Great Rail Journeys
Golden Eagle Danube Express – Grand Alpine Explorer
11 daysfrom $22,657
MIR Corporation · Rail Journey
Grand Alpine Express
Venture from Budapest, one of Central Europe's star attractions, west through the Alps of Austria and Switzerland, then south and east across northern Italy and into the Slovenian Alps, concluding amidst the canals of Venice.
Day by day
- Day 1railovernight: Budapest
Budapest (Hungary)
Start off with a Welcome Dinner and two nights in Hungary's capital, Budapest. Spend a full day exploring the UNESCO-listed city, strolling its broad avenues and marveling at the fine baroque, neoclassical, and art nouveau architecture. On the third day board the Golden Eagle Danube Express and head west to Austria.
- Day 2railovernight: Budapest
Budapest (Hungary)
Start off with a Welcome Dinner and two nights in Hungary's capital, Budapest. Spend a full day exploring the UNESCO-listed city, strolling its broad avenues and marveling at the fine baroque, neoclassical, and art nouveau architecture. On the third day board the Golden Eagle Danube Express and head west to Austria.
- Day 3railovernight: Aboard the Golden Eagle Danube Express
Vienna (Austria), Innsbruck
Stop in the afternoon of the third day in Austria's stunning capital, Vienna. Explore the Naschmarkt with its food and antique stalls, and then visit the beautiful Schonbrunn Palace. The next day is a spectacular one with alpine views along the Semmering Railway and from aboard a cruise on lake Achen. The day ends amidst the medieval architecture of the Altstadt of the picturesque capital of Austria's Tyrol region, Innsbruck.
- Day 4railovernight: Aboard the Golden Eagle Danube Express
Vienna (Austria), Innsbruck
Stop in the afternoon of the third day in Austria's stunning capital, Vienna. Explore the Naschmarkt with its food and antique stalls, and then visit the beautiful Schonbrunn Palace. The next day is a spectacular one with alpine views along the Semmering Railway and from aboard a cruise on lake Achen. The day ends amidst the medieval architecture of the Altstadt of the picturesque capital of Austria's Tyrol region, Innsbruck.
- Day 5railovernight: Aboard the Golden Eagle Danube Express
Zurich (Switzerland)
The train continues west, passing through more iconic alpine scenery and briefly crossing Liechtenstein. Then descend down to Switzerland's financial capital, Zurich. Take part in a fondue tasting this evening, a Swiss tradition.
- Day 6overnight: Aboard the Golden Eagle Danube Express
Lake Como (Italy), Verona
Head south out of the Alps, passing yet more gorgeous scenery along Lake Zug and Lake Lucerne, and while passing over St. Gotthard Pass into Italy. Once in Italy explore the Lake Como area before heading on to Verona.
- Day 7overnight: Aboard the Golden Eagle Danube Express
Lake Como (Italy), Verona
Head south out of the Alps, passing yet more gorgeous scenery along Lake Zug and Lake Lucerne, and while passing over St. Gotthard Pass into Italy. Once in Italy explore the Lake Como area before heading on to Verona.
- Day 8overnight: Aboard the Golden Eagle Danube Express
Lake Bled (Slovenia), Ljubljana, Postojna
Heading north from Trieste, enter Slovenia, formerly part of Yugoslavia and now one of Central Europe's highlights. Stop first at postcard-worthy Lake Bled, a beautiful lake with a church on an island in the center. Then continue on to the capital, Ljubljana. Explore the city's architecture and wonderful bridges. The next day head down into the Postojna caves before crossing back into Italy.
- Day 9overnight: Aboard the Golden Eagle Danube Express
Lake Bled (Slovenia), Ljubljana, Postojna
Heading north from Trieste, enter Slovenia, formerly part of Yugoslavia and now one of Central Europe's highlights. Stop first at postcard-worthy Lake Bled, a beautiful lake with a church on an island in the center. Then continue on to the capital, Ljubljana. Explore the city's architecture and wonderful bridges. The next day head down into the Postojna caves before crossing back into Italy.
- Day 10railovernight: Venice
Venice (Italy)
Your journey concludes in Venice, Italy. Queen of European cities by the 13th century, beautiful Venice still rules in travelers' hearts. Enjoy a walking tour of the city's most important sights. Then round out the experience with a short gondola ride on the canals. A farewell reception and departures the next morning bring this rail odyssey to a close.
- Day 11railovernight: Venice
Venice (Italy)
Your journey concludes in Venice, Italy. Queen of European cities by the 13th century, beautiful Venice still rules in travelers' hearts. Enjoy a walking tour of the city's most important sights. Then round out the experience with a short gondola ride on the canals. A farewell reception and departures the next morning bring this rail odyssey to a close.
Included
- Accommodation aboard the Golden Eagle Danube Express private train.
- Hotel accommodation per the itinerary (2 nights in Budapest, 2 nights in Venice).
- All meals starting with dinner on Day 1 until breakfast on final tour day.
- A generous allowance of wine or local beer, soft drinks and water with all lunches and dinners.
- Complimentary tea, coffee and mineral water round the clock from your car attendant while on board the train.
- Complimentary draft beer in the Bar Car for all passengers.
- Arrival/departure transfers, provided you arrive and depart on the tour start/end dates and in the tour start/end cities.
- All guided off-train tours per itinerary.
- The services of an experienced Train Tour Manager, with local guides for scheduled off-train touring.
- All gratuities.
- Baggage handling.
- Complete pre-departure electronic document that includes detailed packing suggestions, reading list links, country-specific information, maps, travel tips and more.
- Customized visa application and instruction kit (please note, visa fees are not included in the tour price).
- Electronic final update bulletin, with any late news, updates and important information.
- Assistance booking your custom flight arrangements, on request.
Not included
- International airfare or surface transport to the point of joining/leaving the tour.
- Meals and drinks not specified as included in the itinerary.
- Single supplement (difference between double rate and single occupancy rate) if requested or required.
- Optional pre- or post-tour extensions.
- Expenses incurred as a result of delay, modification, or extension of a tour due to causes beyond MIR's control.
- Visa fees, excess baggage charges, airport departure taxes, vaccination and other medical costs.
- Travel insurance including cancellation, medical, and evacuation insurance.
- Items of a purely personal nature (laundry, telephone, bar account, photography at museums, etc).
- Drinks, beyond draft beer in the Bar Car, and beer and wine at set meals.
