Embark on a private train journey to Istanbul, during which you’ll sleep on the luxury Golden Eagle Danube Express with ever-changing views at your window—the perfect addition to a river cruise. Along the way, visit Alpine lake towns, historic cities across Eastern Europe, and more. For the cruise portion of your journey, board the S.S. La Venezia in romantic Venice and treat yourself to a private evening lighting ceremony at St. Mark’s Basilica. Depart the enchanting “City of Water” to explore the waterfront shops, colorful facades, and peaceful canals unique to Burano, Mazzorbo, and Torcello. Farther south, discover Chioggia—a charming southern port loved by fishermen, artists, and anyone looking for unique gifts or souvenirs.

1. Day 1
   Venice (Embark)

   Sun, Aug 23, 2026

   Arrive at Venice Marco Polo International Airport. If you have arranged a Uniworld arrival transfer, you will be greeted by a Uniworld representative and transferred to the ship. Unpack, relax and enjoy your first evening on the Venetian Lagoon.
   Meals: Dinner
2. Day 2
   Venice

   Mon, Aug 24, 2026

   With your early morning arrival at Doge’s Palace, you’ll be able to marvel at the estate in total peace. Wander through a Venetian neighborhood and experience daily life in an authentic Venetian residential quarter. Later in the evening, cap the day off with a private once-in-a-lifetime experience at an after-hours lighting ceremony inside St. Mark’s Basilica without the crowds.
   Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
3. Day 3
   Venice (Padua), Mazzorbo (Burano)

   Tue, Aug 25, 2026

   Start your morning in one of two of the Veneto region’s UNESCO World Heritage cities, Vicenza or Padua. In the afternoon, you'll reboard the ship for scenic sailing across the lagoon as we head towards Mazzorbo and Burano. In the evening, you may wish to take your free time to stroll into town to appreciate this charming island when most of the tourists have left for the evening. Burano’s brightly painted fishermen’s cottages are an artist’s dream —hot pink, chartreuse, orange, lemon yellow, and more.
   Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
4. Day 4
   Mazzorbo, Burano, Chioggia

   Wed, Aug 26, 2026

   Spend the day exploring the northern lagoon of Venice and its captivating islands. Start with a visit to Torcello's famous basilica with an art historian, then stroll through the agricultural island of Mazzorbo and the rainbow-hued island of Burano during your free time after lunch. Alternatively, you can take the afternoon to see the renowned glassblowing artisans of Murano at work.
   Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
5. Day 5
   Chioggia

   Thu, Aug 27, 2026

   Today, you’ll admire the greatest sites of charming and coastal Chioggia, including a stop at the local and lively market.
   Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
6. Day 6
   Chioggia, Venice

   Fri, Aug 28, 2026

   This morning, join a sailing excursion where you’ll explore the Po Delta where the Po River and the Adriatic Sea meet. Later, during lunch, we sail back to Venice.
   Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
7. Day 7
   Venice

   Sat, Aug 29, 2026

   As your water taxi glides past narrow side canals and the Canal Grande, you’ll arrive in style at the Rialto Bridge. The iconic stone arch bridge sits at the narrowest point of the Canal Grande and holds numerous shops and restaurants.
   Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
8. Day 8
   Venice (Disembark), Transfer to Train (Embark), Trieste, Postojna

   Sun, Aug 30, 2026

   Disembark the ship and join the Golden Eagle Danube Express at Venice Santa Lucia Station. As you settle into your cabins, the train will thread its way out of the station and onto the causeway across the lagoon that links Venice to the mainland. Your first stop is the ancient port of Trieste for a tour of the city.This evening, we experience the truly jaw-dropping Postojna Caves. Travel deep underground aboard a cave train before exploring a remarkable network of vast chambers, dramatic stalactite and stalagmite formations, and the mysterious subterranean wildlife that inhabits this extraordinary natural wonder.
   Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
9. Day 9
   Pula, Rijeka

   Mon, Aug 31, 2026

   Begin the morning with a guided tour of Pula, exploring its historic center and the impressive Roman Arena, where a spectacular gladiator performance brings the city’s ancient past vividly to life.Continue inland to the Kumparička Estate for a visit and leisurely lunch, enjoying a tasting of authentic Istrian flavors in a beautiful rural setting.In the afternoon, travel to Rijeka for a guided walk through the city center, including time along the lively Korzo promenade, before rejoining the train to continue your journey.
10. Day 10
    Sarajevo

    Tue, Sep 01, 2026

    Early in the morning, you’ll arrive in the Bosnian capital of Sarajevo, which has an intriguing blend of Eastern and Western culture. It has mosques and minarets, an ancient bazaar, and an atmospheric old Turkish quarter. Discover the city’s poignant history through a truly absorbing tour detailing the horrors of the Balkan War. Sarajevo suffered from the longest siege of a capital city in the history of modern warfare.Following lunch at a local restaurant, you can customize your day by selecting one of the following excursion options:Ascend by cable car to Mount Trebević, once a 1984 Olympic venue, where breathtaking panoramic views unfold across the city and surrounding mountains.Alternatively, visit the Tunnel of Hope, a profoundly moving site that tells the story of Sarajevo’s endurance and spirit during the siege of the 1990s, offering a powerful and reflective counterpoint to the city’s beauty above ground.
11. Day 11
    Mostar

