Day 1 - Paris
Your journey begins here! Board the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express at Paris Gare de l'Est around mid afternoon where you will be greeted by one of the stewards and shown to your cabin. Here the time is yours to settle in or explore the train's many beautifully restored carriages. Dinner is served in one of the restaurant cars where you'll experience the first of many feasts during your journey. Then why not head to the Bar Car for a cocktail as you listen to the live pianist before retiring to your cabin.
Day 2 - Budapest
Awake to glorious views from your cabin as the train travels through Hungary. A continental is served in your cabin at a time to suit you and the morning is yours to do as you wish. Lunch is served in one of the dining cars before we arrive in Budapest.
Disembark for your first excursion in Budapest as you enjoy a private dinner and your first hotel stay.
Day 3 - Budapest
After a glorious breakfast, you will be treated to a private guided tour of Budapest with lunch at a local restaurant. It's then time to head out to the water for a short cruise along the Danube.
Later that afternoon we rejoin the train, perhaps the perfect time for your favourite beverage in the bar car, before dinner is served as we travel into Romania.
Day 4 - Bucharest
Awake from a restful night's sleep to breakfast in your cabin followed brunch just as we pull-in to the mountain town of Sinaia. Here we disembark for a tour of Peles Castle.
Rejoining the train, there is a short journey to Bucharest where you will be given an orientation tour before being taken to your hotel. Dinner this enjoyed at a private venue this evening.
Day 5 - Bulgaria
After breakfast, it's time to rejoin the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express once again as we travel south into Bulgaria. During the afternoon, we make a brief stop so we can take in the views across the Black Sea in Varna.
Enjoy lunch and dinner onboard followed by your final night onboard.
Day 6 - Istanbul
As you awake you find we are already in Turkey as we cross the beautiful Thracian Plain. A Turkish-inspired lunch signals your final meal onboard before the train arrives in Istanbul.
