Gems of Central Europe by Rail

Upon arrival, you’ll be warmly greeted and escorted to the deluxe Grand Hotel in the heart of Sofia. This evening, gather with your fellow travelers for a Welcome Dinner and your first taste of traditional Bulgarian cuisine.  Meals D

This morning’s expertly guided city tour begins with the architectural landmarks of Sofia’s historical core. Chief among these monuments is the impressive Alexander Nevsky Cathedral. With its large gilded domes visible from many areas of the city, the cathedral of the Bulgarian Orthodox Patriarch has become one of the city’s most recognized and popular symbols. You’ll also see the round church of St. George, a splendidly preserved Byzantine building, and the impressive Parliament and National Theater. Traveling to the outskirts of the city, you’ll also visit Boyana Church, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that was built in the 10th century and expanded 300 years later. The interior frescoes date to the 13th century and are considered to be some of the Continent’s most important examples of east European medieval art. After, you will visit Rila Monastery, famed for its impressive frescoes. Originally founded in the 10th century by St. John of Rila, the monastery was destroyed by fire at the beginning of the 19th century and rebuilt in the mid 1800’s in classic Bulgarian Renaissance style. It is now recognized as an important symbol of the country’s strong Slavic cultural identity following centuries of Ottoman rule.  Meals B+L

Depart Sofia this morning to visit Plovdiv, where you’ll enjoy a guided walking tour through the Old Town with its cobbled streets and fine examples of National Revival architecture. Discover late antiquity art at the Great Basilica Museum, which is widely considered to be one of the best museums in the area. Later, you’ll be returned to Sofia. Meals B+L

Check out after breakfast and travel to the village of Skobelevo. On your guided tour through the Damascena Complex, you’ll see how Bulgaria’s famed rose oil was distilled in ancient times - and watch the modern techniques in use today. The rose was first introduced to Bulgaria by Ottoman Turks in the 1600’s. Within 100 years, large quantities of rose oil were being exported to France for use by French perfume producers. Today, it’s still an important part of the region’s economy.

Nearby in Kazanlak, the Thracian Tomb  is no longer open to visitors - a step taken to protect its Hellenistic frescoes that date from the 4th Century B.C. Next door, however, an educational center offers a remarkably accurate reconstruction of the tomb and its remarkable wall paintings. After this visit, continue to Veliko Tarnovo and check in to the Grand Yantra Hotel. Then join your guide for an afternoon walking tour here in Bulgaria’s former medieval capital. Later today, you’ll enjoy a pleasant evening stroll with your guide in the historic village of Arbanassi. Sit down to dinner in a local restaurant and then return to your hotel in Veliko Tarnovo.  Meals B+D

This morning’s scenic drive takes you across the border into Romania where the Prahova River winds its way through a forested valley in the picturesque Carpathian Mountains. Enjoy a wonderful lunch in the pretty mountain town of Sinaia and continue to the Azuga Rhein Cellars for a winery tour and a tasting of their traditional sparkling wine.
 
End your day in the fairytale town of Brasov, founded in the 13th century and home to the historic Black Church, so-named after its massive Gothic walls were blackened by a fire that devastated much of the town. Enjoy an evening walking tour in Brasov and a 2-night stay at the deluxe Aro Palace Hotel.  Meals B+L

Set out after breakfast to the Transylvanian town of Biertan  to visit its fortified church. Dating to the 16th century, it evidences the defensive response of the region’s Saxon communities as the Ottoman Empire began to menace the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Lacking the resources to fortify the entire town, these settlements created fortresses around their churches, enclosing the storehouses to withstand long sieges.

