Golden Eagle Danube Express: Eastern Europe Discovery (Tour code: 13634)

On arrivals day in Budapest, you will be met at the airport, train station or river ship landing port and transferred to the Four Seasons Hotel Gresham Palace (or similar) for a two-night stay.

Savour a welcoming dinner within the refined ambiance of this Art Nouveau masterpiece, boasting breathtaking panoramas overlooking the River Danube. It's the perfect opportunity to mingle with your fellow travellers as you embark on this eagerly awaited journey.
 

Budapest is two cities separated by the Danube. The old city of Buda and the imposing Royal Palace, dominates the city with stunning views across the Danube. Your city tour by coach includes the Castle District, St. Mathias Church and Fishermen’s Bastion. Also visit the Parliament with an audio-guided tour and have a private tour of the Opera House with drinks reception.

After lunch in a local restaurant, enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure – stroll along the banks of the Danube or perhaps head to one of the city’s famous thermal baths for a rejuvenating dip.

This morning in Budapest is at leisure.

Later, enjoy a drinks reception at Budapest Nyugati station before boarding the Golden Eagle Danube Express for your afternoon departure. Enjoy a drinks reception in the impressive Royal Waiting Room at Budapest Nyugati station before boarding the private train.

Marking the beginning of your voyage of a lifetime, the private brass band will perform as the train departs from the station, and uniformed train staff will be there to escort you to your private en-suite cabin. Settle in to your well-appointed accommodation and later enjoy a Welcome Dinner onboard as the train makes it way towards Poland.

Once a royal capital with an extraordinary history, and now a lively university town with fashionable bars and restaurants, Krakow is a fascinating city with beautiful monuments and an exuberant atmosphere.

This morning the train makes a scheduled stop at Oswiecim, the station for Auschwitz-Birkenau where you will make a 2-hour visit to the location of the evocative concentration camp and museum. Declared by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, embark upon a deeply moving guided tour which stands as a stark reminder of the horrors that took place here. Today, Auschwitz-Birkenau is preserved as a museum allowing visitors to reflect on the atrocities of the Holocaust and learn of the camp’s history. (For ticketing purposes please advise at the time of booking if you wish to visit Auschwitz-Birkenau)

From here, continue by coach into the centre of stunning Krakow, where you will enjoy lunch in the Old Town.

Also today, you will visit the Wieliczka Salt Mine, a unique venue full of chambers excavated and sculpted in rock salt. Descend the 360 steps in to the mines and be amazed at the devotion of the miners who carved the incredible Chapel of Salt, a well-deserved place on the UNESCO World Heritage list.

For guests not wishing to visit Auschwitz-Birkenau or Wielicza Salt Mine, a guided walking tour of Krakow’s Old Town including Wawel Royal Castle and the Jewish Quarter will be offered.

This morning, the train arrives at the Polish capital of Warsaw. Here you will appreciate the extraordinary transformation of a place once almost destroyed by war. When you cross the Vistula River and look at the Old Town from a distance, you are struck by how unusual the panorama of the city is – skyscrapers rise above the red roofs of the Old Town. Historical buildings blend in harmoniously with modern architecture.

Your guided tour takes you on a journey through the Old Town and along the Royal Route before heading into the area of the former Warsaw Ghetto. The Old Town boasts a nostalgic charm with its colourful townhouses and the exceptional atmosphere of its narrow streets. Here, you will visit the award winning Polin Museum of the History of Polish Jews, which showcases the 1,000 year history of the Polish Jews and the contribution of their community to Polish life.

In the afternoon, guests will be delighted by a private Chopin piano recital at the Fryderyk Concert Hall.

This morning visit Malbork Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was the seat of the Teutonic State from 1280. Teutonic Knights originally built a fortified monastery here, later known as the Upper Castle. In the 13th century a huge brick fortress was completed and stands overlooking the River Nogat. The museum houses valuable collections of artistic amber wares, old weapons, and military equipment.

Guests will return to the train for lunch and the journey continues through Poland towards Gdansk.
The coastal region of Poland has an important place in Polish consciousness as a key location at the start of World War II in September 1939. This is also where the famous Solidarity independent trade union movement started in 1980 for the protection of worker’s rights, which later became the symbol of resistance against the government and where the fall of Communism in Central Europe began.

You will spend the afternoon exploring the waterfront shipbuilding city of Gdansk. Your visit will include a tour of the remarkable European Solidarity Centre in Gdansk, which presents the 20th century history of the political changes leading to the collapse of communism and the Soviet Union.You will also enjoy a beautiful organ concert at Oliwa Cathedral and a visit to Dlugi Targ (Long Market), one of the most beautiful streets of old Gdansk.

Whilst enjoying breakfast on board, you will arrive in Berlin for a full day’s programme with a number of options to choose from.

