FOLLOWING THE ORIENT EXPRESS Thursday 5 - Friday 27 September nights

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1 FOLLOWING THE ORIENT EXPRESS Thursday 5 - Friday 27 September nights JOURNEYS TOUR OVERVIEW Hark back to the golden age of rail by following the Orient Express through some of Europe's grandest cities and most attractive countryside. The legendary train runs no more, but on this 'DIY Orient Express' we will follow its route from the Paris across Europe to Istanbul, the city that straddles Europe and Asia. Begin in Paris, and after time to explore the 'City of Lights' board a train at the very station where in 1883 the first Orient Express began its journey across the continent. Stop to explore Strasbourg: both French and German, where medieval half-timbered houses contrast with the modern institutions of the EU. Munich is our next stop. The Bavarian capital is about much more than beer, and is a modern and sophisticated city with a legacy of magnificent architecture and priceless artworks. Austria beckons, and here we can start to explore how WW2 and the Cold War determined the shape and fate of much of Europe for half a century. The fairy-tale beauty of Salzburg opens up the world of Mozart and Baroque splendour, and we can explore a salt mine in the alps and Hitler's famous Eagle's Lair. Once a capital of the huge Austro-Hungarian empire, Vienna retains almost unimaginably magnificent architecture, and its coffee houses, fine dining and vibrant arts scene make this a memorable city. A short journey to that empire's other capital, Budapest, takes us across what was once the iron curtain. Nearly 30 years after it fell, the next three countries we pass through are now EU members and westward looking. Explore Hungary's splendid capital, which straddles the famous Danube, before continuing to Romania. Sibiu is our first stop, and a walk around this small town reveals the beauty of its medieval architecture. Next explore Brasov in Transylvania, including a visit to Bran Castle, inspiration for Dracula. Bucharest is a very different capital from the others on this tour, as it is dominated by some gargantuan buildings from the communist era. Then cross into Bulgaria, stopping to explore the ancient capital of Veliko Tarnovo before making the final journey to Istanbul. Once Constantinople, this grand city straddling the Bosphorus is truly where west and east meet. This tour is a relaxed way to see some of Europe's finest sights. It is neither a sprint, madly dashing from place to place without time to soak up the atmosphere, nor a marathon the train journeys are mostly only a few hours in length and are interspersed with relaxed city stops. Short walking tours are included in most stopovers, to reveal the history and tales behind the places we will explore.

2 TOUR MANAGER Your tour manager is Andrew Matheson, a keen rail traveller who has explored widely in Europe and Asia by train. He has travelled in all the countries visited on this tour, and has designed the itinerary to include many favourite destinations from his earlier rail journeys. Andrew applies his organisational skills to make sure trips run to plan and deliver the best for all tour members. He enjoys making tours a special and memorable experience for group members, and looks forward to sharing central Europe by rail with you. TOUR PRICE Ex Auckland Share twin per person NZD$13,995 Single supplement (limited availability) NZD$ 3,355 Please contact Calder & Lawson Tours if you are interested in a single occupancy place. GROUP SIZE Minimum 10, maximum 18 VARIATIONS IN TRAVEL We can make arrangements for any travel you would like to do before or after this tour, or book business class seats for the flights. Please contact us. TOUR INCLUSIONS The services of an experienced New Zealand based Calder & Lawson tour manager Economy class airfares 22 nights accommodation Meals as specified in the itinerary Local guides All group transfers TOUR EXCLUSIONS Airline taxes Personal expenses Travel insurance Beverages during included meals, unless specified Hotel porterage Admissions as detailed in the itinerary All tips for local guides and drivers Pre-tour material IS THIS TOUR FOR ME? This tour evokes the golden age of rail across Europe, though is not a journey designed for rail enthusiasts (but of course they're very welcome!). We will use modern trains to cross attractive countryside from city to city. Many of the daytime train journeys take only around 2 hours, with the longest about 4 hours. There are only two overnight journeys, and we will have sleeping compartments for these. The tour does involve a moderate amount of walking. We will be taking guided walking tours in many of the cities we visit, so you will need to be fit enough to enjoy comfortably-paced walks on pavements (and some standing) for 2 or 3 hours at a time. Sometimes you will also be walking with your luggage between a station and hotel, for perhaps 15 minutes or so. You should also be able to get your case on and off a train, and not all carriages will be at platform level. During free time in cities you can be as active or relaxed as you wish. TOUR HIGHLIGHTS Follow one of the classic routes of the Orient Express from Paris to Istanbul, through Germany, Austria, Hungary, Romania and Bulgaria Experience the culture and splendour of some of Europe's grandest cities Take walking tours to discover the hidden gems and backstories of the places we visit Discover attractive towns that are off the beaten path Explore the fault-lines of Europe's 20th century history, and see how WW2 and the Iron Curtain shaped nations and determined the lives of millions Enjoy fine European food, wine and shopping

