Eastern Europe by Private Train

Join the Captain’s Choice team on this exquisite 22 day tour through Eastern Europe from AUD17990 per person.

For decades travellers have toured the wonders of Europe but have seldom gone beyond the former Iron Curtain. The former Soviet block countries boast magnificent cities, palaces, castles, towns, villages, mountains and waterways – many rivalling the best in the west. Travelling by Private Train and staying in the finest hotels we will visit many outstanding places of interest – the Kremlin in Moscow, the Hermitage Museum in St Petersburg, Wawel Castle in Krakow, the restored city of Warsaw, picturesque Zakopane in the High Tatra Mountains, Budapest on the Danube, medieval Prague and Berlin with the Brandenburg Gate … to name just a few. Travelling by train during the day and enjoying two and three night stays in luxury hotels at each destination is the ideal way of visiting this part of Europe. Join us on our 14th tour of Eastern Europe by Private Train.

Day 1
Saturday 22 July
Depart Australia
Depart Australia today for Moscow, via Vienna, with Austrian Airlines. Ask about our special offer of a complimentary visit to Vienna when flying with Austrian. On all Austrian group flights, The Captain’s Choice Tour Escorts will accompany you to assist with travel and transfers. A Tour Escort will also accompany Singapore Airlines/Lufthansa from Sydney. Alternatively, fly Qantas/British Airways, this flight will not be escorted.

Day 2
Sunday 23 July
Moscow (Russia)
After changing planes in Europe we arrive in Moscow in the early afternoon. We transfer to our luxurious hotel, located close to Red Square, the Kremlin and St Basil’s Cathedral. This evening meet your fellow travellers at a Welcome Reception and Dinner.

Day 3
Monday 24 July
Moscow
We spend the whole day visiting some of Moscow’s renowned landmarks. The most famous is Red Square, dominated by the brightly painted onion domes of St Basil’s Cathedral and the walls of the Kremlin. The famous G.U.M. Department Store lines another side of the square and the Museum of History is close by. A visit inside the Kremlin grounds takes us to the magnificent Armoury Museum with its priceless treasures. We take a short trip on Moscow’s famous Metro to see its ornate stations and artwork. Lunch is served at a Moscow restaurant. Travelling to the suburbs we see the buildings of Moscow University, Sparrow Hills, Novodevichy Convent, Peace Park and Gorky Park. Enjoy a private visit and pre dinner vodka and caviar on the terraces of St Basil’s Cathedral. This evening we enjoy a special Russian dinner.

Day 4
Tuesday 25 July
Moscow – St Petersburg
This morning we board our Private Train to travel to St Petersburg. Lunch and dinner are served in the dining car as we travel across the Russian countryside. On arrival in St Petersburg we transfer to one of the world’s truly great hotels – the Grand Hotel Europe, on Nevsky Prospekt, for our three night stay.

Day 5
Wednesday 26 July
St Petersburg
Today’s highlight is a visit to St Petersburg’s world famous Hermitage Museum. Located in a splendid group of buildings in Palace Square the museum contains over two million works of art that are exhibited in a number of galleries. Each gallery is itself a masterpiece of Baroque architecture. Our visit to Russia’s former capital continues with a tour along Nevsky Prospekt, the city’s main boulevard, to see the Bronze Horseman – Peter The Great, the Admiralty Building and the richly gilded St Isaacs Cathedral. We return to the hotel for lunch and a relaxing afternoon. Alternatively, you may wish to return to The Hermitage. Dinner at our hotel this evening.

Day 6
Thursday 27 July
St Petersburg & Pushkin
This morning we will travel 30km to the village of Pushkin and visit the incredibly ornate Tsarskoe Selo, built for Catherine the Great in 1744. The sumptuous rooms and gardens will live long in your memory. We have arranged a delicious Russian lunch at the wooden Podvorie Restaurant in the nearby countryside. We return to St Petersburg and take a cruise on the canals and Neva River for a different view of this incredible city. Tonight we have arranged dinner with a performance by a renowned Cossack dance group.

