Across Europe with the Danube Express & Sea Cloud Spirit

We begin in the vibrant Turkish city of Istanbul. Its history as the capital of Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman empires sees it brimming with magnificent monuments. Arrive at the luxurious Four Seasons Sultanahmet courtesy of your private transfer. Tonight, we enjoy a welcome reception and dinner at our hotel within the convivial atmosphere of our small group.

Our day in this historic city begins as we explore some of the wonders of the ancient world. We start at the Hippodrome, the vast arena where Byzantine emperors gathered to watch chariot races. Marvel at The Egyptian Obelisk, Serpentine Column and Constantine Column which remain from the original Hippodrome, the largest of the ancient world. Be held spellbound at the Blue Mosque, the famed masterpiece of Ottoman religious architecture completed in 1616 and named after its turquoise-coloured tiles comprised of quartz minerals.  
 
A short walk brings us to the magnificent Hagia Sophia, the Church of Divine Wisdom constructed as a basilica in the sixth century by Byzantine Emperor Justinian. We then descend beneath the Old City to the Underground Cistern where we walk among the 336 columns and discover the two giant stone heads of Medusa. At lunch, we sample the traditional flavours of Ottoman cuisine.  
 
This afternoon we have a choice of immersive Your World experiences: 
 
— Learn the ancient Turkish art of Ebru marbling in a private creative workshop. Ebru practitioners consider their art to be an integral part of their traditional culture, identity and lifestyle. Create colourful patterns by sprinkling and brushing colour pigments onto a pan of oily water and then transferring the patterns to paper.   
 
— Under the tutelage of a highly skilled artist, try your hand at the exquisite art of Ottoman calligraphy, learning the secrets of creating rich patterns of handmade marble paper and experiencing the sensuous flow of the script.  
 
— Experience the wonderful, ancient art of hammam bathing. Arabic for bath, in Türkiye hammams are as much a visual spectacle as a cleansing ritual for the body and mind. During this exclusive tour, you will visit the exemplary Hurrem Sultan Hammam, dating from the 16th century and designed and built by Mimar Sinan, the chief Ottoman architect. 
 
This evening, join your fellow Danube Express travellers for dinner at our hotel.

After breakfast, we transfer to Istanbul’s Halkali station, where we are welcomed with a drinks reception prior to boarding the Golden Eagle Danube Express. From Istanbul, we then begin our gradual journey west across Europe. Settle into your comfortable seat while absorbing the landscapes of the Turkish countryside. Enjoy the considered amenities of our train, as well as the attentive service of its staff. Soon, we are crossing the border into Bulgaria. As night falls, we gather in the dining car for our Welcome Dinner, complemented by a selection of fine wines.

Alight the train this morning in Bulgaria's capital, Sofia. The city sits at the foot of Mt Vitosha. Our day begins with a viewing of the carefully excavated Roman ruins of Serdica – the city’s earlier name, from its time under Roman rule. Then wander the grounds of Sofia’s enchanting City Garden, where we find the prestigious National Theatre Ivan Vazov. Its striking Neoclassical facade stands watch over the garden’s elaborate series of fountains. Nearby, the imposing form of the Presidential Palace stands proud. Later, at the Crypt of the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, we are serenaded by the Bulgarian folk choir, Cosmic Voices. Back aboard our train, we settle in for another expertly prepared dinner as we continue our journey north toward Serbia.

Having arrived in the Serbian capital, Belgrade, we take the opportunity to step aboard Tito’s legendary blue train. Stroll along the same carriages once occupied by world leaders, from Queen Elizabeth II to Haile Selassie, during their visits with the former Yugoslavian president. At Klub Književnika, we are ushered into the dining room and treated to a meal worthy of royalty; a hearty selection of traditional Serbian cuisine leaving us truly contented. Our epicurean afternoon continues as we adjourn to one of the city’s most renowned distilleries. Here we sample Serbia’s treasured fruit spirit. Belgrade’s lively streets then invite us to absorb their eclectic mix of culture, both traditional and contemporary.

Our train rolls on, crossing the border with Croatia before coming to a stop in the Slovenian city of Postojna. From here, we enter a sublime subterranean world within the Postojna Cave. Wander along a network of paths and tunnels, where countless stalactites loom overhead, and marvel at the exquisite and unrepeatable formations inscribed by nature. Back aboard our train, we are treated to a confectionary masterclass, presented by Catering Manager, Krisztian Szoke, and Head Pastry Chef, Rebeka Krupa. The Danube Express pulls into the station in Vienna this afternoon. Alighting the train, we make our way to one of the city’s first-rate restaurants for a dinner to savour. Our fine-dining experience is accompanied by the exquisite melodies of the Vienna Supreme Orchestra.

Austria’s storied streets play host to us this morning. Wander paths alongside grand palaces and soaring cathedrals in this city renowned for its opera houses and timeless music. This afternoon, we reboard our train to cherish another of Austria’s treasures, the awe-inspiring Alps. Relax within your cabin, enjoying the views in comfort, or perhaps join your fellow travellers in the bar car, whose atmosphere is enhanced by the strains of the resident pianist. A gala dinner, presented by Head Chef, Ramon Batta, is ours to savour this evening. An inspiring gastronomic experience, Ramon’s creative offerings are fashioned from the finest local produce, sourced daily.

Our taste for the good life is only fortified as we make our entrance to Champagne. Rolling hills adorned with rows of perfectly preserved vines announce our arrival. A local guide facilitates our entry to several of the region’s cellar doors, where we sample some of their finest offerings. The bar car of the Danube Express is similarly well-stocked, and we enjoy another glass of Champagne en route to the City of Light. We alight Golden Eagle in Paris and proceed to the InterContinental Paris – Le Grand. Our evening arrival sees us enjoying supper at our elegant residence.