10-Nights Golden Eagle Grand Alpine Express - Ready-to-Book Private Journeys

Abercrombie & Kent · 10 days

10-Nights Golden Eagle Grand Alpine Express - Ready-to-Book Private Journeys
Luxury
Fall for the romance of rail travel on this loop of Europe’s loveliest lakes and mountains, hopping between some of the continent’s most culturally diverse capitals.


This journey starts among the spires of Budapest and ends on the waterways of Venice, allowing you to revel in the Austrian Tyrol, Swiss Alps and Italian Lake District from the comfort of the Golden Eagle Danube Express train, whose en suite cabins are complete with power showers and king-sized beds. With a dedicated cabin attendant providing personal service 24/7 and a fine-dining restaurant car, accommodation has all the comfort and glamor of a Grande Dame hotel, that will whisk you all the way from Lake Zurich to Lake Bled.

Air

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Itinerary

Lake Bled
Trieste
Excursions

Explore Trieste and its charming Miramare castle — Optional Private Excursions
This private tour will introduce you to the best features of Trieste and its area, including a mesmerizing castle Miramare, once a love nest of a Austro-Hungarian Emperor. We suppose this is proof that emperors have a softer side, as well. Trieste is a very vibrant city in North Italy, known for its mundane, hedonistic culture of after-work aperitifs, amazing food and fast but pleasant energy of the city. This melting pot of different cultures and religions, resulted in Trieste being a very interesting epicentre of culture today. Just outside Trieste, a beautiful castle is located, built under the Austro-Hungarian reign. Facing the sea, it is situated on steep rocks, and surrounded with romantic gardens that will take your breath away.


Highlights:

  • unique sightseeing experience 

  • Personal guide

  • Round transfer

Tour Duration: up to 4h
Tour can operate: Morning 
Wheelchair Accessible: No
Physical Activity Level: Easy

Inclusions: 

  • Private guide
  • Round transfers
  • Tickets for Miramare Castle 

Not Included:

  • Lunch
  • Tips

 

Verona
Venice
Excursions

Venice: Splendours of Venice Walking Tour - 4 hours — Optional Private Excursions

Today enjoy a walking tour of Venice with your local English-speaking guide including visits to several of the most famous landmarks of the city.
The Doges’ Palace was the seat of the main government departments, the residence of the Doge, from where the Venetian Republic was ruled. Lavish frescoes, graceful staircases and gilded stuccowork reveal the glory and opulence of this period.
One of the finest examples of Byzantine architecture in Venice, St. Mark’s Basilica was once the Doge’s chapel. It is also a mausoleum for St. Mark, the patron saint of Venice who was martyred by the Turks in Alexandria, Egypt. As you enter the Basilica, marvel at the golden mosaics depicting the life of St. Mark, the Old and New Testaments, the life of Jesus and his Resurrection. St. Mark’s Square is actually not a square at all, but a trapezoid whose extensive sides flare out giving it the appearance of being even more spacious.
Travel to and from the San Marco area with your guide by private Venetian-style motorboat.

Highlights:
  • Admire the wonderful architecture of the Doge's Palace and St Mark's Basilica
Tour Duration: 4 hours

Tour can Operate: Morning/Afternoon

Wheelchair Accessible: Please enquire for more information

Physical Activity Level: Light

Inclusions:
  • Return private motorboat transfers between the harbour and central Venice
  • An expert English-speaking guide (4 hours)
  • Entrance fees to all named sights and museums
  • All taxes
Exclusions:
  • All cruise travel, personal items, meals and associated costs.
  • Gratuities

Venice: Venice for Art Lovers Walking Tour - 4 hours — Optional Private Excursions

Venice holds a wealth of treasures for anybody interested in the exquisite arts. With your expert guide, discover the Frari church, considered one of the most imposing Gothic monuments in Venice. In view of this, you’ll be surprised to discover that the church’s austere look hides a wonderfully lavish interior where, among the many treasures, you’ll find Titian’s early altarpieces and a true masterpiece by Giovanni Bellini. Also visit the Accademia Gallery; a dazzling collection of masterpieces spanning the full development of Venetian art from Byzantine to Renaissance, Baroque and Rococo. Travel to and from the San Marco area with your guide by private Venetian-style motorboat.

