Win a £25,000 voyage on Ireland's most luxurious train
Voting in the 2017 Telegraph Travel Awards is now open, giving you the opportunity to reward those operators and destinations that continue to surpass your expectations.
And because we recognise you need to invest time and energy to make these awards what they are, as a reward for your efforts we are delighted to offer you the chance to win one of 20 luxury holidays - including this £25,000 voyage through Ireland offered by Belmond and Ballyfin. Together they are offering the ultimate nine-night voyage of discovery through the heart of the Emerald Isle. The prize for two guests includes a six-night journey aboard Belmond Grand Hibernian – Ireland’s first luxury sleeper train – travelling across Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, and a three-night stay at Ballyfin. This prize brings together two of the country’s most luxurious and iconic travel experiences.
How to enter
Follow this link to tell us about your favourite travel companies and destinations - and to enter the draw for one of 20 prizes. You will need to leave your name, telephone number and a valid email address. See here for full terms and conditions.
Full details of this prize
Belmond Grand Hibernian launched in October 2016 and is Ireland’s first luxury sleeper train, accommodating up to 40 guests. During the six-night Grand Tour of Ireland by rail departing from Dublin and offered on a fully inclusive basis, guests will visit iconic locations throughout the island of Ireland, including visits to Blarney Castle, Killarney National Park, Curraghmore House, Ashford Castle and the historic city of Galway.
Onboard, the train’s contemporary interiors are elegant yet relaxed, evoking the sense of travelling in an Irish country house on wheels, with genuine and warm service provided by the train’s crew. Head Chef Alan Woods’ mouth-watering dishes showcase the best of Irish produce with a contemporary twist to ensure guests experience the best of Irish cuisine. Using locally sourced ingredients, sample dishes include Irish seafood chowder, Roast Killarney Venison, Donegal Turf Smoked Salmon and Crab Cannon, Skeaghanore Duck Leg Confit and Warm Kildare Wild Elderberry and Plum Compote served in the elegant and light dining cars Wexford and Sligo.
Kildare, the Observation Car and social hub of the train, has the charm of a local Irish tavern, with live entertainment each evening and a varied choice of Irish gin and whiskies.
Carriages are named after the Irish counties through which the train travels, with interior designs and colours inspired by local scenery and details of each county’s tartan. Irish creative flair is also reflected in the staff uniforms, designed in Ireland, using materials such as Donegal tweed. The sleeper cars, including Waterford, Leitrim and Kerry, feature 20 luxury en-suite cabins including four double cabins with spacious storage and elegant details such as the Galway crystal jewellery stands and Irish goose feather and down pillows and duvets, made in Westport.
Ballyfin has long been admired as one of the most distinguished late Georgian houses in Ireland. During a three-night stay on a full-board basis, guests can enjoy a pony and carriage ride across the estate and clay pigeon experience. Located at the foot of the Slieve Bloom Mountains, a 90-minute drive from Dublin airport, Ballyfin boasts just 20 individually designed bedrooms giving guests a private residence environment with the comforts of an international luxury hotel. Today’s guest can enjoy formality blended with a relaxed and easy-going approach that is wonderfully warm and welcoming. Ballyfin’s reception rooms are each adorned with some of the finest art and antiques from around the world while the surrounding 614 acres of private parkland, walled gardens, 28-acre lake, ancient woods, 18th-century tower, follies and grottoes provide a perfect base for exploring and relaxation.
The providers
Belmond Ltd is a global portfolio of luxury travel experiences including hotels, trains, cruises and safaris in some of the world’s most inspiring and enriching destinations. Established almost 40 years ago with the acquisition of Hotel Cipriani in Venice, the Company owns and operates 46 unique and distinctive hotel, rail and river cruise experiences in many of the world’s most celebrated destinations.
Ballyfin has long been admired as one of the most distinguished late Georgian houses in Ireland. Located at the foot of the Slieve Bloom Mountains, a 90-minute drive from Dublin airport, Ballyfin boasts just 20 individually designed bedrooms, giving guests a private residence environment with the comforts of an international luxury hotel.
Terms and conditions
The prize includes a six-night itinerary for two people sharing a twin or double cabin on-board Belmond Grand Hibernian on an all-inclusive basis (which includes all meals, drinks and excursions, plus a three-night stay at Ballyfin for two people in a state room on a full-board basis basis). Travel insurance, airport taxes and other incidentals are not included. The Grand Prize is valid for travel on dates between April and October (inclusive) in 2018, excluding bank holidays. The Grand Prize is subject to availability. See here for full terms and conditions.