From Biertan, continue to Sighisoara where an impressive silhouette of towers and spires will welcome you to one of Europe’s best-preserved medieval towns. Your privately guided tour includes the architectural landmarks of Old Town  and the Clock Tower Museum with its fascinating exhibits on medieval weapons and torture. Then continue to Viscri , the site of another fortified church. Here in this timeless village, you’ll watch skilled blacksmiths at work - using the traditional generations-old horseshoeing techniques that are still employed throughout much of this pastoral region. Then return to Brasov where your evening is free.  Meals B

Start the day with a visit to Bran Castle, originally built in the 13th century as a stronghold of the Knights of the Teutonic Order and later made famous in Bran Stoker’s novel, Dracula. In Zarnesti, you’ll visit the Bear Sanctuary to learn about their work rescuing bears from captivity to live here among the forests and waterways of the sanctuary’s 160-acre tract of land. In the nearby villages of Ohaba and Lisa, you’ll gain further insight into the region’s history and cultural traditions. Then visit the imposing Fagaras Fortress, built in 1310 on the site of an earlier 12th-century wooden fort that was burned by the Tartars in 1241. Continue to the historic town of Sibiu and check in to the Continental Forum Hotel for the night.  Meals B

Once a major Saxon trading center, the 12th-century town of Sibiu retains a distinctly German ambience and still reflects the grandeur of its wealthy past. This morning’s walking tour will take you through the historic district inside the city’s medieval walls. Walk through Huet Square, hear the stories behind the unusually-named Liars’ Bridge, and enjoy a guided tour of the Brukenthal Palace Art Museum, set inside a handsome Baroque building overlooking a lovely town square.

Then journey to the banks of the Olt River to visit the Cozia Monastery. Built in the late 1300’s, it is considered to be one of the country’s oldest and most architecturally distinctive landmarks. Continue to Bucharest and check in to the deluxe Grand Continental Hotel for a 2-night stay.  Meals B+D

This morning’s guided tour of Bucharest’s historic landmarks takes you inside the enormous Palace of Parliament; built during the Ceausescu regime, this is one of the largest buildings in the entire world. From Revolution Square, you’ll be able to take in some of the city’s most impressive sites, including the Romanian Athenaeum – a handsome 19th century concert hall – and the imposing structures which once served as the headquarters for the Communist Party. It was from these rooftops that Nicolae Ceausescu fled by helicopter at the end of 1989.
 
Your touring also takes you inside the Primaverii Palace, the opulent former residence of Ceausescu. Then head to Herastrau Park to visit the open-air Village Museum; here you’ll find traditional farm houses, churches and windmills that have been gathered from all across Romania to showcase traditional village life in the country’s various regions.  Tonight you’ll dine at Casa Doina, where fine Romanian cuisine is served in a beautiful landmark building in one of the Bucharest’s finest districts.  Meals B+D

You’ll be escorted to the airport today for your onward journey.  Meals B

Upon arrival at Ljubljana Airport, you’ll be met and escorted to Strmol Castle. Set on manicured grounds against a densely forested hillside and tracing its origins to the 13^th-century, our enchanting castle hotel blends genuine historic ambience and modern comfort. This evening’s dinner features the fine Slovenian cuisine of our hotel’s esteemed kitchen accompanied by local wine.  Meals D

After breakfast, our engaging Slovenian guide will be waiting to show you the cultural traditions and flavors of his native land. Our Small Group sightseeing begins in the small village of Kropa. Set in a forested valley along the banks of a rushing stream, Kropa was long famed for the skill of its iron forgers who formed a close-knit community with their own customs, cuisine and culture. At the Iron Forging Museum, you’ll learn more about these fascinating traditions.
 
In nearby Radovljica, you’ll discover a handsome town filled with fine medieval architecture. Visit the local Apicultural Museum to learn about the region’s centuries-old beekeeping traditions and enjoy a tasting of freshly harvested local honey as well as medica, a Slovenian wine made from honey. We’ll stay here in town to enjoy the farm-to-table cuisine of Lectar, a charming restaurant that’s been owned and operated by a family of bakers since 1766. After lunch, we’ll have time to tour their bakery and a little on-site museum.
 
