BALKAN ODYSSEY
Hungary – Romania – Bulgaria – Serbia – Bosnia & Herzegovina –
Slovenia – Italy
Relaxing and sophisticated, you’ll relish the leisurely pace as you are transported to some of Europe’s most
intriguing destinations, whilst enjoying the intimacy of your private cabin. Unearth the cast wealth of
architectural treasures as we journey through enchanting cities and picturesque landscapes of Transylvania
and the Balkans, aboard the Golden Eagle Danube Express.
This exploration by rail discovers intriguing history passing through some of Europe’s most poignant and
destructive periods of conflict, complemented by a fascinating insight into the future of modern Europe. The
city of Budapest is our starting point for this remarkable journey, laced with a beautiful collection of medieval
and Baroque buildings. Before boarding our exclusive train, we take time to discover the absorbing history of
the once divided cities of Buda and Pest and explore some of its more modern day customs.
From our starting point relax in the elegant surroundings of the Golden Eagle Danube Express as our rail
voyage meanders through stunningly beautiful countryside and awe-inspiring mountain ranges on our
exploration of mythical Transylvania. From here, we then route westwards though the intriguing countries of
the former Yugoslavia as we look to unearth the rich past of the captivating Balkan region. And at the end of
this remarkable journey we reach the stunning maritime city of Venice, a unique mix of Gothic and
Renaissance palaces perched on the edge of the Italian coast.
Southbound (SB) Tour Itinerary
Budapest - Lajosmizse – Sighisoara – Brasov – Veliko Tarnovo – Plovdiv – Belgrade – Mostar – Sarajevo –
Zagreb – Ljubljana – Trieste - Venice
Northbound (NB) Tour Itinerary
Venice – Trieste – Ljubljana – Zagreb – Sarajevo – Mostar – Belgrade – Plovdiv – Veliko Tarnovo – Brasov –
Sighisoara - Budapest
Day by Day Schedule (SB)
Day 1 Budapest
Day 2 Budapest
Day 3 Budapest, Lajosmizse & Kecskemet
Day 4 Sighisoara & Brasov
Day 5 Veliko Tarnovo & Plovdiv
Day 6 Belgrade
Day 7 Mostar & Sarajevo
Day 8 Ljubljana
Day 9 Trieste & Venice
Day 10 Venice
Day 11 Venice
2017 Tour Schedule
9 July – 19 July, 2017 (Budapest – Venice)
16 July – 26 July, 2017 (Venice – Budapest)
7 September – 17 September (Budapest – Venice)
Day by Day Schedule (NB)
Day 1 Venice
Day 2 Venice
Day 3 Venice & Trieste
Day 4 Ljubljana
Day 5 Sarajevo & Mostar
Day 6 Belgrade
Day 7 Plovdiv & Veliko Tarnovo
Day 8 Brasov & Sighisoara
Day 9 Budapest
Day 10 Budapest
Day 11 Budapest
Southbound Tour Itinerary
(Budapest – Venice)
Day 1
BUDAPEST, Hungary
Arrivals day in Budapest, where you will be met and transferred to the Four Seasons Hotel Gresham Palace
for a two-night stay. Enjoy a welcome reception dinner in the elegant surrounds of this art nouveau landmark
where you can meet your fellow travellers on this highly anticipated journey.
Day 2
BUDAPEST, Hungary
Budapest is actually two cities separated by the Danube. The old city of Buda and the imposing Royal
Palace, dominates the city with stunning views across the Danube to the commercial heart of Pest. Our city
tour includes the Royal Palace, St. Mathias Church and a panoramic view of the city from Gellert Hill. We will
also see the Parliament Buildings, Citadel, the Opera House, St Stephen’s Cathedral, Heroes Square and
the City Park.
The rest of the day is at leisure where you can stroll along the banks of the Danube, visit the historic Great
Market Hall with its endless variety of delicious foods and wines or head to one of the city’s famous thermal
baths for a rejuvenating dip. Alternatively, you can relax at the hotel and indulge in the hotel’s luxurious spa
with infinity-edge pool or make use of the state-of-the-art fitness centre.
Day 3
BUDAPEST, LAJOSMIZSE & KECSKEMET, Hungary
We enjoy a morning drinks reception in the impressive Royal Waiting Room at Budapest Nyugati station
before boarding the Golden Eagle Danube Express for our 10.43 departure. Settle in to your cabin and later
enjoy lunch as the train heads to Lajosmizse for a spectacular ‘Puszta’ horse show.