Highlights:
  • Admire the many art treasures on display in the Frari Church
  • See the masterpieces on display in the Accademia Gallery
Tour Duration: 4 hours

Tour Can Operate: Morning/Afternoon

Wheelchair Accessible: Please enquire for more information

Physical Activity Level: Light

Inclusions:
  • Return private motorboat transfers between the harbour and central Venice
  • An expert English-speaking guide (4 hours)
  • Entrance fees to all stated sights and museums
  • All taxes
Exclusions:
  • All cruise travel, personal items, meals and associated costs
  • Gratuities

Venice: The Roman City of Verona - 7 hours — Optional Private Excursions

Travel with your English-speaking driver across the causeway to Venice’s mainland and onwards to the beautiful and historic city of Verona where your expert local guide will meet with you. Verona is an elegant city with one of the world’s finest Roman amphitheatres at its heart. The Arena still plays host to thousands of performances today, as it did millennia ago.
Verona also featured heavily in Shakespeare’s ‘Romeo and Juliet’, so a visit to the house of Juliet and its famous balcony is a must. Enjoy time at leisure (about an hour) in the beautiful piazzas before returning with your driver to your cruise ship.

Highlights:
  • Visit Verona's impressive Amphitheatre
  • See Juliet's House and its famous balcony
Tour Duration: 7 hours

Tour Can Operate: Mornings

Wheelchair Accessible: Please enquire for more information

Physical Activity Level: Light

Inclusions:
  • Luxury car or minivan transfers between Venice cruise terminal and Verona
  • An expert English-speaking guide in Verona (3 hours)
  • Entrance fees to the stated sightseeing
  • All taxes
Exclusions:
  • All cruise travel, personal items, meals and associated costs
  • Gratuities

Venice - St. Marks, Grand Canal and Murano - 6 hours — Optional Private Excursions

Added Value:
  • Introduction to the history of Venice
  • Visit to private glass producer in Murano
  • Tour of Grand Canal by private boat
  • Reservations to St.Marks and Doge's Palace - no lines
Tour duration: 6 hours
Not wheelchair accessible
Physical activity: Moderate with a fair amount of walking

Included:
  • Private English speaking guide for the day and private boat.
  • Clients are picked up and dropped off at the Port
Excluded: 
Meals

Venice in a Day - 8 hours — Optional Private Excursions

Meet your private English-speaking assistant and private boat at the pier side of Venice port.
The tour will start with an hour cruise by private boat along the Grand Canal to see its beauty as it was intended to be seen  by boat. Continue visiting the island of Murano: you will enter into a real working studio and see how the glass is blown and shaped with the original tools which have been used throughout history.

Next, you will come back to Venice and enjoy a ride by gondola: the symbol of Venice. Both if  you are honeymooner or young people or well travelled tourist, you will be captured by the elegance and charm of this experience.

After lunch your private English speaking guide will meet you and take you on a walking tour, explaining the historical background of Venice, its origin and development. Visiting St. Mark's square with the Golden Basilica and the Doge's palace, you will come in touch with the most admired and well known artistic jewels, especially from a monumental & architectural point of view. The past splendours of the Serenissima will appear through palaces, churches, bell towers, well curbs, elegant renaissance and baroque facades.

Also worth a detailed visit is the lively area of Rialto's market, connecting the famous bridge to St. Mark's square through the well known Mercerie street: the remnants of Venice's magnificence will fascinate you.
We will ensure your timely return transfer to the Venice Port


Highlights:

  • Grand Canal, Murano island, Golden Basilica, Doge’s Palace, Bell Tower, main and -off the truck- highlights

Tour Duration: 8 hours

Tour can Operate: Morning 

Wheelchair Accessible: No

Physical Activity Level: Low

Inclusions:
·         3 hours Luxury private boat at disposal for the entire day
·         English-speaking assistant at disposal for the entire day
·         4 hour private English-speaking guide
·         No Line entrance fees for Basilica and Doge’s Palace