In the afternoon, we’ll set out across Lake Bled in a traditional wooden pletna; it’s the best way to take in the surrounding landscape of lakeside forests and rugged mountain peaks. Visit St. Mary’s Church, set on a small island in the middle of the lake, and hear the colorful story of the Wishing Bell that has hung for centuries from a roof beam above the church nave. There’s also a cake maker here on the tiny island where you’ll have a chance to sample a slice of potica, a popular Slovenian pastry made with sweet dough and filled with nuts, honey, raisins, rum and other fruits and flavors; you’ll be able to make your selection from the day’s offerings. Then visit Bled Castle - which has stood for centuries high atop a cliff overlooking the tranquil waters of Lake Bled and St. Mary’s Church. After sightseeing, you’ll return to Strmol Castle where you can relax and dine this evening as you wish.  Meals B+L

This morning’s journey takes you into the majestic Alpine landscapes of Triglav National Park. Stopping in the Vrsic Pass, you’ll have captivating views of the Julian Alps as they stretch onward into Italy and Austria. You’ll visit the Russian chapel built by Russian prisoners of war during World War I and descend along the so-called Russian Road into the beautiful Trenta Valley. Marvel at the Mlinarica Canyon and Boka Waterfalls and then make your way into the picturesque Soca River Valley.
 
Today’s scenic drive ends in a picturesque rural hamlet near Kobarid where you’ll check in to Hisa Franko. With only 16 rooms, our inviting boutique hotel is set on the grounds of an historic countryside estate that served as a hospital during World War I. According to local legend, war correspondent and novelist Ernest Hemingway wrote much of A Farewell to Arms here as he convalesced after being injured on the Isonzo Front. Hisa Franko is esteemed not only for its warm hospitality but also for its farm-to-table cuisine. This evening, you’ll sample the chef’s fresh preparation of regional dishes accompanied by local wine.  Meals B+D

Today, Kobarid is a charming village set in a peaceful valley between towering Alpine peaks. But a century ago, this now quiet river valley was the site of fierce fighting – the historic Isonzo Front. Indeed, the historic Battle of Caporetto in 1917 was one of the major battles of World War I and saw the combined German and Austro-Hungarian forces decisively break through the Italian line. After a leisurely breakfast, you’ll delve more deeply into this dramatic chapter of history at the award-winning Kobarid Museum where giant relief maps, a wealth of photographs, and a moving audiovisual presentation detail the battle. Hemingway enthusiasts will be intrigued as these historic events are compared to descriptions and passages in his novel A Farewell to Arms.
 
This evening, we’ve arranged for you to be the special guests of the Medves family! Enjoy a warm welcome and the fine regional farm-to-table cuisine of their family farm - set on the slopes of Matajur Mountain.  After dinner, we’ll take you back to Hisa Franko for the night.  Meals B+D

Check out after breakfast and continue your journey through the Soca River Valley, learning more about the region’s history from our well-versed guide and delighting in the passing scenery. In Stanjel, you’ll enjoy a walking tour through this hilltop town, built on the site of an ancient Roman fort. With its winding streets, old stone houses and fine gardens, Stanjel is regarded as one of the prettiest towns in Slovenia. The imposing fortress walls of the castle and the 17^th-century bell tower of St. Daniel’s Church are among the landmarks you’ll discover.
 
Continue your scenic overland journey through the vineyard landscapes of Goriska Brda, fondly known as the “Tuscany of Slovenia.” Meet with a local vintner and enjoy a wine tasting and lunch before traveling onward to the Adriatic Coast, passing through the medieval and now bustling port of Koper. Arriving in the coastal resort town of Portoroz, you’ll check in to the Hotel Marko. Set in an historic 19^th-century landmark overlooking the seafront promenade, our charming boutique hotel offers spacious and handsomely-furnished guestrooms.  Meals B+L

Set on a narrow peninsula that juts out into the Adriatic Sea, Piran is an architectural gem of Venetian Gothic architecture. Traveling there this morning, you’ll embark on a guided walking tour through the narrow streets of its Old Town. In Tartinijev Trg, a grand public plaza laid out in the 19^th century, you’ll see an imposing statue of the square’s namesake – the famous composer Giuseppe Tartini who was born here in 1692 when the town was a part of the Republic of Venice. Indeed, many visitors compare Piran’s captivating charm and magic with the more-famous Imperial capital which lies just over the horizon. Perched on a hill overlooking Piran and visible from Tartinijev Trg is the spectacular bell tower of St. George Cathedral.
 
