Blue skies, sun blazing — not usually words you associate with weather here, but they were the day I rode a private luxury train through the English countryside.
I was aboard the 14-carriage Belmond British Pullman— sister train to the famous Venice Simplon-Orient Express.
Punters can ride the lovingly-restored train around the UK, taking in beautiful scenery and eating delicious food as they go. More adventurous types can opt for murder mystery parties onboard.
Prices start from £203 ($268) per person for a brunch trip and go up to £561 ($741) for their experiences with celebrity chefs including two-star Michelin Raymond Blanc and Michel Roux Jr.
Scroll down to see how a day on the Pullman plays out, from a champagne reception to old-world singers.
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I arrived at London Victoria station, where the Belmond British Pullman is based, at 10 a.m. We were due to depart at 10:45 a.m. and return at 4 p.m. I was placed in Zena — the carriages on the Pullman have names, not numbers.
I had some time to kill, so I waited in Belmond's private lounge next to the platform, where travellers can sit with a tea or coffee while they wait for their train.
When the train arrived, it was immediately obvious how much time and money had been spent on its meticulous restoration. It was beautiful and faultless.
See the rest of the story at Business Insider