golden eagle luxury trains

central & transylvania golden eagle danube express

central europe & transylvania prague - (eastbound) istanbul - prague (westbound)

czech republic - poland - slovakia - austria - romania - bulgaria -

Charles Bridge, Prague Maiden Tower, Istanbul Festetics Palace,

Combining the romance of historic medieval settlements with the architectural splendour of some of Europe’s most beautiful cities, this exclusive rail cruise through the diverse and dramatic landscapes of Southern Europe, promises to be truly unforgettable.

Traversing over 3,000km, across eight countries, this 14-day voyage offers the ultimate European adventure. Relax in the elegant surroundings onboard the Golden Eagle Danube Express and admire the ever-changing landscapes of Central and Southern Europe as we glide between these charming European cities.

Marvelling at the beauty of Prague and Istanbul, at either end of our journey, we explore the contrasting cultures and architectural masterpieces that have been shaped by centuries of ancient civilisations. Take advantage of our flexibleFreedom of Choice touring programme here to truly personalise your experience in these magical destinations.

As we cruise through the scenic heart of Transylvania and the diverse landscapes of its neighbouring countries, we take time to unearth some of the hidden treasures of this captivating part of the world. With the medieval cities of Romania combined with the imperial beauty of and the rich, poignant history of Kraków and , you can enjoy the perfect blend of culture and spectacular scenery on this grand European tour.

Blue Mosque, Istanbul

www.goldeneagleluxurytrains.com To Book Call +44 (0)161 928 9410 or Call Your Travel Agent central europe golden eagle danube express & transylvania what’s included in the tour price prague - istanbul istanbul - pragueBELARUS

GERMANY POLAND Prague Krakow

CZECH REPUBLIC Pera Palace Hotel Jumeirah, Istanbul Pera Palace Hotel Jumeirah, Istanbul Four Seasons Gresham Palace, Budapest

