Beautiful Belmond Northern Belle

This was a trip I booked for my parents, it was my Mother's present to my Father for his birthday this year and they were lucky enough to get on board on Valentine's Day.

My mum is wonderful with words so I asked her to take as many photos and give me a proper review of what it was like. I secretly think my Mum would love to be a Travel Counsellor too as she jumped at the chance to do this for me.

Here is what she had to say.....

After asking Paula Hancock our Travel Counsellor and also our Daughter to advise me on a present for John, my husbands birthday, she recommended a lunch trip on the Belmond Northern Belle. I can only say thank you with all my heart. This went far far beyond our expectations. It was a truly amazing day, from walking the red carpet to your carriage to being seated by very attentive staff who made me welcome with a lovely gift, a small teddy.

It was wonderful - as soon as we were seated we were offered champagne, and then informed about everything from the menu to where the beautiful toilets were (never thought I'd use beautiful and toilets in the same sentence) but they were.

The food was fine dining taken to another level, all served perfectly, all the staff introduced themselves by name, and were extremely attentive, they anticipated our every need. We had £24 to spend on drinks between us, and you had a very varied choice of beverage from very fine wines to beer, to cocktails, to soft drinks, whatever you wanted was served and presented brilliantly, and all this whilst travelling through lovely English countryside.

Just to add to the ambience there was a very clever table magician, and a band of strolling players who serenaded us with our chosen song.

This experience was like stepping back in time it was so relaxing and having a taste of being treated like royalty was priceless.

We are now looking at the other trains the London Pullman and the dream would be the Orient Express.....well one can dream.