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Railbookers · Luxury train vacation

Golden Eagle Danube Express - Paris to Istanbul with Cappadocia

Twelve-day Paris-to-Istanbul luxury train journey with a Cappadocia balloon-ride add-on

Illustration of Golden Eagle Danube Express - Paris to Istanbul with Cappadocia

Railbookers operates this 12-day, 11-night rail vacation from Paris to Istanbul, extending the Golden Eagle Danube Express journey with a Cappadocia add-on at the end. The trip opens with two nights in Paris, including a Moulin Rouge show, before boarding the train at Gare de Lyon Station with a champagne reception for five nights onboard in Deluxe class. The train travels through the French countryside, the Austrian Alps into Vienna for a private concert from the Vienna Supreme Orchestra, Postojna for a confectionary masterclass and cave excursion, Belgrade for a Serbian feast and Gala Dinner, and Sofia for a private crypt performance, arriving in Istanbul for a Farewell Dinner along the Bosphorus. After a further night in Istanbul, the trip flies to Cappadocia for a night in a cave hotel, with valley walks, the Underground City of Kaymakli, and a weather-dependent hot air balloon ride, before flying back to Istanbul to end the journey. This itinerary suits travelers who want the full Danube Express rail experience plus a landscape detour in Cappadocia.

What to know before you look closer

  • The Cappadocia extension is reached by a short flight from Istanbul and back, so this itinerary includes a domestic flight segment in addition to the rail journey.
  • The hot air balloon ride in Cappadocia is described as weather-dependent, so it is not guaranteed to run.
  • Paris and Istanbul hotel nights are each drawn from a list of hotel options depending on the package tier booked, rather than one hotel fixed at booking.
  • The evidence does not list specific departure dates for this itinerary; confirm current departures with Railbookers before booking.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Paris

    Your Journey Begins in Paris

    Welcome to Paris! Transfer to your luxury 5* hotel accommodation for a two-night stay. In the evening, enjoy the famous Moulin Rouge show with half a bottle of champagne.

  2. Day 2overnight: Paris

    Paris

    Enjoy breakfast at your hotel this morning, before a formal welcome reception dinner with your fellow travelers.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Onboard the Golden Eagle Danube Express

    Overnight Onboard The Golden Eagle Danube Express - Champagne

    Welcomed aboard the Golden Eagle Danube Express with a champagne reception at the Gare de Lyon Station. The train glides through the French countryside towards Champagne.

  4. Day 4railovernight: Onboard the Golden Eagle Danube Express

    Overnight Onboard The Golden Eagle Danube Express - Vienna

    Journey through the Austrian Alps into Switzerland. As evening falls, arrive in Vienna for a lavish dinner followed by a private concert from the Vienna Supreme Orchestra.

  5. Day 5railovernight: Onboard the Golden Eagle Danube Express

    Overnight Onboard The Golden Eagle Danube Express - Postojna

    A relaxed morning onboard, then an exclusive confectionary masterclass. This evening, venture into the Postojna Caves by train.

  6. Day 6railovernight: Onboard the Golden Eagle Danube Express

    Overnight Onboard The Golden Eagle Danube Express - Belgrade

    Visit Tito's legendary blue train, a traditional Serbian feast, and a Rakija tasting session. The day culminates with a Gala Dinner by Head Chef Ramon Batta.

  7. Day 7railovernight: Onboard the Golden Eagle Danube Express

    Overnight Onboard The Golden Eagle Danube Express - Sofia

    Explore the ancient Roman city of Serdica, majestic Orthodox churches, and Sofia's landmarks. Highlight: a private performance by the 'Cosmic Voices' of the Vanya Moneva Choir in the Crypt of the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral.

  8. Day 8railovernight: Istanbul

    Istanbul

    The culmination of the European rail journey, reaching Istanbul. The remainder of the day is free, leading up to a Farewell Dinner along the banks of the Bosphorus.

  9. Day 9overnight: Istanbul

    Istanbul

    Today is to enjoy at your leisure - cross the Bosphorus to the Asian side or climb to the top of the byzantine Galata Tower.

  10. Day 10overnight: Cappadocia

    Istanbul to Cappadocia

    An early start for a short flight to Cappadocia. Visit Devrent Valley, Goreme National Park, the pottery village of Avanos, and the ancient 'Monks Valley' before settling into your traditional cave hotel.

  11. Day 11overnight: Istanbul

    Cappadocia to Istanbul

    Stroll along the Red and Rose valley, visit the troglodyte village of Cavusin and its Rock Castle, the Underground City of Kaymakli, and Pigeon Valley. Enjoy a weather-dependent balloon ride, then fly back to Istanbul.

  12. Day 12

    Your Journey Ends in Istanbul

    Check out of your hotel after breakfast this morning and continue with your travels.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 4Arrives in Vienna after crossing the Austrian Alps, for a lavish dinner followed by a private concert from the Vienna Supreme Orchestra.
  • Day 7Explores the ancient Roman city of Serdica and Sofia's Orthodox churches, with a private performance by the 'Cosmic Voices' of the Vanya Moneva Choir in the Crypt of the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral.
  • Day 8Reaches Istanbul, the culmination of the European rail journey, closing with a Farewell Dinner along the banks of the Bosphorus.
  • Day 10Flies to Cappadocia and visits Devrent Valley, Goreme National Park, the pottery village of Avanos, and the ancient 'Monks Valley' before settling into a traditional cave hotel.
  • Day 11Strolls the Red and Rose Valley, visits the troglodyte village of Cavusin and its Rock Castle and the Underground City of Kaymakli, and takes a weather-dependent hot air balloon ride.

Included

  • Rail travel as per itinerary
  • 2 nights 5* hotel accommodation with breakfast in Paris
  • 3 nights 5* hotel accommodation with breakfast in Istanbul
  • 1 night hotel accommodation in a cave hotel with breakfast in Cappadocia
  • 5 nights of all-inclusive accommodation onboard The Golden Eagle Danube Express in Deluxe class including: 24-hour onboard service, complimentary tea, coffee, and water, all meals and accompanying drinks, guided off-train excursions as listed, personal headsets with audio commentary, on-board doctors and medical facilities, all gratuities
  • Moulin Rouge tickets in Paris with Champagne
  • Balloon Ride in Cappadocia (including flights from/to Istanbul)
  • Transfers as per itinerary

Questions travellers ask

Is rail travel included on this trip?
Yes. Railbookers includes rail travel as per the itinerary, including 5 nights of all-inclusive accommodation onboard the Golden Eagle Danube Express in Deluxe class, covering meals, drinks, guided off-train excursions, and gratuities.
Is this trip escorted or independent?
It is escorted onboard the Golden Eagle Danube Express, with dedicated staff and guided excursions, combined with independent time to explore Paris and Istanbul at your own pace.
Which train is used?
The Golden Eagle Danube Express, in Deluxe class, running from Paris to Istanbul.
How do you get to Cappadocia?
By a short flight from Istanbul, included in the package along with the return flight back to Istanbul.
Is the Cappadocia hot air balloon ride guaranteed?
No, the evidence describes it as weather-dependent.

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