Budapest to Budapest
New Year in Vienna
Golden Eagle Danube Express
BUDAPEST – KESZTHELY – GRAZ – VIENNA – CESKY KRUMLOV – PRAGUE – KOSICE – BUDAPEST
Mark the turn of the year with an indulgent exploration of the extravagance of Central Europe.
Journeying aboard the ornate Danube Express, magnificent panoramas of Austria’s snow-capped mountains melt into Budapest’s mesmerising neo-gothic cityscape. The regal splendour continues as we trace along the captivating spires of Prague, through to the cobble clad, grandiose of Slovakia.
Before, our voyage takes on to the City of Dreams, Vienna, at the most magical time of the year.
DAY 1 Budapest
On arrivals day in Budapest, you will be met and transferred to the Four Seasons Hotel Gresham Palace for a two-night stay.
Enjoy a welcome reception dinner in the elegant surrounds of this art nouveau landmark where you can meet your fellow travellers on this highly anticipated celebratory journey over the New Year holidays.
DAY 2 Budapest
Budapest is an allicane of two cities separated by the River Danube. The old city of Buda and the imposing Royal Palace, dominates the city with stunning views across the Danube to the commercial heart of Pest. On our first full day, our 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 Opera House, St Stephen’s Cathedral, Heroes Square and the City Park.
The rest of the day is at leisure where you can stroll through the many Christmas Markets scattered around the city. You may want to visit the historic Great Market Hall with its endless variety of delicious foods and wines or warm up and head to one of the city’s famous thermal baths for a rejuvenating Christmas dip.
DAY 3 Keszthely
After breakfast we’ll transfer from our hotel to board the Golden Eagle Danube Express.
After settling into your luxurious en-suite cabin, we’ll make our first journey through the winter landscapes of Hungary to Balaton Uplands National Park.
Emerging from the National Park we’ll arrive in Keszthely perched at the very western end of Lake Balaton. This picture-postcard town is filled with grand town houses and famously the site of Festetics Palace, a lavish baroque home fit for royalty. After a tour of the palace we’ll continue into Austria overnight by train.
DAY 4 NEW YEAR’S EVE IN GRAZ & VIENNA
Arriving into Austria this morning we begin our exploration of the fantastic city of Graz at the foot of the Austrian Alps. We will transfer by coach to the city centre and have a short walking tour of Graz’s range of renaissance courtyards and provincial baroque palaces, before we enjoy a pumpkin seed oil tasting, complete with traditional, locally made bread and wine in the relaxed atmosphere of the Gasthaus Stainzerbauer.
After a gourmet lunch on board the train we’ll continue to Vienna to begin our New Year’s Eve celebrations. This afternoon we will have the opportunity to join in with an atmospheric Viennese waltz lesson for the group. No experience necessary!
Tonight, a special New Year’s Gala Dinner will be served inside the beautiful City Hall, Rathaus Vienna, accompanying a performance by the renowned Wiener Hofball Orchestra. Music and waltzing will take us through to midnight.
DAY 5 NEW YEAR’S DAY IN VIENNA
Happy New Year!
After brunch and a leisurely morning onboard the Golden Eagle Danube Express we’ll start the day’s programme with a beautiful horse-drawn carriage ride along the cobbled streets of Vienna before we begin our city tour.
If you’d rather see more of the splendid Austrian countryside, as part of our Freedom of Choice programme, you will have the option to visit the delightful Schönbrunn Palace to see the city’s famous festive market which will be still be open to enjoy.
Later this evening, our guests will reconvene at the end of a special day on the train for dinner before departing Austria for the Czech Republic.
DAY 6 CESKY KRUMLOV & PRAGUE
This morning we’ll begin our day in the stunning town of Cesky Krumlov, declared a UNESCO World Heritage destination. The town’s old town charm will be only enhanced by a dusting of snow and should make for a beautiful stop on our journey. A short introduction to the town will allow you to explore the town with allocated free-time. A perfect opportunity to grab a souvenir or two.
We’ll continue after a scenic lunch on board the train to Prague, one of the most beautifully preserved cities in Europe. Spanning the Vltava River and dominated by the 9th century Prague Castle, a stunning sight that can be seen almost anywhere in the city. Our introductory tour takes in the Old Town Square with its many historic buildings and Astronomical Clock, the historic 14th century Charles Bridge and the Jewish Quarter.
Tonight we have dinner followed by a private classical concert.
DAY 7 Prague
A full day to explore the city of Prague awaits today. We’ll begin with a vintage tram to travel through the city up the hill to Prague Castle and the gothic St. Vitus Cathedral. The castle and its surrounding architectural gems occupy a hillside overlooking the city and river. Lunch will be served nestled in the architectural treasures of this ‘City of a Hundred Spires.’
