Following the success of the British Pullman’s signature journey, The Golden Age of Travel, which was launched this year, the Northern Belle has launched its own prestigious signature journey, The Spirit of Travel.

The schedule, which includes over 20 special steam hauled departures, provides a unique opportunity to explore some of the most striking landmarks of Britain, in the comfort and luxury of the train.

The British Pullman is a historical legend and its vintage carriages have been immaculately restored creating an authentic experience that is reminiscent of the glamorous Art-Deco period.

All British Pullman departures are from London Victoria with regular day trips to favourites such as Bath, Oxford, York and Brighton. There are a variety of stunning horticultural trips which include Exbury Gardens, Bodnant Gardens and an assortment of flower shows such as Hampton Court and Cardiff. Several key events on the sporting calendar are also included in the schedule including Wimbledon, Cowes Regatta and Goodwood Revival.

The British Pullman also plays an integral role in the globally recognised romantic adventure, the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, which travels from London to Venice and vice versa.

Highlights of the British Pullman schedule:

As well as the extremely popular black-tie dinner trip, known as ‘The Dinner’, Orient-Express is launching a unique new dinner trip in association with Laurent Perrier. This exclusive opportunity sees Orient-Express and Laurent Perrier pairing to create an unforgettable evening with a gourmet tasting menu perfectly complemented with a variety of Champagnes.  This special gastronomic journey begins and ends at London Victoria station on 11th November and costs £350pp.

The British Pullman’s signature journey, The Golden Age of Travel, is one of the most popular as it recaptures the excitement and magic of rail travel from previous eras. This trip is available throughout the year and is the perfect way to celebrate a special occasion or to treat a loved one and departs on - Jan 09,15,22,29, Feb 12,19,26, March 06,12,19,26, Apr 09,23, May 01,07, Jun 11,19,25, Jul 02,16, Aug 13,20, Sep 03,17, Oct 08,29, Nov 05,13. The steam journeys are priced at £330 and the non steam journeys are £250.

One of the more recognised associations with the Orient-Express is that of a certain fictional murder. To satisfy some of our guests’ appetite for a little mystery and excitement, Orient-Express is continuing with one of its most popular trips on the British Pullman, The Brighton Murder Mystery. This trip includes a murder mystery complete with suspicious characters, a tour of the Royal Pavilion in Brighton as the plot thickens, and a four course whilst guests attempt to solve the murder. The price is £290pp and departs on March 5th, May 28th, July 9th, September 10th and October 15th.

A truly exceptional experience on the British Pullman is the favoured Oxfordshire excursion, which stops at Raymond Blanc’s two Michelin starred restaurant, Le Manoir aux Quat’ Saisons. The striking hotel is set within a two acre ‘kitchen’ garden, which homes 90 types of vegetables and 70 types of herbs. Guests will enjoy lunch in the celebrated restaurant, while also having the opportunity to admire the Oxfordshire countryside. This journey is priced at £350pp and departs on the 27th April and 2nd December.

The Northern Belle is a recreation of the spirit of adventure and style that surrounded the classic rail cruises of her namesake in the 1930’s.  Furnished with the same intricate marquetry and glistening brass as her sister trains, she travels throughout Britain to offer passengers journeys through stunning countryside in the style of a bygone era, with all modern comforts.

The mulberry and cream carriages of Northern Belle now depart from more than 50 regional towns and cities including Manchester, Leeds, Liverpool, Birmingham, Newcastle and Edinburgh.

Highlights of the Northern Belle schedule:

New for 2010 is the Charity Dinner Trip. This is a unique opportunity to contribute to a worthy cause as each of the six carriages are designated to the following charities - The British Heart Foundation, Railway Children, When You Wish Upon A Star, Manchester Royal Infirmiry & The Anthony Nolan Trust, The Christie Charity and St. Lukes Hospice. All profits from the evening will be donated to the charity allocated to each carriage. The journey departs and returns to Manchester Victoria station on 8th October and costs £225pp

Another exciting new addition to the 2010 Northern Belle schedule is the signature journey, The Spirit of Travel. This trip follows the success of the British Pullman Golden Age of Travel. The trip celebrates British heritage and craftsmanship, whilst capturing the luxury and opulence of the great British Belle trains of the 1930’s. The trip is available as a lunch or dinner trip and is priced at £195pp. Lunch journeys depart on Feb 13, May 29, June 06, 26, Oct 22, Nov 21, Dec 01 and dinner on Feb 13, April 09, Sep 16,18,29.
Due to the trips previous popularity, Buckingham Palace returns as a key Northern Belle journey. The Palace is furnished and decorated with priceless works of art from part of the royal collection and is rich in history and culture and is still used as the administrative headquarters of the Monarch. The train departs from Cardiff and Swansea on 9th July and is priced at £285pp.

Other new Northern Belle journeys include trips to Castle Howard, the stunning Bamburgh Castle on the Northumberland coast, Dunrobin Castle and the gothic palace, Mount Stuart, on the Isle of Bute.

The brochure also highlights five weekend breaks which offer guests the opportunity to experience the luxurious comforts of either the Northern Belle or the British Pullman as it transports them to their weekend break destination. Guests enjoy a two night stay at a hotel at their chosen weekend spot. They can choose from the Cornish Weekend on the 14th May, the Inverness Weekend on the 7th August, the Edinburgh Tattoo on the 7th August, the Chester Weekend on the 21st August or the Lake District weekend on the 18th September. These weekend breaks start from £715pp.

For further information about all British Pullman and Northern Belle journeys call 0845 077 2222 or visit www.orient-express.com.

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For further media information or images contact Anna Nash or Lisa Sharland at Orient-Express Public Relations on 0207 921 4050 / 64 or email anna.nash@orient-express.com / lisa.sharland@orient-express.com

Notes to Editor
Orient-Express, (NYSE: OEH, www.orient-express.com) the name behind an elite collection of travel experiences, first came into being in 1883 as one of the world’s most exciting and indulgent train journeys.  Today those same two evocative words also embrace hotels, cruises and other luxury rail adventures in 25 countries, across five continents.  The Company has offered exceptional luxury travel experiences since 1976, when it first purchased Hotel Cipriani in Venice and then shortly afterwards, recreated the celebrated Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, linking London, Paris and Venice, along with other European cities.  Today, the company owns or part-owns and manages 49 businesses, 39 of which are highly acclaimed hotels, each unique in style, from the Mount Nelson in Cape Town and Rio’s Copacabana Palace, to the Grand Hotel Europe in St. Petersburg and Maroma Resort & Spa on Mexico’s Riviera Maya.  There are two restaurants, including ‘21’ in New York, two river cruise operations and six luxury trains.