Day 7
Friday 28 July
St Petersburg – Vilnius (Lithuania)
We rejoin our train and travel through the day with lunch and dinner enjoyed on
board. We will pass through Latvia and enter Lithuania, a rarely visited area, where our destination is the capital, Vilnius.

Day 8
Saturday 29 July
Vilnius
Today we set out to discover the history of Vilnius on a walking tour of the winding cobblestone streets and the many churches. The city has many interesting three storey baroque and classical buildings including Gediminas Castle, perched on a small hill overlooking the Old Town. Our tour will take us to the Gate of Dawn, which is a truly magical site and one of Eastern Europe’s leading pilgrimage destinations. We will see the region’s oldest university and the parliament building, where democracy was recently restored. An intriguing visit to the KGB Museum is planned to understand the country’s recent history. After lunch choose from a free afternoon or take a complimentary optional tour to Trakai, Lithuania’s medieval capital, and its mystical lakeside castle. Dinner at a local restaurant.

Day 9
Sunday 30 July
Vilnius – Warsaw (Poland)
Our private rail journey continues today as we change to our modern Hungarian train at the Polish border and travel to Warsaw for a two night stay. Lunch is served in the dining car. Dinner at our hotel, the Warsaw Marriott, this evening.

Day 10
Monday 31 July
Warsaw
It is hard to believe that the Polish capital, Warsaw, was almost completely destroyed in World War II. It has been painstakingly and faithfully restored to its original glory. The Old Town area, the Royal Castle, Lazienki Park and Wilanow Palace are all fascinating to visitors and, like the Chopin Monument and the Warsaw Ghetto, are included in our morning tour. The afternoon is free. This evening we get together for a very special Chopin concert, followed by dinner at top local restaurants.

Day 11
Tuesday 1 August
Warsaw – Krakow
After breakfast rejoin our train (the station is directly opposite our hotel) and take a three hour trip to Krakow. This afternoon you can take either a revealing tour of Aushwitz Concentration Camp or enjoy some free time for shopping in Krakow. This evening we visit the Wieliczka Salt Mines for an incredible underground dinner – a unique experience. We stay for two nights in the new Krakow Sheraton on the edge of the old town and overlooking Wawel Castle.

Day 12
Wednesday 2 August
Krakow & Zakopane
This morning we visit Wawel Castle, Poland’s most famous building, offering fantastic views over the city and with many priceless treasures on display. Our walking tour also includes the Old Market Square, the Cloth Hall and St Mary’s Church. Enjoy a free afternoon or choose from two complimentary optional tours. Take a scenic drive to the Dunajec River in the High Tatra Mountains for a spectacular but calm and safe rafting trip or visit Zakopane in the mountains for sightseeing or shopping before returning to Krakow. Dine at your choice of our hotel’s restaurants this evening.

Day 13
Thursday 3 August
Krakow – Budapest (Hungary)
Some free time this morning before rejoining our Private Train to travel through the mountains and across Slovakia to Budapest. Lunch and dinner are served on board. On arrival we transfer to the Budapest Marriott, overlooking the Danube, for our three night stay.

Day 14
Friday 4 August
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 commercial heart of Pest. Our morning city tour includes the Royal Palace, St Mathias Church and a panoramic view of the city from Gellert Hill. We will also see the Citadel, the City Park, the Opera House, St Stephen’s Cathedral plus cross Elizabeth Bridge and drive to Heroes Square. Lunch is at our hotel and the afternoon is free for exploration or relaxation. Tonight we join a dinner cruise on the Danube. Enjoy Hungarian food and entertainment as we cruise between the hills of Buda and the magnificent buildings of Pest.

Day 15
Saturday 5 August
Budapest
This morning enjoy a complimentary optional cruise on the Danube for a visit to the artist’s village of Szentendre or spend the morning shopping or relaxing at our hotel. We spend a couple of hours in this pleasant little town before returning to Budapest for lunch and a free afternoon. Choose from any of the restaurants at our hotel this evening and enjoy a dine-around evening.

