Vienna & the Danube Express to Istanbul 2012 

Our journey to Istanbul begins at St Pancras International, where we board the Eurostar to Brussels in Standard Premier Class, with a complimentary light meal and drinks served at our seats. From Brussels we travel in First Class to the city of Cologne, where we spend the night at the Four Points Hotel. On Day 2 we continue to Vienna, the magnificent city of Mozart, where we spend the next three nights at the Mercure Grand Hotel Biedermeier. Vienna was the birthplace of classical music and home of the Hapsburg Empire. Grand Baroque architecture can be seen wherever you look. (Day 1-E,D; Day 2-B,D)

This morning we enjoy a city tour of Vienna, taking in the city's imperial architecture on the famous Ringstrasse - a wide avenue that encircles the Old City of Vienna. Our tour takes us past many of Vienna's finest ornate buildings including the impressive Hofburg Palace, a vast complex of buildings which demonstrates the awesome power and wealth commanded by the Hapsburgs, who used the palace as their ruling headquarters for six centuries. We pass the impressive Opera House, one of the leading opera venues in the world, as well as the grand Parliament Building. Later today we visit spectacular Schönbrunn Palace, the summer residence of the Imperial family, situated within beautifully landscaped parkland. We enjoy a guided tour of the palace, and time to stroll through its acres of formal gardens. (B,D)

Our full-day excursion today takes us on a fantastic cruise along the Danube River. Breakfast is served on board as we leave Vienna, cruising to the wonderful city of Bratislava. Home to several universities and a wealth of museums and galleries, Bratislava's historic centre features delightful cobblestoned roads, pedestrian plazas, pastel 18th century rococo buildings and street cafés galore. You are free to explore the city at leisure before we rejoin our cruise boat for the relaxing journey to Vienna. Dinner is served on board during our journey home. (B,D)

We make the train journey into Hungary, travelling to fascinating Budapest, a city of two halves divided by the mighty River Danube and sewn together by a collection of beautiful, elegant bridges including the famous Szechenyi Chain Bridge, the first permanent crossing to link the two halves of the city. The flatter, lively region of Pest looks across the water to its older, historical neighbour, the hilly Buda which rises up away from the banks of the river. Budapest was once the joint capital of the Astro-Hungarian Hapsburg Empire. The city and its buildings have been restored to their very best in what is now one of Europe's finest, grandest and most picturesque cities. We spend the next two nights here at the Continental Hotel Zara, located close to the city centre. After checking in to the hotel, your afternoon is free to explore the city at leisure. (B,D)

This morning we take a guided coach tour to introduce us to Budapest's main sights. We discover the Danube's two contrasting banks - passing impressive buildings and monuments on both sides of the river, including the vast, neo-Gothic Parliament building which was designed to resemble the Palace of Westminster, the magnificent State Opera House and St Stephen's Basilica, Budapest Castle, Fishermen's Bastion and Matthias Church. Your afternoon is free to explore Budapest at leisure. Tonight we enjoy a cruise on the Danube, taking in the illuminated city sights as we enjoy dinner on board the ship. (B,D)

This morning we transfer to Budapest's Nyugati station, the starting point for our journey on the Danube Express. After a champagne reception in the Royal Waiting Room, we board the train. After settling in to your compartment, the train sets off across the Great Hungarian Plain, heading towards Transylvania. After enjoying lunch on board we pause to enjoy an exciting Puszta Horse Show in Lajosmizse, where Hungarian cowboys, who would traditionally have roamed the prairies ('puszta'), display their incredible riding skills with a show of sublime horsemanship. We continue our journey on the Danube Express as we travel to Kecskemét, located in the heart of the Great Plain. Here you have time to explore the charming city at leisure. We return to the train for dinner as our journey continues into Romania. (B,L,D)

This morning we arrive in the Romanian hill-top town of Sighisoara, one of the best-preserved fortified medieval towns in Europe. Burgher houses and ornate churches line the charming cobbled streets of this UNESCO World Heritage site. We enjoy a walking tour of Sighisoara before returning to the Danube Express. After lunch onboard we visit Bran Castle (known to many as Dracula's Castle), a beautiful 14th Century stronghold surrounded by stunning mountain scenery. Leaving Brasov, the train twists and turns as we climb through the Carpathian Mountains. (B,L,D)

Perched neatly on three hills overlooking the Yantra River, the medieval city of Veliko Turnovo was Bulgaria's ancient capital. The historic city centre and picturesque mountain setting make it a delight to explore, which we do on our morning tour, during which we visit the superbly preserved medieval Tsarevets Hill and Castle. You have time to explore the ancient city at leisure before we return to the train for lunch on board. The next section of our journey takes us over the Shipka mountain pass, the train twisting and spiralling to gain height in the awkward terrain. This afternoon we arrive in Kazanlak, capital of the Valley of the Roses, where rose oil is produced and shipped to perfumers all over the world. Here we visit an intriguing Thracian tomb, before continuing our journey on the Danube Express as it crosses the border into Turkey this evening. (B,L,D)

The Danube Express arrives in the fascinating city of Istanbul this morning. Traditional wooden buildings and ornate palaces cling to the side of the Bosphorus River in this extraordinary city which bridges the divide between Europe and Asia. We enjoy a fantastic cruise on the Bosphorus, passing the imposing Dolmabahce Palace and the Bogazici suspension bridge which connects the two continents. Later today we visit the Archaeology Museum, the Hippodrome and the world famous Basilica of St Sophia, constructed in 326AD by Constantine the Great as a cathedral. We spend three nights at the Kent Hotel, in the Beyazıt Area close to the Grand Bazaar. On Day 11 we continue exploring the fascinating sights of Istanbul, visiting Topkapi Palace, once home to Sultans and filled with treasures and antiquities, and the iconic Blue Mosque, the interior walls of which are covered with over 20,000 blue Iznik tiles. (Days 10-11-B,D)

A free day on Day 12 gives you chance to continue exploring Istanbul at leisure. On Day 13 we leave Istanbul for our return flight to London. (Day 12-B,D, Day 13-B)

E=Eurostar Meal, B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner
These meals, where shown are included in the price of your holiday