Golden Eagle Danube Express: Turkish Treasures

Make the most of complimentary UK airport lounge access before your flight to Istanbul, a captivating city at the confluence between Europe and Asia, brimming with an astonishing array of cultural treasures and architectural masterpieces. On arrival, a private transfer will bring you to your five-star hotel, the Four Seasons Sultanahmet (or similar). A sumptuous welcome dinner awaits this evening, along with the opportunity to meet your fellow travellers. 

Stay: Four Seasons Hotel Sultanahmet (or similar)

Your first full day in Istanbul begins at the Hippodrome of Constantinople (also known as Sultanahmet Square), once the epicentre of the Byzantine Empire, where chariot races once captivated emperors and citizens alike. You’ll then move on to the Blue Mosque, a majestic architectural feat crowned by six minarets and around 20,000 intricate Iznik tiles on its interior walls, followed by a visit to the Hagia Sophia, originally built as a Christian basilica in the sixth century before being transformed into a mosque by the Ottomans in 1453.

Tuck into a delicious lunch at a traditional Turkish restaurant before continuing your sightseeing with a visit to Topkapi Palace, once home to the sultans of the Ottoman Empire, and the sprawling Underground Cistern – an ancient reservoir with hundreds of marble columns and vaulted ceilings. Then, you’ll take to the water on a private Bosphorus cruise, gliding past ornate palaces, grand mansions and historic fortresses as you see Istanbul from a totally different perspective. As dusk begins to fall, immerse yourself in the intoxicating aromas of the Spice Bazaar and enjoy dinner at the esteemed Hamdi Restaurant overlooking the Golden Horn and the Bosphorus. 

Stay: Four Seasons Hotel Sultanahmet (or similar)

Spend a leisurely morning in Istanbul before heading to the train station to board the Golden Eagle Danube Express, where your stylish, beautifully-appointed private cabin awaits. It’s akin to a luxury hotel on wheels, with a relaxed yet sophisticated ambience, along with immaculate service, as you weave a path through the diverse landscapes of Turkey. Enjoy your first gourmet dinner onboard this evening, perhaps followed by a drink or two in the elegant Bar Lounge Car.

This morning, you’ll awake to the vibrant port city of Izmir, which harbours a rich blend of Greek, Roman and Ottoman influences. Your explorations here will focus on the Agora, an ancient marketplace that provides a fascinating glimpse of the city’s Roman history. Next up is Ephesus, one of the largest and best preserved ancient cities in Turkey, a UNESCO World Heritage Site awash with Greek and Roman ruins. The remains of grand temples, amphitheatres and the resplendent Library of Celsus are a testament to the city’s former glory as one of the most important urban centres in the Mediterranean. After a guided tour of this awe-inspiring archaeological complex, it’s time to return to the train to continue your onward journey.

Arrive in Denizli for a full day exploring Hierapolis, another UNESCO-listed ancient city, renowned for its Greek and Roman ruins and a unique landscape of mineral-rich thermal springs, milky-blue petrified waterfalls and terraced basins. Stroll back in time through the necropolis and take in the grandeur of the theatre, set against a magnificent natural backdrop. There’s also time to explore the nearby ancient city of Laodicea, once a major hub for textile production, for a further insight into the region’s storied past.

Awake this morning in Ankara, a pulsating metropolis on the eastern edge of the Anatolian Plateau, shaped by a rich tapestry of cultural influences over the millennia. Although often overlooked by visitors in favour of Istanbul, the Turkish capital has much to offer in the way of excellent museums, historic landmarks (including an imposing hilltop citadel dating back to the seventh century), an eclectic blend of Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman heritage and a dynamic culinary scene.

Here, you’ll visit the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations for an immersive introduction to the region’s multi-layered history, before paying homage to the founding father of the Republic of Turkey at the Mausoleum of Ataturk. This striking monument is not just a shrine to one of the country’s most important political figures; it’s an awe-inspiring architectural marvel, too. Enjoy an authentic Turkish lunch at Divan Çukurhan, a historic inn turned into a luxury hotel, before returning to the train.

Savour one last breakfast on board before arriving in Kayseri, where you’ll disembark the Golden Eagle Danube Express and transfer to Cappadocia – a mesmerising region renowned for its vast underground cities and distinctive ‘fairy chimney’ landscapes, formed over millions of years by volcanic activity and erosion. Your tour will begin with a visit to Ozkonak Underground City, a sprawling subterranean labyrinth carved into the northern slopes of Idis Mountain which once sheltered local communities from invaders.

You’ll then head to a local restaurant for lunch before venturing into the Pasabag and Devrent Valleys for an introduction to Cappadocia’s otherworldly rock formations. Finally, you’ll be brought to your luxurious hotel where you’ll be based for the last two nights of your trip.

Stay: Luxury hotel in Cappadocia (tbc)

Start your final full day in Turkey in spectacular fashion with an optional hot air balloon ride – the ultimate way to take in Cappadocia’s breathtaking natural splendour from the perfect vantage point. Drifting over the region’s lunar-like landscapes as they’re bathed in the warm, golden glow of the rising sun is a truly special experience that’s bound to leave a profound and long-lasting impression.

Following this exhilarating adventure, your day continues with a visit to the Goreme Open Air Museum, a UNESCO World Heritage site in a valley filled with some of the finest rock-cut churches in the world, adorned with ancient frescoes. Round off your explorations with a stop at Pigeon Valley and the picturesque towns of Uchisar and Ortahisar before a lavish farewell dinner at the splendid Maara Konak. 

Stay: Luxury hotel in Cappadocia (tbc)

Bid farewell to Cappadocia’s magnificent landscapes after breakfast as a private transfer brings you to the airport to begin your journey home.