Danube Express · 12 days · 11 nights
Balkan Explorer: Venice to Istanbul
Venice · Trieste · Postojna · Pula · Rijeka · Sarajevo · Mostar · Belgrade · Sofia · Plovdiv · Istanbul
Danube Express · 14 days, 13 nights
Aurelian Odyssey: Paris to Cappadocia
Fourteen days from Paris to Cappadocia: Champagne, Vienna, Postojna, Belgrade and Sofia, then Istanbul and across Anatolia.
- ParisDay 1
- ChampagneDay 2
- ViennaDay 3
- PostojnaDay 4
- BelgradeDay 5
- SofiaDay 6
- IstanbulDay 7
- IzmirDay 9
- EphesusDay 9
- DenizliDay 10
- HierapolisDay 10
- LaodiceaDay 10
- AnkaraDay 11
- KayseriDay 12
- CappadociaDay 12
Train stopExcursion by road
Duration14 days
Nights13
RouteParis → Cappadocia
Places visited15
From, per personOn request
Overview
This is the longest journey on the train: Paris to Istanbul through Champagne, Vienna, the Postojna Caves, Belgrade and Sofia, then a night in Istanbul before continuing across Anatolia to Ephesus, Hierapolis, Ankara and two final nights in Cappadocia.
- A champagne reception before leaving Paris
- A private Vienna Supreme Orchestra concert
- A cave-train ride through the Postojna Caves
- Tito's Blue Train and a rakija tasting in Belgrade
- A private Cosmic Voices choir performance in Sofia
- Ephesus, Hierapolis and Laodicea
- Göreme Open Air Museum and an optional balloon flight in Cappadocia
Day by day
Day 1Arrive in ParisParis
You are met and taken to a central five-star hotel for one night, with a welcome reception dinner.
Day 2Paris → ChampagneOn board the Danube Express
A champagne reception precedes boarding, then the train crosses the French countryside to Champagne, with its vineyards, cathedrals and wine heritage.
Day 3ViennaOn board the Danube Express
Enjoy the scenery from your cabin or the Bar Lounge Car as the train travels east. You reach Vienna at twilight for dinner and a private classical concert by the Vienna Supreme Orchestra.
Day 4PostojnaOn board the Danube Express
A relaxed morning on board, then after lunch a confectionery masterclass with the head pastry chef. In the evening you ride an underground train deep into the Postojna Caves.
Day 5BelgradeOn board the Danube Express
Explore Tito's famous Blue Train, enjoy a traditional Serbian feast and a rakija tasting, and stroll the city's streets. Back on board, the chefs present a gala dinner.
Day 6SofiaOn board the Danube Express
A morning in the Bar Lounge Car to the sound of the pianist, then a tour of Sofia's Roman ruins of Serdica, the City Garden and the Presidential Palace. A private performance by the Cosmic Voices choir follows.
Day 7IstanbulIstanbul
Arrive in Istanbul and check into the Four Seasons Hotel for one night. The rest of the day is free, followed by dinner together.
Day 8Istanbul → on boardOn board the Danube Express
Visit the Hippodrome, the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia, then after lunch the Spice Market. In the afternoon you rejoin the train for the journey into Anatolia.
Day 9Izmir & EphesusOn board the Danube Express
Visit Izmir's Roman Agora, then walk the marble streets of Ephesus to the Library of Celsus before returning to the train.
Day 10Denizli: Hierapolis & LaodiceaOn board the Danube Express
A full day exploring the UNESCO-listed spa city of Hierapolis, with its necropolis and theatre, and the early Christian city of Laodicea.
Day 11AnkaraOn board the Danube Express
Visit the Museum of Anatolian Civilisations and the Mausoleum of Atatürk, with lunch in a historic inn before reboarding.
Day 12Kayseri & CappadociaCappadocia
After a last breakfast on board you transfer from Kayseri to Cappadocia for the Ozkonak Underground City and the fairy chimneys of Paşabağ and Devrent valleys, then check into your hotel.
Day 13CappadociaCappadocia
Begin with an optional sunrise balloon flight, then visit the Göreme Open Air Museum, Pigeon Valley, Uçhisar and Ortahisar, ending with a farewell dinner.
Day 14Depart Cappadocia
After breakfast you are transferred to the airport.
Where you spend each night
- Night 1Paris
- Night 2On board the Danube Express
- Night 3On board the Danube Express
- Night 4On board the Danube Express
- Night 5On board the Danube Express
- Night 6On board the Danube Express
- Night 7Istanbul
- Night 8On board the Danube Express
- Night 9On board the Danube Express
- Night 10On board the Danube Express
- Night 11On board the Danube Express
- Night 12Cappadocia
- Night 13Cappadocia
The map is schematic. Dashed lines are excursions by road.
Most spacious
Superior Deluxe Class
12 cabins per departure · 8.6 m²
- King-size bed made up each evening
- Full-length sofa and two chairs for daytime
- Two large picture windows, one that opens
- En-suite shower room with WC (1.9 m²)
- Double wardrobe, safe, Wi-Fi and USB ports
Classic
Deluxe Class
5 cabins per carriage · 7.74 m²
- Two lower beds made up during dinner
- Two armchairs and a free-standing chair
- Large picture window that opens partially
- En-suite shower, washbasin and WC, heated towel rail
- Toiletries, dressing gown and hairdryer provided
Every cabin has its own private shower room, individually controlled air-conditioning and a dedicated cabin attendant.
- Five-star hotels: one night in Paris, one in Istanbul and two in Cappadocia; nine nights on the train
- Private en-suite cabin on the Danube Express
- Cabin attendant service with evening turndown
- An experienced tour management team throughout
- A UK-registered doctor and medical facilities on board
- Arrival and departure transfers
- All gratuities, on and off the train
- Luggage porterage throughout the journey
- Freshly prepared meals on board plus dining in local restaurants
- Alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks included
- Expertly guided off-train excursions as described in the itinerary
- 13 breakfasts, 12 lunches and 13 dinners
- Deposit
- 30% of the total at booking
- Final payment
- 125 days before departure
Dates and prices
Dates on request
New departures for this journey have not been released yet. Send us an enquiry or call (866) 484-7882 and we will hold your place on the list.
EnquireQuestions about this journey
How long is the Aurelian Odyssey?
Fourteen days and thirteen nights, the longest journey on the Danube Express. Nine nights are on the train, with hotel nights in Paris, Istanbul and Cappadocia.
How is this different from Paris to Istanbul?
It follows the same route from Paris through Champagne, Vienna, Postojna, Belgrade and Sofia, then continues from Istanbul across Anatolia to Ephesus, Hierapolis, Ankara and Cappadocia. It adds a night in Istanbul and two in Cappadocia.
Is the balloon flight in Cappadocia included?
The sunrise balloon flight is optional and carries a supplement. Guests who do not fly can watch from the ground.
What musical performances are included?
A private concert by the Vienna Supreme Orchestra in Vienna and a private performance by the Cosmic Voices choir in Sofia are included. The resident pianist also plays in the Bar Lounge Car in the evenings.
Which meals are included?
Thirteen breakfasts, twelve lunches and thirteen dinners are included, with alcoholic and soft drinks. A chefs' gala dinner on board and a farewell dinner in Cappadocia are among them.
What does it cost and when does it run?
Fares depend on the cabin class you choose and whether you travel as a couple or alone. Live dates and fares are shown on this page, and our reservations team can help on (866) 484-7882.
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