|
Train Type: Luxury
The Tour
The classic Orient-Express journey. Depart from Istanbul and travel through Turkey and Bulgaria. Arrive the next day in Bucharest for a one-night stay, and continue your journey towards Budapest where you stay one night. Rejoin the train the next day and travel into Austria, stopping for a short city tour in Vienna before your overnight journey to Venice, where your journey ends.
“…Whoever the mastermind was, he or she has a flair for the dramatic. At every stop, our train was met by everything from Budapest’s red-jacketed Hungarian military band to native-clad dancers at the Turkish border to the exotic, reedy whine of Ottoman-style Turkish musicians in Istanbul.”
— Owen Hardy, The International Railway Traveler
The Itinerary
Friday - Check in at Istanbul’s Sirecki station in the afternoon to board the blue and gold Wagons-Lits of the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express. Depart at 4:10 p.m. As the train leaves the station you glimpse magnificent views of the Sea of Marmara. Dinner and overnight on board the train.
Saturday - Continental breakfast is served in your cabin as the train travels through Bulgaria and on into Romania. After lunch onboard, VSOE arrives at Bucharest Nord station at 1:36 p.m. Enjoy an early-afternoon tour of the city. Dinner and overnight in Bucharest at the Athenée Palace Hilton Hotel.
Sunday - Depart Bucharest at 10:15 a.m. at for the short journey to the mountain town of Sinaia, where you arrive at noon. Transfer to a local restaurant for buffet lunch. Then it's on to Peles Castle, the summer home of the former King Carol. This beautiful castle was also visited by the very first Orient-Express guests in 1883. Return to the station for your 5:35 p.m. departure for Hungary. Dinner and overnight on board.
Monday - Arrive Budapest at 10:02 a.m. Enjoy a sightseeing tour of this city split into two parts by the Danube river. Lunch is provided before transferring to the Sofitel Hotel for an overnight stay. Dinner and overnight in Budapest.
Tuesday - Depart Budapest 10:26 a.m. Lunch is served as the train crosses into Austria, arriving Vienna (Süd station) at 2:30 p.m., where you disembark for a visit to this beautiful city. Rejoin the train for a 7:20 p.m. departure. Enjoy dinner and your final night on board.
Wednesday - After breakfast on board, while traveling through Italy, arrive in Venice (Santa Lucia station) 10:02 a.m. and disembark into the sparkling city. A great new addition to this itinerary: while your luggage is being taken separately to your hotel, you'll travel by boat to Burano, enjoy an included lunch, and then be transported in the afternoon to your hotel. (Not just the Orient Express hotel - but the hotel of your choice.)
2010 Dates:
Sept. 3-9
2011 Dates:
Sept. 9-14
The Prices
2010 rates
|
| Accommodations |
Price
|
Deposit
|
| Double |
$7,840
|
25%
|
| Single |
$11,890
|
25%
|
| Cabin Suite |
$11,890
|
25%
|
2011 rates
|
| Accommodations |
Price
|
Deposit
|
| Double |
$8,080
|
25%
|
| Single |
$12,260
|
25%
|
| Cabin Suite |
$12,260
|
25%
|
Other:
Prices are per person and include all table d'hôte meals and accommodation.
Note Turkish visa required in advance for this journey.
IRT is happy to arrange any pre- or post-tour additions.
| Suggested tour extensions: |
| • |
Three-night pre-tour stay in Istanbul. Visit nearby Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Cistern, nostalgic tram, spice market with private guide. We'd love to arrange a package for you.
|
| • |
Post-journey stay in Venice with tours of St. Mark's Basillica, the Doge's Palace, the Grand Canal via "Vaporetto," with private guide. Our highly recommended hotel: the Cipriani, but we can do other hotels of course, too.
|
| • |
Cruise opportunities out of Istanbul, or from Venice, abound. Please inquire. |
to top
|
 |
 |
The Highlights
| • |
The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express itself, with lovingly restored 1920s-era cars, five-star dining and stellar service |
| • |
Stays at exclusive, five-star hotels in Bucharest and Budapest |
| • |
Romania’s Peles Castle, built in 1883 and considered one of Europe’s finest royal palaces |
| • |
Musical events throughout |
| • |
Tour of the Euxinograd Palace, set in beautiful gardens in Varna, Bulgaria, on the Black Sea |
| • |
A perfect blend of three overnights on luxury train and two nights in deluxe hotels |
| • |
All meals and off-train tours included except where noted. Traditional gratuities to train staff and on-board wine and liquor not included |
| • |
Pre- and post-tour extensions available in Istanbul, Venice (see "Other" below) Please note in Venice, you'll be transferred to your hotel as part of the package price.
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
Istanbul's Sirecki Station. Photo by Richard Brandt
|
|
|
|
Panel from the VSOE's famous
|
|
|
|
Turkish culinary specialties served in the VSOE diner. Photo by Richard Brandt
|
|
|
|
VSOE stewards await passengers on station platform. Photo by Richard Brandt
|
|