    Wed, Sep 02, 2026

    We continue to the historic city of Mostar, a true crossroads of cultures and faiths. Once one of the most important cities of the Ottoman Empire, Mostar is renowned for its striking stone arch bridge, gracefully spanning the Neretva River and symbolically linking the Christian and Muslim quarters of the town. Destroyed during the conflict of the 1990s, the bridge was meticulously rebuilt and reopened in the summer of 2004, standing today as a powerful emblem of reconciliation and continuity.Enjoy a guided walking tour through the old town, including a visit to a traditional Turkish House and a local mosque, offering insight into Ottoman life and architecture. Wander through the narrow bazaar streets to browse for traditional handicrafts and local souvenirs. Lunch is enjoyed at a restaurant overlooking the iconic bridge, before following the emerald waters of the Neretva River to the ancient Ottoman fortified town of Počitelj, dramatically set against the hillside and steeped in history.
12. Day 12
    Belgrade

    Thu, Sep 03, 2026

    Nestled at the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers, Belgrade, capital of Serbia, is one of oldest and most fascinating cities in Europe. As a mark of its turbulent past it, the modern landscape of Belgrade is one of sharp contrasts: from Communist-era buildings to Orthodox churches, and from old Celtic fortresses to the ruins left by the Balkans wars.Here, we disembark the train for an overnight stay at the historic Hotel Bristol, an elegant landmark reflecting the city’s grand past. Beginning with a guided tour of the Old Town and the commanding Kalemegdan Fortress, where sweeping panoramic views unfold at the dramatic confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers.Following the tour, enjoy a curated wine tasting featuring local Serbian wines, accompanied by regional snacks that showcase the country’s emerging wine culture. In the afternoon, visit the magnificent Church of Saint Sava, one of the largest Orthodox churches in the world, renowned for its vast scale, luminous interiors, and spiritual significance.
13. Day 13
    Belgrade

    Fri, Sep 04, 2026

    Today we explore Tito’s Belgrade, gaining insight into the life and legacy of one of the most influential figures in Yugoslav history. Visit Tito’s museum complex, including his former residence and the museum itself, where you will be welcomed with the traditional Serbian offering of bread and salt.The visit is complemented by a lively Serbian folk-dance performance, bringing local culture and tradition vividly to life and offering a memorable perspective on Belgrade’s 20th-century heritage. Following the visit, we rejoin the train and continue our journey southeast towards Sofia, crossing the scenic landscapes of Serbia as we make our way into Bulgaria.
14. Day 14
    Sofia, Plovdiv

    Sat, Sep 05, 2026

    After breakfast, your train arrives in Sofia, Bulgaria’s capital at the foot of Mt Vitosha. On your morning tour, you will visit sections of the Roman wall and admire the ancient church of St George, the golden-domed Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, and the Turkish Bashi Mosque.Enjoy lunch on the train as you travel from Sofia to Plovdiv. The second largest city in Bulgaria after Sofia, ‘The City of Seven Hills’ is one of the oldest cities in Europe with more than 200 known archaeological sites. You’ll visit the charming Old Town, including its medieval walls and Ottoman baths. Enjoy the final night’s dinner onboard this evening as you head for Turkey.
15. Day 15
    Istanbul (Disembark)

    Sun, Sep 06, 2026

    We arrive in Istanbul—the legendary city that straddles two continents—where your luggage is transferred directly to the Four Seasons Hotel, perfectly positioned to maximize your enjoyment of the city’s vibrant energy and historic grandeur. As the final stop on our journey, Istanbul provides a captivating finale, where ancient heritage blends effortlessly with contemporary life.Begin with a gentle walk through the historic streets on your way to the atmospheric Spice Market, where a guided visit will take you through the rich aromas and vivid displays of this centuries-old bazaar, whetting the appetite for a traditional Turkish lunch.After lunch, embark on a scenic cruise along the legendary Bosphorus, where Istanbul’s dramatic skyline unfolds in a sweeping panorama of domes, minarets, and waterfront palaces, offering a unique perspective on the meeting point of Europe and Asia.Later, check in at the hotel and enjoy time at leisure to relax or explore as you wish until it is time to rejoin the group for dinner. In the evening, descend into the atmospheric depths of Istanbul’s ancient cisterns. Visit one of these remarkable underground structures before enjoying dinner, concluding the day with a truly memorable and evocative experience.
16. Day 16
    Istanbul

    Mon, Sep 07, 2026

    This morning tailor your final explorations of Istanbul with one of two excursions. You may choose to visit the opulent Topkapi Palace, former residence of the Ottoman sultans, exploring its magnificent courtyards, harem, and treasury, each revealing centuries of imperial history. Alternatively, enjoy a guided tour of the Grand Bazaar, including the exhilarating opportunity to follow in James Bond’s footsteps with a walk along the rooftop of this vast and historic marketplace.After lunch, we visit one of the city’s most iconic landmarks, the awe-inspiring Hagia Sophia. Built in the 6th century under Emperor Justinian, it was once among the grandest basilicas of the Christian world. Following the Ottoman conquest, it was transformed into a mosque, and today it stands as one of the most magnificent Grand Mosques in the world—a powerful and enduring symbol of Istanbul’s layered history and architectural brilliance.This evening, conclude your journey with a Farewell Dinner at the hotel, an elegant and intimate celebration of the remarkable experiences shared across Europe and the Balkans, and a fitting finale to an unforgettable journey.
17. Day 17
    Istanbul

    Tue, Sep 08, 2026

    If you have arranged a Uniworld departure transfer, you will be transferred to Istanbul Airport for your departure.