Discover the fascinating history, vibrant culture, and medieval relics of this enchanting region as we venture through the lush landscapes of the Balkan states and their neighboring countries on the Balkan Explorer journey aboard the Golden Eagle Danube Express. Meandering through verdant landscapes and along turquoise coastlines, this exclusive rail cruise delivers a captivating exploration of the Balkan nations.  Travel through an incredible nine countries in just 11 days, with the Golden Eagle Danube Express as your comfortable hotel-on-wheels.

Add the 'Castles of Transylvania' tour, a 7-day Istanbul-Budapest extension to your Balkan Explorer journey! Click here for more information.

Explore Eastern Europe's Balkans on the Golden Eagle Danube Express' Balkan Odyssey luxury rail journey. This is a region synonymous with history and legend, stunning architecture and colorful people, yet also with war and tragedy. In one glorious sweep, you’ll travel from Budapest, where you'll spend two nights at the famed Four Seasons Gresham Palace, then through Romania, Bulgaria, Serbia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Slovenia, and on into Venice’s Santa Lucia Station.  And you’ll do so in comfort, aboard the Golden Eagle Danube Express. The Danube Express' Balkan Odyssey passes through some of Europe’s most poignant and destructive periods of conflict, complemented by a fascinating insight into the future of modern Europe. The city of Budapest, a remarkable blend of medieval and Baroque style, is our starting point for this remarkable journey. Before boarding our exclusive train, we will take time to discover the absorbing history of the once divided cities of Buda and Pest and explore some of its modern day customs. Settle in to your private compartments aboard the elegant Golden Eagle Danube Express as your rail voyage meanders through stunningly beautiful countryside and awe-inspiring mountain ranges on an exploration of the mythical Transylvania region. We then route westwards though the intriguing countries of the former Yugoslavia.  At the end of this remarkable journey, we reach the stunning maritime city of Venice, a unique mix of Gothic and Renaissance palaces perched on the edge of the Italian coast.

The Grand Alpine Express is a scenic feast for the eyes. From the classic capital cities of Budapest and Vienna, venture deep into the Austrian Tyrol before heading across the valleys of the Swiss Alps and onward through the Italian Lake District as you visit Como and Garda before heading into the lesser-known but equally beautiful country of Slovenia and its crown jewel, Lake Bled. Traverse some of the most scenic railway lines in the world as the Golden Eagle Danube Express weaves its way through tunnels, across viaducts, and over mountain passes. Journey's end will be in the stunning maritime city of Venice, an outstanding mixture of Gothic and Renaissance palaces perched on the edge of the Italian coast. A perfect end to a memorable journey of alpine discovery.

 

The Crimean Express by Steam is a remarkable, historic and sweeping journey you won't want to miss. The last time IRT's Eleanor & Owen Hardy accompanied an IRT group on this itinerary, we both agreed it was one of our best ever. It was the perfect mix of the ancient (a cave monastery and a Greek settlement) to the historic (Catherine the Great's gorgeous summer palace and the site of the Yalta Conference) to the delicious (visits to fabulous wineries and dining on local delicacies with the region's famed dessert wines). Just thinking of these places now makes us want to pack our bags and do it again! Scheduled to be steam-hauled throughout the 3,750-mile journey, the tour begins in St. Petersburg and continues through Belarus and the Crimea by the private, steam-hauled Golden Eagle train. The journey ends in the Black Sea resort of Yalta. The trip includes two nights at the 5-star Four Seasons Hotel Lion Palace in St. Petersburg, and three nights at the 5-star Villa Elena Hotel in Yalta on the Black Sea. This is a fabulous itinerary — perfect for steam train aficionados, history buffs and lovers of the beautifully exotic. Railfan highlights include: the St. Petersburg railway museum, enjoying time on the train between Pavlovsk to Novgorod as you are hauled by the last steam locomotive built in the USSR, and taking in the Belarussian countryside en-route to the capital Minsk, hauled by two Su class steam locomotives, followed by two P36 class locos. Visit the largest remaining strategic reserve of steam locomotives in Roslavl (45 in total), tour the narrow-gauge Gagarin Children's Railway in Rostov-on-Don, and visit a locomotive repair depot in Tikhoretsk. Meanwhile, history and architecture aficionados will marvel at the ancient settlement of the Greeks, the cave monastery, Catherine the Great's frothy blue and white summer palace with its Amber Room. We'll also visit places important to the Yalta Conference during World War II: you'll feel like you were there, exploring Churchill's villa that overlooked the Black Sea, viewing Roosevelt's quarters and viewing Stalin's base. Lunch at the Swallow's Nest, narrowly perched on the edge of a cliff overlooking the Black Sea, was unforgettable, Eleanor says. "And one of the most memorable last nights on any train trip I've ever done," Eleanor says, "was dinner surrounded by roses, overlooking the Black Sea, listening to live local music and saying goodbye to a train full of friends."  

Celebrate New Year in Vienna in style aboard the Golden Eagle Danube Express with a special festive departure across Central Europe.  You'll be at the center of the festivities in beautiful Vienna. Our New Year's departure offers a sociable atmosphere combined with sumptuous gala dinners, music, opera, dancing, fireworks and exclusive regional celebrations that you will forever remember. From Budapest, venture through winter-wonderland landscapes. Chug across Central Europe, and glide through valleys beneath Austria's towering Alps. Along the way, encounter beautiful capital cities and hidden gems. Our New Year’s voyage by private train delivers a stylish combination of musical celebration, rich history and architectural treasures. The all-inclusive itinerary and the comfortable luxury of the Danube Express will whisk you from location to location in a manner not possible by any other means of travel. Why go? Because you simply must. Read IRT Founder Owen Hardy's account here.