebrated in Cologne for decades, with the season officially being ‘organised’ in 1814, leading to the formation of the ‘Festordnendes Komitee’ in 1823 – who remain the festival committee today.

Within the city, the biggest street festivals begin on the Thursday before Lent, officially announced  at downtown square Alter Markt, where the frenzy begins.

‘Street Carnival’ is a week long festival, where locals and tourists alike let their hair down for drinking, singing and dancing in the streets. Throughout the week, carnival goers flock out masqueraded and greet each other with the traditional phrase ‘Kölle Alaaf!’ which literally translates to ‘Cologne about all!”

During the celebrations it’s not unusual to spot adults dressed as cartoon characters, plenty of wigs on heads, people in animal costumes, painted faces and lots of clowns – involved in the celebrations, as well as watching them!

On Ash Wednesday the carnival ends and it’s traditional to mark this by eating fish; visit local restaurants and pubs and fish will be the main offering on the menu! Enjoying a fish supper declares the end of the season, but the memories (and possibly your hang-over) will most definitely last longer.

If you want to experience the spirit of Cologne carnivals for yourself, why not take a look at our latest Eurostar deals.

Both Photos: “Cologne Carnival 2009“ by “Harold R“

We often discuss the great beer on offer in Belgium or Germany, but rarely the excellent beer brewed in and around Amsterdam. There are plenty of different beers to be sampled; from light organic pilsners, to dark, bold Bok’s, which are closely related to German Bock beer.

Although there are numerous great places to sample the different beers, there is one brewery in particular that we are fond of, due to its great atmosphere and location. Brouwerij ’t IJ is situated in the east of the city center, right next to De Gooyer, the tallest wooden windmill in the Netherlands, and a great landmark to help you find the brewery.

Featuring a spacious courtyard beneath the windmill, perfect for a lovely summers day, and with a seasonal range of around 10 beers, it’s a great place to start learning about the range of local brews on offer. To top off the visit to Brouwerij ’t IJ, they also offer a delicious specialty sheep’s cheese called Skeapsrond. Skeapsrond is special as the sheep that produce the milk for the organic cheese, are fed on the malt dregs left over from the brewing process and is therefore the perfect accompaniment to one of the breweries fantastic beers.

You could be sampling great locally brewed beers in 4h 09, click the link to find out more about London to Amsterdam train.

Just a stone’s throw away from Theatre Sebastopol, Le Sebastopol is a Michelin star restaurant offering up the creations of its proud head chef and owner, Jean-Luc Germond.

For Jean-Luc, his cooking and cuisine is about expressing his passion for excellence and creativity, and the chef has also submitted recipes to many books as well as speaking at multiple food conferences.

With foods sourced across various French regions, the menu is renewed 8 times a year, allowing the dishes to constantly evolve, bringing customers of Le Sebastopol the very best and newest creations.

The restaurant also boasts a unique and stylish décor, with shades of grey and raspberry used to create a welcoming, comfortable atmosphere. As well as the main dining area, Le Sebastopol offers 3 private dining rooms; two for small groups up to four and ten people, and one larger area for  20 guests – perfect for those of you exploring France in larger groups.

The separate bar is a great place to enjoy a drink before, after or during your meal, and with a choice of over 500 wines selected from vineyards across France, there is no doubt you will find the perfect accompanying drink to your meal. So why not make a stop at Le Sebastopol the next time you explore Lille, with such fantastic reviews it’s likely your taste buds will thank you.

Why plan a visit yourself and make up your own mind by exploring the extensive menu his restaurant has to offer. To make a reservation for Le Sebastopol, or to find our more take a look at their website.

To plan your trip European adventure, take a look at the latest Eurostar deals.

Photo: “Wine Not..” by “derekGavey”