3 Thursday 5 September 2019 Auckland Singapore Overnight: Singapore Friday 6 September Singapore Paris /in flight Saturday 7 September Paris Overnight: Paris Sunday 8 September Paris /D Overnight: Paris Monday 9 September Paris Strasbourg Train: 1 hour 50 minutes Overnight: Strasbourg Tuesday 10 September Strasbourg Munich (Germany) /D Train: Approximately 4.5 hours Overnight: Munich Wednesday 11 September Munich Overnight: Munich Thursday 12 September Munich Salzburg (Austria) /D Train: 1 hour 50 minutes Overnight Salzburg Friday 13 September Bavarian Alps (Germany) /L Overnight: Salzburg DAILY ITINERARY Depart in the middle of the day for Singapore, arrive in the evening and then transfer to your hotel for the night. Enjoy a day's stopover in Singapore before departing late for an overnight flight to Paris. Arrive in Paris in the morning and transfer by private coach to your hotel. The remainder of the day is for you to relax or explore the magnificent French capital. A full day for you to explore this charming city. Your tour manager will have plenty of suggestions for things to do and see. Tonight a welcome dinner. Transfer to the historic Gare de l'est station and board the train for Strasbourg. On arrival, walk to the hotel and check in. During the afternoon enjoy a guided walking tour of the city. Capital of Alsace, Strasbourg has a complex history as part of France and Germany and has changed hands several times during wars between the two countries. Explore the old town with its twisting alleys lined with half-timbered houses and peppered with Alsatian taverns (winstubs), and see why in 1998 the historic centre became the first entire city centre to be classified as a UNESCO world heritage site. Strasbourg is also renowned for its gleaming modern buildings that house institutions including the European parliament, Council of Europe and International Institute of Human Rights. Walk back to the station and board the train for Munich, where you will walk the short distance to your hotel. The afternoon is free for you to explore the capital of Bavaria and Germany's third-largest city. It offers a wide range of museums, art galleries, exclusive shopping streets and a history that spans more than 850 years. This morning enjoy a guided coach tour of Munich. See the Maximilianstrasse with its elegant shops, the Residenz or winter palace of early royalty, and the old town hall. Our tour will also take us to the city s main sights including Marienplatz, Odeonplatz, the restored national theatre and the Isartor one of the four main gates of the medieval city. The rest of the day is free. You might explore the Marienplatz with its renowned glockenspiel, and walk to Odeonplatz past the Opera House. You could wander up the Kaufingerstrasse past the wonderful array of shops and cafes until you reach Karlsplatz, another of the original gates of the old walled city. Walk the short distance to the station and board the train to Salzburg, where we will walk to our hotel. This afternoon enjoy a guided walking tour of Mozart's birthplace and an architectural gem. Salzburg impresses with its historic city centre and beautiful Old Town dominated by baroque towers and churches, and overlooked by the biggest fully-preserved castle in central Europe. Leave the train tracks behind for a full-day coach trip into the spectacular Bavarian Alps. First stop is the Berchtesgaden salt mine. Wearing traditional protective mining gear, take a journey through salt and time featuring the miners' slide, the mirror lake, the stone salt grotto and more than 800 years of history of the 'white gold'. Then move on to the Eagle's Nest. Perched high on top of a rocky outcrop at Obersalzberg near the town of Berchtesgaden, this building was presented by the National Socialist party to Adolf Hitler on his 50th birthday. It was used exclusively for the Third Reich government meetings, and was equipped to the highest standards of the time with a

