14th February 2019
There is something undeniably elegant and decadent about luxury rail journeys in that they offer the rare opportunity to sit back, and fully enjoy the authentic process of travel. Whilst appreciating the traditions of a bygone era, we also get the opportunity to enjoy luxurious innovations in technology, cuisine and comfort, resulting in a unique and immersive experience.
___________________________________
Discover the stunning architecture and grandeur of historic railway stations with a stay in one of the UK’s iconic station hotels. Stay in a suite at London’s St Pancras station combining character and a unique history, not to mention the ultimate in convenience. Just a short hop to King’s Cross and you can visit Platform 9 ¾ where Harry Potter famously boarded the train to the Wizarding school Hogwarts.
Choose to travel in style on the Belmond British Pullman, a veritable ‘Palace on Wheels’. Let us whisk you from the city to the countryside, combining an epic rail journey with the beautiful gardens and grand houses and palaces of England; Sissinghurst, Longleat, Blenheim or further afield to Chatsworth in Derbyshire.
Perhaps take a unique gastronomic journey from the capital through the beautiful English countryside to Belmond Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons, Raymond Blanc’s world-renowned two-Michelin-starred restaurant in Oxfordshire. Return to the train for your journey home, enjoying a selection of Great British cheeses and a decadent dessert en-route.
Embark on a magical rail journey for the whole family with a celebration of Mary Poppins. Beginning your journey in London with a musical flourish and a classic sing-song before you board the iconic carriages and enter a world of glittering indulgence, enjoying a supercalifragilistic themed Mary Poppins Afternoon Tea.
___________________________________
The vibrant city of Edinburgh is not only the launch pad for the Belmond Royal Scotsman but home to one of the Great railway hotels. The Balmoral hotel exudes timeless elegance and glamour. Its original purpose was a traveller’s hotel, and its location atop the station was perfect for those arriving in Scotland by train where passengers were whisked off trains by smartly uniformed porters from the station booking hall to the interconnected reception desk in the hotel’s basement. In fact, it is still the case today that the hotel’s iconic clock is set three minutes fast, so that people won’t miss their trains. The only day that the clock runs on time is on Hogmanay!
A notable past resident of the hotel is Harry Potter Author, JK Rowling who finished writing Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows at the hotel and now has a dedicated suite with an owl knocker on the door and signed antique bust in the room.
Embark on luxurious train journeys visiting ancient castles, glorious gardens and whisky distilleries across Scotland. An 84-mile round trip aboard the Jacobite Steam Train taking in the Highlands and the Glenfinnan Viaduct – as featured in the Harry Potter films – is another of our standout Scottish train journeys. For the ultimate in exclusive experiences, take over a carriage of this train and create your own magical trip to Hogwarts, complete with actors, owls and magicians.
___________________________________
The Belmond Grand Hibernian is the ultimate luxury rail experience designed to take advantage of Ireland’s natural beauty and heritage. Combine a trip on the Grand Hibernian with an authentic foodie discovery of Ireland and exceptional insider experiences to truly immerse in the heritage and history of the Emerald Isle. Meet and learn from locals delving into personal histories and authentic local recipes. Embark on traditional Irish bread and cake making, chocolate and cheese making and forage the countryside and coast for edible wild food and discover a whole new take on nature’s larder. On board, dine on the finest regional ingredients and enjoy local entertainment each evening to bring the day to a close.
“Embark on a menu that can carry you across the Beara Peninsula for scallops down to Donegal for turf-smoked salmon. Whatever the route, anticipate a gastronomic voyage”
Click below to view these inspiring featured itineraries
)
Dream Escape Owner, David Tobin and Head of Sales, Emer Mortell recently took Virtuoso Life’s Associate Art Director, Korena Sinnett, on a whirl wind tour around Ireland. They created a very special off the beaten track itinerary for her, to showcase the ‘best of the best’ in the arts and crafts world and uncover Ireland’s unique hidden gems. Thank you Korena for such a wonderful feature.
#virtuosolife #virtuoso #ireland #luxuryireland #irishcrafttraditions #dreamescapeltd #ballyfin #adaremanor #ashfordcastle #westbury #burrenperfumery Emer Mortell David Tobin
To read the full article click here >>> dreamescape.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/IRE_NOV_RFP2-Virtuoso-life.pdf
Dream Escape are always looking for new and exciting private experiences and as Christmas is nearly upon us, it seems most appropriate to share this very special acapella that was performed privately to our clients in Oxford's Exeter College Chapel last week. #privateexperiences #luxurytravel #luxuryengland #dreamescapeltd
Thank you to our travel partners who have supported us this year. We look forward to working with you all again in the new year and wish you a fulfilling and successful 2020. Merry Christmas Everyone!
In the meantime, take a look at some of our 2019 best bits on our blog dreamescape.co.uk/2019-the-best-bits/
Our wonderful Dream Escape MD Claire Banks is about to head off on maternity leave and at Dream Escape HQ in Edinburgh today we decided to surprise her with a Baby Shower. 🍼 We somehow managed to keep it a secret from Claire and her face was a picture when she appeared ahead of schedule in Ops with the mail!
Enjoy every second with Baby Stone, Claire and Donald - we are going to miss your wise counsel so much Claire. As they live not too far from HQ there have been lots of offers for babysitting and taking the baby for walks! 👶 Lovely for us all to be part of such a caring team at Dream Escape. #dreamescapeltd
“It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas” in London. This iconic Christmas song, most recently reprised by Michael Buble and over the years sung by Perry Como, Bing Crosby and Frank Sinatra, to name but a few, was originally composed by American Meredith Willson in 1951.
Christmas Magic is in the air in London. Let Dream Escape take you shopping to the very best stores including Royal Warrant Holders as well as other less well known independent retailers to find those special gifts for your loved ones. Top the experience off with a deliciously decadent festive Afternoon Tea at Fortnum & Mason!
Exciting Top Festive London Tips for the whole family from our London based Creative Planner Louise Murray are:
The number one Christmas experience for all the family has to be The Old Vic’s production of Charles Dicken’s The Christmas Carol. Now in it’s 3rdyear due to popular demand, this is a performance that will warm the heart of the greatest Christmas cynic. Beautiful singing, the ringing of hand bells, just enough ghostly appearances and even mince pies and clementines for the audience … perfect!!
∗ Father Christmas in the North Pole at The Royal Albert Hall where you will meet various friendly elves as you journey to meet the man himself
∗ The world’s most famous nanny flies back into London for a spectacular new production at The Prince Edward theatre
∗ Irving Berlin’s classic musical ‘A White Christmas’ opens on November 16th at London’s Dominion Theatre
∗ Ice Skating at Somerset House followed by the Christmas Markets in Trafalgar Square
∗ Afternoon Tea at Fortnum & Mason followed by a spot of Christmas shopping
∗ Carols by Candlelight at Southwark Cathedral (10th and 13th December)
∗ Sing-a-long to your favourite carols at The Royal Albert Hall
∗ Enjoy the Christmas Light Trail at Kew Gardens
∗ Alice in the Palace at Blenheim Palace
Emer Mortell, Dream Escape’s Head of Sales, has just returned home to Ireland from a very successful week at ILTM in Cannes, France where she met old friends and made new ones.
The International Luxury Travel Market introduces global travel buyers to an unrivalled collection of international travel experiences.
ILTM 2019 marked the launch of ILTM’s Year of Health and Wellness gathering a community of wellness experts that all drew the same conclusion; in the future, all travel is wellness travel, every trip is expected to enhance the physical, mental and social wellbeing of the traveller, transformation is the very promise of travel.
