22 May 2013
Celebrating a big birthday, hunting for a unique wedding reception venue, or just searching for a special location to get some friends and family together, then look no further than the Danube Express. This summer, Danube Express will introduce private charters, enabling groups (of up to 40 guests) to take over the sophisticated hotel-on-wheels exclusively. So why not travel in style, just like HM the Queen does aboard her own Royal Train, invite some friends along and design a journey of discovery to suit.
Imagine the thrill of being whisked on an exotic land cruise with your nearest and dearest, waking each morning in a new destination. From start to finish, guests will be wrapped in nostalgic comfort and they can relax in the knowledge that everything will be taken care of, from welcome receptions to indulgent dinners. The Restaurant Car provides the perfect spot for a celebratory dinner (with enough seating for the whole party), while the Lounge Car is the social hub and a great space for merrymaking, with a bar and piano. What's more, the Danube Express is the only private hotel train in Central Europe with en suite facilities, providing a comfy living room by day and a cosy bedroom by night, so passengers can happily spend nights onboard. With its elegant navy blue and cream livery, the Danube Express is the way to travel in comfort and style.
Departures and destinations are flexible: choose an itinerary to suit, whether being whisked from Budapest through the Tatra Mountains to Slovakia; to Vienna via the Semmering Pass; or weaving through Transylvania - there are options aplenty. However those looking for a more affordable route may prefer to opt for a circular journey like those below, starting and finishing in Budapest.
SAMPLE PRIVATE JOURNEYS
Dracula's Long Weekend: This four day passage through Transylvania explores the sights linked to the Dracula legend, and provides the perfect opportunity for an original murder mystery party. The celebration begins in Budapest where guests are welcomed aboard the Danube Express. Whilst meandering across the Great Hungarian Plain, enjoy a thrilling 'Putszta' horse show where the famous Magyar horsemen of Lajosmizse will greet the train and treat passengers to an exciting demonstration of their riding skills. Overnight the train weaves its way towards Transylvania and guests awake in Sighişoara, one of the best preserved medieval towns in Europe and rumoured birthplace of Dracula. A new day brings a new destination: the Transylvanian city of Braşov. From here, take a trip to visit Bran Castle, more commonly known as 'Dracula's Castle', the perfect Gothic fairy-tale setting. A further highlight is a visit to the city of Sibiu, a World Heritage Site, before returning overnight to Budapest. Price: €75,000 including three nights on the Danube Express.
Wine & Dine: Circumnavigating Hungary and visiting the country's famous wine-producing regions, this three-day land cruise makes the perfect celebratory trip. From Budapest, the Danube Express journeys towards the former European Capital of Culture, Pécs, for a short visit before continuing onwards to the vineyards of Villány, set amid the Branya Hills and the Villány Mountains. Here guests enjoy a vineyard tour, a wine tasting and delicious dinner in a beautiful setting, before climbing back onboard as the hotel-on-wheels continues its journey north through the night. Awake in Tokaj to see where the famous dessert wine is produced and enjoy lunch in the historical town before re-joining the Danube Express as it journeys to Eger. Spend the following morning visiting the Valley of the Beautiful Women for a tasting of Eger's famous red wines, before an afternoon arrival in Budapest, where the journey ends. Price: €49,000 including two nights on the Danube Express.
Hungary's Highlights: Over three days this journey criss-crosses Hungary and takes in the key sights. Beginning in Budapest the main highlights include: skirting Lake Balaton; visiting the Festetics Palace in Keszthely; a tour of the Opusztaszer Heritage Park to view 'The Arrival of the Hungarian's' Cylorama - Europe's largest panorama painting; a visit to the city of Szeged where open air plays are held each summer; the attractive city of Kecskemét, famous for its apricot brandy; a horse show and 'gypsy' dinner at Lajosmizse; and a visit to the cathedral town of Eger to taste the famous Bulls Blood wine. Price: €49,000 including two nights on the Danube Express.
PRICES: All prices are based on a party of 40 guests and include accommodation in a Deluxe twin en suite compartment on the Danube Express, all meals, complimentary wine, beer and soft drinks, all scheduled sightseeing, and the services of a train manager throughout. Other routes are available and can be quoted on request. Danube Express can also arrange add-on packages for air or rail travel from the UK, transfers and hotel accommodation.
For more information on the Danube Express Tel 01462 441400 or visit
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PRESS ENQUIRIES:
Julia Spence or Natalie Postlethwaite
Julia Spence Public Relations
Tel: 01491 824524 or Mobile 07802 443113
Email: juliaspence.pr@gmail.com
