IF you haven’t heard, Eurostar has got a massive sale on with one-way tickets for as little as £35 across five destinations.
If you fancy a trip over to France, Belgium or the Netherlands, Sun Travel has got some great ways for you to spend a day in each city from food tours to top bars and more.
Eurostar is offering bargain breaks with seats for just £35 one way to Amsterdam, Brussels, Paris, Lille and Rotterdam.
If you want to guarantee a seat, act fast as the offer is available from now until January 12, 2026 ending at 22.59pm.
And you must be travelling between January 16, 2026 and March 25, 2026.
So, if you still haven’t decided where to go, here are tips from Sun Travel on what to do in each of the cities.
Amsterdam
First up is the capital of the Netherlands, Amsterdam and Travel Writer Helen Wright revealed how she would spend a day in the city.
She said: “Amsterdam is known for its cycling culture, but if you’d rather keep your feet on the ground, it’s such a walkable city, which is why I love it so much.
“Start in Runstraat, known as the ‘9 Streets’. As well as picturesque canals and bridges, there are lots of cute boutiques and shops to browse. I could spend all day here just grabbing coffee and nipping in and out of the stores, soaking up the laid-back Ditch vibe. If you want a beer, there are lots of fun pubs too.
“It’s here you will find the viral Fabel Friet chip shop – chucky fries topped with truffle and garlic mayo. There is usually a big queue – thanks to TikTok – and unless you’re desperate to try them, I probably wouldn’t wait. Instead, get an outside table at Screaming Beans coffee across the road and enjoy a delicious brew while people watching.
“My best tip is to nip into Banketbakkerij Het Koekemannetje biscuit shop opposite and pick up a hazelnut-filled cookie to have with your coffee.
Probably my favourite area is the De Pijp neighborhood.
“It’s very local, with a lot of classic Amsterdam atmosphere. I stay at the Hotel Avani in the Museum Quarter, and it’s a short and easy walk to De Pijp from here.”
Helen continued: “Think quirky bookstores, colourful gardens and lots of traditional Dutch architecture.
“There are two great restaurants in this area too. Arie, a neighbourhood bistro which has all-day drinking and snacking – a nod to the old-fashioned Amsterdam bar scene from the 40s.
“Just around the corner is Cafe Caron, a much-loved local joint that gets booked quickly and has a great menu and arty interior, ideal for lunch or dinner.
“Finally, I love a cheesy ride on a canal bar boat. The tours lack substance but you can’t beat floating on the water in the sun with an Aperol in-hand.”
Brussels
Deputy Travel Editor Kara Godfrey added: “When it comes to breakfast, Brussels has an amazing coffee scene. My favourite is Wide Awake, serving delicious flat whites in pink marbled mugs, alongside huge chocolate and walnut babkas.
“It gets busy, so you might have to take it to go, or squeeze onto a table with the other locals. Everyone’s first place to explore has to be the Grand Place, the UNESCO-listed central square with both Gothic and Baroque buildings lining the outside.
“It’s where you will find both the Christmas light show in winter, as well as the famous Flower carpet in mid-August, taking place every two years. Of course, Belgium is known for two things – chips and waffles.
“So for lunch, the best places to head are Fritland, which only serves cones of chips but with a range of unique sauces. Then head to one of the Maison Dandoy chains for the fluffiest and light waffles (a classic being the Biscoff).
“To walk it all off, one of the coolest places in the city to explore is Rue de Flandre, named one of Time Out’s trendiest neighbourhoods. Here you’ll find photobooths on the street, independent shops and more cafes and restaurants to explore.
“It’s also a great stop for some of the famous street art littering the city, of which there are hundreds to spot. For dinner, Wolf is a great spot especially if in a group. The indoor food hall has 17 restaurants to choose from, as well as a huge bar in the middle.
“Choose from everything including Italian and Mexican to Ethiopian and Vietnamese. Stay late into the night, with the €2.90 (£2.51) beers some of the best in town and from the on-site microbrewery.”
Paris
Head of Sun Travel (Digital) Caroline McGuire loves the city, and here’s what she would do in a day. Caroline said: “Paris was the first city (apart from London) that I fell in love with, and in recent years I’d argue that it has got even better.
“My perfect day out would start with a takeaway croissant and coffee
from any number of excellent boulangeries, that I’d enjoy while taking
a stroll through the many antiques shops in the Marais – or if it’s a
Sunday, at the flea market ‘Marché aux Puces de Saint-Ouen’.
“If you’re travelling back on the Eurostar. it’s easy to fill up an extra bag
with second hand jewellery, clothing and other bric a brac. For lunch, I’d go somewhere like Brasserie Lipp and sit at one of the tables in the window to watch the locals go by, as I dined on old-fashioned Parisian bistro food.
