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treasures of eastern europe

golden eagle luxury trains

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Hungarian Parliament, Budapest

To Book Call +44 (0)161 928 9410 or Call Your Travel Agent 43

golden eagle danube express

Our 12-day voyage is enriched with ancient architectural masterpieces, encompassing the medieval

splendour, baroque elegance and gothic grandeur of some of Europe’s most spectacular cities.

A perfectly apt starting point for this remarkable journey is the treasured city of Prague. Renowned

for its architectural beauty, UNESCO honoured historic centre and its quaint cobbled streets,

Prague’s ancient charm can be felt in abundance as we explore its beautiful sights.

Once settled in our elegant surroundings onboard the Golden Eagle Danube Express, we meander

across lush rolling landscapes into eastern Germany where we begin our exploration of World War

sites of Gdynia, Gdansk and Kaliningrad, retracing the course of Imperial Germany, Nazi Germany

and the Soviet Union as we travel towards the striking city of Kraków.

Venturing onwards through the idyllic Polish countryside, we conclude our voyage through Eastern

Europe with two prized jewels of the former Austro-Hungarian Empire. Blending the palatial beauty

and rich musical heritage of Imperial Vienna with the architectural treasures found in the majestic

city of Budapest, there could not be a better way to end this spectacular rail journey.

treasures of

eastern europe

prague - kaliningrad - budapest

czech republic - germany - poland - russia - slovakia - austria - hungary

Prague Dohna of Koeni, Kaliningrad Reichstag, Berlin

Budapest

Prague

Kaliningrad

Bratislava

Zittau

Vienna

Berlin

Gdynia

Gdansk

Malbork

Krakow

Keszthely &Lake Balaton

Baltic Sea

North

Sea

ROMANIA

HUNGARY

GERMANY

SLOVENIA

CROATIA

AUSTRIA

SLOVAKIA

POLAND

RUSSIA

CZECHREPUBLIC

IUM

BELARUS

SWITZERLAND

LIECHTENSTEIN

LITHUANIA

LUXEMBOURG

MOLDOVA

NETHERLANDS

DENMARK

FRANCE

treasures of eastern europeprague - kaliningrad - budapest

tour schedule daily tour itinerary

July 28 – August 8, 2015

June 21 - July 2, 2016

August 16 - August 27, 2016

accommodation

2 nights in Prague | 7 nights onboard the Golden Eagle Danube Express

2 nights in Budapest

prague - zittau - berlin - gdynia - gdansk - kaliningrad - malbork - kraków

bratislava - vienna - keszthely - budapest

Day 1 Arrive Prague

Day 2 Prague

Day 3 Prague & Zittau

Day 4 Berlin

Day 5 Gdynia & Gdansk

Day 6 Kaliningrad

Day 7 Malbork

Day 8 Kraków

Day 9 Bratislava & Vienna

Day 10 Keszthely, Lake Balaton

& Budapest

Day 11 Budapest

Day 12 Depart Budapest

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Voyages of a Lifetime by Private TrainTM | TREASURES OF EASTERN EUROPE

beautifully preserved cities. 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.

Our tour takes in the Old Town Square with its many historic

buildings and Astronomical Clock, the historic 14th century

Charles Bridge and the Jewish Ghetto. We will join a vintage

tram to travel through the city and Wenceslas Square, then

up the hill to Prague Castle, the largest medieval complex in

Europe and the gothic St. Vitus Cathedral. The castle and its

surrounding architectural gems occupy a hillside overlooking the

city and river. Our tour includes the delightful Golden Lane and

the Changing of the Guard at the castle entrance.

Some time in Prague is available for you to discover the hidden

treasures of this wonderful city. Stroll the medieval cobbled

streets, relax in the ancient squares and admire the many

architectural treasures of this ‘City of a Hundred Spires’.

You have the option to join our included Freedom of Choice

tour to Municipal House, originally built to be an administrative

and cultural centre. Located just inside the Old Town it was built

on the area once occupied by the former Royal Court before it

moved to Prague Castle. We’ll have a Czech afternoon tea here

and then visit its beautiful concert hall.

Our hotel in Prague, where we stay for two nights, is the luxurious

Four Seasons. Located in the UNESCO-protected historic Prague

city centre our hotel is just steps away from the iconic Charles

Bridge. There is also an option to extend your stay in Prague for

additional nights to explore more of this fascinating city.

pragueCzech Republic

To Book Call +44 (0)161 928 9410 or Call Your Travel Agent 45

Prague

The southeastern German town of Zittau is famous for being on

the Löbau–Zittau railway which was originally opened in 1848,

making it one of the oldest railways in Germany. We travel on

the Zittau Schmalspurbahn (narrow gauge) heritage steam

railway that is used to take passengers up to the picturesque

mountain spa resort towns of Kurort Oybin and Kurort Jonsdorf in

the Zittau Mountains. On our return we will enjoy a barbecue

dinner at Zittau locomotive depot.

