Balkan Explorer: Golden Eagle Danube Express
from $16,995 per person
Special Offer: Private Tour, You can pick the date freely and we will arrange for you based on it.
Exploration by rail is an inspiring addition to a Luxury Tailor Made Journey. The Golden Eagle Danube Express offers a variety of alternative routings and departure dates. Speak to your Travel Consultant or your travel professional to create a customized journey including a rail experience.
Board the elegant Golden Eagle Danube Express Train for an epic railway journey that blends the cultures, ancient tales and architectural treasures of nine different countries — from Italy in the west to Turkey in the east, and pausing to take in lesser-visited areas of Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Macedonia, Bulgaria and Greece along the way — to capture the unique vibe of a region graced by verdant landscapes and turquoise coastlines.
Itinerary
DAY 1:ARRIVE VENICE, ITALY
Upon arrival in Venice, you are met and transferred to your hotel. Later this evening, gather for a welcome reception and dinner with your fellow guests.
Hotel Monaco & Grand Canal
Meals: Dinner
DAY 2: VENICE | EXPLORING LA SERENISSIMA
Begin with an exploration of Venice’s iconic sights, including the Grand Canal, St. Mark’s Square, St. Mark’s Basilica and the Rialto Market. Devote the afternoon to exploring independently in this city nicknamed La Serenissima for its historic commitment to peace and serenity. You may choose to Ride Like a Local aboard a gondola, or stroll the artists’ district of Dorsoduro, taking in views from the Academia Bridge, before returning to your hotel.
Hotel Monaco & Grand Canal
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 3: TRIESTE | MEDIEVAL SPLENDORS
This morning, transfer by boat on the Grand Canal to Santa Lucia Station, where you board the privately chartered Golden Eagle Danube Express, your elegant home for the next eight nights. Cross the three-mile causeway over the Venice Lagoon and onward to the port city of Trieste. Disembark for an afternoon city tour, stopping at the vast Piazza Unita d’Italia and the main town square. Climb the hill to the famous Church of San Giusto, built around a medieval complex that dates to the 13th century. Venture inside the church for a close-up view of the splendid Byzantine-style architecture enriched with precious mosaics.
Golden Eagle Danube Express
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 4: LJUBLJANA, SLOVENIA | CASTLES, KNIGHTS & DRAGONS
By morning, arrive in Ljubljana, a delightful city that combines ancient architecture and a youthful culture. Set out on a morning tour of local sites, visiting Preseren Square, Three Bridges, Dragon Bridge and the Plecnik Market. This afternoon, venture outside of the city to Predjama Castle, perched on a cliff high above the beautiful Inner Carniola region. Explore its chambers and stairwells to learn about its most famous resident, Erazem of Predjama, a knight remembered as a Slovenian Robin Hood. Continue to nearby Postojna Cave, where you descend by train deep underground to view its network of magnificent halls, myriad cave formations — including a brilliant white 15-foot-tall stalagmite — and mysterious animals, such as the “baby dragons” (olms).
Golden Eagle Danube Express
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 5: SARAJEVO & MOSTAR, BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA | SPECIAL MUSEUM VISIT
Arrive in 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 an absorbing exploration detailing the horrors of the Balkan War, which are still evident as you travel past war-torn buildings. Make a special visit to the Tunnel Museum under Sarajevo Airport guided by a local who lived through the 1992–1996 conflict and details what Bosnians faced during the siege of the city. Following a light lunch in Sarajevo, board your train and travel a scenic route to the historic city of Mostar, the crossroads of three religions. Visit a Turkish House and mosque before walking the narrow streets of a bazaar, browsing its fascinating handicrafts. From here, continue to Dubrovnik for a one-night stay.
Royal Palm Dubrovnik
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 6: DUBROVNIK, CROATIA | MEDITERRANEAN GEM
Today, explore Dubrovnik, a city founded in the 13th century and today renowned as one of the great cities of the Mediterranean. Pass through Ploce Gate to visit the Franciscan Monastery — site of one of the world’s oldest pharmacies — as well as the Old Harbour, St Laurence Fortress and the Rector’s Palace. Savor lunch overlooking the Adriatic Sea, and then enjoy free time to wander the charming, narrow streets. Later, return to your private train, positioned close to the Croatian border in Capljina, and enjoy dinner as you depart toward Serbia.
