At the crossroads of East and West and with a history forged over the centuries and influenced by so many, the Balkans has always had an allure for the genuine traveller. There is a wealth of fascinating cultural sites and natural world marvels to discover and with the Golden Eagle Danube Express as our luxury ‘hotel on wheels’ we will journey from the enchanting city of Venice and meander through the captivating Balkan region to Istanbul, the jewel of the Byzantium Empire. Evocative of the refinement and sumptuous elegance of a bygone era, our journey by train captures the vintage charm of the golden era of travel and whilst moving between our destinations we will witness some of the most beautiful scenery Europe has to offer with mountains that sweep down to lakes covered in rich vegetation.
Golden Eagle Danube Express
We are delighted to be working with Golden Eagle Luxury Trains in offering a selection of cabins aboard the Golden Eagle Danube Express which was specially built to cater for the demands of today’s most discerning traveller, accommodating a maximum of 62 guests. Carefully designed with comfort and enjoyment in mind, the Golden Eagle Danube Express provides the ideal base for a series of spectacular private rail journeys through Europe, combining iconic cities with stunning countryside. On board, the spacious and comfortable cabins, the high-quality dining and the attention to detail of the staff combine to create what is effectively a rolling luxury hotel.
Itinerary
Day 1 London to Venice, Italy.
Fly by scheduled flight. Arrive and transfer to a centrally located five-star hotel for our two night stay. This evening enjoy a welcome reception and dinner.
Day 2 Venice.
Venice is a truly captivating and romantic city. Today enjoy a tour around the highlights of this spectacular city including the winding lanes beside the Grand Canal to St Mark’s Square, which for 1,000 years was the heart of Venetian life. We also see St Mark’s Basilica and stroll through the Rialto Market. Alternatively enjoy the city at your own pace today. Perhaps stroll through the artists’ district of Dorsoduro, stopping to take in the city’s most breathtaking views from the Accademia Bridge.
Day 3 Venice to Trieste.
This morning we transfer from the hotel, by boat, directly to Santa Lucia Station on the Grand Canal to embark our private train, the Golden Eagle Danube Express. Mid-morning the train will thread its way out of the station onto the three mile causeway over the Venice Lagoon and on to our first stop at the Italian port city of Trieste. On an afternoon tour we stop at the imposing Miramare Castle and also visit the vast Piazza Unita d’Italia, the main town square. Standing on a hill overlooking Trieste is the famous Church of San Giusto built around a Medieval complex and which dates back to the 13th century. We will go inside the church for a close up view of the splendid Byzantine-style architecture enriched with precious mosaics.
Day 4 Postojna & Ljubljana, Slovenia.
Arriving into Slovenia we visit Postojna Cave as we ride an underground train deep into the cave and tour the network of magnificent halls, a myriad of cave formations and mysterious animals. After the visit to the caves we continue to Ljubljana which is the delightful capital city of Slovenia offering a combination of ancient architecture and modern culture. Our afternoon walking tour of Ljubljana’s Old Town includes a visit to Preseren Square, the Three Bridges, Dragon Bridge and Plecnik Market.
Day 5 Sarajevo & Mostar, Bosnia-Herzegovina.
In the early morning we arrive into the Bosnian capital of Sarajevo which is an intriguing blend of Eastern and Western culture; it has mosques and minarets, an ancient bazaar and an atmospheric old Turkish quarter. Discover the city’s poignant history through a guided tour detailing the horrors of the Balkan War. The scars of war are still evident as we travel past war-torn buildings and we make a special visit to the Tunnel Museum under Sarajevo Airport. Our guide, who lived through the 1992-1996 conflict, brings to life the struggles the citizens of Sarajevo faced during the siege of the city. Following lunch on board our private train, this afternoon we travel along a very scenic line to the historic city of Mostar, the crossroads of many civilisations, cultures and three religions. Mostar was one of the most important cities of the Ottoman Empire. The town’s renowned stone arch bridge linking the Christian and Muslim areas was re-built in the summer of 2004. We also visit Turkish House and the mosque before walking through the narrow, bazaar streets, where you can shop for traditional souvenirs and handicrafts.
Day 6 Belgrade, Serbia.