SLOVAKIA EXPERIENCED TOUR MANAGERS GUIDED OFF-TRAIN EXCURSIONS Our experienced Tour Managers are selected for their travel The history and culture of the places we visit on our rail cruises will Vienna Bratislava knowledge and organisational abilities allowing you to relax come alive through our expert local guides. All our tours include a Budapest MOLDOVA AUSTRIA HUNGARY and enjoy your rail cruise. We receive exceptional passenger wide-ranging sightseeing schedule to make the most of the time Lajosmizse comments about our Tour Managers and their aim is to ensure you have off the train and bring you closer to the culture, people ND Kecskemét Keszthely & Sighişoara you enjoy every minute of your holiday. and history of your destinations. We believe it is the special little Lake Balaton SLOVENIA touches that help create magical memories. ș CROATIA ROMANIA Bra ov ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE AIRPORT TRANSFERS Arrival transfers from the international airport to our tour hotel, and PERSONAL HEADSETS BOSNIA & departure transfers from our tour hotel to the airport are included. On all the off-train excursions, to enhance your enjoyment and HERZEGOVINA insights into the places you visit, you will be provided with a SERBIA Black Sea HOTEL AND ONBOARD ACCOMMODATION lightweight personal headset on which to listen to your tour Veliko MONTENEGRO BULGARIA Tarnovo Although you will spend much of your time sightseeing or relaxing guide as you take in the sights. The range of the headset means Adriatic Sea KOSOVO Kazanlak in the train’s public areas, you will find your hotel room or cabin a that you do not need to worry about missing any of the guide’s welcome retreat at the end of a rewarding day. commentary on your excursion, even if you prefer to wander away MACEDONIA Istanbul from the group. Tyrrhenian BREAKFAST, LUNCH AND DINNER DAILY Sea ALBANIA All meals are included, starting with dinner on the first day and ONBOARD DOCTOR AND MEDICAL FACILITIES ending with breakfast on the last day. All departures feature one To give you peace of mind our tours are accompanied by a doctor tour schedules GREECE daily tour itineraries Aegean or two uniquely designed Restaurant Cars where you can enjoy who travels with us for the entire journey, so you can rest assured Ionian Sea TURKEY the excellent waiter-served food and wine. We will also sample that medical assistance is always available. On call 24 hours Prague – Istanbul (Eastbound) Istanbul – PragueSea (Westbound) Prague – Istanbul (Eastbound) Istanbul - Prague (Westbound) June 1 – June 14, 2015 July 18 – July 31, 2015 Day 1 Arrive Prague Day 1 Arrive Istanbul authentic local cuisine with wine and a selection of drinks off the a day, the doctor is on hand to give primary care as required. June 11 – June 24, 2016 Day 2 Prague Day 2 Istanbul train, which are also included in the tour price. The doctor scheduled onboard will be English-speaking and August 6 - August 19, 2016 Day 3 Prague Day 3 Istanbul registered with the General Medical Council in the UK. Day 4 Kraków Day 4 Kazanlak & Veliko Tarnovo Day 5 Bratislava & Vienna DRINKS WITH MEALS TUNISIA Day 5 Braşov & Sighişoara Day 6 Keszthely, Lake Balaton Day 6 Kecskemét, Lajosmizse A generous drinks allowance, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic, is PORTERAGE accommodation & Budapest & Budapest included with lunch and dinner on and off the train. As you only have to unpack once, your luggage and belongings will Day 7 Budapest Day 7 Budapest 2 nights in Prague | 6 nights onboard the Golden Eagle Danube Express Day 8 Budapest Day 8 Budapest stay with you on the train throughout the journey but, wherever 3 nights in Budapest | 2 nights in Istanbul Day 9 Budapest, Lajosmizse Day 9 Budapest, Keszthely ONBOARD SERVICE necessary, porterage is included between the hotels and stations. & Kecskemét & Lake Balaton You can expect service which is attentive, friendly and unintrusive. Day 10 Sighişoara & Braşov Day 10 Bratislava & Vienna Day 11 Veliko Tarnovo & Kazanlak Day 11 Kraków Your car attendants provide housekeeping and bedding turndown ALL GRATUITIES Day 12 Istanbul Day 12 Prague services to assist you and to ensure you are comfortable in your You will not have to worry about tipping on or off the train on your Day 13 Istanbul Day 13 Prague cabin. Complimentary tea, coffee and bottled drinking water are rail journey with Golden Eagle Luxury Trains as all gratuities are Day 14 Depart Istanbul Day 14 Depart Prague served to you in your cabin. included in the tour price. prague - kraków - bratislava - vienna - keszthely - budapest - lajosmizse - kecskemét sighişoara - braşov - veliko tarnovo - kazanlak - istanbul www.goldeneagleluxurytrains.com To Book Call +44 (0)161 928 9410 or Call Your Travel Agent 7 Voyages of a Lifetime by Private TrainTM | CENTRAL EUROPE & TRANSYLVANIA

bratislava You may also wish to join our fully included Freedom of Choice Slovakia wine tasting tour to Eger. Situated in the northeast, the town is rich in historic monuments and famous for its wines such A short distance from Vienna across what was the ‘Iron Curtain’ as Bull’s Blood. The fortress of Eger, now a protected historic is Bratislava, the capital city of Slovakia. Our tour there includes monument, is the site of the István Dobó Castle Museum. The the medieval Old Town (Starý Mesto) where we stroll through tour includes wine tasting and a visit to the former cellar system the cobbled streets of 18th century pastel buildings and the of the Archbishop of Eger. Here in this cellar, wines from the stunning Bratislava Castle perched high above the city on a hill vineyards from around Eger were stored. overlooking the Danube.

