golden eagle luxury trains the transylvanian
Old Entrance into Citadel of Sighişoara
golden eagle danube express central european and the transylvanian istanbul - budapest (westbound) budapest- istanbul (eastbound) turkey - bulgaria - romania - hungary The Chain Bridge, Budapest Braşov Old Town Carpathian Mountains Join us on this medieval voyage through the heart of Transylvania as we sample a delectable blend of colourful culture and ancient architecture, amidst the forested and mountainous landscapes of this intriguing region. The majestic cities at either end of this spectacular voyage bless us with completely contrasting yet equally as magnificent architecture, with the exquisite mosques of Istanbul and the elegant baroque buildings of Budapest. Whilst here, we explore the fascinating histories and age-old cultures of these intriguing cities, shaped by the empires of times gone by. Relaxing in our elegant surroundings onboard the Golden Eagle Danube Express, our voyage meanders through stunningly beautiful countryside and awe-inspiring mountain ranges on our exploration of mythical Transylvania. Encompassing the fabled birthplace and gothic residence of Dracula we explore the enchanting medieval towns of Sighişoara and Braşov, adorned by their 16th century houses, fairy-tale turrets and historic cobble-stoned streets. Our medieval voyage continues as we venture across the spectacular Stara Planina Mountains to the charming Bulgarian town of Veliko Tarnovo. Teeming with over 7,000 years of history we discover the magic of its medieval fortress and ancient orthodox churches.
the transylvanian istanbul - budapest budapest - istanbul SLOVAKIA AUSTRIA Budapest Lajosmizse MOLDOVA SLOVENIA Kecskemét HUNGARY Sighişoara CROATIA ROMANIA Brașov BOSNIA & HERZEGOVINA SERBIA Black Sea Adriatic Sea MONTENEGRO KOSOVO BULGARIA Kazanlak Veliko Tarnovo MACEDONIA Istanbul ITALY ALBANIA TURKEY tour schedules daily tour itineraries Istanbul - Budapest (Westbound) June 10 June 17, 2015 accommodation Budapest Istanbul (Eastbound) June 29 July 6, 2015 May 23 - May 30, 2016 July 18 - July 25, 2016 2 nights in Istanbul 3 nights onboard the Golden Eagle Danube Express 2 nights in Budapest Istanbul - Budapest (Westbound) Day 1 Istanbul Day 2 Istanbul Day 3 Istanbul Day 4 Kazanlak & Veliko Tarnovo Day 5 Braşov & Sighişoara Day 6 Kecskemét, Lajosmizse & Budapest Day 7 Budapest Day 8 Budapest Budapest Istanbul (Eastbound) Day 1 Budapest Day 2 Budapest Day 3 Budapest & Kecskemét Day 4 Sighişoara & Braşov Day 5 Veliko Tarnovo & Kazanlak Day 6 Istanbul Day 7 Istanbul Day 8 Istanbul istanbul - kazanlak - veliko tarnovo - braşov - sighişoara - kecskemét - budapest
golden eagle danube express what s included in the tour price Pera Palace Hotel Jumeirah, Istanbul Pera Palace Hotel Jumeirah, Istanbul Four Seasons Gresham Palace, Budapest EXPERIENCED TOUR MANAGERS Our experienced Tour Managers are selected for their travel knowledge and organisational abilities allowing you to relax and enjoy your rail cruise. We receive exceptional passenger comments about our Tour Managers and their aim is to ensure you enjoy every minute of your holiday. ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE AIRPORT TRANSFERS Arrival transfers from the international airport to our tour hotel, and departure transfers from our tour hotel to the airport are included. HOTEL AND ONBOARD ACCOMMODATION Although you will spend much of your time sightseeing or relaxing in the train s public areas, you will find your hotel room or cabin a welcome retreat at the end of a rewarding day. BREAKFAST, LUNCH AND DINNER DAILY All meals are included, starting with dinner on the first day and ending with breakfast on the last day. All departures feature one or two uniquely designed Restaurant Cars where you can enjoy the excellent waiter-served food and wine. We will also sample authentic local cuisine with wine and a selection of drinks off the train, which are also included in the tour price. DRINKS WITH MEALS A generous drinks allowance, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic, is included with lunch and dinner on and off the train. ONBOARD SERVICE You can expect service which is attentive, friendly and unintrusive. Your car attendants provide housekeeping and bedding turndown services to assist you and to ensure you are comfortable in your cabin. Complimentary tea, coffee and bottled drinking water are served to you in your cabin. GUIDED OFF-TRAIN EXCURSIONS The history and culture of the places we visit on our rail cruises will come alive through our expert local guides. All our tours include a