Venice-Istanbul (Golden Eagle Danube Express)

DAY 1 : VENICE

Flight or train to Venice on request.

Individual arrival in Venice. Welcomed at the airport by your driver and guide, transfer to the hotel, which enjoys a spectacular location just a few steps from Saint Mark's Square, the Doge's Palace and the Bridge of Sighs.

In the evening, welcome reception and dinner.
Overnight at the Hotel Danieli 5* or similar in Venice (D).

DAY 2 : VENICE

City tour on foot. Stroll through the winding alleys along the Grand Canal to Piazza San Marco, which for 1,000 years was the heart of Venetian life. You can also admire St Mark's Basilica and stroll through the Rialto market.

Afternoon free for personal discovery of the city. For an iconic experience, take a gondola ride around St Mark's Basin and along the Grand Canal, followed by a short stroll through the artists' quarter of Dorsoduro, where you stop to admire the most breathtaking views of the city from the Academia Bridge, before returning to your hotel.
Overnight at the Hotel Danieli 5* or similar in Venice (B, L, D).

DAY 3 : VENICE - TRIESTE (Golden Eagle Danube Express train)

Transfer to Santa Lucia station by boat on the Grand Canal. Your private train, the Golden Eagle Danube Express, is ready to welcome you. Depart for the Italian port city of Trieste.
As part of the tour, you will stop at the vast Piazza Unita d'Italia, the city's main square, and can walk up the hill to the famous church of San Giusto, built around a medieval complex dating back to the 13th century. Visit the church to admire the splendid Byzantine-style architecture enriched by precious mosaics.
Overnight on board the train (B, L, D).

DAY 4 : LJUBLJANA (Golden Eagle Danube Express train)

Ljubljana, capital of Slovenia,  is a charming city, a combination of old architecture and young culture. The morning city tour includes Preseren Square, the Three Bridges, Dragon Bridge and Plecnik Market.

In the afternoon, visit Predjama Castle, perched on a cliff above the magnificent region of Inner Carniola. You explore the interior of the castle to learn about the biography of the castle's most famous resident and knight, Erazem de Predjama. You continue the tour by passing through the nearby Postojna cave and boarding an underground train to discover the network of magnificent halls, a myriad of cave formations and mysterious animals.
Overnight on board the train (B, L, D).

DAY 5 : SARAJEVO - MOSTAR - DUBROVNIK (Golden Eagle Danube Express train)

Morning arrival in the Bosnian capital of Sarajevo, an intriguing mix of Eastern and Western culture: mosques and minarets, an ancient bazaar and an atmospheric old Turkish quarter. Visit the Tunnel under Sarajevo Airport, dug during the 1992-1996 conflict. Your guide, who lived through this conflict, brings to life in a touching way the struggles faced by the citizens of Sarajevo during the siege of the city.

After a light lunch in Sarajevo, the Golden Eagle Danube Express travels along the picturesque railway line to the historic city of Mostar, a crossroads of many civilisations, cultures and three religions.

Mostar was one of the most important cities of the Ottoman Empire. The city's famous stone arch bridge linking the Christian and Muslim areas was rebuilt in summer 2004. You will visit the Turkish house and the mosque before strolling through the narrow streets of the bazaar, where you can buy traditional souvenirs and handicrafts.
Transfer to Dubrovnik by coach, where you stay overnight.
Overnight at the hotel (B, L, D).

DAY 6 : DUBROVNIK (Golden Eagle Danube Express train)

Since its foundation in the 13th century, Dubrovnik has been attacked several times, but the city has now been restored as one of the great cities of the Mediterranean. You visit the city via the Ploce gate to discover the Franciscan monastery with one of the oldest pharmacies in the world, the old port, the St Lawrence fortress and the Rector's Palace.

Lunch overlooking the Adriatic and free time to wander the narrow streets.
In the afternoon, return to the train Golden Eagle near the Croatian border at Capljina, and dinner before departing for Serbia.
Overnight on board the train (B, L, D).

DAY 7 : BELGRADE (Golden Eagle Danube Express train)

Morning arrival in the Serbian capital of Belgrade, the former Yugoslav capital.
Situated at the strategic meeting point of the Danube and Sava rivers, this truly cosmopolitan city boasts fortifications from Celtic times, medieval tombs and Turkish baths. City tour: the "House of Flowers" - Josip Tito's mausoleum, the Town Hall, Republic Square and Knez Mihajlova Street, as well as the Varos Gate and a visit to the mighty Kalemegdan fortress.
Overnight on board the train (B, L, D).

DAY 8 : SKOPJE  (Golden Eagle Danube Express train)

Morning arrival in Skopje and discovery of this city where Ottoman influences are still strong.
You will explore the narrow streets of the old town with its small shops and mosques with ceramic interiors. You will also stroll through the old bazaar district and cross the 15th-century stone bridge linking the bazaar to the modern city.

Return to the train for lunch on board.
Afternoon on board. 
Overnight on board the train (B, L, D).

