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Despite the popularity of European travel, few Australians have seen the wonders of the former communist countries of Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary, Croatia and Slovenia. Our tour features the magnificent European capitals of Sofia, Bucharest, Budapest, Zagreb and Ljubljana; the medieval towns of Brasov and Sighisoara in Romania; Dubrovnik, Split and Zadar on the Adriatic coast; the scenic wonders of the Carpathian Mountains; cascading waterfalls of Plitvice Lakes; underground wonders of Postojna Caves; the serenity of Lake Bled and much more. We combine travel by private rail cars, coach, river steamer and aircraft with the finest hotels in each location.
Tour Itinerary
Day 1
Tuesday 24 June (2008)
Depart Australia
Depart for Sofia today via Frankfurt, on Singapore Airlines.
Day 2
Wednesday 25 June
Sofia (Bulgaria)
We arrive in Sofia and transfer to the Sheraton Balkan Hotel, in the heart of the city, for a two night stay. Sofia has a history of 5,000 years, still visible in the remaining ruins from the Ottoman Empire, Roman and Tracian times. Our hotel is built on top of the ruins of a city council hall built by the Tracians in the 7th century BC. After a relaxing afternoon enjoy our Welcome Reception and Dinner at the hotel.
Day 3
Thursday 26 June
Sofia
The site of Bulgaria’s modern capital, at the foot of Mt Vitosha, was first occupied by the Tracian tribe of Serdi. On our morning tour we will spot sections of the Roman wall, admire the ancient church of St Georgi, the golden domed Alexander Nevsky Cathedral with its marvellous collection of medieval icons and the Turkish Bashi Mosque. We will also see the National Assembly, National Theatre and other sights before lunch in the foothills of the Vitosha Mountains. This afternoon is free to shop or explore independently before dinner at the hotel’s fine Preslav Restaurant.
Day 4
Friday 27 June
Sofia – Bucharest (Romania)
Our overland journey commences by coach across the Stara Planina (old mountains) before reaching the wide and fertile Danube Valley. We stop at Veliko Turnovo, the former capital of Bulgaria, renowned for its medieval churches and fortress, we also take time to visit an historic village. We cross the Danube at Rousse, an important river port since Roman times, and drive on to gracious Bucharest, a city of style and Latin charm that has earned it the title ‘Paris of the Balkans’. We have two nights at the Athenee Palace Hilton. Enjoy a dine-around evening and choose from any of our hotel’s restaurants for dinner.
Day 5
Saturday 28 June
Bucharest
Flower festooned parks, gardens and wide boulevards, shaded by century old trees contribute to Bucharest’s beauty. Our morning tour includes a visit to the open air village museum with 110 buildings and 11,000 articles of folk art from all over Romania. We will also see the Arc de Triumph, Cotroceni Palace, the President’s residence and visit the imposing Palace of Parliament, the second largest building in the world. This afternoon is free to explore independently – perhaps visit the Military Museum, Romanian Treasury or History Museum. This evening we will taste typical Romanian fare and excellent local wine at a spectacular Dracula Party – a night to remember!
Day 6
Sunday 29 June
Bucharest – Brasov
This morning we head for Transylvania and a most scenic part of our tour. We drive into the Carpathian Mountains and the winter resort of Sinaia, dominated by Peles Castle (a former Royal residence) and the Sinaia Monastery. After lunch we visit Bran Castle (Dracula’s Castle), steeped in the legend of Dracula. Dracula was imprisoned in the castle for some time, however, we are free to leave and drive on to the medieval city of Brasov, a town full of colour and history, for a two night stay at the Aro Palace Hotel.
Day 7
Monday 30 June
Brasov
This morning we tour historic Brasov including the Black Church (the largest Gothic church in South Eastern Europe), the Council Square, Weavers’ Bastion and the cobbled Schei District. We enjoy lunch in the ski resort of Poiana Brasov, overlooking the town. This afternoon is free to explore the 500 year old fortifications surrounding the city and its many medieval remains.
Day 8
Tuesday 1 July
Brasov – Sighisoara – Cluj-Napoca
This morning we will visit Sighisoara, the best preserved 15th century town in Europe. We see its ancient clock tower, Citadel Square, the towers of the leather dressers, tin makers, rope makers and Dracula’s birthplace. We continue our drive to Targu Mures, another historic city, before reaching Cluj-Napoca. We will visit the Bastion of the Tailors and the walls of the citadel before checking into the Hotel Rimini.