After years of division, Berlin has risen once again to become one of Europe’s most glamorous capital cities, with superb museums, fine churches, wide boulevards, and a thriving cultural life. Today, see the highlights of both East and West Berlin including the Berlin Wall, Brandenburg Gate and the Reichstag, the famous Renaissance style building that once again houses Germany’s parliament.

Freedom of Choice options today include the opportunity to drive a VEB Trabant, your very own authentic East German vehicle. Travel through the middle and the former east part of the city along the Karl-Marx-Allee and East Side Gallery, over Oberbaumbridge and through the quarter Kreuzberg. A unique hands-on experience across the once-divided city of Berlin!

For guests who opt not to participate in the driving experience, the day offers an opportunity to explore Berlin’s rich cultural heritage at leisure. Discover the renowned Checkpoint Charlie Museum, a powerful testament to the city’s divided past, or immerse yourself in history and art at Museum Island, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that houses five world-renowned museums within an extraordinary architectural ensemble.

Following lunch, enjoy further free time to embrace the vibrant atmosphere of this captivating city, perhaps enjoying a leisurely stroll or a luxury shopping experience along the iconic Kurfürstendamm.

This morning, arrive in the city of Dresden, located in the region of Saxony. Following its destruction in World War Two and stagnation behind the Iron Curtain, Dresden has now been restored to its former enchanting glory, with baroque architecture, rococo palaces and an amazing array of Renaissance art. As part of the morning city tour, delve into the 700-year history of the iconic Frauenkirche (Church of Our Lady), a symbol of Dresden’s remarkable rebirth. This architectural masterpiece stands as a testament to resilience, its stunning Baroque design meticulously restored to its former glory.

Your journey through Dresden’s rich heritage continues with a visit to the magnificent Dresden Castle, an extraordinary landmark steeped in history and grandeur. For those who wish, there will also be an opportunity to pause for a refreshment at the elegant Hotel Taschenbergpalais Kempinski Dresden, where a warm beverage can be savoured in an atmosphere of timeless sophistication.

Later, return to the train for a late lunch as you head to the Czech Republic for a late afternoon arrival in Prague.

Prague is one of the most beautifully preserved cities in Europe. It spans the Vltava River and is dominated by the 9th century Prague Castle, a stunning sight that can be seen almost anywhere in the city. The tour takes in the Old Town Square with its many historic buildings and Astronomical Clock, the historic 14th century Charles Bridge and the Jewish Quarter.

Early evening, visit the stunning art nouveau Municipal House where there will be chance to experience a spectacular opera performance followed by a sumptuous dinner in the restaurant.

Today, join a vintage tram to travel through the city up the hill to Prague Castle area and a visit to the gothic St. Vitus Cathedral. The castle and its surrounding architectural gems occupy a hillside overlooking the city and river.

Following lunch there will be the opportunity for free time in the Old Town district, before returning to the train.

Today, you will explore Salzburg, starting at Mirabell Palace located in the heart of the city. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the baroque 17th century palace is easily one of the most stunning landmarks in the city and made famous in more modern times as a location used in The Sound of Music.

A short distance from the palace on Market Square you will see the former Mozart Residence, now a museum. From here, cross the Makartsteg bridge into the Old Town and walk along the Getreidegasse, Salzburg’s most famous street which is renowned for its wrought-iron trade signs and the birthplace of Mozart.

For more than 400 years Hellbrunn Palace has enchanted its visitors with its ‘trick’ fountains. The idyllic location in the south of Salzburg served as a summer retreat for the Prince-Archbishop of Salzburg. Its baroque exterior conceals an exuberant interior made for entertaining, though the real draws are the whimsical trick fountains (Wasserspiele) in the gardens, which spew water from unexpected places.

This morning, enjoy your final breakfast onboard as you leave Salzburg on a majestic morning’s journey over the breath-taking Semmering Pass before your lunchtime arrival into Vienna.

The stunning capital city of Austria enthrals visitors with its rich heritage. A seductive metropolis of elaborate palaces, renowned coffee houses, classical music and enchanting opera. This afternoon’s programme will include a private concert featuring the Vienna Supreme Orchestra and a visit to the famous Schönbrunn Palace, or free time to explore yourself.

This evening, retire to the exquisite Ritz-Carlton, a masterpiece of hospitality set within four meticulously restored 19th-century palaces, just moments from the heart of the city. Indulge in the serenity of the hotel’s opulent spa or bask in breathtaking panoramic views from the eighth-floor roof terrace. As the night unfolds, join your fellow guests for a Farewell Dinner, a perfect conclusion to your extraordinary journey.

Following breakfast on the final morning you will be transferred to the airport for onward flight departures. There is also an option to extend your stay in Vienna for additional nights to explore more of this fascinating city.