Rails of legend (In the footsteps of the Orient Express)

DAY 1: PARIS - MUNICH (Train)

Your train travel in Turkey begins: your Paris-Istanbul rail itinerary starts at the Gare de l'Est. It was in this very station that the first Orient Express set off on October 4, 1883, with some 40 VIP passengers on board.
Your first train is bound for Munich (5h40).

Arrival in the early evening.

Night at hotel in Munich

DAY 2: MUNICH - VIENNA (Train)

Take advantage of your morning to visit the city center with your English-speaking guide.
The tour begins at Marienplatz, Munich's main square. Admire the town hall, the Neus Rathaus, and watch the musical show that takes place there every day at 11 am. Discover the exteriors of the city's emblematic churches: St. Peter's and Our Lady of Munich. Your guide will show you the most famous breweries in Munich, known as the beer capital of the world, including the oldest of them all, the St. Augustine. You'll pass along Maximilian Street, Munich's main shopping street, and take a break in one of the many public gardens, such as Hofgarten.

If you have time, admire the Olympic Tower (a little further out).

Depart Munich by train for Vienna (4-hour journey) in the afternoon.

Arrival in Vienna in the evening. Transfer to hotel.
Overnight at hotel in Vienna. (B)

DAY 3: VIENNA

In the morning, discover the city on a 3-hour guided walking tour.
You'll explore the old quarters: medieval Vienna, hidden palaces and churches. You'll follow in the footsteps of great composers such as Mozart, Mahler, Haydn and Schubert.

You can continue your visit with the Belvedere Palace, one of Vienna's greatest Baroque palaces, and if you're feeling romantic, continue with the Sisi Museum dedicated to Empress Elisabeth of Austria, or the Austrian National Library, considered one of the most beautiful in the world.
Night at hotel in Vienna. (B)

DAY 4: VIENNA - BUDAPEST (Train)

Morning at leisure for personal exploration of the city before departure.
For your last Viennese lunch, we recommend one of the hotspots of the local intellectual scene: Café Central. Let yourself be tempted by a Schnitzel (Viennese-style schnitzel).

Afternoon train departure from Vienna to Budapest (2 hours 42 minutes).

Late afternoon: train arrives in Budapest and you check into your hotel.
Overnight at the hotel in Budapest (B).

DAY 5: BUDAPEST (Train + Mini-cruise on the Danube)

Meet in the morning for a walking tour with an English-speaking guide.
Visit the main sights of Buda and Pest. Matthias Church, the famous Buda Castle and St. Stephen's Basilica. Admire a breathtaking view of Parliament from the Fishermen's Bastion. Cross the Chain Bridge over the Danube. Then end your visit at the central market (Naschmarkt), where you might buy some paprika or kürtoskalács.

In your free afternoon, there are plenty of options: relax at the Széchenyi Spa, have a drink in the famous Ruins Bars or visit the Budavár Palace, where you'll find many Hungarian works of art.

In the early evening, we've arranged a dinner cruise on the Danube. It's an unusual way to discover Budapest “by night” and contemplate all the city's lights.

Option: A 45-minute visit to the Parliament, accompanied by an English-speaking guide. (This monument is in great demand, so book in advance to secure your place.).

Option: One-day ticket to the Széchenyi Spa.

Overnight at hotel in Budapest (B, D).

DAY 6: BUDAPEST - BUCHAREST (Night train)

Day at leisure for personal exploration of the city.

Depart Budapest for Bucharest (16-hour night train journey) in the evening.
This is the first night train of your Paris Istanbul rail tour. Just like the passengers on the original Orient Express, you'll be lulled to sleep by the train's roll.
Overnight on board (B)

DAY 7: BUCHAREST (Train)

Arrive in Bucharest and check into your hotel room around midday.

Your first afternoon in Bucharest begins with a walking city tour accompanied by an English-speaking guide.
Make your way to the magnificent Palace of Parliament to begin the 1-hour tour of this monument.
The tour continues through the historic center. Walk along Calea Victoriei and stop off at the CEC Palace, the National History Museum and the Stavropoleos Monastery Church. Cross the Macca - Vilacrosse Passage and continue towards the Russian Cathedral, passing through the old courtyard and discovering the ancient caravanserai of Hanul lui Manuc. The tour ends on Union Square.

For your evening in Bucharest, we suggest a typical Romanian restaurant, the Caru' cu Bere! The interior architecture is as remarkable as the food. Here you can try the must-try dish: Sarmale, a mixture of meat, rice, aromatic herbs and spices. You can also find Mici or Ciorba de burta, a soup.

