Any recommendations please or advice for a 5 days train trip to Europe.

[timeforachangepart2]

DS, mid 20s, has a week of work late September. He'd like to go away but doesn't have anyone to go with. He's quirky. Doesn't have a social circle, spends most of his time, when not working, alone.

He's thinking of getting the train to Europe (we are London based). He's not interested in sun but likes fine dining and wine. He's got a week off but would probably be happy with a 5 day trip.

We've scoured the internet but can't find any organised tours (that's what I'd like for him so that he has company and conversation).

Any suggestions gratefully received.

TIA

that should say a week ‘off’ work 😊

Does he want you to take the train from London or is he willing to fly to somewhere like Italy and use the rather excellent train service there?

Contiki.com. Or similar?

He can do so many things.

Any country in europe is a great place to start, as it is easy to get a train everywhere.

What countries does he want to see?

I'm just back from a trip. I went by myself.

I flew into Milan, Italy, and then took the train to Zurich, Switzerland.

I knew I really wanted to see switzerland, so that's why I chose that route

I think you'll struggle to find an organised group holiday within Europe as they generally specialise in more far flung locations.

As he likes fine dining maybe consider Lyon? He can get the Eurostar there and then join an organised group tour activity each day which would give him the social aspect, albeit with different people each day.

Oh I just read the last part of the post that you would like it to be a group tour.

Contiki are one of the best organisations that do group tours in Europe.

They often do four and five day tours.

Can I just say , is it not a bit unusual for you to be planning his holiday for him.

He's mid twenties! He's a grown man.

You said "you would like it to be a group tour".

What does he want?

Does he want a group tour? Just because you want it doesn't man he wouldn't prefer to mooch around on his own.

He's probably ND so would the PPs please leave him alone? DM just trying to do something nice for him. Executive functioning is bloody hard when you weren't born with it so no shaming please. It's fine for parents to help out if they can and wish to do so.

You could try this company OP www.byway.travel/destination/europe/europe-by-train

Look At Friendship Travel, Exodus and Explore for group trips. I’ve used all of them at one stage or another. Some people go with a friend or partner but plenty of singles too. I never minded room sharing at his age but for a small supplement you can get your own room.

Or if he just wants a 5 day train trip how about Eurostar to Brussels and then Nightjet sleeper to Vienna for a couple of days.

Look at the Man in Seat 61 for train trip ideas and itineraries.

Thank you!

How do you know he's ND?

OP hasn't said anything of the sort.

That was a bit of a jump to make.

Quirky, no social circle, spends most of his time alone, needs/wants help from parents planning a trip. You just need to read between the lines. When you have a child with ASD yourself it's obvious.
OP does he want a group tour with company and conversation? For a lot of people with ASD that could be their idea of hell. There have been lots of ideas here if he does, but perhaps he'd prefer to find some restaurants he'd really like to visit - Lyon as a pp suggested is supposed to be good perhaps, combined with Geneva if he wants a couple of spots.

Thank you all SO much for the suggestions.

DS is ND (Asperger's, dyspraxia).

He says he'd be very happy to travel alone but he is not adverse to the idea of going in a group.

DS himself had mentioned the Eurostar to Lyon idea so we will definitely look more into that when he is back from work.

I'm not doing some of his holiday research for him for his sake; I'm doing it for my sake.

DH and I would really like DS to get away for a few days and DS himself wants to go away. Without my help, it probably won't happen as although DS is very internet savvy and has so many wonderful strengths and skills, putting together a holiday itinerary is not something he will find easy.

And as he is working pretty much flat out until he gets his week off, I'm going to help him where I can. Why wouldn't I? He's my son.

Exactly.

Tell me you’re NT without telling me your NT and have had zero contact with ND peeps! 😆

@timeforachangepart2

we have done Lyon Eurostar.

I would suggest getting the Lille connection, unless you want to stop in paris. At Lille it stops but goes straight on to Lyon.

Lille direct saves shlepping across paris on the RER to get to Gare Du Lyon.

On your return journey it’s good to be aware that you don’t ‘check in’ at Lyon station.

You do that at either Paris or Lille.

You go through customs here, not at Lyon. Therefore you can turn up to your Lyon connection train at a normal time, not an hour before like with Eurostar. It’s just a regular TGV.

Thank you. That’s really helpful.

He could base himself in say Brussels (not that exciting but good places to eat) and then day trip from there - Bruges/ghent/antwerp for example.

It's 2 hours from London to Brussels on the eurostar. From there it's only 1 hour by train to Bruges. Bruges is walkable and feels safe with lots of lovely restaurants and a few interesting sightseeing attractions.
I'm not sure if it's worth going much further afield for only 5 days, however for future reference if he wants to go for longer Intrepid Travel do some very interesting guided tours for 18-35s.