Love on the rails: Eight reasons to spend Valentine’s Day on a train.

“Without Valentine’s Day, February would be… well, January.”

—Jim Gaffigan

The yellow line at the edge of the platform was no different from a thousand others just like it across London, telling commuters where to stand back from approaching trains. But on platform 2 in Victoria Station on Tuesday night, I couldn’t help but feel a little more excited than usual to step over this particular line.

No matter how normal a journey it had been to the station—taking the same buses, passing through the same turnstiles—the moment I crossed the line, I left normal behind.

With a single step, I was suddenly in the world of Agatha Christie, Hercule Poirot, and a bygone era when travel was an elegant affair to dress up for. It was Valentine’s Day in London and I’d been invited to spend an evening on the British Pullman, sister train to the classic Venice-bound Orient Express.

From the moment I sunk into my seat (i.e. ridiculously comfortable armchair), I fell in love with life on board the Pullman…and here are eight reasons why you might too next Valentine’s:

1. Luxury has never been this easy to get to.

One minute I was walking through Victoria station past a McDonald’s, the next minute I was boarding a vintage train…who says you need to travel to Paris or Rome for a little lavish treat?

2. Because every girl should hear, “Madam, let me show you to your coupé,” at least once in her life.

Each carriage on the British Pullman features various table arrangements, from a tiny corner table for one, to settings for two and three, to the delightful coupé my friend Jen and I found ourselves in.

While most of the tables were clustered together in the open, our private dining area was self-enclosed with sliding doors. Inside the coupé, it was all about white tablecloths, real silver place settings, and gleaming wood panelling.

3. Falling in love with a new cocktail is a good moment indeed…kir royale, anyone?

Add a drop or two of crème de cassis (blackcurrant liqueur) to a glass of champagne, and you’ve got that perfect combination of sweet and punchy.

4. Meals are meant to have five courses.

Dinner was a culinary tour d’force–from a vegetable terrine starter and white bean, celeriac and leek soup, to a grilled rosette of beef and dark truffle cake topped with a sugared rose petal…much to my surprise, it tasted just like a rose.

5. You’ve always wondered what a guitar and saxophone duet would sound like.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p2DOMgIxRmU

6. It’s service with a smile…and a story.

Our two charming stewards, comically named Mitch and Rich, were single-handedly responsible for making our night.

While we were obviously happy every time Mitch arrived with a new course or champagne top-up, what we grew to look forward to even more were the stories he brought with him: the time he served Nelson Mandela in Scotland…the time he was an extra in 101 Dalmatians with Glenn Close…and the time he got football updates from then-Prime Minister Tony Blair.

I guess you see a lot in seventeen years on the rails.

7. You never know when you’ll have your silhouette cut.

Meet Mike, one half of the Roving Artist team, a trained magician who also happens to be a professional silhouette cutter. Jen and I were in awe at what he could do with black paper and a pair of scissors in under three minutes. (And don’t you love the vest?)

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RissH5wM53w

And here’s his take on my profile…if only I’d smiled!

8. Sometimes we need a little elegance in the everyday.

Our round-trip journey through London’s surrounding areas kept quite close to commuter routes…which meant we often pulled up right next to normal trains. Jen and I couldn’t help but note the juxtaposition–and in a way, that’s what we loved most about the night: that this escape into elegance took place so close to our everyday routines.

What are some of your favorite Valentine’s memories?

Looking for ideas for Valentine’s Day?

• Valentine’s dinner on the British Pullman starts from £350 per person, which covers a five-course meal (including champagne and a bottle of wine per couple), round-trip journey, and entertainment.
• Can’t wait for next Valentine’s? Not to fear…Orient Express offers a number of “signature journeys” and other day trains around the UK with unique themes. Try the Spirit of Travel lunch on the Northern Belle, the Golden Age of Travel lunch on the British Pullman, or a Murder Mystery lunch, also on the Pullman.

 Disclosure: My evening on the British Pullman was kindly sponsored by Orient Express, but know all thoughts [and love affairs with kir royales] are my own.