Day 9
Wednesday 2 July
Cluj-Napoca – Budapest (Hungary)
This morning we travel by private rail cars across Romania into Hungary and enjoy lunch on board before arriving in Budapest early this afternoon. Transfer to the Budapest Marriott, overlooking the Danube, for our two night stay. The hotel is 100m from Vaci Street, Budapest’s pedestrian shopping mall, lined with shops, outdoor cafés and bustling with life. Enjoy a stroll along the street to the historic Central Market and wander back beside the river. Choose from our hotel’s restaurants for dinner this evening.
Day 10
Thursday 3 July
Budapest
Budapest is actually two cities separated by the Danube. The old city of Buda, and its imposing Royal Palace, dominates the city with stunning views across the Danube to the more commercial heart of Pest. Our morning city tour includes the Royal Palace, the church of St Mathias and a panoramic view of the city from Gellert Hill. We will also see the Citadel, cross Elizabeth Bridge, visit Heroes Square and City Park, and see the Opera House and St Stephen’s Cathedral. After lunch at our hotel the afternoon is free. Tonight we will join a dinner cruise on the Danube to enjoy Hungarian food and entertainment as we cruise between the hills of Buda and the magnificent buildings of Pest.
Day 11
Friday 4 July
Budapest – Zagreb (Croatia)
We rejoin our train in private rail carriages for the journey through Hungary, passing Lake Balaton and crossing into Croatia and its capital, Zagreb. Dinner and overnight at the sumptuous Regent Esplanade Hotel.
Day 12
Saturday 7 July
Zagreb – Dubrovnik
This morning we tour Zagreb, a central European city with over 900 years of documented history. We take a walking tour of the upper town and Kapitol, the ancient town centre, which abounds in Baroque atmosphere and cultural monuments. We have free time to visit the picturesque open air markets and bustling shops after lunch. Late this afternoon we fly to Dubrovnik for a two night stay in this medieval walled city. Our hotel, the new Hilton Imperial, is 100m from the old town.
Day 13
Sunday 6 July
Dubrovnik
Since its foundation in the 13th century Dubrovnik has been attacked many times but is now restored as one of the great cities of the Mediterranean, essentially unchanged for 700 years. We will tour the city travelling through one of the two gates and walking the narrow streets to visit the Franciscan Monastery with one of the world’s oldest pharmacies, the Old Harbour, St Laurence Fortress and the Rectors Palace. You may also take a walk on the city walls, offering a unique perspective of this remarkable city.
Day 14
Monday 7 July
Dubrovnik – Split
We take a truly spectacular coastal road passing old fishing villages and new resorts this morning. This afternoon our sightseeing will feature Split’s Roman heritage at the Diocletian’s Palace plus many Renaissance and Gothic buildings and more recent attractions.
Day 15
Tuesday 8 July
Split – Plitvice Lakes
Our coastal drive continues to Zadar, the oldest Slavic city on the Adriatic coast, to visit the Roman Forum and 8th century St Donat’s Church. We drive north to the stunning Plitvice Lakes National Park and the breathtaking beauty of 16 terraced lakes surrounded by heavily wooded mountains and connected by waterfalls. We will tour the lakes this afternoon and stay overnight in this beautiful region at Hotel Jezero.
Day 16
Wednesday 9 July
Plitvice Lakes – Ljubljana (Slovenia)
Today we cross into the charming country of Slovenia. Visit Postojna Caves, the second largest caves in Europe, where a miniature electric train takes us into a fascinating subterranean world. We travel to Slovenia’s lovely capital city, Ljubljana, and check in to the Grand Hotel Union, in the heart of the city.
Day 17
Thursday 10 July
Ljubljana – Lake Bled – Ljubljana
Stunning scenery fills our last day. We drive to Lake Bled and visit Bled Castle on a cliffside overlooking the lake. We also enjoy a ‘gondola’ boat ride to the ancient church on the lake’s small island. After lunch we return to Ljubljana for a relaxing afternoon and some last minute shopping.
Day 18
Friday 11 July
Depart Ljubljana
We join our Singapore Airlines flight home from Ljubljana, via Frankfurt.
Day 19
Saturday 12 July
Arrive Australia
We arrive Australia early morning. Alternatively, stay on in Europe or join our ‘Eastern Europe by Private Train’ tour from Moscow to Berlin.
