Highlights
The blue and gold carriages of the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express await you in Paris for your journey throughout France, Switzerland and Austria towards Budapest, enjoy over night on board. The next night is spent in Budapest and the following day after a sightseeing tour and lunch continue your journey through Hungary and into Romania. Enjoy the next day and night in Bucharest. On rejoining the train the next day stop in the fascinating country of Bulgaria. Enjoy your last night and day on board as the train travels to your destination, Istanbul.

Friday
Board the gleaming blue and gold carriages of the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express at Paris Gare de l’ Est, mid afternoon. After being greeted by your steward, settle into your private compartment. Later enjoy a delicious dinner on board and overnight on the train.

Saturday
Relax and enjoy the scenery as the VSOE travels into Hungary. Continental breakfast is served in your compartment and lunch will taken in one of the opulent dining cars. On arrival in Budapest transfer to the Marriott Hotel. Dinner and overnight in Budapest.

Sunday
After breakfast at the hotel, enjoy a guided tour of the city Budapest, with lunch included. The city is divided by the mighty Danube river into ‘Buda’ and ‘Pest’. Rejoin the train late afternoon. Perhaps enjoy an aperitif in the Bar Car before dinner as the train travels into Romania. Overnight on board.

Monday
After breakfast, the train arrives at the mountain town of Sinaia. Disembark for a visit to beautiful Peles Castle, which was also visited by the very first Orient-Express passengers in 1883. Rejoin the train to complete the short journey to Bucharest. On arrival transfer to the Athenée Palace Hilton Hotel where a late lunch is served. In the afternoon there will be a short city sightseeing tour. Dinner and overnight in Bucharest.

Tuesday
Rejoin the train mid-morning as the train travels south across the Danube and into Bulgaria. During the afternoon, a stop is made to enjoy this pretty, rural country. Lunch and dinner are served on board the train, as your journey continues. This final night is spent on board VSOE.

Wednesday
Early this morning the train enters Turkey and crosses the Thracian Plain. After breakfast and lunch on board, VSOE arrives in Istanbul late afternoon, at the end of a fascinating and unique journey across seven countries and cultures.

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