Day 16
Sunday 6 August
Budapest – Prague (Czech Republic)
Back on board our Private Train, with its friendly crew, we are off on a fascinating eight hour journey around the Danube Bend into Slovakia. We pause briefly at Bratislava and continue through the beautiful Moravian Hills to the Czech capital, Prague. We have three nights to enjoy one of Europe’s most magnificent cities. We stay at the luxurious Prague Marriott.

Day 17
Monday 7 August
Prague
Prague is one of the most beautifully preserved cities in Europe. It spans the Vltava River and is overseen by 9th century Prague Castle, an impressive sight that can be seen from anywhere in the city. Our morning tour takes in the Old Town Square, with its many historic buildings and Astronomical Clock, the Jewish Ghetto and historic Charles Bridge.  Lunch is served at a top local restaurant overlooking Charles Bridge. The afternoon is free to explore on your own or shop for Bohemian Crystal. This evening we dine in regal splendour at The Municipal House.

Day 18
Tuesday 8 August
Prague
This morning we join a vintage tram for a tour through the city and Wenceslas Square, then up the hill to Prague Castle and St Vitus Cathedral. The Castle and its surrounding architectural gems occupy a hillside overlooking the city and the Vltava River. Our tour includes the delightful Golden Lane and the Changing of the Guard at the Castle entrance. We will return to the hotel for a light lunch.  This afternoon is free. Enjoy a choice of dining options this evening. After dinner you may like to walk to Charles Bridge and enjoy the very special evening panorama of Prague.

Day 19
Wednesday 9 August
Prague – Berlin (Germany)
We rejoin our train for a scenic five hour trip to Berlin. Part of the journey follows the Elbe River into Germany, with magnificent panoramas viewed from the train window. Lunch is served en route. We arrive in Berlin mid afternoon and transfer to the Westin Grand Hotel in the heart of old East Berlin. This evening we dine at our hotel.

Day 20
Thursday 10 August
Berlin
A morning tour will show us the highlights of both East and West Berlin including the Reichstag, the famous Renaissance-style building that once again houses Germany’s Parliament. We travel to Museum Island to see the Pergamon Museum, which is located among other historic buildings along Unter den Linden, one of Berlin’s most important avenues. We cross the former Berlin Wall at the historic Brandenburg Gate and delight at the sight of the lovely Schloss Charlottenburg. The moving site of the bombed and partially restored Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church contrasts with the fashionable shops of the bustling Kurfuerstendam, the large open parks and gardens, the Opera House and Schiller Theatre. Enjoy lunch in the heart of West Berlin, then choose from either a free afternoon for last minute shopping or a walking tour of the sites of the Third Reich and the Berlin Wall, including a visit to the Checkpoint Charlie Museum. This evening we get together for a special Berliner farewell dinner.

Day 21
Friday 11 August
Depart Berlin
Austrian Airlines passengers depart this morning and change aircraft in Vienna. Lufthansa/Singapore passengers change in Frankfurt.

Day 22
Saturday 12 August
Arrive Australia
Austrian Airlines passengers arrive in Australia this afternoon. Singapore Airlines passengers arrive home this evening.

Special Offer
Complimentary Visit To Vienna

1. Enjoy a visit to Vienna at NO ADDITIONAL COST. Together with Austrian Airlines we invite you to depart on Wednesday 19 July and have three nights complimentary accommodation including breakfast at the Vienna Marriott or similar, before flying on to Moscow on Sunday 23 July. Enjoy the renowned Austrian service, especially in their Amadeus Business Class.

2. Depart on Thursday 20 July and have two nights and two days in Vienna including breakfast, before flying on to Moscow on Sunday 23 July. Return to Vienna on Friday 11 August and have one extra night in Vienna and arrive home on Sunday 13 August.

3. Depart on Friday 21 July and have one night and a day in Vienna including breakfast, before flying on to Moscow on Sunday 23 July. Return to Vienna on Friday 11 August and have two extra nights in Vienna and arrive home on Monday 14 August.

Cost supplement applies for persons travelling alone on all Vienna stopovers.