Exclusions:
·         All cruise travel, personal items, meals and associated costs
·         Gratuities

Venice: Lagoon Islands - 7 hours — Optional Private Excursions
Today you will be met by your local English-speaking guide for a full day excursion by private motor-boat to explore the Lagoon Islands of Murano, Burano and Torcello.
Venice lies in the centre of a vast lagoon that stretches for about 30 miles from north to south, studded by numerous small islands, mostly deserted. This amazing environment is what drove the Venetians to establish their city here, a perfectly secure and inaccessible little world. Enjoy the beauty of a ride across the waters of the lagoon; visit the island of Murano, where glass has been made for over 700 years and where you can see the age-old techniques of glass blowing still in use today.
Continue to Torcello, to see the breathtaking mosaics in the Basilica di Santa Maria dell’Assunta, the oldest building on the lagoon. After a leisurely lunch (payable locally) you reach the island of Burano, a quaint and colourful fisherman island famous for its lace and charming architecture.

Highlights:

  • Cruise across the lagoon to Murano, where glass has been made for over 700 years using the same techniques
  • Explore Torcello and Burano, a colourful fishing village famous for its lace and charming architecture
Tour Duration: 7 hours

Tour can Operate: Morning

Wheelchair Accessible: Please enquire for more information

Physical Activity Level: Low

Inclusions:
•    Return private motorboat transfer between the harbour and the islands
•    An expert local guide (7 hours)
•    Entrance fees
•    All taxes

Exclusions:
•    All cruise travel, personal items, meals and associated costs
•    Gratuities

The story of Murano and Burano — Optional Private Excursions
Hop on a private boat and start sailing through the Venice lagoon! This unique tour will let you discover the authentic side of Venice by exploring two famous islands – Murano and Burano. First stop, Murano – an epicenter of the most sophisticated glass production in the world. “Il vetro di Murano”, the glass of Murano, is a special type of glass made for decades. You will visit one of the traditional factories and take part in a glass-blowing demonstration. Pretty exclusive, don’t you think?

Your next stop is Burano – a small, fishermen’s island, famous for its heritage of lace embroidery that it’s still today made by hand only. It is often mentioned as one of the prettiest towns in Italy and also one of the most unique thanks to two characteristics: its canals and its colorful houses that make the island a real rainbow of colors! This tour will surely let you remember the Venice Lagoon forever.

Highlights:

  • Unique island experience 
  • Personal guide
Tour Duration: Approx. 3-4h
Tour can operate: Morning or afternoon
Wheelchair Accessible: No
Physical Activity Level: Light

Inclusions: 
  • Private guide
  • Private boat
Not Included:
  • Lunch
  • Drinks
  • Gratuities
  • Items purchased for personal use

The Canal Grande cruise followed by a walking tour of Venice — Optional Private Excursions
Are you ready to start this tour with a private boat cruise down the most spectacular “boulevard” in the world? Yes, we are talking about The Canal Grande, Venice’s main artery. Just hop on your private boat and enjoy the scenic views of all the marvelous palaces and side alley’s canals. Sit back and relax while you absorb the breath-taking beauty and uniqueness of Venice. After the ride, the guide will take you through Calli, Callette, Ponti, Campi and Campielli. You will reach Rialto bridge, that was the only way to cross the great Canal on foot, for centuries. You can indulge in great experience of the famous local market filled with interesting products and learn more about the area that was once a significant place for trading goods.
 

