7-country trip: From Istanbul to Paris on the Great European Express

from $8,900

Today you will fly to the metropolis that is the only city in the world to connect two continents. After landing, you will be warmly welcomed by your tour guide and driven to your centrally located hotel, where you will spend the night. As a grand overture, you will enjoy a welcome dinner in the evening, enchanted by the sparkling sea of lights of the eternal metropolis between the Orient and the Occident. (A)

The sensual beauty of the Bosporus, between 1001 Nights and hip trendy districts, will easily wrap you around its finger. From Topkapi Palace, you can look out over the swaying boats in the strait between Europe and Asia. The legendary treasure chamber and harem transport you to the fairy-tale world of the ancient Orient. The Grand Bazaar is no less impressive, where you can haggle with friendly merchants. Of course, a detour to the magnificent Sirkeçi railway station, once the terminus of the legendary Orient Express and the starting point of Hercule Poirot's journey in Agatha Christie's famous novel, is a must. The Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque, symbols of the ancient rivalry between Constantinople and Istanbul, are much more contemplative. After a boat trip on the Bosphorus, you will drive to the train station, where your private special train will be waiting for you. At the reception, you will toast your upcoming train adventure with sparkling champagne. Make yourself comfortable in your stylish compartment as your train leaves the Turkish metropolis behind. (FMA)

When you wake up, you rub your eyes in amazement, because on your way to a delicious breakfast, you pass the southern Balkan Mountains and one of Bulgaria's highest passes, the Shipka Pass, on a scenic route. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the warm service and nostalgic flair on board in the gorges of the Balkans, as Karl May would say. In the afternoon, you will reach Bulgaria's old capital, Veliko Tarnovo. Quaint stone houses pile up on top of each other along the wild meanders of the Yantra River, sending you on a journey back in time to the Middle Ages. Towering above it all is the Zarewez castle hill with its defiant walls and towers. Just a few kilometers away is the village of Arbanassi, a 17th-century open-air museum with its lovingly restored farmhouses and fresco-decorated Orthodox churches. At sunset, you will cross the Danube near the city of Ruse, which forms the border between Romania and Bulgaria. (FMA)

Early in the morning, you will reach the vast green plains of Wallachia and soon after, Romania's capital Bucharest. A touch of Paris wafts over the city tour, which takes you to the Triumphal Arch and elegant Art Nouveau arcades. The House of the People, now the seat of parliament, bears witness to the megalomania of dictator Ceausescu. At Revolution Square in front of it, you will learn how the socialist nightmare came to an end in 1989. While you have lunch in the on-board restaurant, you will leave the city of great contrasts and head north. In the afternoon, your train crosses the wild Southern Carpathians. Dramatic mountains rise to over 2,000 m here. The steep gorges are home to brown bears, wolves, and lynxes. Welcome to Transylvania, which has been in the hands of Saxon settlers since the 12th century. Here, an architectural gem awaits you: Kronstadt with its magnificent town hall square, colorful Baroque facades, quaint cafés, Europe's narrowest alley, and the Black Church. And then you follow the eerie trail of Count Dracula. As if Transylvania had placed a pointed crown on its head, Bran Castle towers over dark hills. It is said that the most famous vampire in literary history resided here. What is myth and what is historically proven? Today you will find out. At dinner, you will be back on track – heading northwest. (FMA)

The green hills of the Hungarian lowlands stretch as far as the eye can see. What would a trip to Hungary be without a detour to the Puszta? From the train station in the charming town of Kecskemét, you will travel through the vast plain dotted with draw wells to a time-honored riding stable. After a traditional welcome with apricot schnapps and pretzels, you will witness a spectacular horse show. The acrobatic riding skills of the Magyars are legendary – even the huge gray cattle are amazed! Accompanied by the wild sounds of Csárdás, you leave the estate and board your train again. Your train will reach Budapest in the early afternoon. Here you will leave your rolling home: tonight you will stay in a hotel in the old town. Budapest consists of two cities separated by the Danube. What could be more natural than to view the architectural gems of the city from their most beautiful perspective, namely on a Danube cruise by excursion boat? On one side, you will see the Citadel, Fisherman's Bastion, and Gellért Hill; on the other, the Great Market Hall, the Old Town Palace, and the largest parliament building in the world. Of course, you will also pass the famous Chain Bridge and Margaret Island, Budapest's green lung in the middle of the Danube. Hungary's capital is full of history and stories – a symphony for all the senses! (FMA)

After breakfast, you will return to the train station, where your nostalgic special train will be waiting for you. Soon you will leave Budapest behind and travel through the Hungarian lowlands to the Austrian-Hungarian border. In the afternoon, the world capital of music will welcome you. Vienna is an experience in itself, effortlessly balancing imperial flair and modernity, Art Nouveau and Hundertwasser, coffee house culture and trendy bars. From the Westbahnhof station, you can easily explore Vienna on your own using public transportation, choosing between the Hofburg, St. Stephen's Cathedral, the Naschmarkt, and the Prater. For a sweet finale, enjoy a melange, pastries, and Viennese charm in one of the famous coffee houses. In the soft evening light, you will be back on board and soon rolling westward on the tracks of the Semmering Railway, Europe's very first mountain railway. This technical marvel has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1998. (FMA)

Early risers take note, because a highlight in the truest sense of the word lies ahead: crossing the Alps from east to west. From the train, you have an unobstructed view of the Alpine peaks. Sit back in the elegant saloon car and watch the majestic mountain giants and colourfully painted alpine huts pass by. You will follow the Inn Valley through Tyrol, cross the tiny Principality of Liechtenstein, and reach the Swiss canton of St. Gallen. In the morning, Lucerne awaits you with its covered Chapel Bridge, the city's landmark, narrow streets, and colorful medieval guild houses around the wine market. From here, the journey continues to Kriens. The ride on the cable car and panoramic gondola lift through bizarre rock faces up to Lucerne's local mountain, Pilatus, is breathtaking. 72 Alpine peaks lie before you, and with a little luck you may even see the mighty Mont Blanc on the horizon. Afterwards, you descend again. In the afternoon, your special train sets off. After a short journey, you reach France and stop in Colmar, which has the most beautiful old town in Alsace. On a detour to one of the world-famous wineries, green vineyards and golden sparkling nectar await you – a feast for all the senses. You return on board in high spirits. Bonne nuit! (FMA)

In the morning, your special train arrives at Paris's Gare de L'Est. After breakfast, it's time to say goodbye to your hotel on rails and its friendly crew. But the pain of parting doesn't last long. Because the city of love will captivate you in no time at all. To this day, the artistic district of Montmartre exudes the bohemian flair of the Belle Époque. From the steps of the snow-white Sacré-Coeur church, the whole of Paris lies at your feet. On a city tour, you will visit famous places such as the Eiffel Tower, the Opera, the Place Vendôme, and stroll from the Arc de Triomphe along the Champs-Élysées. With the songs of the street musicians still ringing in your ears, you will head to an atmospheric farewell dinner, where you and your fellow travelers can look back on the experiences of a unique journey across Europe. On this last night, you will stay in a centrally located hotel in the French capital. (FMA)

Even the most beautiful journey must come to an end. Today you will travel to Paris airport and begin your journey home. (B)