Eurostar Launches Exclusive Experiences

WHY IT RATES: These new experiences take Eurostar trips to the next level, allowing travelers who book exclusive coaches to choose food, drink, arts and culture offerings designed to enlighten and entertain while traveling across the Channel.—Mia Taylor, TravelPulse Senior Writer.

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Eurostar, the high-speed rail service linking the UK and mainland Europe, is offering meeting, incentive, conference and exhibition (MICE) customers a selection of new ways to make their journey even more memorable.

Customers booking exclusive coaches can now treat their guests to a dedicated onboard experience, hosted by an expert speaker and tailored to enlighten and entertain delegates as they travel across the Channel.

Available for bookings from September, Eurostar’s new exclusive experiences are the ideal way to leave a lasting impression with travelers from the moment they arrive on board. Taking their trip to the next level, organizers can choose from themes in-keeping with Eurostar destinations, ranging from food and drink to arts and culture.

The onboard experiences are available to groups that have booked an entire coach, on all Eurostar routes. Costs are available on request.

Spirits
Celebrating the enduring popularity of gin, guests will be invited to taste rare and exclusive blends as well as to understand how gin is made and which tonics work with them to create perfect combinations. A version of this experience can also be focused on whiskey.
Host: Helen Chesshire (founder of Brighton Gin), Dawn Davies (The Spirits and Whisky Exchange) or Jane Parkinson (BBC Saturday Kitchen).

The whiskey experience is hosted by world-renowned spirits expert Dave Broom or Dawn Davies (The Spirits and Whisky Exchange).

Cheese
With cheese festivals and artisan products appearing across the food scene, this experience is combined with craft beers, and artisan foods, to demonstrate why beer is a better match than wine, alongside tastings of five cheeses from the destination of travel and tips and recommendations on where to buy and taste cheeses on arrival.
Host: Patrick McGuigan, Britain’s leading cheese writer and World Cheese Awards judge.

Fashion and Beauty
Advice and insights on staying ahead of each seasons trends in clothing and cosmetics, either as a single group or in small group consultations along with products to try out. The session can include advice to both men and women through a talk, Q&A and tips and recommendations on stores to visit on arrival at the destination.
Host: Sali Hughes, one of the UK’s s leading beauty columnists.

Wine
Featuring tastings from unexpected countries, the experience aims to take travelers out of their comfort zone, showing them how to pick the gems on a restaurant wine list, and introducing them to the top restaurants in their destination.
Host: Tom Surgey (Ridgeview Wine), Henry Butler (wine merchant) or IWSC (International Wine & Spirits Competition) Wine Communicator of the year, Jane Parkinson.

Art
Reminding delegates how to have fun putting pen to paper, and also incorporating some of the artistic highlights in the destination with talks and stories behind a selection of famous works.
Host: Euan MacDonald, who combines art history with an entertaining look at the destination city.

Sports
For Rugby International games, fans can be joined on board by rugby stars who can be interviewed or simply chat to travelers to make predictions on the tournament. A quiz can also bring in a competitive element.
Host: Nigel Barden, BBC Radio 2 and Radio 4

Great Taste
With hampers provided by The Guild of Fine Food, guests will hear the provenance of products competing to win prestigious ‘Great Taste’ stars. Including meats, cheeses, ciders, and chocolates, delegates can test their tasting palates by awarding tasting notes and star ratings to be compared to those awarded by the judges.
Hosts: Nigel Barden, Patrick McGuigan and Martha Collison (Great British Bake Off)

“We wanted to offer those traveling in a group a new way to make the most out of their time on board," Inge Bauwens, Eurostar Business Development Manager, MICE, said. "Taking advantage of the space available on board and freedom to move around, our new range of exclusive experiences allow MICE travelers to provide a unique journey for their guests and a Eurostar trip to remember.”

With quick and convenient check-in, a seamless city-center to city-center journey, and a generous baggage allowance, Eurostar is the ideal way to travel between London and mainland Europe.

For more information or to book email MICE@eurostar.com, visit eurostar4agents.com/mice or call the Eurostar contact center on 0344 8224 800.

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SOURCE: Eurostar press release