Cruise & Rail: Delightful Danube &
The Castles of Transylvania

Istanbul

Arrive at Istanbul Airport and transfer to the five-star Pera Palace Hotel.

Istanbul (EMBARK train)

Explore a selection of must-see historic sites – including the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia and Topkapi Palace.

Late afternoon, board the Golden Eagle Express to begin your rail journey.

Veliko Tarnovo

By morning, enjoy the scenic views over Shipka Pass. Spend your afternoon on a tour of the medieval Tsarevets and Castle, with free time to wander the ancient city.

Sinaia / Brașov

Travel to the neo-Renaissance Peles Castle. Later on, you’ll visit Bran Castle, popularised as ‘Dracula’s Castle’.

Sighișoara / Sibiu

The UNESCO-designated Sighișoara, believed to be the birthplace of Dracula, is one of the best-preserved fortified medieval towns in Europe. After breakfast, enjoy a walking tour of the town’s main highlights.

Later, we continue into Sibiu, known for its Germanic architecture in its Old Town.

Kecskemet / Lajosmizse / Budapest (DISEMBARK train)

This morning, explore the fascinating city of Kecskemet before your train heads to Lajomizse for a spectacular ‘Puszta’ horse show..

By late afternoon, we arrive in Budapest, where you’ll check into the 5-star Four Seasons Gresham Palace Hotel. Enjoy a farewell reception dinner hosted at a local restaurant.

Budapest

Enjoy another day in Budapest at your leisure. You may choose to explore the thermal baths, Castle District, climb Gellert Hill or vsit any other attractions that take your fancy.

Budapest (EMBARK ship)

Check out of your hotel and climb aboard your floating hotel, the River Duchess.

Budapest

Today, you’ll have the option to choose between three featured activites. Either embark on the ‘Budapest Panoramic Highlight with St. Stephen’s Cathedral’ tour, ‘Budapest Walk with Local Treats’ or the ‘Jewish Budapest’ excursion.

Vienna

Opt to enjoy the “Morning with the Masters at the Belvedere Palace’ activity, the ‘Vienna’s Historic Trails and Local Treats’ tour or the ‘Jewish Vienna’ excursion. You may also wish to embark on one of our Masterpiece Collection activities, which will either take you to a Private Mozart and Strauss Concert or to Schonbrunn with Strudel Show.

Krems

Enjoy scenic cruising through the UNESCO-designated Wachau Valley. After docking in Krems, choose between a ‘Stetteldorf Castle Visit’ or a tour through the ‘Treasures of Wachau Valley’.

Engelhartszell / Passau

Choose between featured excursions: ‘Let’s Go: Scenic Bavarian River Biking’ or ‘Village Day: Passau’. Our Masterpiece Collection activity features a Bavarian Farm Visit.

Regensburg

Explore this impressive, UNESCO-designated city on either a ‘Regensburg Walk with Thurn and Taxis Castle Visit’ or on the ‘Jewish Regensburg’ excursion. Our Masterpiece Collection activity affords you the opportunity to visit the Weltenburg Abbey.

Nuremberg

Witness your ship navigate a series of locks as it travels through the ‘continental divide’ – the Main-Danube canal. After docking, embark on the evening featured excursion ‘Nights Out: Faber-Castell Visit.

Nuremberg (DISEMBARK ship)

Disembark from your ship and begin your journey home.