Note about the Westbound 2015 departure: The Hungarian Grand Prix is held annually vienna at the Hungaroring outside Budapest. At the time of writing, 2015 dates have not been released but it is possible that the Grand Prix will take place whilst we are in Budapest. If Austria this happens then the itinerary may need to be amended. Guests may be accommodated at a number of different 5 star hotels or onboard the Golden Eagle Danube Express which will be parked at the Railway Museum. Savour the captivating elegance of romantic Vienna. Our tour of Austria’s capital city includes the impressive Vienna lajosmizse Prague Castle Opera House, the majestic Ringstrasse and the awe-inspiring Hungary St Stephen’s Cathedral. Take some free time to stroll along the prague kraków Kartnerstrasse, sample Vienna’s famous cakes in the historic In Lajosmizse, horse drawn buggies meet the train and transport coffee houses or join a tour to the Imperial Schönbrunn Palace us to watch a thundering horse parade, as the thrilling “Puszta” Czech Republic Poland and Gardens. show demonstrates great horsemanship.

Prague is one of the most beautifully preserved cities in Europe. Once a royal capital with an extraordinary history, and now a keszthely & lake balaton kecskemét It spans the Vltava River and is dominated by the 9th century lively university town with fashionable bars and restaurants, Hungary Hungary Prague Castle, a stunning sight that can be seen almost Kraków is a fascinating city with beautiful monuments and an anywhere in the city. exuberant atmosphere. Keszthely is on the western shore of Lake Balaton. At Keszthely At Kecskemét we get the opportunity to explore a fascinating city there is a visit to the Festetics Palace, a beautiful Baroque at the geographical centre of Hungary. We’ll take a walking tour Our tour takes in the Old Town Square with its many historic Highlights of the city include Wawel Hill, home to the Wawel palace built on castle ruins in 1745 and expanded 150 years or you can take a guided tour of the Zwack fruit brandy distillery, buildings and Astronomical Clock, the historic 14th century Castle, an impressive blend of Gothic original architecture and later. Alternatively take a relaxing boat cruise on the calm where we will get to taste some of their famous apricot brandy. Charles Bridge and the Jewish Ghetto. We will join a vintage a Renaissance Palace and Rynek Glowny, known as the Main waters of Lake Balaton. tram to travel through the city and Wenceslas Square, then Market Square, which is Europe’s largest medieval square. You up the hill to Prague Castle, the largest medieval complex in can explore the city at your leisure and perhaps make the trip budapest Europe and the gothic St. Vitus Cathedral. The castle and its across the River Vistula to Podgórze, site of the Jewish Ghetto Hungary surrounding architectural gems occupy a hillside overlooking the in Kraków and home to the Schindler factory - much of the film city and river. Our tour includes the delightful Golden Lane and Schindler’s List was shot here. Budapest is actually two cities separated by the Danube. The old the Changing of the Guard at the castle entrance. city of Buda and the imposing Royal Palace, dominates the city On our day in Kraków we also offer a number of fully included with stunning views across the Danube to the commercial heart There is some time in Prague for you to discover the hidden touring options outside of the city environs as part of our of Pest. Our city touring includes the Royal Palace, St. Mathias treasures of this wonderful city. Stroll the medieval cobbled Freedom of Choice programme. Church and a panoramic view of the city from Gellert Hill. We will streets, relax in the ancient squares and admire the many also see the Citadel, the Opera House, St Stephen’s Cathedral, architectural treasures of this ‘City of a Hundred Spires’. You Close to Kraków is Auschwitz-Birkenau, now a poignant museum, Heroes Square and the City Park. One evening we will take in a Sighişoara have the option to join our included Freedom of Choice tour which was the largest of the Nazi concentration camps during beautiful dinner cruise along the Danube. to Municipal House, originally built to be an administrative and World War Two where an estimated one million people perished. cultural centre. Located just inside the Old Town it was built Included in our time spent in Budapest is three nights at the Four sighişoara on the area once occupied by the former Royal Court before it Alternatively, you can choose to visit the Wieliczka Salt Mines, Seasons Hotel Gresham Palace, a unique art nouveau landmark Romania moved to Prague Castle. We’ll have a Czech afternoon tea here a unique venue full of chambers, stairs, altars, pulpits and which combines historical elegance with ultra-modern comforts. and then visit its beautiful concert hall. statues excavated and sculpted in rock salt. Descend the 360 At Sighişoara we take a walking tour of the town’s main highlights. steps into the mines and be amazed at the devotion of the Spend some time relaxing at our luxurious hotel, take a A World Heritage site rumoured to be the birthplace of Dracula, it Our hotel in Prague, where we stay for two nights, is the luxurious miners who carved the incredible Chapel of Salt, which has a stroll along the banks of the Danube, visit the historic Great is one of the best-preserved fortified medieval towns in Europe. Four Seasons. Located in the UNESCO-protected historic Prague well-deserved place on the UNESCO World Heritage list. Market Hall with its endless variety of delicious foods and Burgher houses and ornate churches line its cobbled streets. city centre our hotel is just steps away from the iconic Charles wines or head to one of the city’s famous thermal baths for a Bridge. There is also an option to extend your stay in Prague for rejuvenating dip. additional nights to explore more of this fascinating city.

