Budapest & Sarajevo Luxury Explorer (Ground Only)

DAY 1

After making your own flight arrangements to Budapest, you will meet the group at the Continental Hotel and, after check-in, we enjoy free time to explore our new surroundings before dining at leisure.

DAY 2

After breakfast today, we dive into the charm of Budapest with our included hop-on/hop-off bus tickets to explore some of the city's most famous and well-loved landmarks such as St. Stephen's Basilica, National Museum, Parliament Building, and Buda Castle. Our passes also feature a guided walking tour to learn the history, culture, and architecture of this city before a relaxing cruise of the River Danube.

DAY 3

This morning, we make our way to Keleti Station to board the luxurious Continental Classic Express travelling in First Class Pullman carriages with two- and four-seater reclining armchairs by the windows. Food and drinks will be served to our seats by the dedicated crew of the carriage, or you may wish to relax and meet our fellow passengers in the Adria Bar where drinks, snacks, and lounge music are provided. We enjoy a welcome glass of champagne, our breakfast, and a four-course lunch served on board as we journey through Hungary and Croatia to Bosnia learning the history and facts of the affected railway lines, settlements, and landscapes. On arrival in Sarajevo this evening, we transfer to the Movenpick Hotel, our hotel for the next four nights.

DAY 4

After breakfast, we re-join the Continental Classic Express to travel over the most scenic part of the line passing through no less than 89 tunnels and over numerous bridges as we traverse the Neretva Valley to Mostar. Here, we enjoy free time to explore this medieval-style Old Town including the iconic symbol of the city, the Old Bridge, a UNESCO World Heritage Site which spans the picturesque Neretva River. Afterwards, we reboard our train and complete the return journey to Sarajevo for an evening at leisure.

DAY 5

Today, we will go on a guided sightseeing walk of Sarajevo, learning the history, exploring the cultures, and visiting the must-see locations including the stunning monuments of Ottoman architecture. We will also visit the site of the assassination of Franz Ferdinand, the beautiful Gazi Husrev Bey Mosque, and the unique bazaar of Bascarsija. This afternoon, we will travel by road to the Tunnel of Hope which became a symbol of survival during the siege of the city before continuing to the ruins of Sarajevo's bobsleigh track, an iconic venue of the 1984 Winter Olympics. After a coffee break in the newly renovated station building of a former narrow-gauge railway line with wonderful views of the city, we retrace our steps to our hotel for an evening at leisure.

DAY 6

An early start this morning as we travel to Mokra Gora for a fantastic diesel-hauled, narrow-gauge journey along the renowned Sargan Eight, a unique experience over a tortuous and winding track through beautiful landscapes with ample stops for photo opportunities. We continue to Visegrad, a small town surrounded by stunning scenery, to visit the Bridge on the Drina River, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and we enjoy a traditional lunch and time at leisure before returning to Sarajevo.

DAY 7

After breakfast this morning, we transfer to the station for our return journey to Budapest aboard the Continental Classic Express relaxing in the First Class carriages, unwinding at the Adria Bar, and indulging in a delicious four-course dinner on board. On arrival in Budapest this evening, we will return to the Continental Hotel for our overnight stay.

DAY 8

After our fantastic Railtrail adventure, you will make your way independently to the airport for your chosen flight home.

B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner