Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip
Turkey – Munich – Vienna – Budapest – Bucharest – Istanbul
100% customisable for you
Rise bright and early and triple-check you have your passports before making your way to the station for your morning departure in London. Settle abroad the Eurostar with a good book and in just over two hours, you’ll be gliding into Paris – not a bad way to start the day.
When you arrive in the French capital, take a taxi across the city from Gare du Nord to Gare de Lyon. Then it’s back on the rails for the next leg: a six-hour train whisking you through the French countryside and into Germany, arriving in Munich by evening.
With the day’s travel behind you, the rest of the night is yours to dip into Bavarian life. Wander through the old town, where the soft glow of lanterns light up Marienplatz or head straight for a traditional beer hall for your taste of the city. A hearty plate of schnitzel or weisswurst is practically a rite of passage – and well-earned after a day spent crossing borders in style.
Fancy a proper introduction? We can also organise a private guided tour of Munich, led by a local who’ll bring the city’s stories to life.
This morning, make your way to the station and board a direct train to Vienna, a journey of around four hours. Settle into your seat and ease into the rhythm of the rails: tune into our destination specific playlist, enjoy a round of cards and meet your fellow passengers as patchwork fields, storybook villages and occasional Alpine peaks glide past the windows.
When you arrive in Vienna by early afternoon, you’ll be privately transferred to your historic hotel in the heart of the city. The city is yours to explore, so take your time discovering its elegant streets and lively squares.
Fancy yourself an art aficionado? You’re in the right place. Vienna’s art and culture is not to be missed: from Renaissance masterpieces in grand galleries to historic museums brimming with imperial collections, there’s a world of creativity waiting to be discovered. Even a casual stroll offers glimpses of the city’s artistic heritage in its architecture and ornate facades.
As the day winds down, enjoy a quiet evening soaking in the atmosphere. Whether you’re sipping coffee in a traditional cafe, dining by candlelight or watching the sun set over the rooftops, Vienna is a city that somehow always feels romantic.
After a delicious traditional breakfast, meet your private guide who knows all the secret stories and quirks that bring Vienna’s creative history to life. Stroll the streets and discover the emblematic buildings of the Viennese Belle Epoque – think floral motifs and the kind of Art Noveau elegance that makes you want to linger with your camera.
Admire masterpieces by Otto Wagner, including the subway stations he designed (yes, in Austria they even care about making their underground stations stylish). Stop by the Artaria-Haus by Max Fabiani and Loos House, where innovative design hints at a city pushing towards modernity. Then head to the Palace of the Secession by Joseph Maria Olbrich, an iconic landmark with a striking golden dome that houses Gustav Klimt's famous Beethoven Frieze.
Next up is the Leopold Museum, home to Rudolf Leopold's collection. From the haunting expressionism of Richard Gertl to Klimt’s lesser-known gems, your guide will teach you the story behind each piece, along with the occasional juicy anecdote. By the end of the day, you’re bound to leave feeling inspired, so head to one of Vienna’s quirky shops to pick up a sketchbook and unleash your inner artist on your upcoming train journeys.
After a day of oohing and aahing across the city, head to the Old Town for another delicious dinner before turning in for an early night. Tomorrow promises plenty more excitement.
Another day, another adventure. This morning, a private driver will take you to Vienna Central Station where your train departs for Budapest. For the two-and-a-half-hour journey, nab a window seat and watch as the Austrian countryside gives way to rolling Hungarian plains, dotted with vineyards, Medieval villages and castle’s perched on hills.
When you arrive in Budapest, you’ll be privately transferred to your hotel in Pest, where you’ll be staying for the next two nights. Need to stretch your legs after your morning on the train? Go for a stroll through City Park, with its wide paths, elegant statues and seasonal flowers. And of course, no city stroll is complete without a sweet treat. Keep your eyes peeled for a chimney cake or slice of dobos torte, a sugary taste of Hungarian tradition, while watching locals go about their day.
As evening rolls in, wander along the Danube Promenade, admire views of Buda Castle across the river and let the city guide your appetite. With so many local restaurants to try, ask our Concierge for their favourite spot to enjoy a dinner of goulash, stuffed cabbage or paprika-spiced sausages.
Today, Budapest is yours to discover how you like. Meet your guide – someone who knows the city like the back of their hand – and let them lead you on a journey tailored entirely to your interests. Marvel at the city’s grand architecture and historic landmarks, from the striking Parliament Building to sun-lit squares pulsing with local life. Wander through hidden streets and tucked-away corners, discover colourful street art and search for the perfect handcrafted souvenir at a lively market.
Today it’s time for some well-deserved pampering. Head on over to the Szechenyi Baths, step into the warm, mineral-rich pools and drift between saunas, a ritual that has been cherished since the Austro-Hungarian era. Admire the grand Neo Baroque architecture as you float and let the city’s centuries-old spa culture work its magic – the perfect way to unwind, Budapest-style.
All that soaking is bound to make you sleepy. As evening draws in, you’ll be privately transferred to the train station for your 15-hour overnight rail journey to Bucharest. Enjoy dinner on board, settle into your cosy cabin, pull down the blinds and let the gentle rhythm of the rocking train lull you to sleep. Tomorrow, Romania awaits.
Rise and shine to your first glimpse of Bucharest, the capital of Romania. After rolling in to the station a private driver will meet you and take you to your hotel for the next two nights in the centre of the city.
Bucharest doesn’t do bland. Often called the Paris of the East, it’s a city of contrasts, where elegant Belle Epoque buildings rub shoulders with bold Communist-era blocks. One minute you’re wandering down a leafy boulevard, the next you’re staring up the sheer scale of the Palace of Parliament, one of the largest buildings in the world.
The rest of the day is up to you. Follow your nose into one of the city’s local restaurants or hole-in-the-wall cafes, where menus swing confidently from hearty Romanian food to international classics. Then, when the day winds down, head back to your hotel and perhaps crack open a few chapters of Dracula – after all, you are in Romania.
After a rich Romanian cafea (coffee), meet your guide and set off on foot to discover a side of Bucharest that often catches visitors by surprise. Start in the Lipscani district, regarded as the old town, stroll along Calea Victoriei, one of the city’s grandest boulevards and swing by Revolution Square to marvel at the 18th-century Kretzulescu Church. Just around the corner, your guide will take you to the Stavropoleos Monastery, shimmering with intricate stonework and Renaissance details that stand out among the city’s lively streets.
Next up, admire the Greek-Catholic Cathedral of St. Basil the Great, a striking reminder of Bucharest’s roots before heading into the National Museum of Art, where you can marvel at Romanian creativity inspired by the greats. At the end of the tour, a stop at the National History Museum ties it all together, and you’ll hear all the stories from your guide that make the city’s streets come alive.
By the evening, you’ll be more than ready for some mititei (grilled sausages spiced with herbs), a local favourite and perfect fuel after a day of exploring. Then head back to your room for a cosy night in.
By now, you’re a pro at train travel, so you know the routine. Enjoy the day to yourself in Bucharest before being met and privately transferred to the station for your 20-hour night train to Istanbul. Settle into your private sleeper cabin and watch the city lights fade as the train hums into the night, carrying you steadily to Istanbul where you’ll arrive by morning.
At first light, you’ll wake up in Istanbul, the final destination on your journey across Europe. When you roll into the station, a private driver will be there to take you to your hotel for the next two nights in Beyoglu, where you’ll be greeted by that famous Turkish hospitality. Take a moment to enjoy the local ritual of cay (sweet black tea) paired with a few pieces of fragrant Turkish delights.
After a night on the train, today is deliberately indulgent. Step into the Kilic Ali Pasha hammam, a 16th-century bathhouse designed by Ottoman architect Sinan. Hammams like this were the heart of city life, where locals came to steam, scrub, gossip and unwind. Today, you get to follow the same centuries-old tradition where history, culture and pure relaxation roll into one – basically, the perfect excuse to do nothing for a while.
Today is all about soaking up the spirit of Beyoglu with a private guide leading you straight to its best-kept secrets. Once a thriving centre of trade and craftsmanship, this district hums with energy, now reimagined by young creatives and artists, who give the district a fresh bohemian buzz. Discover historic streets and tucked-away shops filled with antiques and galleries where you can tinker around for the perfect keepsake. Beyoglu is the kind of place where every turn brings a new find – whether you’re on a shopping spree, people-watching or just happily getting lost.
And for your last evening of the trip, ask our trusty Concierge for their favourite local restaurant. Raise a glass to your journey across Europe by rail while sampling delights like mezze platters, succulent kebabs or syrupy baklava (a pistachio pastry). Don’t miss trying dondurma, the famously stretchy ice cream. Afterwards, take one last stroll through the streets as they glow in the sunset, soaking up the charm before heading back to your hotel.
Swap your train ticket for a boarding pass this morning, as, sadly, it’s time to head home. You’ll be privately transferred to Istanbul Airport for your flight back to the UK. You’ll spend around four hours in the air – plenty of time to relax, reflect on your journey and start dreaming up your next great rail adventure...
Everything in this itinerary is entirely customisable, down to the smallest details. Here are some more suggestions of what could be included
Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.
ENQUIRE NOW
Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.
ENQUIRE NOW
Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.
ENQUIRE NOW
Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.
ENQUIRE NOW
Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.
ENQUIRE NOW
Our team of destination experts will get to know you and your unique requirements for your holiday
We work with you to build an ultra-personalised holiday itinerary with your choice of accommodation, experiences and activities
All of our holidays include little extras designed to make a big difference to your trip, from fast-tracking you through airport check-in and security to our network of local Concierges
