Day 1

Travel by high-speed ICE train to Vienna, changing in Frankfurt or Munich. On some sections, speeds of up to 300 km/h are reached. Arrival at Wien 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 the EC Transylvania train, you'll 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 Împăratul Romanilor.

Day 4

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

Day 5

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

Day 6

Late in the morning, your train to Istanbul departs. This train operates only during part of the year, from mid-June to mid-October. Don't expect luxury: this Turkish train has shared 4-person couchette compartments only and no restaurant car. Be sure to bring plenty of food and drinks to enjoy a picnic while the scenery passes by outside your window. During the day, each compartment has two bench seats; in the evening these are converted into two sets of bunk beds. Bedding is provided.

In the afternoon, the train crosses the Danube into Bulgaria via the longest steel girder bridge in Europe. Shortly after midnight comes the Bulgarian–Turkish border crossing. This is quite an experience: first, the Bulgarian border guards board the train and collect passports for inspection. Once these are returned, the train continues to the Turkish border. Here, all passengers must leave the train with their luggage for passport and baggage checks, after which everyone can reboard and continue the journey towards Istanbul.

Day 7

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

Days 8–9

Explore the fascinating city of Istanbul.

Day 10

Around midday, travel by coach to Thessaloniki, arriving in the evening. Stay at a hotel close to the railway station, for example Hotel Anatolia.

Day 11

Travel by train along the coast and over the Olympus mountain pass to Athens in around five hours. Departure is either early in the morning or late in the afternoon. Overnight stay in a centrally located hotel***, for example Hotel Attalos.

Day 12

In the morning, travel by train and coach to Patras. At 5.00 pm, board the ferry operated by Superfast Ferries to Bari. Overnight stay in a comfortable private cabin on board.

Day 13

At 10.00 am, the ferry arrives in Bari. Continue by high-speed Frecciarossa train across Italy to Milan (just over seven hours). Overnight stay in a hotel*** near Milano Centrale station, for example Hotel Madison.

Day 14

Return journey by daytime train through Switzerland. In the evening, continue by Eurostar to Great Britain, arriving later the same day or, depending on your connection, the following day.