Optional: Visit Dracula's castle (Bran Castle).

Night at hotel in Bucharest

DAY 8: BUCHAREST - SOFIA (Train)

Today is your big day of train travel. Prepare yourself for the experience. Take the opportunity to read up on what you'll be doing in Sofia and Istanbul. A journey in the footsteps of the Orient Express should offer you this experience!

Depart Bucharest for Sofia (10:55 a.m. journey) in the morning.

Arrival in Sofia in the evening, settling into your hotel room.
Overnight at hotel in Sofia (B)

DAY 9: SOFIA - ISTANBUL (Train)

For this afternoon in Sofia, we propose a guided walking tour of the city center.
Head for the Church of St. Nedelya, the Banya Bashi mosque and the Church of St. Petka. See the ruins of the ancient city, pass by the Presidential Palace, with the St. George Rotunda (free admission) and the National Theater.
You can also visit the Archaeological Museum, the Parliament and St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral.
Your walking tour ends at the Basilica of Saint Sophia.

Final leg of your Paris Istanbul train journey: you leave Sofia for Turkey (11-hour journey) in the evening.
Overnight on board the train (B).

DAY 10: ISTANBUL

 Arrival in Istanbul, formerly Constantinoble by 09:00 a.m. A driver will be waiting for you at the Halkalı train station to take you from the station to your hotel. You room will be available from 03:00 p.m. You can leave your luggage at the reception.

Free day for personal discovery of the city.

To enjoy a day in the spirit of the Orient Express, treat yourself to a coffee at the Tera Palace, where the novelist Agatha Christie stayed, or visit the old Cirkesi station, reputed to be the terminus of the mythical train.
Overnight at hotel in Istanbul (B)

DAY 11: ISTANBUL

For this day in Istanbul, we offer a guided tour with an English-speaking guide.
The guide will pick you up at your hotel reception at 09 a.m. 
On this tour, you'll visit the former church turned mosque of St. Sophia, the Topkapi Palace and its harem, and the city's most famous landmark, the Blue Mosque, so named for the blue tiles adorning its dome.
Your tour continues to the Constantinople Hippodrome, the Basilica Cistern, one of the most spectacular monuments to date.
The tour ends at the Grand Bazaar. Here, you can buy many souvenirs: ceramics, Turkish lamps, tea, spices...

Overnight at hotel in Istanbul (B)

DAY 12: ISTANBUL

After breakfast, transfer to the airport according to your flight schedule.

(B)

Additional night or return flight from Istanbul on request.

TRAINS - RAILS OF LEGEND, IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF THE ORIENT EXPRESS

This tour takes you on regular trains:

• Regular day trains
  Paris > Munich (5h41)
  Munich > Vienna (4h01)
  Vienna > Budapest (2h42)
• Night train
  Budapest > Bucharest (16h)
• Regular day train
  Bucharest > Sofia (10h55)
• Night train
  Sofia > Istanbul (11h04)

WORTH KNOWING: THE SOFIA - ISTANBUL NIGHT TRAIN

• The Sofia Istanbul night train is one of the few European trains that cannot be booked online.
• In Sofia, your guide will give you the paper ticket you need for the rest of your journey.
• The private cabins for 1 or 2 people are comfortable, air-conditioned and equipped with a socket, washbasin and fridge with a few free snacks.
• Each car has a classic toilet and a Turkish toilet. There's also a shared shower.
• Please note: your compartment locks from the inside, but you don't have a key to lock behind you if you leave it.
• Arrival in Istanbul is at Halkali station, 40 minutes from the city center.

PRICE INCLUDES

• Day train tickets:

- Paris-Munich 2nd class
- Munich-Vienna 2nd class
- Vienna-Budapest 2nd class
- Bucharest-Sofia in 1st class / double compartment (to be collected from Bucharest station with booking number)

• Night train tickets

- Budapest-Bucharest - Night train 1st class / double compartment in sleeper (individual - on request)
- Sofia-Istanbul - Night train 1st class / double compartment in sleeper (individual - on request)

• Accommodation according to chosen category (B&B = breakfast included)
• Guided tours in each city
• Dinner cruise on the Danube in Budapest (DI = Dinner)
• Istanbul station-hotel-airport transfers
• Electronic version of travel guide

PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE

• Return flight from Istanbul: on request
• Entrance tickets to sites mentioned in the program
• Immediate room occupancy supplement upon arrival in Istanbul: from €130 per person (based on a 3* hotel)
• Transfers not mentioned in the program
• Single supplement
• Lunches and dinners
• Insurance
• Personal expenses
• Printed travel diary sent by post (+ €12)