wide-ranging sightseeing schedule to make the most of the time you have off the train and bring you closer to the culture, people and history of your destinations. We believe it is the special little touches that help create magical memories. PERSONAL HEADSETS On all the off-train excursions, to enhance your enjoyment and insights into the places you visit, you will be provided with a lightweight personal headset on which to listen to your tour guide as you take in the sights. The range of the headset means that you do not need to worry about missing any of the guide s commentary on your excursion, even if you prefer to wander away from the group. ONBOARD DOCTOR AND MEDICAL FACILITIES To give you peace of mind our tours are accompanied by a doctor who travels with us for the entire journey, so you can rest assured that medical assistance is always available. On call 24 hours a day, the doctor is on hand to give primary care as required. The doctor scheduled onboard will be English-speaking and registered with the General Medical Council in the UK. PORTERAGE As you only have to unpack once, your luggage and belongings will stay with you on the train throughout the journey but, wherever necessary, porterage is included between the hotels and stations. ALL GRATUITIES You will not have to worry about tipping on or off the train on your rail journey with Golden Eagle Luxury Trains as all gratuities are included in the tour price.
Istanbul Sunset istanbul Turkey This fabled city that spans Asia and Europe deserves an extended stay so over two days we will see how old meets new, east meets west, when we visit Istanbul s must-see historic sites. The largest and oldest palace in the world and primary residence of the Ottoman Sultans from 1465 to 1853, Topkapi is the crown jewel of the Ottoman Empire. With its treasury and exotic buildings overlooking the Golden Horn, 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 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 main chamber, which is decorated with more than 20,000 Iznik 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. In operation since the 14th century the bazaar is especially known for its jewelry, leather, pottery, spices and carpets. We spend two nights at the iconic five-star Pera Palace Hotel Jumeirah. The hotel was built in 1892 to cater for guests taking the Orient Express and it was here that Agatha Christie wrote her famous book Murder on the Orient Express. A fitting grand hotel in which to start or end our tour. 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.
Voyages of a Lifetime by Private Train TM THE TRANSYLVANIAN kazanlak Bulgaria sighişoara Romania Kazanlak, situated in the Valley of the Roses, 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. veliko tarnovo Bulgaria 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. braşov Romania The train twists and turns as it travels between Veliko Tarnovo and Braşov. It climbs over the Carpathian Mountains and threads its way through the dramatic landscape with crystal clear mountain streams. At Braşov we tour Bran Castle. Popularly known as Dracula s Castle, this beautiful 14th century building is situated amongst stunning mountain scenery. At Sighişoara we take 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. kecskemét Hungary At Kecskemét we get the opportunity to take a guided walk through this fascinating city at the geographical centre of Hungary. Lying halfway between the Danube and the Tisza Rivers, Kecskemét is a city ringed with vineyards and orchards that has developed into the economic, educational and cultural centre of the region. lajosmizse Hungary EASTBOUND ONLY In Lajosmizse, horse drawn buggies meet the train and transport us to watch a thundering horse parade, as the thrilling Puszta show demonstrates great horsemanship. Bran Castle, Braşov
Voyages of a Lifetime by Private Train TM THE TRANSYLVANIAN Budapest 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. Included in our time spent in Budapest is two nights at the Four Seasons Hotel Gresham Palace, a unique art nouveau landmark which combines historical elegance with ultramodern comforts. There is also an option to extend your stay in Budapest for additional nights to explore more of this fascinating city. Our city touring 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. One evening we will take in a beautiful dinner cruise along the Danube. Heroes Square, Budapest Spend some time to relax at our luxurious hotel, or at leisure to 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.
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