DAY 9 : SOFIA - PLOVDIV (Golden Eagle Danube Express train)

The site of Bulgaria's modern capital, at the foot of Mount Vitosha, Sofia was first occupied by the Thracian tribe of Serdi. During the city tour, you will visit sections of the Roman wall and admire the ancient Church of St George, the gilded domed Alexander Nevsky Cathedral and the Bashi Turkish Mosque.

Lunch on the train as the journey continues to Plovdiv.
Bulgaria's second largest city after Sofia, "The City of Seven Hills" is one of the oldest cities in Europe, with over 200 known archaeological sites.

You have the afternoon to explore the Roman forum and amphitheatre. You visit the charming old town, including its medieval walls and Ottoman baths.
Overnight on board the train (B, L, D).

DAY 10 : ISTANBUL (Golden Eagle Danube Express train)

Early arrival in Istanbul and transfer to hotel.

IMPORTANT: Continuing engineering work associated with the new Bosphorus tunnel could mean that the train stops on the outskirts of Istanbul and your bus will take you into the city centre.

This legendary city that spans Asia and Europe is the last stop on your rail journey. A city tour of Istanbul's must-see historic sites. One of the most famous monuments in the Turkish and Islamic worlds, the Sultan Ahmet Mosque (the Blue Mosque) is a superb creation in the classical Ottoman style. It features six imposing minarets and 260 windows illuminating its vast main chamber, which is decorated with over ,000 Iznik tiles.
Overnight at a 5* hotel in Istanbul (B, L, D).

DAY 11 : ISTANBUL 

Second day of visits. The Basilica of Saint 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 transformed into a mosque and is now one of the most magnificent great mosques in the world. Take a moment to linger here and admire the beautiful Byzantine mosaics.

Istanbul touring programme will be an afternoon’s cruise on the legendary Bosphorus and a visit to the Grand Bazaar.
Overnight at a 5* hotel in Istanbul (B, L, D).

DAY 12 : ISTANBUL

Transfer to the airport. (B)

Additional night, return flight or train from Istanbul on request.

journey from venice to istanbul by golden eagle danube express train (ref.)

GOLDEN EAGLE DANUBE EXPRESS TRAIN

This tour takes you on the Golden Eagle Danube Express Venice, one of Europe's most famous luxury trains.

DELUXE CABIN - GOLDEN EAGLE DANUBE EXPRESS

Each Deluxe coach has 5 cabins.
Their en-suite bathrooms are equipped with a shower, washbasin, toilet, towel rail, shaver socket and hairdryer.
A range of toiletries and a dressing gown are provided.
The cabins are air-conditioned (individually adjustable) and have electric sockets. Two comfortable armchairs and a chair are also available. Cupboards and a wardrobe provide real storage space, while the large picture window and mirror add to the feeling of space. Every evening, your lounge is transformed into a bedroom with two comfortable beds by the carriage's butler, who is also on hand to bring you morning tea or coffee.

• 2 separate beds per cabin
• Size of cabin (with en suite bathroom): 3.97 m x 1.95 m
• Surface area of cabin (with en-suite bathroom): 7.74 m2
• Size of bed (each): 1.85 m x 0.8 m
• En-suite bathroom with shower cubicle and WC: 0.77 m x 195 m, i.e. 1.5 m².

SUPERIOR DELUXE CABIN - GOLDEN EAGLE DANUBE EXPRESS

Superior Deluxe cabins are limited to 4 per coach and only 12 per train.
During the day, they are lit by their two bay windows and offer comfortable seating with a sofa and two chairs. In the evening, they are transformed into a luxurious bedroom with a King Size double bed.
All cabins are also equipped with a double wardrobe with ample storage space, individually controlled air conditioning, reading lights, Wi-Fi and USB ports, electrical sockets and a safe.

• Number of cabins per coach: 4
• Cabin size (with en-suite bathroom): 4.54 m x 1.90 m
• Surface area of cabin (with private bathroom): 8.6 m2
• Bed dimensions: 1.90 m x 1.52 m
• King size bed (British standard)

• DELUXE CABIN DOUBLE : from €16 795 per person
• DELUXE CABIN SINGLE : from €24 995 per person

• SUPERIOR DELUXE CABIN DOUBLE : from €20 995 per person
• SUPERIOR DELUXE CABIN SINGLE : from €35 195 per person

THE PRICE INCLUDES

• Travel on board the Golden Eagle Danube Express between Venice and Istanbul in the compartment of your choice
• The permanent presence of an English-speaking guide
• Transfers to and from the airport
• Excursions to the major cities on the route, with local guides, transport if necessary and entry tickets for the visits mentioned.
• Full board (B = Breakfast, L = Lunch and D = Dinner): from dinner on day 1 to breakfast on day 12. Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages are included for lunches and dinners.
• 5 nights' accommodation: 2 in Venice, 1 in Dubrovnik, 2 in Istanbul
• Single room supplement in hotels for those choosing this compartment category
• A doctor on board the Golden Eagle Danube Express train
• Luggage service
  
  

THE PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE

• International flights
• Insurance
• Personal expenses
• Tips