We arrive into Berlin for a full day’s programme. After years of

division, Berlin has risen once again to become one of Europe’s

churches, wide boulevards and a thriving cultural life.

Our tour will show us the highlights of both East and West Berlin

including the Reichstag, the famous Renaissance style building

that once again houses Germany’s parliament. We cross

zittauGermany

berlinGermany

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the former Berlin Wall at the historic Brandenburg Gate, visit

Checkpoint Charlie and the Museum Haus that exhibits some of

the many ways East Germans used to escape to the West, and

delight at the sight of the lovely Charlottenburg Palace.

Or choose our Freedom of Choice ‘Red Berlin’ walking tour of

East Berlin’s communist past, taking in Husemannstrasse - the

famous propaganda street - the Stasi HQ of the East German

secret police, Berlin Wall Crossing points such as the so-called

‘Palace of Tears’ and the East Side Gallery - an international

memorial of freedom of 105 paintings on the east side of the

Berlin Wall.

To Book Call +44 (0)161 928 9410 or Call Your Travel Agent

Brandenburg Gate, Berlin

Oberbaum Bridge, Berlin

Charlottenburg Palace, Berlin

Berlin

large metropolitan area called Trójmiasto (Tricity). This coastal

region occupies an important place in Polish consciousness as

the location of the start of World War Two on the 1st September

1939, and where the fall of communism in Central Europe

began. This is also where the famous Solidarity movement

started, for protecting workers’ rights, which later became the

symbol of resistance against the government.

We spend the day exploring these delightful old cities and include

visits to the Solidarity Trade Union Museum and the ‘Roads to

Freedom’ exhibition presenting the 20th century history of the

political changes leading to the collapse of communism and

Soviet Union. We also enjoy a private organ concert at Oliwa

Cathedral and a visit to Dlugi Targ (Long Market), one of the

most beautiful streets of old Gdansk.

gdynia & gdanskPoland


Gdansk Old Town

Gdynia Warship

Long Market in Gdansk

malborkPoland

Malbork castle, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site,

was the seat of the Teutonic State from 1280. Teutonic

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.

The capital of East Prussia, Königsburg, as it was then known,

was a wealthy German port and university town. After World

War Two the European boundaries were re-drawn and the city

became part of the Soviet Union, which changed its name to

Kaliningrad after Bolshevik revolutionary Mikhail Kalinin who

was one of Stalin’s inner circle. Once the Soviet Union collapsed

the enclave became completely isolated from Mother Russia by

the newly independent Lithuania and Belarus. It is home to the

Russian Baltic Fleet.

Amid the austere Soviet architecture that replaced most of

the city centre after it had been all but destroyed by bombing,

there are still suggestions of a more creative German past with

picturesque Königsberg buildings, such as the gothic cathedral.

Today is a fascinating visit to this unique enclave which is part of

Russia but surrounded by the EU.

kaliningradRussia



Malbork Castle

Statue of Mikhail Kalinin

Once a royal capital with an extraordinary history, and now a

lively university town with fashionable bars and restaurants,

Kraków is a fascinating city with beautiful monuments and an

exuberant atmosphere. Highlights of the city include Wawel

Hill, home to the Wawel Castle which is an impressive blend

of Gothic original architecture and a Renaissance Palace, and

Rynek Glowny, known as the Main Market Square. It is Europe’s

largest medieval square. You can explore the city at your leisure

and perhaps make the trip across the River Vistula to Podgórze,

site of the Jewish Ghetto in Kraków and home to the Schindler

On our day in Kraków we also offer a number of fully included

touring options outside of the city environs as part of our

Freedom of Choice programme. Close to Kraków is Auschwitz-

Birkenau, now a poignant museum, which was the largest of

the Nazi concentration camps during World War Two, where an

estimated one million people perished.

Alternatively, you can choose to visit the Wieliczka Salt Mines, a

unique venue full of chambers, stairs, altars, pulpits and statues

excavated and sculpted in rock salt. Descend the 360 steps into

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.

