The castles of Transylvania

Individual arrival in Istanbul. 
On arrival in Istanbul, you will be met and taken to the five-star Pera Palace Hotel, from where you will have a magnificent view of the Golden Horn. 
In the evening, there will be a welcome dinner where you will have the opportunity to get to know your fellow travelers.

Today you will experience how old and new, East and West meet as we visit a selection of Istanbul's must-see historical sites.
You will visit the Sultan Ahmet Mosque (Blue Mosque), with six minarets and 260 windows, decorated with over 20,000 Iznik tiles. You will also see the Hagia Sophia, now a magnificent grand mosque. Admire the fine Byzantine mosaics. 
Next on the program is the Topkapi Palace, the main residence of the Ottoman sultans from 1465 to 1853, offering a fascinating view of the Golden Horn with its treasury and exotic buildings.
In the late afternoon, you board the private train, the Golden Eagle Danube Express, and begin the train journey through Bulgaria and Romania to Budapest. 

This morning, enjoy the view from the private train as you cross the Shipka Pass and arrive at your first stop, Veliko Tarnovo, the old capital of Bulgaria. Nestled in a magnificent mountain landscape, the stone houses on the steep banks of the River Yantra seem to tower over each other. You will visit the excellently preserved medieval Tsarevets Hill and the castle and have time to stroll through the narrow streets of the old town. 
In the evening, relax in the bar-lounge car before dinner is served as the train continues through the picturesque countryside and crosses the Romanian border. 

Overnight, the train climbs over the Carpathian Mountains and winds its way through the dramatic landscape with its crystal-clear mountain streams.
This morning you arrive in Sinaia and visit Peles Castle. The castle is a masterpiece of German Neo-Renaissance architecture and is considered by many to be one of the most beautiful castles in Europe. 
After returning to the private train for lunch, continue to Brasov in the afternoon and visit Bran Castle. The 14th century castle, surrounded by an aura of mystery and legend and perched on a 200-foot cliff, owes its fame to its imposing towers and turrets and the myth of Bram Stocker's Dracula. After a tour of the castle and its surroundings, you will enjoy a gala dinner within the castle walls this evening. 

This morning you will leave Brasov early and arrive in Sighişoara after breakfast, where you will take a tour of the city's most important sights. The World Heritage-listed town, rumored to be the birthplace of Dracula, is one of the best-preserved medieval fortified towns in Europe. Town houses and magnificent churches line the cobbled streets.
You return to the train for lunch and continue to Sibiu, which is particularly known for its Germanic architecture in the old town, a legacy of the Saxon settlers from the 12th century. The remains of the medieval walls and towers can still be seen throughout the city, including the 13th-century Council Tower
In the evening, enjoy a farewell dinner on board as the train travels through the great Hungarian Plain.

This morning you have the opportunity to explore Kecskemét, a fascinating town in the geographical center of Hungary, before the train travels to Lajosmizse, where a spectacular Puszta horse show takes place. 
In the late afternoon, the train arrives in the Hungarian capital of Budapest on the banks of the Danube, where you will spend a night at the five-star Four Seasons Gresham Palace Hotel, a unique Art Nouveau monument that combines historic elegance with the most modern comforts.
This evening you will enjoy a farewell dinner in a local restaurant, giving you the opportunity to reflect on your journey through this fascinating part of Europe.

After breakfast, individual journey home to Switzerland.