Day 5 Puszta, Piroshka, Paprika
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. Then it’s back to the train station, where your nostalgic special train awaits you. At lunch, you will be back on the tracks – heading south-east. 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.
Overnight: On board (BLD)
Day 6 Transylvania, home of Count Dracula
When you get up, you rub your eyes in amazement: you drive through high, densely forested mountains. Welcome to Transylvania, in the hands of Saxon settlers since the 12th century. An architectural pearl awaits you here: Kronstadt with its magnificent town hall square, colourful Baroque facades, quaint cafés, Europe’s narrowest street and the Black Church. And then follow the chilling trail of Count Dracula. As if Transylvania had put on a pointed crown, the Törzburg (Bran) towers over dark hills. Allegedly, the most famous vampire in literary history resided here. What is myth, and what is historically proven? You’ll find out today. At lunch, your train will cross the wild Southern Carpathians. Dramatic mountains rise over 2,000 m into the air. The steep gorges are home to brown bears, wolves and lynxes. In the late afternoon you will reach the wide green plains of Wallachia and soon Romania’s capital Bucharest. A touch of Paris wafts over the city tour, which takes you to the Arc de Triomphe and elegant Art Nouveau passages. The House of the People, now the seat of parliament, bears witness to the gigantomania of the dictator Ceaușescu. On Revolution Square in front of it, you will learn how the spectre of socialism came to an end in 1989. Just before midnight, you’ll leave the city of great contrasts and head south. Overnight: On board (BLD)
Day 7 In the gorges of the Balkans
While a delicious breakfast is served, you will reach Bulgaria’s old capital, Veliko Tarnovo. Along the wild, meandering Jantra River, rustic stone houses tower over each other and send you back in time to the Middle Ages. The castle hill of Zarevets is enthroned above it all, with its treacherous walls and towers. Just a few kilometres away is the village of Arbanassi, an open-air museum of the 17th century with its lovingly restored merchant houses and the Orthodox churches decorated with frescoes. In the afternoon, you will continue your scenically dramatic journey through the southern Balkan mountains and one of the highest passes in Bulgaria, the Schipka Pass. Sit back and relax and – according to Karl May – enjoy the warm service and nostalgic flair on board in the gorges of the Balkans. Overnight: On board (BLD)
Day 8 At the Gate of 1001 Nights
In the morning, your special train enters the metropolis, which is the only one in the world that connects two continents. 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. The sensual beauty on the Bosphorus playfully enchants you with a mix of 1001 Nights and hip trendy quarters. Of course, a trip to the magnificent Sirkeçi train station, once the terminus of the legendary Orient Express and the starting point of Hercule Poirot’s journey in Agatha Christie’s famous novel, is a must. Then look out from Topkapi Palace at the rocking boats in the strait between Europe and Asia. The legendary treasury and the harem take you into the fairy-tale world of the ancient Orient. The large bazaar is in no way inferior to this, where you can haggle with friendly dealers. Much more contemplative is the Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque, symbols of the ancient competition between Constantinople and Istanbul. For the final furioso, enjoy a boat trip across the Bosphorus, enchanted by the sparkling sea of lights of the eternal metropolis between the Orient and the Occident. In the evening, feast together at the farewell dinner and exchange photos and memories of a fantastic trip. Overnight: Çırağan Palace Kempinski Istanbul (or similar) (BLD)
Day 9 Güle güle, Istanbul!
But even the nicest trip must come to an end at some point. Today you will drive to the Istanbul airport and start your journey home. (B)
(B) = Breakfast, (L) = Lunch, (D) = Dinner