“Then in the afternoon, I’d take a stroll by the Seine, hopefully
picking up a couple of secondhand books in the ‘bouquinistes’ stalls
that operate on the banks, and grabbing a beer at one of the ‘Paris
Plage’ river beaches if it’s the summertime.
“Heading into the evening, I’d head to the 18th arrondissement – a less
touristy area of the city that’s got a hipster feel, starting out with
half a dozen oysters and a glass of white wine for just €14 (£12.13) at
La Trincante, followed by a meal at Pantobaguette – a hip little
eatery that fuses French and Japanese cuisine.
“Across town in the equally hip 11th arrondissement, I’d have pudding
at Folderol, a little store selling only gelato and natural wine,
where locals sip their evening aperitif while lounging on the kerb.
“Then, if I’m still standing, I’d finish the night at Bambino, a chic
cocktail bar where records line the walls and you can enjoy a terrace
view of the Eiffel Tower.”
Travel Reporter Alice Penwill ventured to Paris for an extreme daytrip on the Eurostar – and yes you can do all these things in 12 hours.
Alice said: “To start the morning off right, it would be a crime not to pop into one of Paris’ many bakeries, or boulangeries, for a croissant and a coffee.
“Take one to go and stroll along the Seine before heading into the Musée d’Orsay where you can see work by artists like Monet, Renoir and Van Gogh.
Alice continued: “Afterwards, head back along the Seine to see the beautiful Notre Dame which will be incredibly busy, but that’s not a surprise. And if you’re a fan of books, pop across to the famous bookshop, Shakespeare And Company.
“A great way to explore Paris’ food scene is on the City Experience’s Ultimate Food Tour. We walked through the Marais neighbourhood, tasting award-winning chocolate, macarons, classic French cheeses and onion soup, all while learning interesting tidbits along the way.
“In the Jewish Quarter tuck into a pastrami sandwich, before heading onto a French-Syrian bakery for sweet treats and to top it off, I sampled two French wines, including delicious Chablis – a perfect way to round off the day.”
Lille
Deputy Travel Editor Kara Godfrey said: “Make sure to start your day with the famous Lille waffle, found at Meert. Said to be a favourite of Charles de Gaulle, the oval shaped pastries are classically filled with vanilla cream and great for an on-the-go snack.
“But to get the lay of the land, a unique way to get around is by vintage car, with tour in Convertable Citreon 2CV car. The guides take you around the beautiful buildings and landmarks, while happily answering questions or stopping for photos.
“End the tour at the local-loved lunch spot Babe Lille, where you will find office workers all taking a break here at midday.
“If you manage to grab a seat, settle in with huge glass of wine and the duck and chestnut poutine which will sustain you throughout the day.
“Just outside the city is La Piscine, a former bathhouse which has been turned into an art museum and is well worth a visit. The central Art Deco stained glass window has since been restored, with the walls now lined with sculptures and artwork.
“To end the day, head to Lille’s only rooftop bar Nu for views over the city. Start with the snails (garlicky and rich, and will convert even first-timers) and end with the rich prawn Milanese risotto.”
Rotterdam
Last but not least is the city of Rotterdam, Travel Reporter Cyann Fielding told us more, she said: “When people think of the Eurostar, they don’t immediately think of heading to Rotterdam, but you could be there in as little as three hours and 16 minutes.
“Rotterdam is the second largest city in the Netherlands and has plenty to explore. In the morning I would start with a walk around Europe‘s largest port, which serves as the ‘Gateway to Europe’.
“Around the port you will find numerous cosy coffee shops, serving great coffee and doughy pastries. Harvest and The Villy are top spots, with a coffee setting you back a few euros.
Cyann continued: “Before lunch make sure to head to the Cube Houses – also known as Kijk-Kubus Museum-house – which costs a few quid to enter. The yellow cube-shaped houses were designed by architect Piet Blom and their main aim is to optimise space on the inside.
“For lunch or dinner, then head to Markthal. This grand building is amazing to experience from inside and out. It was the first covered market in the Netherlands and inside, you will find over 100 different food spots.
“When inside, look at the ceiling – it was creating by artists Arno Coenen and Iris Roskam and has been nicknamed the ‘Sistine Chapel of Rotterdam’.
“Before heading back onto your Eurostar, explore Rotterdam Centraal Station (which is where the Eurostar goes from) which has a modern and futuristic design.”
Here’s more on Eurostar Snow which has trains to six popular resorts across France.
And here’s more on the popular London route that Eurostar could drop popular route next year – despite only launching six years ago.