The Crimean Express 2012 

We meet at St Pancras International this morning for the first leg of our epic journey. We take the Eurostar to Brussels, where we change for Cologne. Here we stay overnight at Le Meridien Dom Hotel. Day 2 is free for you to explore Cologne at your own pace, and what better place to start than the immense cathedral, just a few steps away from the hotel? The impressive structure is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and if you're feeling energetic, you can climb the south tower for a spectacular view of the city. After dinner this evening we board the Jan Kiepura sleeper service for the eastbound journey to Moscow. We spend Day 3 travelling across Poland, through Belarus and into Russia.

This morning we arrive in Moscow, where we transfer to the 5-star Marriott Royal Aurora Hotel. The rest of your day is free for you to get acquainted with your new surroundings. Tonight we enjoy a welcome dinner at the hotel.

Today we discover the fascinating city of Moscow on a sightseeing tour, visiting Red Square, the iconic symbol of Russia's former military and political might. Here we see the moving sight of Lenin's tomb, along with the famous onion domes of St Basil's Cathedral and the grand Kremlin. This afternoon we board the Golden Eagle, our private luxury train. After time to settle in, we enjoy dinner on board as our journey on the Crimean Express begins.

This morning we reach Minsk, the capital of Belarus. Here we take a guided tour of the city, and learn some of its long history. We spend this afternoon passing through the Belarus countryside, as we make our way to the Ukraine - giving you the perfect opportunity to relax on board.

We arrive in Kiev, the Ukrainian capital, this morning, and embark on a tour. We see the highlights of this ancient city including Saint Sophia's Cathedral, Independence Square, the Mother Ukrainia monument, Kreshchatyk Street and the beautifully restored Monastery of Caves, dug out by priests who lived there as hermits.

Today we visit Lvov, a Ukrainian city steeped in history. Its stunning Old Town - founded in 1256 - has remained largely intact, and is now a UNESCO World Heritage site. We enjoy a city tour, before we rejoin the Golden Eagle and continue southwards.

Having passed over the border into Moldova during the night, we spend this morning making our way through the scenic Moldovan countryside. We arrive in Kishinev, the capital city, at about lunchtime. After lunch on board we take an afternoon tour of the city - including a visit to a local winery.

Crossing back into the Ukraine, at lunchtime we arrive in Odessa, a wonderful city on the Black Sea. Odessa was immortalised in the film "Battleship Potemkin", and free time here allows you to explore. Wander along Primorsky Boulevard lined with pretty pavement cafés, and visit the famous Potemkin Steps, the formal entrance to the city. Equally impressive is the Odessa Opera and Ballet Theatre.

Today we arrive in Sevastopol, which is home to the Russian Black Sea Naval Base. The town is also steeped in the history of the Crimean War and the Second World War. We visit Balaclava, and the diorama depicting the famous Second World War battle there. From here there is also a superb view of the valley where the Charge of the Light Brigade took place. The valley is now covered in rows of vines, and features a memorial to the infamous Charge.

We enjoy a tour of Sevastopol this morning, during which we see the Old Town, and Khersones. This was only opened to the public a few years ago, and is among the most complete ancient Greek settlements in existence. This afternoon we continue to Bakhchisarai, where we visit the Uspensky Cave Monastery and the 16th century Hansaray Palace.

After breakfast we reach the seaside resort of Feodosiya, where we bid farewell to the Golden Eagle. We visit the Aivazovsky Gallery before travelling along the beautifully scenic coastal road to Yalta. During the journey we stop at Sudak, a popular beach resort. We arrive in Yalta, where we stay at the 5-star Hotel Oreanda.

Our guided tour today takes us to Chekhov's House and the Botanical Gardens. We follow this with lunch at the Swallow's Nest, a fairytale castle perched high above the sea. This afternoon we enjoy a scenic cruise along the picturesque coastline, before visiting the Massandra Palace and the Imperial Winery. Here we tour the cellars, where we see bottles from the Tsar's personal collection.

This morning we enjoy a visit to Alupka Palace - a unique combination of Scottish and Arabian architectural styles. In the afternoon we are treated to a private tour of the Tsar's Summer Palace at Livadia, and the site of the 1945 Yalta conference between Stalin, Roosevelt and Churchill. We have a champagne reception followed by a concert of chamber music, and tonight we dine in the restaurant attached to the palace.

This morning we take a short flight to the Turkish metropolis of Istanbul. Here we transfer to the port to join our cruise along the Bosphorus, the famous waterway dividing Europe and Asia. From this unique vantage point, admire Istanbul's beautiful buildings lining the banks, including the ornate Beylerbeyi Palace and glamorous Dolmabahce Palace. We then check in to the Lares Park Hotel.

Today we embark on a full-day tour of Istanbul, which boasts a long history as a capital of the Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman Empires. We begin by visiting the Hippodrome and the Basilica of St Sophia. The latter was built in 326 by Constantine the Great, and it has inspired religious leaders for more than 1,500 years. After time for lunch, we see the Blue Mosque, decorated with 20,000 tiles and crowned with no less than six minarets, before continuing on to Topkapi Palace, the opulent home to various sultans through the ages. We also visit the fabulous Grand Bazaar, one of the world's largest covered markets, which sells everything from jewellery to ceramics and fashion items. Tonight we enjoy a final dinner together in the hotel. On Day 18 we transfer to the airport for the flight back to London.

We are delighted to offer a version of the Crimean Express which starts with a flight from London to Moscow to join the main tour on the evening of Day 4. Or enjoy a pre-tour extension in St Petersburg, prices on application.