Later in the afternoon we travel the short distance to explore Kecskemét, a fascinating city at the
geographical centre of Hungary. We head to the main square for a visit to the Town Hall and enjoy a special
welcome and private concert by students of the Kodály Institute, the local Music Academy.
Back onboard, enjoy a pre-dinner drink in the Lounge Car as the train continues across the Great Hungarian
Plain and dine as we head towards Transylvania.
Day 4
SIGHISOARA & BRASOV, Romania
Today we arrive in Sighisoara for a walking tour of the town’s main highlights. A World Heritage site
rumoured to be the birthplace of Dracula, it is one of the best-preserved fortified medieval towns in Europe.
Burgher houses and ornate churches line its cobbled streets.
We return to the train for lunch as we continue onto Brasov for a tour of Bran Castle. Popularly known as
Dracula’s Castle, this beautiful 14th century building is situated amongst stunning mountain scenery.
Back on board later this evening, the train twists and turns as it climbs over the Carpathian Mountains and
threads its way through the dramatic landscape with crystal clear mountain streams. Dinner is served as our
train continues onto Bulgaria.
Day 5
VELIKO TARNOVO & PLOVDIV, Bulgaria
We arrive after breakfast in Veliko Tarnovo, 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.
Plovdiv is the second largest city in Bulgaria after Sofia. ‘The City of Seven Hills’ is one of the oldest cities in
Europe with more than 200 known archaeological sites. We spend the late afternoon here exploring the
many sights in the charming Old Town including its ancient theatres, medieval walls and Ottoman baths.
Day 6
BELGRADE, Serbia
Arrive this morning in the Serbian capital, Belgrade. Located at the strategic meeting point of the Danube
and Sava Rivers, this truly cosmopolitan city has fortifications dating from Celtic times, medieval tombs and
Turkish baths.
We spend a full day here and our comprehensive morning city tour passes the Belgrade Fortress, Town Hall,
Republic Square, Knez Mihajlova Street, the main shopping area, and includes a visit to Tito’s memorial and
St. Sava Church, the largest orthodox church in the Balkans. In the afternoon after a traditional lunch in a
local restaurant we visit the excellent Tesla Museum which honours the life and works of the mechanical
engineer and inventor Nikola Tesla. He is best known for many revolutionary contributions in the field of
electricity and magnetism in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Day 7
MOSTAR & SARAJEVO, Bosnia & Herzegovina
This morning we tour the historic city of Mostar, the crossroads of many civilizations, cultures and three
religions. Mostar was one of the most important cities of the Ottoman Empire. The town’s renowned stone
arch bridge linking the Christian and Muslim areas was re-built in the summer of 2004. We also visit Turkish
House and the mosque before walking through the narrow, bazaar streets, where you can shop for
traditional souvenirs and handicrafts.
An early afternoon arrival into the Bosnian capital of Sarajevo which is an intriguing blend of Eastern and
Western culture; it has mosques and minarets, an ancient bazaar and an atmospheric old Turkish quarter.
Discover the city’s poignant history through a truly absorbing tour as we visit the location of the assassination
of the Heir-Apparent to the Austro-Hungarian throne, Archduke Franz Ferdinand, that triggered the First
World War and the more recent horrors of the Balkan War. Sarajevo suffered from the longest siege of a
capital city in the history of modern warfare. The scars of war are still evident as we travel past war-torn
buildings and we make a special visit to the Tunnel Museum under Sarajevo Airport. Your guide, who lived
through the 1992-1996 conflict, brings to life in touching fashion the struggles the citizens of Sarajevo faced
during the siege of the city.
Day 8
LJUBLJANA, Slovenia
Today we enjoy a full day in the beautiful capital city of Ljubljana as well as visiting the surrounding region.
We begin at Predjama Castle, perched on a cliff high above the beautiful Inner Carniola region. Explore the
chambers and stairwells and learn about the castle’s most famous resident, Erazem of Predjama. Then, we
continue to Postojna Cave as we ride a mini-train deep into the famous cave and tour the ethereal network of
stalactites, stalagmites and caverns.
From here we return to the city and discover Ljubljana, a delightful combination of ancient architecture and a
youthful culture. Our afternoon tour includes visits to Preseren Square, Three Bridges, and Dragon Bridge.
Day 9
TRIESTE & VENICE, Italy
This morning our private train, the Golden Eagle Danube Express, arrives into Trieste, the Italian port for a
short tour. We stop at the vast Piazza Unita d’Italia, the main town square, and can climb the hill to the
famous Church of San Giusto built around a medieval complex that dates backs to the 13th century. We will
go inside the church for a close-up view of the splendid Byzantine-style architecture enriched with precious
mosaics.