Highlights:

  • unique sightseeing experience 

  • Personal guide

Tour Duration: up to 4h
Tour can operate: Morning / Afternoon
Wheelchair Accessible: No
Physical Activity Level: Easy

Inclusions: 

  • Private guide
  • No line entrance tickets for Doge’s Palace and St. Mark Basilic

Not Included:

  • Lunch
  • Tips
  • Drinks
  • Transfers

 

Ljubljana
Excursions

Ljubljana tour with visit to Postojna Cave and Predjama Castle — Optional Private Excursions
You will meet Your personal English speaking guide and driver in the Koper harbor for Your unique tour – sightseeing of city Ljubljana and visit to Postojna cave and Predjama Castle  
Today Your tour will start with easy walk to the Preseren Square from where You will go on a relaxed walking journey around downtown. Afterwards You will cross the Three Bridges and the farmer’s market and take cable car to visit Ljubljana Castle. After the sightseeing of Ljubljana You will continue on to Postojna cave and Castle. 
Discover underground world of Postojna Cave, most popular karst cave in Slovenia. This guided tour will consist of a ride by electrical train and followed by a walk through beautiful passages and chambers with spectacular drop stones, pillars, limestone curtains and other unforgettable forms. You will continue to idyllic village of Predjama where you will be amazed by fairy tale medieval Predjama castle with dramatic setting in the gaping mouth of a cavern halfway up a hillside.

Highlights:

  • Postojna cave 
  • Predjama Castle
  • Personal guide
  • Round transfer
Tour Duration: up to 8h
Tour can operate: Morning
Wheelchair Accessible: No
Physical Activity Level: Light

Inclusions: 
  • Private guide
  • Tickets 
  • Round transfers

Not Included:
  • Lunch
  • Tips

 

Lake Como
Zurich
Innsbruck
Vienna
Excursions

Vienna Shore Excursion: Private City Walk Vienna's Old Town, 2,5 hours — Optional Private Excursions
This interesting city walk offers you an initial overview of the history, culture and achitecture of Vienna, taking you through the most beautiful and elegant streets and passing by some of the most famous sights of the city.
At the end of this tour, you can continue exploring the city centre on your own.

Highlights:

  • The Imperial Palace, residence of the Habsburgs for nearly 650 years (outside)
  • St. Stephen’s Cathedral, Vienna's landmark (outside)
  • State Opera House (outside)
  • the Ringstrasse ('ring road')
Your private guide is always flexible and adapts the tour to your special interests.

Tour Duration: 2,5-3 hours

Tour can operate: Morning or Afternoon

Wheelchair Accessible: No

Physical Activity Level: Light to Moderate

Inclusions:
  • Pick up at the landing stage of the cruise ship in Vienna
  • One way transfer in private car from the pier to the city centre
  • Private licensed English speaking guide (other languages available, but on request)
Not included:
  • Meals
  • Gratuities and personal expenses
  • Entrances
  • Return transfer to the ship (optional service upon extra charge)

Vienna Shore Excursion: Private City Walk Mozart in Vienna, 2,5 hours — Optional Private Excursions
During this city walk "On the Traces of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart", you discover Vienna's historic old town, passing by some of the most important locations of Mozart's life. This tour also includes a visit of the Mozart House. At the end of this tour, you can continue exploring the city centre on your own.

Highlights:

  • Vienna's historic old town and former addresses of Mozart (outdoor)
  • Visit of the Mozart House Vienna (indoor visit)
  • St. Stephen's Cathedral (outdoor)
Your private guide is always flexible and adapts the tour to your special interests.

Tour Duration: 2,5-3 hours

Tour can operate: Morning or Afternoon

Physical Activity Level: Light to Moderate

Inclusions:
  • Pick up at the landing stage of the cruise ship in Vienna
  • One way transfer in private car from the pier to the city centre
  • Private licensed English speaking guide (other languages available, but on request)
  • Entrance fee Mozart House (visit with audio-guide)
Not included:
  • Meals
  • Gratuities and personal expenses
  • Entrances other than stated above
  • Return transfer to the cruise ship (optional service upon extra charge)

 

Vienna Shore Excursion: Private City Walk Imperial Palace, 2,5 hours — Optional Private Excursions
This privately guided walking tour through Vienna's historic old town takes you to the Imperial Palace ('Hofburg'), to visit the Imperial Apartments and the fascinating Sisi Museum.

Highlights:

  • Visit of the Imperial Palace and the Imperial Apartments (indoor visit)
  • Visit of the Sisi Museum (indoor visit)
  • Augustinian Church
Your private guide is always flexible and adapts the tour to your special interests.

