Day 1: Arrive Istanbul
Arrive Istanbul today; meet your transfer in arrivals hall. Tonight, dinner at the hotel included. Day 2: Istanbul
Sightseeing today including the lovely Topkapi Palace, ferry system of Istanbul, the Grand Bazaar, the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia. Day 3: Istanbul
Today visit the Cistern, try out the tram, and visit the Spice Bazaar. Dinner on your own tonight: Let IRT recommend an exquisite restaurant overlooking the Blue Mosque. Day 4: Onboard Danube Express
Time for touring on your own this morning. Depart Sirkeci station at about 6:00pm, enjoying drinks in the bar car before a delicious dinner on board as you head to Bulgaria. Be sure to be near one of the windows that open on the left side of the train as you head out of Istanbul. Overnight onboard Danube Express. Day 5: Onboard the Danube Express
Morning sightseeing in Kazanlak, Bulgaria; afternoon in Veliko Turnovo. All meals on board. Overnight onboard the Danube Express.
Kazanlak is famous for its roses grown for extracting rose oil. The old Bulgarian capital of Veliko Tarnovo is one of the most ancient Bulgarian towns set in a picturesque river valley; in ancient times, it was called the second Constantinople. Day 6: Onboard the Danube Express
Sightseeing today in Transylvania in Bran, including “Dracula’s Castle”, and Brasov, with their fine medieval sections. Afternoon in Sighisoara, the birthplace of the real-life inspiration for Dracula with its cobble streets, clock tower and medieval citadel. All meals and overnight on board. Day 7: Onboard Danube Express
See Eger, Hungary, famous for its wines, baths and baroque buildings. Arrive Budapest about 6:00pm. Most meals on board the train today. Evening dinner included at the Hotel Astoria (4-star) or similar. Day 8: Budapest
Morning sightseeing Budapest; optional tour to scenic and fun Children’s Railway. Evening dinner included. Day 9: Budapest
Depart today if you wish to do just the "Transvlyanian" journey. But if you wish to stay, today is a great day for visiting the Parliament, which houses the crown jewels; the Opera House, one of the most beautiful in Europe or just strolling along the Danube. Last year, some IRT travelers had a blast just taking the trams around the city and enjoying its excellent transit system. Day 10: Budapest Steam Grand Prix
Transfer to Heritage Park for the Central European Steam Grand Prix and International Restaurant car convention. Your guides are two welcoming and knowledgeable museum insiders who will make you feel like family. You can return to the hotel whenever you wish. Passengers make their way back to the hotel by taxi (included). Lunch at one of the restaurant cars at the convention; dinner in town, both on your own. The day is full of exciting events, from steam journeys around Budapest to steam competitions. Day 11: Budapest Steam Grand Prix
Transfer to Heritage Park and second day of Steam Grand Prix and International Restaurant car convention. Usually, the second day is for the small locomotives. Transfer to the festival in the late morning. Lunch on your own at the festival. Return on your own to the hotel at your own pace. Dinner included tonight at the hotel. Tonight, you'll meet any passengers joining the trip in Budapest for the second section of the trip, the Central European. Day 12: Budapest
Free day: optional visit to Transport Museum at nominal cost. IRT's local representative will make any reservations you wish for dining, extra touring or museum visits. Dinner included tonight. Day 13: Departure on Danube Express
After breakfast, transfer to Nyugati Station to board the Danube Express. Head to to Kosice, Slovakia, with one of the largest castles in Central Europe, a UNESCO World Heritage site. All meals onboard the train today; overnight onboard. Day 14: Onboard the Danube Express
Morning sightseeing in Prague; afternoon stop in Karlovy Vary (also known as Carlsbad). All meals onboard the train today. Overnight onboard.
The capital city of Prague, Czech Republic, with its famous Charles Bridge, is an incredibly well-preserved town and a joy for walkers; St. Vitus’s Cathedral soars above the city, and its one of the most memorable churches in Europe.
Karlovy Vary was founded in 1350 by the Czech King and Holy Roman Emperor Charles IV. It seems everyone, from Mozart to Casanova, has come to this green river valley. Its Baroque and Art Nouveau buildings have been restored. Day 15: Onboard Danube Express to Berlin
Sightseeing in Dresden. Dresden, founded in 1206, was the site of the infamous Allied bombing that decimated the city. It has been beautifully restored – a moving tribute to the human spirit – and is back as the “Florence on the Elbe” with an amazing ambience and so many outstanding monuments and historic buildings, not to mention great trams. No wonder it is a World Heritage Site. Early evening arrival in Berlin. Dinner at the hotel. Day 16: Berlin
Sightseeing in Berlin today to see Brandenberg Gate, fabulous new train station among other sites in a city tour of this dynamic city. Dinner on your own tonight in a trendy Berlin restaurant. Day 17: Berlin
Visit Potsdam monuments and gardens, World Heritage Sites. Dinner tonight included. Tonight say goodbye to your fabulous Danube Express journey! Day 18: Depart Berlin
After breakfast at the hotel, depart on your own for the train station or airport for your return home. | 
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