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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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Dream Escape’s Head of Guiding Rosie has just returned from an fun, action packed 8 day Educational trip with Melissa McKinley #trvlwithmelissa and Katie Schmit #travelbykatie #Largaytravel. They were joined for 2 days by Head of Sales, Emer.
They covered a huge area of Scotland visiting 14 fabulous properties. En route they saw 8 castles, 12 lochs and at least 5 impressive 18th century bridges. Distillery visit, Neolithic Chambered Cairns, battlefield tour, chocolatier visit, hiking in Highlands, royalty, boats, fishing villages, palaces and lots of Highland Cattle. Set-jetting galore chasing Harry Potter and Outlander. Hundreds of photos taken, shopping galore, delicious food, lots of laughter and great memories. #dreamescapeltd
Dream Escape’s effervescent Head of Sales, Emer Mortell, has just returned from a very successful 2020 Virtuoso Travel Week New York #virtuoso which was held at The Pierre, A Taj Hotel, New York. Emer said there were many highlights and she particularly enjoyed the intimacy of the event with other key travel advisors.
Hello from all of us to Sara Johnson of Largay Travel. #largaytravel . Displayed on Emer’s table are Dream Escape’s 2020 UK and Ireland and 2020 London Calendars of Events. On the I pad Emer is showcasing the Quiraing, Isle of Skye off the west coast of Scotland. Think beautiful scenery and plentiful wildlife and marine life as well as castles, gardens, Clan history, hiking, boat rides and an abundance of fresh seafood. It’s no wonder location scouts frequently choose Skye as a movie location.
A boating element is always a popular inclusion in a Dream Escape tailor-made programme on the seas, rivers, lakes, lochs and loughs of UK and Ireland. Kayaking or canoeing on lochs, loughs and sheltered bays. Cruising to an islands for a picnic or to visit a medieval castle or nature reserve. Monster hunting for Nessie the Loch Ness monster on Loch Ness or her cousin Morag on Loch Morar! Travelling through the Killarney Lakes where the skipper’s mate is a Cocker Spaniel! Cruising from an island to meet the skippers brother who has freshly caught scallops and langoustine onboard his trawler for a barbecue like no other on a sheltered beach. ‘Magic is something you make.’
Relax and unwind on a tailor-made quintessential England programme designed and curated by Dream Escape’s team of talented Creative Planners and Blue Badge Guides. Unique once in a lifetime experiences travelling through Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty with rolling hillsides, country lanes and stone villages experiencing rural life, relaxing and unwinding away from the bustle of city life.
‘Oh, the places you’ll go’ Dr Seuss
Dream Escape’s Head of Sales Emer Mortell is safely home in Ireland after a very successful Sales Trip to Denver, Phoenix, Southern California and LA with Simon Haden of Gregans Castle Hotel Co Clare and Ruthie McGrath of Merrion Hotel, Dublin. Lovely to meet so many warm and welcoming Travel Advisors . A big thank you to Joanna Heathcote of JHHotels for introductions and assistance in LA. #greganscastlehotel #merrionhotel #dreamescapeltd