After your guided walking tour, you’ll have ample free time to explore and enjoy Piran at your own pace. You might browse through its inviting boutiques, sit down in one of the many sidewalk cafes, continue to explore its medieval streets, or enjoy a lunch of freshly caught and prepared seafood. Then return by motorcoach to Portoroz where the balance of the afternoon is yours to do as you please.  If you wish, you can walk along the sea front promenade from Piran all the way back to your hotel in Portoroz. It’s a pleasant stroll that should take you about 30 minutes.  Meals B

The majestic Lipizzaner stallion may be most famously associated with the Spanish Riding School in Vienna, but these thoroughbred white horses have actually been bred at the Lipica Stud Farm for more than 430 years. This morning, you’ll travel to the historic village of Lipica for a tour of the Stud Farm including the stables and a fascinating on-site museum with interactive displays that will deepen your understanding and appreciation of these graceful creatures.
 
Next you’ll enjoy a guided visit of Predjama Castle. Built in the mouth of a cavern situated halfway up the side of a dramatic 400-foot cliff, this 4-story fortress is seemingly impregnable, astoundingly impressive and very picturesque! Your tour of this centuries-old landmark reveals all the required elements of a medieval castle, from secret passageways and dark dungeons to holes in the entry-tower ceiling through which boiling oil could be poured on intruders. You’ll also hear the colorful legends that surround the castle’s most famous resident, a 15^th-century robber baron who, like Robin Hood, stole from the rich to give to the poor!
 
Continue your journey to Ljubljana and check in to the stylish Hotel Cubo, our intimate boutique hotel in the heart of the city. After time to refresh, join our guide for a walking tour through the historic core of Ljubljana. With a history steeped in the ancient legend of Jason and the Golden Fleece, Slovenia’s capital is filled with striking architectural monuments, handsome town squares and lovely Baroque fountains. But this university town, with its youthful population, is also abuzz with a cutting-edge exuberance that is sure to captivate you. After exploring the landmarks of Old Town, you’ll ascend by funicular to tour Ljubljana Castle. Set on the top of a commanding hill in the heart of the capital, the oldest elements of this impressive landmark date back more than 500 years. But many of the buildings which you’ll explore within the castle grounds were built in the 16^th and 17^th centuries. This evening is free for you to dine as you wish in one of Ljubljana’s many fine restaurants. Of course, our in-the-know guide will be happy to offer personal recommendations and assistance.  Meals B

This morning, you’ll travel to Kamnik. Surrounded by forested hills and rugged mountains, the fine architecture of this picturesque town bears witness to its medieval wealth when it was a flourishing center of trade and home to numerous aristocratic families. After a walking tour through town, you can tailor your sightseeing with the guided activity of your choice:
 
+ Artisan Crafts: Visit an unusual “straw museum” to learn about this traditional local craft and watch as skilled artisans plait and weave straw into remarkable objects of beauty and function – including hats and baskets. You’ll also visit a pottery studio famed for its Slovenian Majolica ware.

+ Highland Adventure: Ascend by cable car to Velika Planina, a pastoral settlement situated on a mountain plateau in the heart of the Kamnik Alps. Enjoy some guided hiking and spend time with the local herders to experience a traditional slice of rural life. 

Back in Ljubljana, we’ve arranged for you to dine with a resident family. Traditional home cooking and congenial conversation with your hosts promise a delightful evening and genuine insight into Slovenian life and culture.  Meals B+D

You’ll be chauffeured to the airport today for your onward journey.  Meals B