4 6km access road ending with a tunnel, and a 125-m high elevator built inside the rock. Saturday 14 September Salzburg (Austria) Vienna /D Train: 2.5 hours Overnight: Vienna Sunday 15 September Vienna Overnight: Vienna Monday 16 September Vienna Budapest (Hungary) Train: 2 hours 40 minutes Overnight: Budapest Tuesday 17 September Budapest /D Overnight: Budapest Wednesday 18 September Budapest Romania Overnight: Train sleeping compartment 10.5 hours Thursday 19 September Sibiu (Romania) Braşov Meals: D Train: approximately 3 hours Overnight: Braşov Friday 20 September Braşov Coach: 45 minutes each way Overnight: Braşov Walk to the station and board the train for Austria's capital, and transfer to our hotel. In the afternoon a themed, guided walk Hitler's Vienna will explore how an Austrian postcard painter became one of the world's most hated men and changed the face of Europe. The tour will give a deep insight into one of the darkest periods in recent history, and explain how Vienna became the front line of the Cold War. This morning enjoy a half-day coach tour to Schönbrunn Palace, a former imperial Rococo summer residence of the Habsburg monarchs and one of the most important cultural monuments in Austria. See the impressive gardens, including a maze, palm house, botanical garden and much more. On returning to Vienna there is time for lunch before a free afternoon to relax or see more of this grand city. This morning is free for further sightseeing or last-minute shopping. Your tour manager will have suggestions of places to see, such as the works of Friedensreich Hundertwasser who lived in the Bay of Islands for many years. Check out the fabulous Hundertwasserhaus, his art museum or the zaniest rubbish incinerator you'll ever see. After time for lunch, transfer to the station and board a train from one capital of the Austro-Hungarian empire to the other Budapest. There transfer to our hotel, with the remainder of the day at leisure. This morning join a local guide for the themed walking tour 'Follow the flag with a hole'. We've heard of forced collectivization, artificial industrialisation, the cult of the leader and false trials. But what was everyday life like during the Stalinist years in Hungary, and what events led to the revolution of 1956? During this walk you will visit well-known features of the Communist regime, but also hear seldom-told stories of daily life during the revolution. (And you'll learn how the tour gets its name.) Lunch and the afternoon are at leisure. You will have time to explore the streets around Buda Castle, or may like to take a closer look at the massive gothic-style parliament building. Do check out some of the bridges over the Danube river. This morning is free for relaxing, independent sightseeing or shopping. After checking out and taking time for lunch, board a coach for a panoramic guided tour of the city. Discover that the Hungarian capital is, in fact, two separate cities: historic, beautiful Buda, and bustling, lively Pest. See Heroes' Square, St Stephen's Basilica and the Danube embankment with a splendid view of the city. Arrive at the train station and board the overnight train, but not before stocking up for an on-board picnic dinner. In the morning disembark at Sibiu, and after time for breakfast take a guided coach and walking tour around the charming medieval centre of Sibiu. Founded by Saxons (Germanic people) in the 12th century, the town also boasts elegant art nouveau buildings and gold-embossed churches. The tour includes a visit to Brukenthal Palace, now home to the oldest art museum in the country. Then board a local train to Braşov, located in the historical region of Transylvania and surrounded by the beautiful Carpathian mountains. Transfer to our hotel before dinner. In the morning depart for a tour of Bran Castle, also known as 'Dracula's Castle'. Perched on top of a 60-m-high rock, the castle is associated with Bram Stoker's Dracula. It was used as a royal residence by Queen Marie of Romania from 1920 to 1957 and now displays her private collection of art and furniture. The afternoon is free. Explore the old town, also founded by Saxons like Sibiu. Once surrounded by massive stone walls and fortifications, the town shows off its medieval origins, a famous Gothic church and impressive baroque architecture. Hang out in the cafés lining the main square, or take a cable car to the top of Mount Tampa for an impressive panorama of the town. You can return the same way or enjoy a pleasant hour's walk through the forest back to the town.

