THE magic of Christmas is being made a little more special for those lucky enough to get a seat on the Belmond Northern Belle.

The Prince and Princess of Wales Hospice is offering a special trip on the Orient Express's sister train on the evening of December 13.

It will be full steam ahead when it leaves Glasgow Central at 7pm for a round trip over the Forth Bridge to Dundee, Perth, Stirling and back to Glasgow.

The Belmond Northern Belle reflects the style of the 1930s, with six dining carriages displaying marquetry, fabrics and brass fittings specifically commissioned from British craftsmen to recreates the elegance of train travel at its best.

On board, passengers will dine on a five-course Christmas meal with all the trimmings, including champagne on arrival and wine with each course.

Musicians and entertainers Casablanca Steps, dressed in tail coats, will make their way up and down the carriages playing festive songs.

Their unique sound and authentic three-part vocal harmonies, combined with plenty of humour, recreate the authentic musical ambience of the 1920s and 1930s.

"It is one of these once in a lifetime trips," said Ashley Thomson, senior corporate and events fundraiser at the Glasgow hospice.

"I got a chance to try out the Northern Belle last year with a colleague and it is absolutely unbelievable. It is a real luxury treat."

The hospice hopes the trip will raise as much as £20,000 for its Brick by Brick campaign, backed by the Evening Times, to build a new facility on a site at Bellahouston Park.

"This is something different for the hospice, we have never done an event like this before," said Ashley.

"For people who are regular supporters and come to a lot of our events, this is something a bit different for them. I don't think many charities have done this kind of thing before, certainly not in Scotland."

Tickets, £250 each, are available from 0141 429 9887 or email ashley.thomson@ppwh.org.uk

To learn more about the Brick by Brick appeal, or to make a donation, visit www.ppwh.org.uk/brickbybrick, call 0141 429 9861 or email brickbybrick@ppwh.org.uk.

angela.mcmanus@ eveningtimes.co.uk