Tour Duration: 2,5-3 hours

Tour can operate: Morning or Afternoon

Physical Activity Level: Light to Moderate

Inclusions:
  • Pick up the landing stage of the cruise ship in Vienna
  • One way transfer in private car from the pier to the city centre
  • Private licensed English speaking guide (other languages available, but on request)
  • Entrance fee for the Imperial Palace (Imperial Apartments and the Sisi Museum)
Not included:
  • Meals
  • Gratuities and personal expenses
  • Entrances other than stated above
  • Return transfer to the ship (optional service upon extra charge)

Vienna Shore Excursion: Private City Tour of Vienna & Visit of Schoenbrunn Palace, 4 hours — Optional Private Excursions
This privately guided tour shows you the major historical sights along the Ringstrasse, before taking you to the magnificent Schoenbrunn Palace, former summer residence of the Habsburg family.

Highlights:

  • Main sights along the Ringstrasse: e.g. Imperial Palace, National Museums, State Opera, Burgtheater, City Hall, Parliament etc. (outside)
  • Visit of the Schoenbrunn Palace, privately guided tour (indoor visit)
Your private guide is always flexible and adapts the tour to your special interests.

Tour Duration: 4 hours

Tour can operate: Morning or Afternoon

Physical Activity Level: Light

Inclusions:
  • Pick up and drop off at the landing stage of the cruise ship in Vienna
  • Transfer in a private car
  • Private licensed English speaking guide (other languages available, but on request)
  • Entrance fee for Schoenbrunn Palace (Highlight Tour)
Not included:
  • Meals
  • Gratuities and personal expenses
  • Entrances other than stated above

Vienna Shore Excursion: Private City Tour Art Nouveau and Viennese Architecture, 4 hours — Optional Private Excursions
In addition to the familiar Gothic and Baroque buildings, Art Nouveau has a fixed place in Viennese architecture. Naturally, this tour also covers further architecural epoques, such as modernity.

Highlights:

  • Architecturally interesting sights along the Ringstrasse: e.g. Imperial Palace, National Museums, State Opera, City Hall, Parliament etc. (outside)
  • Visit of the Vienna Secession (inside visit)
  • Visit of the Kunst Haus Wien (insde visit)
  • St. Charles's Church (outside)
  • Hundertwasserhaus (outside)
Your private guide is always flexible and adapts the tour to your special interests.

Tour Duration: 4 hours

Tour can operate: Tuesday to Sunday; Morning or Afternoon
(Vienna Secession is closed on Monday!)

Physical Activity Level: Light to Moderate

Inclusions:
  • Pick up and drop off at the landing stage of the cruise ship in Vienna
  • Transfer in a private car
  • Private licensed English speaking guide (other languages available, but on request)
  • Entrance fee for Vienna Secession
  • Entrance fee for Kunst Haus Wien
Not included:
  • Meals
  • Gratuities and personal expenses
  • Entrances other than stated above

Vienna Shore Excursion: Private City Walk & the Lipizzaner Horses, 5 hours — Optional Private Excursions
From Tuesday to Friday (9am-1pm, excl. July), this package covers many interesting aspects of Vienna: Starting with a short Vienna Old Town City Walk, you follow your guide through the old town towards the Spanish Riding School, where you attend the Lippizaner's Morning Exercise, allowing an insight into the training of the Lipizzaner Horses and their riders. At the end of this tour, you can continue exploring the city centre on your own.

Highlights:

  • Overview of the history, culture and architecture of Vienna
  • Vienna's historic old town (outside)
  • Attendance of the Morning Exercise at the Spanish Riding School (inside visit)
  • Coffee break at the famous Café Central
Your private guide is always flexible and adapts the tour to your special interests.