5 Saturday 21 September Braşov Bucharest /D Train: 2.5 hours Overnight: Bucharest Sunday 22 September Bucharest Veliko Tarnovo (Bulgaria) Coach: Approximately 6 hours, including border crossing Overnight: Veliko Tarnovo Monday 23 September Veliko Tarnovo /D Overnight: Train in sleeping compartment approximately 11.5 hours including border crossing Tuesday 24 September Istanbul (Turkey) Meals: D Overnight: Istanbul Wednesday 25 September Istanbul Singapore /in flight Thursday 26 September Singapore Auckland / in flight Day room in Singapore Friday 27 September Auckland Transfer to the station and travel to Bucharest, and take a guided coach tour of the Romanian capital. Bucharest is quite different from the other cities on this tour. It has a bohemian old town, but the city centre is a fascinating mix of magnificent art nouveau and other French-inspired architecture from a century or more ago, and some of the worst expressions of socialist kitsch. None is more crass and yet compelling than the Palace of the Parliament, one of the world's largest administrative buildings and the ultimate symbol of the Ceauşescu regime. Today's rail network doesn't always match up with its fabled past, so today we will take the easy option and transfer by coach to Veliko Tarnovo. This attractive town is perched on three historic hills on the two banks of the Yantra river, and oozes medieval charm. Its strategic location and the medieval fortress Tsarevets prompted it to be the capital in different periods of Bulgaria's history. Tonight, subject to local schedules, we will enjoy the sound and light show the town is famous for. This unique display uses hundreds of coloured laser lights, music and church bells to depict key moments in Bulgarian history. This morning enjoy a half-day coach and walking tour of Veliko Tarnovo with our local guide. We will visit the Tsaravets Fortress and admire its significant Orthodox churches: the Church of Ascension, Assens monument and Holy 40 Martyrs church. Then visit the village of Arbanasi, located on a high plateau in the outskirts of the city, and see its characteristic houses, built by tradesmen of the 17th century. The houses resemble fortresses on the outside and were richly decorated inside, making it comfortable for the inhabitants to remain indoors for a prolonged time. You then have time for lunch and a free afternoon before gathering for dinner. Later board your coach and transfer to the station for our final rail journey of the tour. We will be able to get breakfast on the train before arriving in Istanbul just before 8 am. Transfer to our hotel, where an early check-in is guaranteed, and spend the rest of the morning at leisure. In the afternoon enjoy a coach tour of Istanbul (with some walking) Istanbul is the only city in the world located on two continents, and was the capital of three great empires Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman over more than 2,000 years. Our tour starts in Hippodrome Square, where chariot races and riots used to take place during the Roman and Byzantine periods. Only a short walk away we reach the beautiful Blue Mosque, and also the Hagia Sophia, built more than 1,500 years ago as a church but later a mosque and now a museum. We will also visit the Grand Bazaar, one of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world, with more than 50 covered streets and 1,200 shops. Opened in the 15th century, it is well known for its jewellery, pottery, spice and carpet shops. Enjoy a farewell dinner tonight. Morning at leisure before transferring to the airport for an early afternoon departure and an overnight flight to Singapore. After an early arrival in Singapore relax at your hotel or explore this city state again, before taking an overnight flight to Auckland. Arrive at Auckland airport in the late morning.

6 Clockwise from top left: Gare de l Est Station, Paris, Isator gates, Munich; Schönbrunn Palace, Vienna HOW TO SECURE YOUR PLACE ON THIS TOUR A deposit of $1,000 is required to secure your place on the tour. When minimum numbers are reached, the tour will become a confirmed departure. At that point we will advise when the full tour payment will be due. Click here to complete the online registration form, pay the $1,000 deposit and your spot in this tour is secured. Or you can complete a paper registration form. You can down load one from the website or give us a call and we will or post one to you. TERMS & CONDITIONS Can be found on the website on the back of the paper registration form or on the summary page when you complete an online registration. VARIATIONS This itinerary is Version 2 dated 09/10/2018 and is subject to change. Exchange rate fluctuations may result in a change to the tour price.

7 TOUR EXTENSION - Gallipoli & ANZAC Memorial Sites Wednesday 25 - Monday 30 September 2019 Wednesday 25 September 2019 Istanbul - Gallipoli /L Overnight: Canakkale Thursday 26 September Canakkale - Troy - Istanbul /L Overnight: Istanbul Friday 27 September Istanbul Overnight: Istanbul Saturday 28 September Istanbul - Singapore /in flight Sunday 29 September Singapore Monday 30 September Singapore - Auckland This morning you will be picked up early from the hotel and transferred to Eceabat. On arrival around midday you will be met by the local guide and after lunch, depart for a guided tour of Gallipoli, visiting many of the cemeteries and ANZAC memorial sites such as Chanuk Bair. This morning depart for a tour of Troy. Discover the Trojan Horse, 3,700 year old city walls, the Senate Building, the Concert Hall as well as current excavations in progress. Back to Eceabat for lunch then a cruise along the coastline for a sea perspective of the Gallipoli Landing - Brighton Beach, Beach Cemetery, Anzac Cove and the ANZAC Commemorative site at North Beach. Later on take the coach back to Istanbul. This morning visit the Spice Market, then depart on a short Bosphorus cruise on the waterway that divides Asia and Europe. You will see waterside residences, modern apartments and the historical Rumeli Fortress built to protect the Bosphorous. This afternoon is at leisure. Transfer to the airport for your early afternoon flight to Singapore, arriving in the early hours of Sunday 29 September. You have a day room at a hotel in Singapore for catching up on sleep before your mid evening overnight flight to Auckland. Or you may wish to spend the day exploring the city. Arrive in Auckland around midday. EXTENSION PRICE Share twin per person NZD$1,310 Single Supplement NZD$ 299 Above: Rumeli Fortress. Above Right: Chanuk Bair. Below Right: Spices at the market