We enjoy our farewell lunch on board as we leave Trieste and follow the Adriatic coast towards Mestre
where our train curves to the left onto the 3-mile causeway across the Venice Lagoon and into Venice Santa
Lucia station located on the Grand Canal. We say farewell to our train crew and transfer by boat to the five-
star Danieli hotel (or similar) for a two-night stay. The hotel enjoys a spectacular location and is only a short
stroll from St Mark’s Square, the Doge's Palace and the Bridge of Sighs.
Day 10
VENICE, Italy
Venice is a truly captivating city of romance; its unrivalled beauty takes away the breath of first time visitors
and regulars alike. We have the opportunity to take a walking tour around the highlights of this spectacular
city. Walk through the winding lanes beside the Grand Canal to St. Mark’s Square, which for 1,000 years
was the heart of Venetian life. We also see St. Mark’s Basilica and stroll through the Rialto Market.
Alternatively enjoy the city at your own pace today. Perhaps take an iconic gondola ride (additional cost) in
the Basin of St. Mark’s and along the Grand Canal or stroll through the artists’ district of Dorsoduro, stopping
to take in the city’s most breath-taking views from the Accademia Bridge. Simply enjoy the city at your
leisure.
This evening we will enjoy a farewell reception dinner at a local restaurant, giving you the opportunity to
reflect on your journey through this fascinating part of Europe.
Day 11
VENICE, Italy
Following breakfast in the hotel you will be transferred to the airport for onward departures. There is also an
option to extend your stay in Venice for additional nights to explore more of this fascinating city.
Northbound Tour Itinerary
(Venice - Budapest)
Day 1
VENICE, Italy
Arrivals day in Venice where you will be met and transferred to the luxurious five-star Danieli hotel for a twonight stay. The legendary hotel enjoys a spectacular location and is only a short stroll from St Mark’s Square,
the Doge's Palace and the Bridge of Sighs. Today is at leisure for all guests to explore this wonderful city.
This evening we will enjoy a welcome reception and dinner, giving you the opportunity to meet your fellow
travelers.
Day 2
VENICE, Italy
Venice is a truly captivating city of romance; its unrivalled beauty takes away the breath of first time visitors
and regulars alike. Today we will have the opportunity to take a walking tour around the highlights of this
spectacular city. Walk through the winding lanes beside the Grand Canal to St Mark’s Square, which for
1,000 years was the heart of Venetian life. We also see St Mark’s Basilica and stroll through the Rialto
Market.
Spend the rest of the day exploring this magnificent city. For a truly iconic experience, take a gondola ride
(additional charge) in the Basin of St. Mark’s and along the Grand Canal followed by a short stroll through
the artists’ district of Dorsoduro, where we will stop to take in the city’s most breath-taking views from the
Academia Bridge, before returning to your hotel.
Day 3
VENICE & TRIESTE, Italy
This morning our private train, the Golden Eagle Danube Express, is ready to receive us at Santa Lucia
station on the Grand Canal. Late morning (11.30am) the train will thread its way out Santa Lucia station onto
the 3-mile causeway over the Venice Lagoon and on to our first stop at the Italian port city of Trieste, for an
afternoon tour. We stop at the vast Piazza Unita d’Italia, the main town square, and can climb the hill to the
famous Church of San Giusto built around a medieval complex that dates backs to the 13th century. We will
go inside the church for a close-up view of the splendid Byzantine-style architecture enriched with precious
mosaics.
Day 4
LJUBLJANA, Slovenia
Today we enjoy a full day in the beautiful capital city of Ljubljana as well as visiting the surrounding region.
We begin at Predjama Castle, perched on a cliff high above the beautiful Inner Carniola region. Explore the
chambers and stairwells and learn about the castle’s most famous resident, Erazem of Predjama. Then, we
continue to Postojna Cave as we ride a mini-train deep into the famous cave and tour the ethereal network of
stalactites, stalagmites and caverns.
From here we return to the city and discover Ljubljana, a delightful combination of ancient architecture and a
youthful culture. Our afternoon tour includes visits to Preseren Square, Three Bridges and Dragon Bridge.
Day 5
SARAJEVO & MOSTAR, Bosnia & Herzegovina
Early morning arrival into the Bosnian capital of Sarajevo which is an intriguing blend of Eastern and
Western culture; it has mosques and minarets, an ancient bazaar and an atmospheric old Turkish quarter.
