Issue link: http://viewer.e-digitaleditions.com/i/669304
H I D D E N B A L K A N A N D D A L M A T I A N G E M S DEPART AUSTRALIA Day 1: Wednesday 6 September Bound for Europe's Far East and the Dalmatian Coast, we are Balkan bound on an Emirates flight via Dubai. ARRIVE BUDAPEST (HUNGARY) Day 2: Thursday 7 September The Four Seasons Gresham Palace awaits our early afternoon arrival. We set the scene with a Welcome Dinner at the hotel watching pretty lights over the Danube fade to evening. BUDAPEST Day 3: Friday 8 September How will you unfold the mystery of the Hungarian capital today? Reveal Budapest through the eyes of a local with our half day city tour, or meander further into history on our Danube Bend experience revealing a deeper insight into one of Europe's most famous rivers. Tonight at Karpatia restaurant, an extravagance of local dining is illuminated with gypsy music performances. BUDAPEST JOIN GOLDEN EAGLE DANUBE EXPRESS Day 4: Saturday 9 September Our carriage awaits to take us to the Balkans this morning. We couldn't ask for better than the Golden Eagle Danube Express. Settle in to your cabin as the train heads to Lajosmizse for a spectacular horse show. Back onboard, the train continues across the Great Hungarian Plain as we chug to Transylvania. SIGHISOARA – BRASOV (ROMANIA) Day 5: Sunday 10 September Our walking tour of Sighisoara reveals the sunny disposition of this medieval town. We then uncover the dark secrets of Bran Castle in Brasov. Standing resplendent in a mystery of mountains, this fortress shrouds the legends of Dracula. As the train climbs over the Carpathian Mountains bound for Bulgaria, dinner is served. VELIKO TARNOVO – PLOVDIV (BULGARIA) Day 6: Monday 11 September Bulgaria's ancient capital, Veliko Tarnovo is a sight to behold. Nestled in a magnificent mountain setting, the stone houses balance precariously, one above the other, on the steep banks of the Yantra River. Every step you take seems to transport you further back in time – contemplating the preservation of Tsarevets Hill and castle you could even be in the ancient city itself. We spend the afternoon in Plovdiv exploring the many sights in the charming Old Town including its ancient theatres, medieval walls and Ottoman baths. Bring Dracula's legend to life in mystical Transylvania Budapest Kecskemet Lajosmizse ROMANIA Veliko Tarnovo Plovdiv Belgrade Mostar Sarajevo Zagreb Ljubljana Opatija Trieste Venice Sighisoara Brasov HUNGARY BULGARIA SERBIA SLOVENIA ITALY CROATIA Included Flight Coach Golden Eagle Danube Express Princess Eleganza (SEE INSET FOR CRUISE DETAILS) Zadar Split Sibenik Zrmanja Hvar Korcula Dubrovnik Krka National Park ITALY CROATIA A d r i a t i c S e a BOSNIA AND HERZOGOVINA Opposite: Look out into the deep blue from Hvar 1800 650 738 | captainschoice.com.au 55