The Danube Express- The Bohemian.

Frankfurt to Budapest via Karlštejn Castle and Prague.

A 6-day holiday travelling across Bohemia to the fairytale castle at Karlštejn and on to beguiling Prague.

Day 1 : London to Frankfurt

Meet your Tour Manager at St Pancras International for a morning Eurostar™ departure. Breakfast is served during the journey to Brussels. Board Germany's prestige Intercity Express to Frankfurt where the Danube Express awaits for a late afternoon departure.

Step aboard and your sleeping car attendant shows you to your private accommodation. Take time to settle in before dinner, served as the forests and undulating hills of Franconia drift by and give way to rural Bavaria. Later, the Lounge car comes alive as the train continues overnight towards the Czech Republic.

Day 2 : Karlštejn & Prague

Wake as the train threads its way through the picturesque Bohemian countryside to Karlštejn whose fairytale castle sits majestically above the village, surrounded by lush forests and vineyards. Built by Czech King and Holy Roman Emperor Charles IV for the safekeeping of royal and holy treasures, a tour of the castle includes the Imperial Palace and the Marian Tower.

Take lunch en route to Prague, the "City of a Hundred Spires". Sure to captivate with its medieval centre, cobbled streets and vibrant contemporary culture, a guided tour includes St Vitus' Cathedral, Hradcany Castle and the Charles Bridge as well as the striking Old Town Hall Tower with its Astronomical Clock. Dine back on board as the Danube Express heads overnight to Hungary.

Day 3 : Budapest

There are glimpses of the Danube as breakfast is served prior to arrival at Budapest Nyugati station where the Danube Express bids you farewell.

A tour acquaints you with this fascinating city of two halves, Buda and Pest. Its many architectural styles - Gothic, Art Nouveau and Bauhaus - are indicative of a rich history and turbulent past. Pass 19th and 20th century mansions in Pest en route to City Park and Heroes' Square. Stop here to learn more of Hungarian culture and history, then carry on past the Cathedral and one of Budapest's best known landmarks, the magnificent Parliament Building. Cross the Danube to Buda and delight in breathtaking views from Gellert Hill before visiting Fisherman's Bastion and St Matthias Church on Castle Hill.

Transfer to the Hotel Astoria (4-star) where you stay three nights. Centrally located in Budapest with easy access to all areas of the city, the Astoria is just a few minutes' walk from the Danube. The afternoon is free to explore or simply to relax in a coffee house or café and watch the world go by.

After dinner, take a stroll down to the river to see the spectacular view of the illuminated city.

Day 4 : Danube Bend

Today's excursion is to the Danube Bend where forested hills dominate the landscape of this beautiful section of the river. In Esztergom, see the impressive Basilica, Hungary's largest church. Stop for lunch in Visegrád where the medieval castle, set high on a hill, overlooks the Danube and later, wander through the charming town of Szentendre with its museums, artists and galleries.

Day 5 : Budapest

Today you are free to discover more of this intriguing city. Visit a museum or spa; take a walk in City Park or perhaps a cruise on the Danube.

Day 6 : Budapest to London

Transfer to Budapest airport for the 13:30 British Airways flight to London Heathrow arriving late afternoon.

If you would prefer to return to the UK by rail, please see the pricing panel below for supplementary cost and the Travel Options page.

INCLUDED ON THE DANUBE EXPRESS :

Days 1 - 3 of the itinerary with full sightseeing as described, joining the Danube Express at Frankfurt Hauptbahnhof and leaving at Budapest Nyugati station.
Two nights on the Danube Express, in the accommodation of your choice, with all meals and complimentary wine, beer and soft drinks.
Services of a Train Manager throughout.

INCLUDED ADDITIONALLY ON FULLY ESCORTED HOLIDAY :

Outbound Eurostar™ from London to Brussels in Leisure Select with breakfast included and First Class rail travel from Brussels to Frankfurt by InterCity Express.
Return scheduled British Airways flight, Economy Class, from Budapest to London.
Three nights’ hotel accommodation with breakfast. Two dinners and one lunch in Budapest. Please see Hotels page for full information on the hotels.
Full sightseeing programme as described.
Services of a Tour Manager throughout.
All transfers and porterage.

Please contact us for details, prices and availability of add-on flights from regional airports and flight upgrades.

NOT INCLUDED ON :