www.goldeneagleluxurytrains.com To Book Call +44 (0)161 928 9410 or Call Your Travel Agent Voyages of a Lifetime by Private TrainTM | CENTRAL EUROPE & TRANSYLVANIA

buildings overlooking the , your visit to Topkapi promises to be a truly fascinating experience.

Now a museum, Hagia Sophia was built in the 6th century by the Emperor Justinian, and was one of the largest basilicas in the Christian world. After the Ottoman conquest, it was converted to a mosque and is today one of the most magnificent museums in the world. Take a moment to linger here to admire the fine Byzantine architecture.

One of the most famous monuments in both the Turkish and

Veliko Tarnovo Islamic worlds, the Sultan Ahmet Mosque (the Blue Mosque) is a superb creation in the classical Ottoman style and features six towering minarets and 260 windows illuminating its vast braşov main chamber, which is decorated with more than 20,000 Iznik Romania tiles. We also visit the Grand Bazaar which is one of the world’s largest covered markets, with 58 streets and over 4,000 shops. The train twists and turns as it travels between Veliko Tarnovo and In operation since the 14th century the bazaar is especially Braşov. It climbs over the Carpathian Mountains and threads its known for its jewellery, leather, pottery, spices and carpets. way through the dramatic landscape with crystal clear mountain streams. At Braşov we tour Bran Castle. Popularly known as We spend two nights at the iconic five-star Pera Palace Hotel Dracula’s Castle, this beautiful 14th century building is situated Jumeirah. The hotel was built in 1892 to cater for guests taking amongst stunning mountain scenery. the and it was here that Agatha Christie wrote her famous book ‘Murder on the Orient Express’. A fitting grand veliko tarnovo hotel in which to start or end our tour. Bulgaria Note: Continuing engineering works associated with the new Bosphorus tunnel could mean that the train terminates (or starts, on Westbound tours) on the outskirts of Istanbul and we will be transferred by coach. Veliko Tarnovo is Bulgaria’s ancient capital. Nestled in a magnificent mountain setting, the stone houses seem perched, one above the other, on the steep banks of the Yantra River. A tour includes the superbly preserved medieval Tsarevets Hill and Castle and there is free time to wander through the ancient city. kazanlak Bulgaria

Kazanlak is situated in the Valley of the Roses, which produces rose oil prized by perfumers worldwide. Here we visit the Shipka Memorial Church and a Thracian tomb with vaulted brickwork dating back to the 4th century BC, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. istanbul Turkey golden eagle luxury trains limited

This fabled city that spans Asia and Europe deserves an extended stay so over two days we will see how old meets new and east Denzell House, Denzell Gardens, Dunham Road, Altrincham, Cheshire, WA14 4QF, meets west when we visit Istanbul’s must-see historic sites. Tel: +44 (0)161 928 9410 Fax: +44 (0)161 941 6101 Email: [email protected]

The largest and oldest palace in the world and primary residence www.goldeneagleluxurytrains.com of the Ottoman Sultans from 1465 to 1853, Topkapi is the crown jewel of the Ottoman Empire. With its treasury and exotic Golden Eagle Luxury Trains

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