Bratislava is the capital city of Slovakia. Our tour includes

the medieval Old Town (Starý Mesto) where we stroll through

the cobbled streets of 18th century pastel buildings and the

stunning Bratislava Castle perched high above the city on a hill

overlooking the Danube. Close to the castle, set amongst the

many hillside luxury villas, is the imposing Soviet War Memorial

at Slavín where we learn about the city’s strategic position

situated just behind the Iron Curtain.

krakówPoland

bratislavaSlovakia


Bratislava Castle



Kraków Market Square

Sculptures at Wieliczka Salt Mines, near Kraków Auschwitz

I

Inspiring the greats from Mozart to Freud, this stunning city

enthrals visitors with its rich heritage. A seductive metropolis

of elaborate palaces, renowned coffee houses, classical music

and enchanting opera.

Savour the captivating baroque elegance of romantic Vienna.

Our tour of Austria’s capital city includes the impressive Vienna

Opera House, the majestic Ringstrasse, the Imperial Palace,

Parliament and City Hall. Have some free time to stroll

along the Kartnerstrasse, sample Vienna’s famous cakes

in the historic coffee houses or join a tour to the Imperial

Schönbrunn Palace and Gardens.

Take a guided tour through the magestic stately rooms of this

summer residence of the Habsburg family. This evening there

will be a private concert in the fabulous City Palace featuring

members of the Vienna Boys’ Choir.

Keszthely is located at the western end of Lake Balaton. Here

there is a visit to the baroque Festetics Palace built on castle

ruins in 1745 and expanded 150 years later. Alternatively

take a relaxing boat cruise on the calm waters of Lake Balaton.

Back onboard, the train skirts the southern shore of Lake

Balaton between Keszthely and Budapest.

viennaAustria

keszthely & lake balatonHungary


budapestHungary

Budapest is actually 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 to the commercial

heart of Pest.

Our city tour includes the Royal Palace, St. Mathias Church and

a panoramic view of the city from Gellert Hill. We will also see

the Citadel, the Opera House, St Stephen’s Cathedral, Heroes

Square and the City Park. On one evening we take in a beautiful

dinner cruise along the Danube.

Enjoy some time at leisure strolling along the banks of the

Danube, visiting the historic Great Market Hall with its endless

variety of delicious foods and wines or head to one of the city’s

famous thermal baths for a rejuvenating dip.

Included in our time spent in Budapest is two nights at the Four

Seasons Hotel Gresham Palace, a unique art nouveau landmark

which combines historical elegance with ultra-modern comforts.



Vienna Opera House

St. Stephens

Basilica, Budapest

Hungarian Parliament, Budapest

Szechenyi Baths, Budapest


Our experienced Tour Managers are selected for their travel

knowledge and organisational abilities allowing you to relax

and enjoy your rail cruise. We receive exceptional passenger

comments about our Tour Managers and their aim is to ensure

you enjoy every minute of your holiday.

Arrival transfers from the international airport to our tour hotel, and

departure transfers from our tour hotel to the airport are included.

Although you will spend much of your time sightseeing or relaxing

welcome retreat at the end of a rewarding day.

ending with breakfast on the last day. All departures feature one

or two uniquely designed Restaurant Cars where you can enjoy

the excellent waiter-served food and wine. We will also sample

authentic local cuisine with wine and a selection of drinks off the

train, which are also included in the tour price.

A generous drinks allowance, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic, is

included with lunch and dinner on and off the train.

You can expect service which is attentive, friendly and unintrusive.

Your car attendants provide housekeeping and bedding turndown

services to assist you and to ensure you are comfortable in your

cabin. Complimentary tea, coffee and bottled drinking water are

served to you in your cabin.

The history and culture of the places we visit on our rail cruises will

come alive through our expert local guides. All our tours include a

wide-ranging sightseeing schedule to make the most of the time

you have off the train and bring you closer to the culture, people

and history of your destinations. We believe it is the special little

touches that help create magical memories.

On all the off-train excursions, to enhance your enjoyment and

insights into the places you visit, you will be provided with a

lightweight personal headset on which to listen to your tour

guide as you take in the sights. The range of the headset means

that you do not need to worry about missing any of the guide’s

commentary on your excursion, even if you prefer to wander away

from the group.

To give you peace of mind our tours are accompanied by a doctor

who travels with us for the entire journey, so you can rest assured

that medical assistance is always available. On call 24 hours

a day, the doctor is on hand to give primary care as required.

The doctor scheduled onboard will be English-speaking and

registered with the General Medical Council in the UK.

As you only have to unpack once, your luggage and belongings will

stay with you on the train throughout the journey but, wherever

necessary, porterage is included between the hotels and stations.

You will not have to worry about tipping on or off the train on your

rail journey with Golden Eagle Luxury Trains as all gratuities are

included in the tour price.

Pera Palace Hotel Jumeirah, Istanbul Four Seasons Gresham Palace, Budapest

golden eagle danube express

what’s included in the tour price

Pera Palace Hotel Jumeirah, Istanbul

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