The Balkans by Private Train

DAY 1

Meet the group at the 5-star Marriott Hotel situated by the Danube in the heart of Budapest (flight inclusive participants will be met at the airport for a private transfer to the hotel). We re-group in the bar for pre-dinner drinks and to meet your fellow travellers before enjoying a welcome dinner cruise on the Danube. Overnight in the Marriott Hotel.

DAY 2

After breakfast transfer to the station to board our very special private train. Relax in your reclining seats or in the lounge car as we head south through Hungary, brunch will be served in the dining car. On arrival at Szeged with its wide avenues and large squares, we experience a tour of the city with an English-speaking guide in a chartered vintage tramcar, taking a coffee break in a local café. Reboarding our private train we continue our voyage south into Serbia. An early dinner served on board before arrival into Belgrade. Two nights 4 or 5- star Hotel.

DAY 3

This morning, we'll enjoy a guided tour of the city, including the historic old town of Beograd, and, among other things, a visit to the House of Flowers and Tito's mausoleum, both part of the Museum of the History of Yugoslavia. Your afternoon and evening is free to explore more of what the city has to offer.

DAY 4

After breakfast we transfer to the railway station for our train journey through rural Serbia to the city of Uzice, enjoying lunch on board on the way. On arrival we travel by private coach to the historically reconstructed village of Mokra Gora. Here we take a specially chartered journey on one of the most remarkable railways in Europe - the narrow gauge 'Sargan Eight'. The name comes from the twists and turns, travelling through 22 tunnels and over 5 brides creating shapes similar to the number eight as it traverses the craggy mountains of the Sargan Pass. We have included a coffee stop at Yatare station, numerous opportunities for photo stops and perhaps even a run past. Afterwards our coach will take us on to Zlatibor, a popular spa town near the border of Bosnia, where we'll check in and enjoy dinner and some local entertainment at our hotel.

DAY 5

Transfer by coach to the tiny village of Branesci to rejoin our private train for the spectacular journey to Bar via Bielo Polje, considered one of the most scenic train journeys in Europe. The line dips into Bosnia, then back into Serbia and ultimately climbing to over 3000ft into Montenegro, reminding you that the railway was built in the 1950's as a unifying transport project in the days of Marshall Tito and his Yugoslav Republic. We cross the highest railway bridge in Europe while enjoying lunch in the Dining car. The last part of our train journey today hugs the spectacular Adriatic coast, rolling into the lakeside town of Virpazar in the late afternoon. Here, we'll enjoy a boat trip on Lake Skadar, the largest lake in Southern Europe. It's then on to our final stop for the day - Podgorica, one of the world's smallest capital cities, where we'll check into the Crowne Plaza Hotel before we head out to enjoy dinner and wine tasting in a local family winery.

DAY 6

Journey by private coach over the hills on the iconic old Austro-Hungarian serpentine road to the UNESCO World Heritage town of Kotor, renowned for its stunning location on the Bay of Kotor, one of the Adriatic Sea's most beautiful inlets and surrounded by dramatic limestone cliffs. We have a guided tour of its well-preserved mediaeval old town, featuring narrow cobblestone streets, ancient churches, and historic buildings with plenty of free time to wander and explore the maze of alleyways, shops, churches, and museums that make up this extraordinary town. We'll then take the scenic journey around the Bay of Kotor to the village of Perast, where after lunch by the sea, we take a boat trip to Perast's small island, the home of the tiny 15th century 'Our Lady of the Rocks' church. Later in the day enjoy the coastal drive to Dubrovnik and the Hotel Astarea set in a quiet bay just 10kms from the town for three nights stay. Buffet dinner at the hotel.

DAY 7

We'll head off to explore Dubrovnik, taking one of the regular boats from the hotel. Often referred to as the "Pearl of the Adriatic", this breathtaking coastal city is renowned for its stunning mediaeval architecture and azure waters. Encircled by massive stone walls, the UNESCO-listed Old Town is a labyrinth of narrow cobblestone streets, historic buildings, and picturesque squares. We'll begin with a walking tour of Dubrovnik's magnificently intact Old Town. Entrance to the Dubrovnik City Walls and the Franciscan Monastery and Cathedral is all included before taking a leisurely waterside lunch. The rest of the day is yours at leisure - you might like to return to the hotel and spend the afternoon lying around the pool or you may like to stay in the Old Town a bit longer and transfer back to the resort when you're ready on one of the launch boats that regularly goes between the hotel and the old town.

DAY 8

A day at leisure. Why not experience the Cable Car for amazing views of the Old Town and Elaphiti Islands. Alternatively, you can stay and relax at the hotel, enjoy the indoor and outside swimming pools and wellness area.

DAY 9

Today we travel by road along the coast, across the border into Bosnia and Herzegovina to the ancient city of Mostar and its famous 16th century bridge. Completely destroyed in 1993 during the civil war, it was subsequently faithfully reconstructed and re-opened in July 2004 and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After a guided tour of the city we have at a local restaurant. Reboarding our special train we sit back for the superbly scenic journey to Sarajevo through numerous tunnels and over impressive viaducts while enjoying afternoon tea and of course anything from the bar. After checking into our hotel in Sarajevo we meet for the short walk to a local restaurant for dinner.

DAY 10

We explore multi-cultural Sarajevo with its wonderful array of architecture and history including the medieval bazaar area, the 16th Century Latin Bridge and the site of the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand which sparked WWI. We'll also visit the Sarajevo Tunnel Museum, dedicated to the maze of tunnels constructed under the city during the 1993 Siege of Sarajevo. Lunch will be at the serene spring of Vrelo Bosne, a haven in the buzzing suburbs of Sarajevo. The afternoon and evening are at leisure or take in further exploration.

DAY 11

After breakfast we reboard our private train for a special 500-kilometre rail journey north west across the Balkans to wonderful Zagreb, the capital of Croatia. It's special because there's no through passenger trains on this route only a few local services that do not cross the border.
Lunch, afternoon tea and dinner will be served on board as we take in the views from our seat, over drinks in the lounge car or while savouring our chefs creations in the dining car. On arrival into Zagreb we walk to the hotel, porters transferring our luggage

DAY 12

We take a guided tour of Zagreb. Nestled along the slopes of the Medvednica mountain and bisected by the Sava River, characterised by its Austro-Hungarian architecture. Stroll through medieval Upper Town, with its narrow streets, the iconic St. Mark's Church, and panoramic views, and the more modern Lower Town, known for its wide boulevards, museums, and vibrant cultural scene. The afternoon and evening are free to relax or continue your exploration of the city.

DAY 13

Re-joining our train, we depart for Budapest with lunch in the dining car. Early afternoon sees us arriving at Balatonfenyves or the shores of Lake Balaton. Here we change trains for a ride over one of the few narrow-gauge lines still operated by the state railway system. We continue later in the day on our private luxury train to Budapest with afternoon tea served on board. Two nights hotel stay.

DAY 14

This morning after breakfast we'll embark on a guided walking tour that will reveal the history of this great twin city as we roam the hearts of both Buda and Pest. We then enjoy champagne and a snack on our train before heading for Godollo and a visit to the renowned 18th Century |Royal Palace. Our sumptuous farewell dinner will be taken in the "Queen Elizabeth" restaurant with its beautiful period décor of the era. Evening return to our hotel in Budapest by road.

DAY 15

After breakfast flight inclusive participants have a private transfer to the airport for flights home.

B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner