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Jewels of Persia by Private TrainFrom Budapest to Tehran

Aboard the Golden Eagle Danube Express

2015

© 1996-2015 MIR Corporation 85 South Washington St, Ste. 210, Seattle, WA 98104 • 206-624-7289 • 206-624-7360 FAX • Email [email protected] 2

This five-country adventure begins in cultured Budapest, investigates the Dracula

legend in Transylvania, wanders a Bulgarian fortress town, and explores modern

Istanbul. Pause among the Fairy Chimneys of Cappadocia before crossing into the

ancient country of Iran. Admire Zoroastrian Yazd, glorious Isfahan, and the

fascinating ruins of Persepolis, experiencing eight UNESCO Sites before ending

in Iran’s dynamic capital, Tehran.

Jewels of Persia by Private TrainFrom Budapest to Tehran aboard the luxury

Golden Eagle Danube ExpressThree eastbound departures in 2015 – Private Rail Journey – 15 Days

March 31-April 14 • September 4-18 • October 6-20

mailto:[email protected]



Daily ItineraryDay 1 Arrive BudapestDay 2 Budapest • KecskemetDay 3 Sighisoara • BrasovDay 4 Veliko Tarnovo • KazanlukDay 5 IstanbulDay 6 IstanbulDay 7 CappadociaDay 8 CappadociaDay 9 Van • Lake Van • Akhtamar IslandDay 10 ZanjanDay 11 Yazd • IsfahanDay 12 IsfahanDay 13 Shiraz • PersepolisDay 14 TehranDay 15 Depart Tehran

This program also operates Westbound from Tehran to Budapest; please see page 17 for dates.



Tour Features• Enjoy the comfort and efficiency of your own private cabin on the Golden Eagle Danube Express luxury

train.• Survey a series of fascinating cities along the rail line.• Join travelers from around the world to enjoy the casual and relaxed atmosphere aboard the private train, dining in luxury and chatting over drinks in the lounge.• Relax deeply as you are carried into other lands, a world away from home.

Trip HighlightsBudapest Reception at Royal Waiting Room at Nyugati StationKecskemet Wonderful Art Nouveau architecture, Puszta horse showSighisoara Historic Centre/Citadel area (UNESCO World Heritage Site), clock tower, House

of Dracula’s fatherBrasov Bran Castle (“Dracula’s Castle”)Veliko Tarnovo Tsarevets Hill Royal Fortress, winding cobbled streetsKazanluk Shipka Pass, Shipka Monument, ThracianTomb (UNESCO World Heritage Site) Istanbul Historic Area of Istanbul (UNESCO World Heritage Site), Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, Grand BazaarCappadocia Goreme National Park and the Rock Sites of Cappadocia (UNESCO World

Heritage Site), “Fairy Chimneys,” rock homesVan Winding streets of the Old TownLake Van Train ferry over the lakeAkhtamar Island 10th Century Church of the Holy CrossZanjan Mausoleum at Soltaniyeh (UNESCO World Heritage Site), Rakhkt Shoor Khaneh

watercoursesYazd Fire Temple, Friday MosqueIsfahan Bridges over the Zayendeh River, Chehel Sotoon Palace, Vank Cathedral, Meidan

Emam (Imam Square) (UNESCO World Heritage Site), Bazaar of QaisariehShiraz Koran Gate, Hafez Tomb, Vakil CitadelPersepolis Ceremonial capital of the Achaemenid kings, Persepolis (UNESCO World Heritage

Site), Naghsh-e RostamTehran State Jewels Museum, Gulestan Palace (UNESCO World Heritage Site)

Itinerary

Day One Arrive Budapest

Arriving in Budapest, you are transferred to a five star hotel with time to rest and refresh. Later this evening, gather for a welcome reception and dinner to meet fellow travelers.Meals: D – Four Seasons or similar




Day Two Budapest • Kecskemet

Following breakfast, transfer to Budapest Nyugati station for a morning reception at the Royal Waiting Room before boarding the Golden Eagle Danube Express private train. Settle in to your cabin and have lunch on board as the train heads for La-josmizse for a spectacular Puszta horse show.

On the vast grassy Hungarian Plain, the area called the puszta – a word meaning barren or empty – is an environment partially created over two millennia by humans and their herds. Hungarians, descended from the 8th century nomadic Magyars, have been traditionally known for their brilliant horsemanship.

After the show, there is free time to explore Kecskemet, a fascinating city at the geographic center of Hungary. Kecskemet is renowned for the wonderful Art Nouveau buildings surrounding its central square; for its special apricot brandy, called barackpálink, and for being the birthplace of Zoltan Kodály; one of Hungary’s most famous composers.

Return to the train and enjoy a drink in the lounge car and dinner on board as the journey continues across the Great Hungarian Plain towards Transylvania. Meals: B, L, D – Aboard the train

Day Three Sighisoara • Brasov

Arrive in Sighisoara and take a walking tour of this UNESCO-listed medieval town in the heart of Transylvania. Built by German Saxons, Sighisoara is considered the most beautiful and complete medieval architectural ensemble in Romania. In the 13th century Hungarian overlords granted the Saxons land

here in return for help defending the area from the Tatars. The Saxons typically built compact villages cen-tered by fortified churches.

The tour begins at the entrance to the citadel, under the massive 210-foot clock tower. Continue along the square to the house of Vlad Dracul, Vlad the Impaler’s father, and then take the Scholar’s Stair-way up to the 14th century Gothic Church on the Hill.

Return to the train for lunch on board before making an afternoon stop in Brasov, an old Transylvanian town set at the foot of a mountain




and filled with medieval architecture, cobbled streets and small houses.

Here visit Bran Castle, more commonly known as “Dracula’s Castle,” although despite a popular myth it was not actually built by Vlad Tepes, the Wallachian prince upon whom the 19th century novelist Bram Stoker is supposed to have based his vampire count. This 14th century castle in the center of Bran village was in fact built by the people of Brasov in 1382 to defend the Bran mountain pass against Turks. Bran Castle embodies the Gothic image of a Transylvanian castle and as a result draws crowds from far and wide.

The train twists and turns through the dramatic landscape of the Carpathian Mountains this evening on the way to Bulgaria.Meals: B, L, D – Aboard the train

Day Four Veliko Tarnovo • Kazanluk

Arrive in Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria’s ancient capital, inhabited since the Paleolithic Age. Thracians and Romans settled here before the 2nd century AD, and the city became the capital of the Second Bulgarian Empire just after its founding in 1186. The remains of the Royal Fortress still stand at the top of Tsarevets Hill. The town was conquered and razed by the Turks in 1393, but remained a center of Bulgarian national struggle. The houses of Veliko Tarnovo seem to grow out of each other’s roofs. Here explore the preserved remains of the Royal Fortress and take the time to wander the streets of the ancient city.

Lunch is on board the train as it climbs over the Shipka Pass, at the top of which stands Shipka Monument, com-memorating the victory over the Ottoman Turks in 1877. From here take in a sweeping panorama of the Stara Planina Mountains.

The train journeys on to Kazanluk, the center of Bulgaria’s rose-oil industry. Stop to explore the UNESCO-listed Thracian tomb site. The 4th century beehive-shaped Thracian tomb was discovered here during excavation of a bomb shelter during World War II. Its delicate frescoes are protected, but a high quality full-sized replica is available for touring.

Relax in the lounge car later this evening as the train reaches the Turkish border.Meals: B, L, D – Aboard the train

Day FiveIstanbul

Arrive in Istanbul, sprawled across two continents connected by two slender bridges. The former capi-tal of two great empires leads a dual life, both ancient and modern. The narrow streets of the Sultanah-




met district with its ancient Christian and Islamic monuments eventually lead to regions populated with tall office buildings and modern shops.

Ocean-going ships sail through the hilly city along the historically much-coveted Bosphorus strait, and the Islamic call to prayer seems to travel from minaret to minaret at sunup and sundown.

First named Byzantium, the city was renamed Constantinople by Roman Emperor Constantine, who moved the capital here in 330 AD. The Roman Empire evolved into the Byzantine Empire, profoundly in-fluenced by the area’s Greek-speaking inhabitants. The Byzantine Empire reigned for over a thousand years until the Ottoman Turks, originally from Central Asia, conquered Constantinople in 1453 and re-named the city yet again.

Admire the legendary Blue Mosque, as Sultan Ahmed Mosque is known, soaring upwards with its six minarets and layered domes. Built between 1609 and 1616 at the behest of Ottoman em-peror Ahmed I, the mosque was purposely situated on the site of the former Byzantine em-perors’ Great Palace. Its spa-cious interior is decorated with blue porcelain tiles.

Continue to the Hagia So-phia, originally built by Byzan-tine Emperor Justinian around 537. Its immense dome stands 55 meters above the ground, supported by 40 huge ribs made of special hollow bricks. Colored stone from around the world was brought to Constan-tinople to decorate the church, and 30 million tiny mosaic tiles adorn the interior.

Check in to a five star hotel for the night as the train is re-positioned for the next stage of the journey.Meals: B, L, D – Four Seasons Sultanakhmet or similar

Note: Engineering work in connection with the Bosphorus Tunnel project (on both sides of the Bosphorus) will involve the train stopping outside Istanbul with the onward journeys by coach when leaving and re-joining the train.

Day Six Istanbul

Continue exploring the city today, with visits to Topkapi Palace and the Grand Bazaar.

Topkapi Palace is the Great Palace of the Ottoman Sultans from the 15th-19th centuries. Mehmet the Conqueror began the palace complex soon after he won the city from the Byzantine Empire, and it grew


photo: Peter Guttman



and changed over the hundreds of years that it was in use. There are four main courtyards, including the treasury and the palace kitchens, which display a wonderful collection of Chi-nese celadon porcelain.

Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar began in the 15th century, under Mehmet the Conqueror, appear-ing near the Golden Horn where ships from foreign lands used to unload their goods. The artisans’ stalls under the domed masonry structures (called bedestans) underwent fires, earthquakes and renovations, gradually taking the form that they have today. One of the largest covered markets in the world, the Grand Bazaar offers everything from fine silk carpets to jewelry and T-shirts.

Late in the afternoon, depart Istanbul by bus to Derince, where you will re-board the train.Meals: B, L, D – Aboard the train

Day Seven Cappadocia

Today venture to the remarkable region of Cappadocia, bordered by Mt. Erciyes to the east and Mt. Hasan to the west. These formerly active volcanoes were instrumental in creating the strange topogra-phy that Cappadocia is known for. Three million years ago, eruptions spewed out tons of ash that settled and hardened into a soft rock called tuff. Other eruptions covered the tuff with layers of lava, which cooled into basalt, a much harder rock. In the millennia after these eruptions, wind and rain eroded much of the tuff, leaving the harder basalt. The “Fairy Chimneys” here are cones of tuff topped by caps of basalt.

The tuff of the UNESCO-listed Goreme Valley is easy for people to carve, and they have been doing just that since at least the time of the Hittites in 1600 BC. Cave-homes were carved from rock cones, their entrances hidden by stones. During the Christian era, underground monasteries and churches were dug out and decorated with frescoes that remain bright even today.Meals: B, L, D – Aboard the train

Day Eight Cappadocia

Continue exploring the moonscapes of Cappadocia before the train heads towards Van.Meals: B, L, D – Aboard the train




Day Nine Lake Van • Akhtamar Island • Van

The train is loaded on the ferry today and begins the six-hour crossing across Lake Van.

Make a stop on Akhtamar Island. The 10th century Church of the Holy Cross, perched above the beach, greets the visitor to Akhtamar Island. The small Armenian church, constructed of pink sandstone blocks, is the first Armenian church to display high-relief carvings on its exterior. Three bands of the beautiful carvings show scenes from contemporary life as well as from the Old Testament. Its interior frescoes are some of oldest in the region. Restored and re-opened as a museum by the Turkish govern-ment, the thousand-year-old church saw its first Christian service in 95 years in September of 2010, when an Armenian archbishop celebrated a historic mass for a large crowd that included many Armenian wor-shippers.

The train continues on to Van, a city that has passed from empire to empire since its origin as the capital of the ancient Urartu Empire in the 9th century BC. For many years it was ruled by the Armeni-ans, then from 1548 until the end of WWI it was ruled by the Ottoman Turks. Its Armenian population was wiped out during the war, and the city itself was destroyed. A new Van grew up near the ruined city. Tour the town before returning to the train on its way into Iran.Meals: B, L, D – Aboard the train

Day Ten Zanjan

The train crosses the Iranian border at Razi during the night. After breakfast, visit the city of Zanjan, making the first stop at the UNESCO-listed mausoleum at Soltaniyeh. Constructed in the early

14th century by Mongol sultan Oljatu Khodabandeh, it was meant to house the remains of Imam Ali, Mohammed’s son-in-law, but the sultan had a change of heart and made it his own burial place. The mausoleum’s dome, or gonbad, is over 150 feet high and is the highlight of the complex. Covered in tur-quoise faience, the dome is a fine example of early Islamic architecture.

Continue on to the domed brick structure of the Rakhkt Shoor Khaneh. Its water-courses were once used as a public laundry during the 18th-19th century Qajar era. The

building has been re-purposed as the Anthropology Museum, and contains traditional costumes, Zoroas-trian relics and traveling exhibitions.

Enjoy dinner onboard the train before turning in for the night.




Meals: B, L, D – Aboard the train

Day Eleven Yazd • Isfahan

Stretching between two deserts, the ancient town of Yazd has a quiet history most notable for its repu-tation along the caravan routes as a silk weaving center. Founded in the 5th century AD, its isolated loca-tion and desert climate proved to be the city’s greatest assets, concealing it from the waves of invaders that destroyed other more favorably situated cities. Yazd means “to feast and worship” and many people here maintain the Zoroastrian traditions that this word expresses. Zoroastrians fleeing Arab invaders found safe haven in Yazd, as did artists and poets escaping the Mongols. Combined, they made Yazd a city of tolerance and beauty. Discover the renowned Fire Temple and the Friday Mosque here.

Zoroastrians from around the world visit the Fire Temple in Yazd to see its eternal flame, said to have been burning since 470 AD. The flame is visible through a glass in the entrance hall; only Zoroastrians can enter the hall where it burns, attended by priests. The flame represents the Zoroastrian supreme being, Ahura Mazda.

Originally founded in the 12th century and added to in the 14th and 15th, the Friday Mosque stands on the site of an ancient Zoroastrian fire temple. Its beautiful tiled entrance portal, or iwan, is the highest in the country. The dome and altar inside the mosque also display tile decoration and decorative brickwork, though much is restoration from the 18th and 19th centuries.

Re-board the train for lunch and con-tinue towards Isfahan. Under the rule of Shah Abbas the Great of the 16th century Safavid dynasty, Isfahan be-came a celebrated and beautiful city, referred to as Nesf-e-Jahan, meaning “half of the world.” Even after centu-ries of turmoil and destruction at the hands of foreign invaders, Isfahan’s grace is palpable.

Upon arrival, admire some of the graceful bridges over Isfahan's Zayendeh River. The Khaju Bridge, built by Shah Abbas II in the 17th century, has 23 arches and connects the Khaju quarter with the Zoroastrian quarter. Another especially beautiful bridge is the 33-arched Si-o-se Pol Bridge, with its arcades on either side of the walkway.

Dinner is at a local restaurant before an overnight onboard the train.Meals: B, L, D – Aboard the train




Day Twelve Isfahan

Embark on a full day city tour. Begin at the Chehel Sotoon Palace, built by Shah Abbas II in 1647. Set in a park by a long pool between the Ali Qapu Palace and Chahar Bagh Avenue, the pavilion was used for receptions and entertainment. The name means “40 Columns,” and refers to the 20 wooden columns supporting the entrance to the Great Hall, multiplied by their reflection in the pool. Inside are wonderful frescoes, miniatures and ceramics.

The sand-colored stonework of Vank Cathedral conceals a beautifully ornate interior, with delicate tilework and gilt embellishments. Vank is an important historical reminder of the Armenian migration to Isfahan and is located in the Armenian neighborhood of New Julfa. During the 17th century, Armenians began settling at the southern bank of the Zayendeh Roud River and the cathedral dates from some of the earliest settlement in 1606. Used now as a museum, a memorial to the Armenian genocide, and as the home of a historic printing press, Vank is still at the heart of the community of Armenian-Iranians and houses over 20,000 volumes of literary and religious works in Armenian.

Enjoy a traditional Iranian lunch followed by a visit to Naghsh-e Jahan Square, also known as Imam Square. In the center of Isfahan, it is one of the largest urban squares in the world. Shah Abbas the Great built the graceful ensemble in the early 17th century after he moved the capital here. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the square was the symbolic center of the Safavid Empire. Some of the buildings surrounding the square are the fabulous Imam Mosque, Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque, the Ali

Qapu Palace, and the Quaisarieh Bazaar. Only on Fridays, Namaaz-e Jom’eh, Friday prayer, is held in this square.

The Ali-Qapu Palace was built at the end of the 16th century and intended as a gateway to the royal palaces beyond. Its central feature is the tall verandah over-looking the square, its ceiling richly decorated with painted plaster. The music room on the sixth floor has a gorgeous ceiling punctuated with cutouts of vases and musical instruments, which served an acoustical as well as decorative function.

The Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque is an exquisite small mosque on Imam Square built during Shah

Abbas’ time, and dedicated to his father-in-law. This beautifully decorated 17th century mosque took nearly 20 years to complete. The Sheikh Lotfullah Mosque was once called the Women’s Mosque, be-cause of a tunnel running between it and the Ali Qapou Palace, which allowed the royal women to attend prayers without being seen in public.




Take some time to explore immense Imam Square independently. Stop in to the Bazaar of Qaisarieh located on the northern side of the square to browse the many handicrafts for sale.Meals: B, L, D – Aboard the train

Day Thirteen Shiraz • Persepolis

Set out this morning on a tour to learn more about the remarkable history of fabled Shiraz. It is the capital of Fars province where the Persian language of Farsi originated. One of the most important cities of the Islamic medieval period, Shiraz has reigned as the capital of several Islamic dynasties. A major artis-tic, religious, and academic center, the city is famed for its poetry, its luxuriant gardens, its learning centers and extravagant architecture. Beautiful, romantic, and hospitable, Shiraz is the favorite of many travelers, and remains one of the most enjoyable places to visit in all of Iran.

The Koran Gate offers a magnificent entrance to the city. Dating back to the 10th century, the gate once held two holy Korans and was believed to bless travelers as they passed through into the city.

Continue on to the Hafez Tomb. Surrounded by a lovely garden, the tomb of Iran’s favorite poet is a place of pilgrimage and reverence. Hafez was born and died in Shiraz in the 14th century. His poetry is memorized by many Iranians. The marble tombstone is engraved with some of his verses. The teahouse by a cooling pool is a wonderful place to sit and people-watch.

The Citadel of Karim Khan, also known as the Vakil Citadel, is a massive medieval stronghold built in the 12th century to house and protect Karim Khan and his retainers. Constructed of stone and baked clay, the powerful citadel dominates the center of Shiraz.