Arrive this morning in the Serbian capital, Belgrade, the former Yugoslavian capital. Located at the strategic meeting point of the Danube and Sava Rivers, this truly cosmopolitan city has fortifications from Celtic times, Medieval tombs and Turkish baths. We spend a full day here and our city tour includes the ‘House of Flowers’ –the mausoleum of Josip Tito, the Town Hall, Republic Square and Knez Mihajlova Street, as well as ‘Varos’ Gate and a visit to the mighty Kalemegdan Fortress.
Day 7 Bar & Podgorica, Montenegro.
Today we cross the border into Montenegro, still one of Europe’s largely undiscovered locations. Blessed with glorious beaches and spectacular landscapes of rugged mountains, gentle lakes and Medieval towns, Montenegro has a combination of incredible natural beauty and captivating history that makes it a fascinating place to visit. This morning we arrive into Bar where we enjoy a short sightseeing tour of the coastal town. During lunch on board our private train we travel onto the capital city of Podgorica. The city has passed through the empires of the Romans, Ottomans and the Austro-Hungarians. Its streets are an interesting hotchpotch of Ottoman oddments, Austrian shopfronts, communist tower blocks and modern shopping malls.
Day 8 Skopje, Macedonia.
Today we arrive in little-visited Skopje and discover a city where the Ottoman influences are still strong. Explore the narrow streets of the Old Town with tiny shops and mosques with ceramic-tiled interiors. Meander through the Old Bazaar area, brimming with things to buy, and cross the 15th century Stone Bridge which links the bazaar to the modern town.
Day 9 Sofia & Plovdiv, Bulgaria.
The site of Bulgaria’s modern capital, at the foot of Mount Vitosha, Sofia was first occupied by the Thracian tribe of Serdi. On our morning tour we will visit sections of the Roman wall, admire the ancient Church of St George, the golden domed Alexander Nevsky Cathedral and the Turkish Bashi Mosque. We enjoy lunch on the train as we travel to Plovdiv. The second largest city in Bulgaria after Sofia, ‘The City of Seven Hills’ is one of the oldest cities in Europe with more than 200 known archaeological sites. We spend the afternoon here exploring the Roman Forum and Amphitheatre and we also visit the charming Old Town including its Medieval walls and Ottoman baths.
Days 10 & 11 Istanbul, Turkey.
Disembark the Golden Eagle Danube Express for a two night stay in Istanbul, the fabled city that spans Asia and Europe. During our time in the city we will visit the crown jewel of the Ottoman Empire, Topkapi Palace. This stunning palace is the largest and oldest in the world and was the primary residence of the Ottoman Sultans from 1465 to 1853. Hagia Sophia was built in the 6th century by the Emperor Justinian and was one of the largest basilicas in the Christian world. After the Ottoman conquest, it was converted to a mosque and is today one of the most magnificent Grand Mosques in the world. One of the most famous monuments in both the Turkish and Islamic worlds, the Sultan Ahmet Mosque (the Blue Mosque) is a superb creation in the classical Ottoman style. We will have time to marvel at the exterior of the building which features six towering minarets and 260 windows illuminating its vast main chamber. We will also enjoy an afternoon cruise on the legendary Bosphorus and a visit to the Grand Bazaar.
Day 12 Istanbul to London.
Check out this morning and transfer to the airport for our scheduled flight to London.
Dates and Prices
8 to 19 May 2026 • 5 to 16 October 2026 | ||
---|---|---|
Category | Price | |
Deluxe Class | £15995 | |
Superior Deluxe Class | £20295 | |
Deluxe Class for sole occupancy | £23495 | |
Superior Deluxe Class for sole occupancy | £33795 |
Tour Reference Code: LABALKANE
PRICE INCLUDES: Scheduled air travel • Two nights accommodation at Hotel Monaco & Grand Canal in Venice (or similar) • Seven nights aboard the Golden Eagle Danube Express Train • Two nights accommodation at the Four Seasons Sultanahmet in Istanbul (or similar) • All meals • All alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages from standard bar list whilst on board the Golden Eagle Danube Express • Wine, beer and soft drinks with included lunches and dinners off the train • Excursions • Hotel Porterage • All Gratuities • Transfers • Airport taxes.
Not Included: Travel insurance.
Important Information: Please note that all bookings (including those made by Commodore Club members) are subject to a 10% deposit, except where the booking is made within 90 days of departure, in which case full payment will be required at the time of booking. Please also note that nonstandard cancellation fees terms apply to bookings for this holiday. Please refer to the “Booking Conditions For This Tour” tab and contact us if you require further information.
