IT may well be the city of romance but there is much more to Paris than l’amour and dinner a deux.

One of the best destinations in Europe for budget accommodation and cheap public transport, Paris is an exciting place for lovers of culture, food and shopping.

But the French capital also offers a particularly warm welcome to young people, especially those who have outgrown a certain theme park 20 miles away. That makes Paris a top city-break pick for families with teenagers.

We decided against a road trip or budget flight and opted to go by rail. It’s not just the south of England that can benefit from Eurostar. The early-morning train from Glasgow speeds into London Euston in less than five hours, with just a 10-minute walk to the high-speed Channel Tunnel link at St Pancras.

Just two and a half hours later, we emerged from the Gare du Nord into the afternoon buzz of Paris. It was longer than a flight but a rail journey means no hanging around airports or baggage stresses, or a 90-minute coach journey.

First published in the Daily Record. You can read the full story here