Day 5 Puszta, Piroshka, Paprika
The green hills of the Hungarian lowlands stretch to the horizon. What would a trip to Hungary be without a trip to the Puszta? From the train station of the charming town of Kecskemét, you will drive through the wide plain full of drawing fountains to a time-honoured equestrian centre. After the traditional welcome with apricot brandy and salted pastries, you will witness a spectacular horse show. The acrobatic equestrian art of the Magyars is legendary – even the huge grey cattle are amazed! Accompanied by wild Csárdás sounds, you leave the estate and board your train again. In the early afternoon, your train will arrive in Budapest. Here you leave your rolling home: Tonight, you will stay at the hotel in the old town. Budapest consists of two cities separated by the Danube. What could be better than to look at the architectural pearls of the city from its most beautiful perspective, namely on a Danube trip by excursion boat? On one side, the Citadel, Fishermen’s Bastion and Gellért hill, on the other side the large market hall, the Old Town Palace and the largest parliament building in the world. Of course, you will also pass the famous Chain Bridge and Margaret Island, Budapest’s green lung in the middle of the Danube. Hungary’s capital is full of history and stories – a symphony for all the senses!
Overnight: Kempinski Hotel Corvinus Budapest (BLD)
Day 6 Danube metropolises Vienna and Budapest
After breakfast, you will return to the train station, where your nostalgic special train will be waiting for you. Soon you leave Budapest behind and drive through the Hungarian lowlands to the Austro-Hungarian border. In the afternoon, you will be welcomed by the world capital of music. Vienna is an event and creates a playful balancing act between imperial flair and modernity, Art Nouveau and undertwasser, between coffee house culture and trendy pubs. From the Westbahnhof you can easily explore Vienna by public transport on your own and have the choice between Hofburg, St. Stephen’s Cathedral, Naschmarkt and Prater. For the sweet finale, you may enjoy melange, pastries and Viennese dish in one of the famous coffee houses. In the gentle evening light, you are back on board and will soon be rolling west on the tracks of the Semmeringbahn, Europe’s very first mountain railroad. The technical marvel has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1998.
Overnight: On board (BLD)
Day 7 Top of Europe: Majestic Alps
Attention early risers, because in front of you is literally a highlight: the crossing of the Alps from east to west. From the train you have a clear view of the Alpine peaks. Sit back in the elegant salon trolley and let majestic mountain giants and colourfully painted alpine huts pass by. You follow the Inn Valley through Tyrol, cross the tiny Principality of Liechtenstein and reach the Swiss canton of St. Gallen. In the morning, Lucerne awaits you with its covered chapel bridge, the city’s landmark, narrow streets and colourful medieval guild houses around the wine market. From here it’s on to Kriens. The ride with the aerial cable car and the panoramic gondola lift through bizarre rock walls up to the local mountain Pilatus in Lucerne is breathtaking. 72 alpine peaks are in front of you, and with a little luck, even the mighty Mont Blanc will show up on the horizon. Then you drive back down again. In the afternoon, your special train sets into motion. After a short drive, you will reach France and stop in Colmar with the most beautiful old town of Alsace. Green vineyards and golden nectar await you on a detour to one of the world’s famous wineries – a feast for all the senses. Elated, we head back on board. Good night!
Overnight: On board (BLD)
Day 8 Haute Couture and Haute Cuisine
In the morning, your special train arrives at the Gare de L’Est in Paris. After breakfast, it’s time to say goodbye to your hotel on rails and its warm crew. But the farewell pain does not last long. Because the city of love captivates you in the blink of an eye. To this day, the artistic district of Montmartre exudes the flair of the bohemian era, as it did during the Belle Époque. From the steps of the snow-white church of Sacré-Coeur, all of Paris is at your feet. A city tour will take you to such famous places as the Eiffel Tower, the Opera, Place Vendôme and stroll across the Champs-Élysées from the Arc de Triomphe. With the chansons of the street musicians still in your ears, you can go to the atmospheric farewell dinner, where you and your fellow travellers can relive the experiences of a unique journey across Europe. On this last night, you will stay at the centrally located hotel in the French capital.
Overnight: Renaissance Paris Arc de Triomphe Hotel (or similar) (BLD)
Day 9 Au revoir, Paris!
But even the nicest trip must come to an end at some point. Today you will drive to the Paris airport and start your journey home. (B)
(B) = Breakfast, (L) = Lunch, (D) = Dinner