Discover the city’s poignant history through a truly absorbing tour as we visit the location of the assassination
of the Heir-Apparent to the Austro-Hungarian throne, Archduke Franz Ferdinand, that triggered the First
World War and the more recent horrors of the Balkan War. Sarajevo suffered from the longest siege of a
capital city in the history of modern warfare. The scars of war are still evident as we travel past war-torn
buildings and we make a special visit to the Tunnel Museum under Sarajevo Airport. Your guide, who lived
through the 1992-1996 conflict, brings to life in touching fashion the struggles the citizens of Sarajevo faced
during the siege of the city.
Following a light lunch, this afternoon we travel along a very scenic line to the historic city of Mostar, the
crossroads of many civilizations, cultures and three religions. Mostar was one of the most important cities of
the Ottoman Empire. The town’s renowned stone arch bridge linking the Christian and Muslim areas was rebuilt in the summer of 2004. We also visit Turkish House and the mosque before walking through the narrow,
bazaar streets, where you can shop for traditional souvenirs and handicrafts.
Day 6
BELGRADE, Serbia
Arrive this morning in the Serbian capital, Belgrade. Located at the strategic meeting point of the Danube
and Sava Rivers, this truly cosmopolitan city has fortifications dating from Celtic times, medieval tombs and
Turkish baths.
We spend a full day here and our comprehensive morning city tour passes the Belgrade Fortress, Town Hall,
Republic Square, Knez Mihajlova Street, the main shopping area, and includes a visit to Tito’s memorial and
St. Sava Church, the largest orthodox church in the Balkans. In the afternoon after a traditional lunch in a
local restaurant we visit the excellent Tesla Museum which honours the life and works of the mechanical
engineer and inventor Nikola Tesla. He is best known for many revolutionary contributions in the field of
electricity and magnetism in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Day 7
PLOVDIV & VELIKO TARNOVO, Bulgaria
Plovdiv is the second largest city in Bulgaria after Sofia. ‘The City of Seven Hills’ is one of the oldest cities in
Europe with more than 200 known archaeological sites. We spend the morning here exploring the many
sights in the charming Old Town including its ancient theatres, medieval walls and Ottoman baths.
We arrive late afternoon in Veliko Tarnovo, 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.
Day 8
BRASOV & SIGHISOARA, Romania
Overnight the train twists and turns as it climbs over the Carpathian Mountains and threads its way through
the dramatic landscape with crystal clear mountain streams. This morning we arrive into Brasov for a tour of
Bran Castle. Popularly known as Dracula’s Castle, this beautiful 14th century building is situated amongst
stunning mountain scenery.
We return to the train for lunch as we continue onto Sighisoara for a walking tour of the town’s main
highlights. A World Heritage site rumored to be the birthplace of Dracula, it is one of the best-preserved
fortified medieval towns in Europe. Burgher houses and ornate churches line its cobbled streets. Dinner is
served as our train continues onto Hungary and across the Great Hungarian Plain.
Day 9
BUDAPEST, Hungary
We arrive early morning to the romantic and historic Hungarian capital, Budapest, located on the banks of
the magnificent Danube. There is a welcome reception in the Royal Waiting Room at Budapest Nyugati
station before transferring for a two-night stay at the five-star Four Seasons Gresham Palace, located
centrally, opposite the renowned Chain Bridge.
Budapest is actually two cities separated by the Danube. The old city of Buda and the imposing Royal
Palace, dominates the city with stunning views across the Danube to the commercial heart of Pest. Our city
tour today includes the Royal Palace, St. Mathias Church and a panoramic view of the city from Gellert Hill.
We will also see the Citadel, the Opera House, St Stephen’s Cathedral, Heroes Square and the City Park.
Day 10
BUDAPEST, Hungary
Today is at leisure where you can stroll along the banks of the Danube, visit the historic Great Market Hall
with its endless variety of delicious foods and wines or head to one of the city’s famous thermal baths for a
rejuvenating dip. Alternatively, you can relax at the hotel and indulge in the hotel’s luxurious spa with infinityedge pool or make use of the state-of-the-art fitness centre.
You may also wish to join our fully included Freedom of Choice wine tasting tour to Eger. Situated in the
north-east, the town is rich in historic monuments and famous for its wines such as Bull’s Blood. The fortress
of Eger, now a protected historic monument, is the site of the István Dobó Castle Museum. The tour includes
a visit to the former cellar system of the Archbishop of Eger. Here in this cellar, wines from the vineyards
from around Eger were stored. We will taste some of the local wine.
Day 11
BUDAPEST, Hungary
Following breakfast in the hotel you will be transferred to the airport for onward departure transfers. There is
also an option to extend your stay in Budapest for additional nights to explore more of this fascinating city.