Day 1

Travel by Eurostar and ICE to Vienna. On some sections, speeds of up to 300 km/h are reached. Arrive at Vienna Hauptbahnhof. Overnight stay in a nearby hotel, for example Hotel Daniel.

Day 2

In the morning, travel from Vienna to Budapest in around 2.5 hours. On board the EC Transylvania, you will get your first taste of Eastern Europe. Overnight stay in a hotel near Budapest Keleti station, for example Hotel Bristol***.

Day 3

Travel by daytime train across the Hungarian Puszta and through the Romanian Carpathians to Sibiu, a city with a beautiful medieval centre. Overnight stay in a hotel*** within walking distance of the main square, for example Hotel Imparatul Romanilor.

Day 4

In the afternoon, travel to Brasov, the 'Prague of Romania'. Overnight stay in a hotel***, for example Casa Wagner on the attractive market square.

Day 5

In the morning, you have the opportunity to visit Dracula's Castle in Bran independently by public transport. In the afternoon, continue by train through the Carpathians to Bucharest (approximately 2.5 hours). Overnight stay, for example, at Hotel Duke***.

Day 6

Late in the morning, the train to Istanbul departs. This train operates only part of the year, from mid-June until mid-October. Do not expect luxury: this Turkish train has couchette carriages only (mixed shared compartments for four people) and there is no restaurant carriage. Be sure to bring enough food for a picnic while the scenery passes by outside the window. During the day, the compartment has two benches; in the evening these are converted into two sets of bunk beds. Bedding is provided.

In the afternoon, cross the Danube into Bulgaria via the longest steel girder bridge in Europe. Shortly after midnight, you reach the Bulgarian–Turkish border. This is quite an experience: first, the Bulgarian border guards board the train and collect everyone's passports for inspection. Once the passports have been returned, the train continues to the Turkish border. Here, all passengers must leave the train with their luggage for passport and baggage checks. Afterwards, everyone boards the train again and the journey continues towards Istanbul.

Day 7

Arrival in Istanbul in the morning (often 1–2 hours behind schedule). The train terminates at Halkali, just outside Istanbul. For the final 29 km between Halkali and Istanbul Sirkeci, a brand-new metro line is available. Stay, for example, at Hotel Askoç, close to the historic Sirkeci station, with beautiful views over the Bosphorus. The Bazaar, Galata Bridge and Blue Mosque are all within walking distance.

Day 8–9

Explore the fascinating city of Istanbul.

Day 10

End of the tour. Return journey at your own arrangements, for example by plane.