Golden Eagle Danube Express
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 7: BELGRADE, SERBIA | FORTRESS VISIT
Arrive this morning in the Serbian capital, Belgrade, the former capital of Yugoslavia. Devote your day to touring this cosmopolitan city set where the Danube and Sava Rivers meet. Its key features include fortifications from Celtic times, medieval tombs and Turkish baths. View the mausoleum of controversial Yugoslavian strongman Josip Tito (nicknamed the House of Flowers) as well as the Town Hall, Republic Square and Knez Mihajlova Street, and Varos Gate. Afterward, visit the mighty Kalemegdan Fortress, built on a site that dates to antiquity.
Golden Eagle Danube Express
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 8: SKOPJE, NORTH MACEDONIA & THESSALONIKI, GREECE | SCENIC OLD TOWN
Today, arrive in little-visited Skopje, a city where Ottoman influences are still strong. Explore the narrow streets of the Old Town to view its tiny shops and mosques with ceramic-tiled interiors. Meander through the Old Bazaar area and cross the 15th-century Stone Bridge, linking the bazaar to the modern town. Return to your privately chartered train for lunch on board, and then continue rolling through the afternoon, crossing into Greece for an early evening arrival into Thessaloniki. Soak up the evening atmosphere of this vibrant city by heading to Aristotelous Square. Tonight, enjoy an al fresco Mediterranean seafood dinner.
Golden Eagle Danube Express
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 9: SOFIA & PLOVDIV, BULGARIA | ROMAN AMPHITHEATRE
Arrive today in Sofia, Bulgaria’s modern capital, set at the foot of Mount Vitosha. Visit sections of the Roman wall, admire the ancient church of Saint George, the golden domed Alexander Nevsky Cathedral and the Turkish Bashi Mosque. Savor lunch on the train as you roll from Sofia to Plovdiv. The second-largest metropolis in Bulgaria after Sofia, “The City of Seven Hills” is one of the oldest cities in Europe with more than 200 known archaeological sites. This afternoon, explore the Roman Forum and Amphitheatre. Visit the charming Old Town including its medieval walls and Ottoman baths.
Golden Eagle Danube Express
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 10: ISTANBUL, TURKEY | THE BLUE MOSQUE & HAGIA SOFIA
This morning, arrive in Istanbul, a fabled city that spans Asia and Europe, to see how east meets west with visits to its many historic sites. Start with the Sultan Ahmet Mosque (the Blue Mosque), one of the most famous monuments in both the Turkish and Islamic worlds. It is a superb creation in the classical Ottoman style and features six towering minarets and an interior decorated with more than 20,000 Iznik tiles. Proceed to Hagia Sophia, built in the sixth century by the Emperor Justinian, and 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 examples in the world. Take a moment to linger here to admire the fine Byzantine mosaics.
Pera Palace Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 11L ISTANBUL | TOPKAPI PALACE & GRAND BAZAAR
Experience the crown jewel of the Ottoman Empire today on a visit to Topkapi Palace, primary residence of the Ottoman Sultans from 1465 to 1853. Behold its treasury and exotic buildings overlooking the Golden Horn, on a visit that promises to unforgettable. Next, explore the Grand Bazaar, one of the world’s largest covered markets, comprising 58 streets and over 4,000 shops. Peruse the vast offerings of jewelry, leather, pottery, spices and carpets, for which the bazaar has been renowned since the 14th century.
Pera Palace Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 12: DEPART ISTANBUL
After breakfast, enjoy a parting glimpse of Istanbul, as you are transferred to the airport for your departing flight.
Meals: Breakfast
ABOUT THIS JOURNEY
Exploration by rail is an inspiring addition to a Luxury Tailor Made Journey. The Golden Eagle Danube Express offers a variety of alternative routings and departure dates. Speak to your Travel Consultant or your travel professional to create a customized journey including a rail experience.
Accommodation Plan:
- Golden Eagle Danube Express
- Hotel Monaco & Grand Canal
- Royal Palm Dubrovnik
- Pera Palace Hotel
Priced from $16,995
Prices are per person, double occupancy in a Deluxe Cabin on the Golden Eagle Danube Express
Pricing varies for other departure dates, cabin types, and itineraries. International and internal air not included.