I will take this opportunity to tell you that the Alpine Belle Express Rail Trip is absolutely wonderful!
The planning that has gone into the trip, the detail, the professionalism…..all outstanding! It appears that in the 5* section of the trip most of the passengers have traveled together through many train journeys in the UK and Ireland. It is like one big family.
The train days are long (12-14 hours) but that is because of the chosen routes in the Alpine region. The food served aboard is freshly prepared by a chef. Incredible meals actually. Dinner is five to seven courses! Imagine! The wait staff are airline personnel from British Airways to Qantas, Business Class/First Class, so you can imagine the service. All wonderful.
The Belle Train staff are very personable, very organized and efficient. There is nothing that has not been anticipated. No detail has been overlooked.
I can only say that the chosen hotels have been exceptional. We are presently staying at the Interalpen-Hotel Tyrol. My room is planned for six to eight people…..larger than my apartment in Melbourne!! The view over the Alps is incredibly beautiful.
As a note, a fellow passenger is traveling 4* and she reports that the class of passenger receives the same on-train meals as 5* passengers and that the 4* hotels are very, very acceptable. One of my fellow 5* passengers is considering traveling 4* next trip as the savings is considerable. Just a note….
The great Alpine Belle Train adventure has ended and it was a most wonderful trip. Met some very interesting people and viewed spectacular views of the Alps! Sadly Mother Nature was uncooperative in Salzburg and poured rain on us for the two days that we were there. Did not dampen our spirits though as we ventured forth. It was all about Mozart for me!
Having spoken with Marcus Robertson of Belle Trains and Tom Littler of Golden Eagle Luxury Trains (Tom was on the trip), there seem to be many wonderful train adventures in the making! It will be interesting to see what the future of luxury train travel will bring!
Thank you for the stay at The Kensington Hotel in London. Loved, loved every minute spent in that hotel. The staff was exceptional!
Now I feel as though I must tell you that the car service organized for me in London was absolutely terrible. Please do not use that particular car service again. Briefly, three drivers and 1 1/2 hours later I was finally met at Heathrow Airport. Yes. I was in text message with two of the three drivers. Yes, they were told of the flight changes. Yes, they were told that I was waiting for them at the designated pick-up spot. The cars used were small personal vehicles, drivers in casual clothes, and the driver into London speaking loudly on his phone the entire way into town! Etc. Etc. The driver of the pick-up car to the train station was late and waiting for me at some obscure place at The Kensington Hotel, not the front entrance of the hotel. Yes, I did call and speak with the Dispatcher as did the Doorman who had to go find him. (The Dispatcher told me to take my luggage and go find the Driver!?!). No traffic! No obstacles! The Driver (Eastern European) could not find the front door of the hotel! Noni, I highly recommend that this particular car service not be used again.
In Frankfurt….on time, efficient, beautiful vehicle, beautifully dressed Driver. Excellent!
So, Noni, again, thank you for bringing this Alpine Belle Express trip to my attention, and for another wonderful holiday organized by you through Cruise Express. Highly recommended!
Highly recommended!
Jahn
New South Wales