Golden Eagle Danube Express
We are delighted to be working with Golden Eagle Luxury Trains in offering a selection of cabins aboard the Golden Eagle Danube Express which was specially built to cater for the demands of today’s most discerning traveller, accommodating a maximum of 62 guests. Carefully designed with comfort and enjoyment in mind, the Golden Eagle Danube Express provides the ideal base for a series of spectacular private rail journeys through Europe, combining iconic cities with stunning countryside. On board, the spacious and comfortable cabins, the high-quality dining and the attention to detail of the staff combine to create what is effectively a rolling luxury hotel.
Booking Conditions For This Tour
Golden Eagle Danube Express - Addendum to Booking Conditions (Click to Download)
Before you confirm your booking for the Golden Eagle Danube Express, please be aware that all bookings for this holiday are subject to non-standard booking conditions. You should still complete Noble Caledonia’s standard booking form and should read through our standard booking conditions. Please note, though, that section 6(a) of Noble Caledonia’s standard booking conditions will be altered for the purposes of your booking for this holiday and that the following alternate version of 6(a) shall apply instead of the standard one:
6(a) You or any member of your party may cancel your holiday at any time before departure. Notification should be made in writing or via the telephone or made on your behalf by your travel agent. Notification of cancellation will be effective when it is received by us at our offices. Since we incur costs in cancelling your holiday, you will have to pay the applicable cancellation charges up to the maximum shown below (although please note the exceptions outlined in Part 6(c) below):
Period before the day of departure within which cancellation notification is received by us | Amount of cancellation fee as % of total holiday price payable* |
90 days or more | 10%*† |
70 to 89 days | 40%* |
61 to 69 days | 60%* |
60 days or fewer | 100%* |
* Plus any additional amendment charges or cancellation charges for upgraded and/or connecting travel arrangements or other additional extras (see part 3(d) of these Booking Conditions).
† In the event that you cancel your holiday and in the event that notification of said cancellation is received by us 90 days or more before the commencement of your holiday, please note that (i) if the value of the payment that you made to us as a deposit for your holiday booking was less than 10% of your total holiday price, you may have to pay a further top-up amount to Noble Caledonia such that, following our receipt of said top-up payment, the total amount then paid by you as a cancellation fee equates to 10% of your total holiday price, and that (ii) if we have asked you for a deposit payment of more than 10% of your total holiday price, in accordance with section 3(a) of these Booking Conditions, that higher amount will be the value of your cancellation fee. The cancellation charges set out above have been calculated as a genuine pre-estimate of the losses we would incur in the event you cancel your holiday within the stipulated time period, taking into account the charges we will incur from our suppliers (some of which may be up to 100%) and our expected cost savings and income from alternative deployment of the travel services that comprise your holiday package. We will deduct your cancellation charges from the monies that you have already paid to us and will reimburse any remaining monies within 14 days of our receipt of your cancellation notification. Where your cancellation charges exceed the value of the monies that you have already paid to us, we will contact you for the payment of the remainder, which shall be due within 14 days of our receipt of your cancellation notification. Note: If the reason for your cancellation is covered under the terms of your insurance policy, you may be able to reclaim these charges and other costs that you may incur as a result of your cancellation from your insurer. You should contact your insurer for information about this at the earliest opportunity and you should double-check your terms of cover and double-check and conditions relating to time bars on claims.
Please also note that we require a 10% deposit for all bookings for this holiday and that, if you are a Commodore Club member, your usual 5% deposit benefit will not be available on this occasion.
Aside from the above exceptions, all other terms of Noble Caledonia’s standard booking conditions are unchanged.
When confirming your booking, we will ask you to acknowledge your receipt of this addendum to our standard booking conditions and confirm your acceptance of the above
Also of Interest
Scenic Wonders of Slovenia
A seven night escorted tour of the music, lakes & landscapes of Solvenia including Lake Bled
Slovenia Accommodation
Itinerary at a glance
- Ljubljana / Bled / Radovljica / Lipica / Stanjel / Rinka Waterfall / Mozirski Gaj / Logarska Valley
From Paris to Istanbul
An iconic rail journey across the continent aboard the Golden Eagle Danube Express
Golden Eagle Danube Express
Itinerary at a glance
- Paris / Champagne / Vienna / Postojna / Belgrade / Sofia / Istanbul
Book with Confidence
Speak to one of our advisors on 020 7752 0000