Two weeks before our weekend break in Blackpool we were thinking about our forthcoming luxury trip on The Orient Express. How times change! Blackpool was chosen as Heather had it on her 'bucket list' of things to do. This also included doing all of those seaside favourites such as having some candy floss, eating doughnuts, having a proper chip shop supper as well as enjoying the other delights on offer in Blackpool specifically a ride on the trams, a walk on e...

Just before Easter 2014 we were booked on the Orient Express, probably one of the most iconic rail trips you can make in Europe. Unfortunately for us it all went very wrong as we stepped off the British Pullman at Folkestone Central and boarded the luxury coaches waiting to take us under the English Channel via Eurotunnel to join the continental Orient Express at Calais bound for Venice, via Paris. A series of separate events led to an almost shutdown and delays ...

With just one and a half days left at work I thought it was about time to set up a travel blog for ther forthcoming trip. Provided I survive my evening out in Derby tomorrow this blog will get updated at various intervals as we set out on a well deserved break from work. Hopefully the 'W' word will not be required until well into 2015!

After an early morning, 916 mile long flight, from Warsaw with LOT (flight LO281) we arrived into London Heathrow. It was quick trip into central London on the Heathrow Express before heading to St Pancras for our train back to Derby. So this is it, with less than 130 miles to go until back home the trip is drawing to a close. Catching the 1130 East Midlands Train service from London back to Derby really does bring this trip to an end - but what a great trip it ...

Having met up with Heather in London there was enough time to have a 'cheeky one' (or two) with Matt Gamble before we boarded the 2002 Eurostar departure from London St Pancras International to Paris Gare du Nord. Good bye UK and hello continental Europe!