The rest of the day is free for you to visit more festive markets or take in more of the iconic sites of the city all within walking distance of the station. Dinner will be served on board our private train as we journey into Slovakia.
DAY 8 Kosice
We start our final day of touring in one of the lesser known gems of Central Europe, Kosice in Slovakia. The city was voted European Capital of Culture in 2013 and its medieval-come-cosmopolitan style is slowly drawing more visitors to this former cornerstone of Communist Czechoslovakia. We’ll take a highlights tour of the city, including the vast oval shaped central square, filled with relics from the 15th and 16th century.
This afternoon we’ll enjoy our final lunch on the train before arriving to Budapest. On our arrival evening in Budapest we’ll check back into the Four Seasons Gresham Palace before a celebratory Farewell Dinner toasting the success of the tour.
DAY 9 Budapest
Following breakfast on the final morning you will be transferred to the airport for onward flight departures.
There is also an option to extend your stay in Budapest for additional nights to explore more of this fascinating city.
Tour Inclusions
Accommodation
- Five-star pre and post tour accommodation
- Private en-suite accommodation on the Golden Eagle Danube Express train
Service
- Cabin attendant service including evening turndown
- Experienced Tour Management team
- Services of a UK-registered Doctor and medical facilities on board
- Arrival and departure transfers
- All gratuities – on and off the train
- Luggage porterage throughout the journey
Dining
- Freshly prepared meals on board, using the finest local ingredients
- Authentic dining experiences in local restaurants
- Inclusive alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages from Standard Bar list
- 8 Breakfasts, 7 Lunches, 8 Dinners
Excursions
- Expertly guided off-train excursions as detailed in the itinerary
- Freedom of Choice touring options
- VIP tickets to the Hofburg Silvester New Year’s Eve Gala Ball, Vienna
Tour Highlights
- Champagne reception on departure with a military brass band performance
- Learn how to dance the Viennese Waltz at the prestigious Elmayer Dance School
- VIP tickets to an exclusive New Year’s Eve Gala featuring the Wiener Hofball Orchestra
- See Vienna by horse-drawn carriage on New Year’s Day
- Enjoy a vintage tram ride through the historic centre of Prague
- Private classical concert at Prague’s impressive Municipal House
GOLDEN EAGLE DANUBE EXPRESS
The Golden Eagle Danube Express is your luxurious hotel-on-wheels. Unpack just the once and settle into your well-appointed and comfortable cabin as you begin this voyage of a lifetime.
Dates & Prices
All prices are per person
2024-2025
| USD ($) | Deluxe Class | Superior Deluxe Class | ||
| Twin ($) | Single ($) | Twin ($) | Single ($) | |
| Dec 28 – Jan 5 | 13,995 | 20,995 | 17,395 | 29,295 |
| Deposit | $2,000 | $2,500 | ||
2025-2026
| USD ($) | Deluxe Class | Superior Deluxe Class | ||
| Twin ($) | Single ($) | Twin ($) | Single ($) | |
| Dec 28 – Jan 5 | Request | Request | Request | Request |
| Deposit | $2,000 | $2,500 | ||
2024-2025
| GBP (£) | Deluxe Class | Superior Deluxe Class | ||
| Twin (£) | Single (£) | Twin (£) | Single (£) | |
| Dec 28 – Jan 5 | 11,195 | 16,795 | 13,895 | 23,395 |
| Deposit | £1,500 | £2,000 | ||
2025-2026
| GBP (£) | Deluxe Class | Superior Deluxe Class | ||
| Twin (£) | Single (£) | Twin (£) | Single (£) | |
| Dec 28 – Jan 5 | Request | Request | Request | Request |
| Deposit | £1,500 | £2,000 | ||
2024-2025
| EUR (€) | Deluxe Class | Superior Deluxe Class | ||
| Twin (€) | Single (€) | Twin (€) | Single (€) | |
| Dec 28 – Jan 5 | 12,695 | 18,995 | 15,795 | 26,595 |
| Deposit | €1,750 | €2,000 | ||
2025-2026
| EUR (€) | Deluxe Class | Superior Deluxe Class | ||
| Twin (€) | Single (€) | Twin (€) | Single (€) | |
| Dec 28 – Jan 5 | Request | Request | Request | Request |
| Deposit | €1,750 | €2,000 | ||
Brochure Library
Explore breathtaking destinations in style and comfort, immersing yourself in captivating experiences. Discover our luxury train journeys now by visiting our brochure download page.