Tour Duration: 4 hours

Tour can operate: Tuesday to Friday, 9am - 1pm (excluding July)

Physical Activity Level: Light to Moderate

Inclusions:
  • Pick up at the landing stage of the cruise ship in Vienna
  • One way transfer in private car from the pier to the city centre
  • Private licensed English speaking guide (other languages available, but on request)
  • Entrance fee for the Morning Exercise at the Spanish Riding School
  • Coffee break at Café Demel (1 hot drink, 1 piece of cake)
Not included:
  • Meals
  • Gratuities
  • Personal expenses
  • Entrances other than stated above
  • Return transfer to the ship (optional service upon extra charge)

Budapest
Excursions

Budapest Shore Excursion: Private Half Day City Tour of Budapest, 4 hours — Optional Private Excursions
This privately guided tour shows you the major sights within on the Pest Side (e.g.the Opera House, St. Stephen's Basilica), as well the Buda Side (Castle Hill). One highlight of this tour is an inside visit of the Fishermen's Bastion and the impressive Matthias Church.

Highlights:

  • Heroe's Square, Vajdahunyad Castle (outside)
  • State Opera (outside)
  • St. Stephen's Basilica (outside)
  • Parliament Buidling (outside)
  • Fishermen's Bastion (entry to upper terrace)
  • Matthias Church (indoor visit)
Your private guide is always flexible and adapts the tour according to your special interests.

Tour Duration: 4 hours

Tour can operate: Morning or Afternoon

Physical Activity Level: Light

Inclusions:
  • Pick up and drop off at the landing stage of the cruising ship in Budapest
  • Transfer in a private car
  • Private licensed English speaking guide (other languages available, but on request)
  • Entrance fees for Fishermen's Bastion and Matthias Church
Not included:
  • Meals
  • Gratuities and personal expenses
  • Entrances other than stated above

Budapest Shore Excursion: Private Full Day City Tour of Budapest, 8 hours — Optional Private Excursions
This extended privately guided full day basically covers all major sights and interesting locations within Budapest, also including inside visits of the Fishermen's Bastion, Matthias Church and the Parliament Building.

Highlights:

  • Main sights, e.g. National Museum, State Opera, Heroe's Square, Great Synagogue, Central Market Hall, Gellért Hill, Citatel, Vajdahunyad Castle etc. (outside visits)
  • Various Bridges above the Danube, e.g. Chain Bridge, Liberty Bridge, Elisabeth Bridge etc.
  • Matthias Church (inside visit)
  • Fishermen's Bastion (inside visit)
  • Parliament Building (inside visit)
Your guide is always flexible and adapts the tour according to your special interests.

Tour Duration: 8 hours

Tour can operate: Full Day

Physical Activity Level: Moderate

Inclusions:
  • Pick up and drop off at the landing stage of the cruising ship in Budapest
  • Transfer in a private car
  • Private licensed English speaking guide (other languages available, but on request)
  • Entrance fees for Fishermen's Bastion, Matthias Church, Parliament
Not included:
  • Meals
  • Gratuities and personal expenses
  • Entrances other than stated above

Budapest Shore Excursion: Private Half Day Tour Budapest Castle District, 4 hours — Optional Private Excursions
During this privately guided tour, you visit the Castle Hill of Budapest, with the Royal and Presidential Palaces, fascinating squares and medieval cobblestone streets. Highlights are inside visits of the Fishermen's Bastion and the impressive Matthias Church.

Highlights:

  • Budapest's Castle Hill
  • Royal and Presidential Palaces (outside)
  • Holy Trinity Square
  • Hess András Square
  • Fishermen's Bastion (entry to upper terrace)
  • Matthias Church of Our Lady (indoor visit)
Your private guide is always flexible and adapts the tour according to your special interests.

Tour Duration: 4 hours

Tour can operate: Morning or Afternoon

Physical Activity Level: Light

Inclusions:
  • Pick up and drop off at the landing stage of the cruising ship in Budapest
  • Transfer in a private car
  • Private licensed English speaking guide (other languages available, but on request)
  • Entrance fees for Fishermen's Bastion and Matthias Church
Not included:
  • Meals
  • Gratuities and personal expenses
  • Entrances other than stated above

Terms & Additional Information
Prices are per person, double occupancy and include internal air where applicable. Holiday surcharge may apply. Departure dates, prices and availability may change at any time. Some restrictions may apply.

All fares are quoted in US Dollars.

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