Lunch is served onboard the train as it journeys onwards to the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Persepolis.

Persepolis is one of the most im-portant sites of the Ancient World and the ceremonial capital of the Achaemenid kings. Arguably the greatest of the Persian dynasties, the period of Achaemenid rule, from the 7th to the 4th century BC, saw the empire at its greatest extent, both in territory and in po-litical, artistic, and philosophical respects. Darius I initiated the building of Persepolis, a huge un-dertaking of art and architecture. Explore this venerable city, some of the most fascinating ruins in the world. View the famous bas-reliefs showing kings, courtiers and gift-bearing representatives of the Per-sian Empire’s tributary nations.

The monumental rock carvings at Naghsh-e Rostam found at Per-




sepolis are thought to be the tombs of Darius the Great, Xerxes and Artaxerxes. Carved in the Elamite, Achaemenian and Sassanid periods, the cliff walls contain the façade of a palace. Admire the Kabe-Zardosht fire temple and sanctuary, and seven magnificent Sassanian rock-reliefs, including Shapur I's fa-mous victory over Roman Emperor Valerian.Meals: B, L, D – Aboard the train

Day Fourteen Tehran

Upon arrival in Tehran, set out on a tour of some of the city’s highlights. After the Mongols destroyed the Silk Road city of Rey, Tehran rose in its place as the region’s most important trading center. By 1789 Tehran had become the capital of Persia under the Qajar ruler, Agha Mohammed Khan. While the city grew in prominence, it remained basically unchanged until the massive modernization efforts of the 1920s. Since then, Tehran has grown in population from less than 300,000 to a metropolis of several mil-lion. Modern Tehran is full of shops, museums, mosques, minarets, restaurants, teahouses and a sprawling bazaar.

Head to the State Jewels Museum housed in the vaults of the Central Bank of Iran. The State Jewels Museum safeguards the Darya-ye-Nur, the world's largest uncut diamond and the Naderi Throne, covered with over 23,000 gems.

Following lunch, pay a visit to Gulestan Palace. The palace complex is the oldest of Tehran’s historic monuments, begun in the 16th century as a fortress by the Safavid dynasty. Encompassing several palatial buildings around a cool green garden, the complex includes the Marble Throne, created from 65 pieces of yellow Yazd marble. In 2013, Gulestan Palace was inscribed onto the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Check into a top-tier hotel, and enjoy a festive farewell dinner.Meals: B, L, D – Parsian Azadi Hotel or similar

Day Fifteen Depart Tehran

The journey comes to an end this morning with transfers to the airport for international departures.Meals: B




About The Golden Eagle Danube Express TrainTrain accommodationsThree styles of accommodation are available on board the Golden Eagle Danube Express: Deluxe Class (en suite),Heritage Class (shared facilities) and Heritage Saloon Class (mixed use).

Deluxe Class The Deluxe Class on the Golden Eagle Danube Express features newly designed air-conditioned cabins which pair luxury with utility, offering superior accommodations that feature two lower berths and fully en suite facilities. Cabins are furnished with two sofas, an armchair, table and a wardrobe with a safe. Your attendant will convert the two sofas into comfortable twin beds for nighttime use. The en suite bathroom features a shower, hair dryer and heated towel rack.

Deluxe Class Cabin information:• 83 sq. ft. cabin area, including 16 sq. ft. en suite bathroom

• Sleeps 2 in two twin size beds (6 ft. 3 in. by 2 ft. 7.5 in.)

• Two armchairs, and sitting area with free standing chair

• Individually controlled air-conditioning

• Large picture window – opens partially

• Full length wardrobe

• Personal safe

• Electrical outlets

• Private en suite bathroom with shower and heated towel bar

• Slippers and toiletries

• Towels and linens changed every three days

• Complimentary tea, coffee and mineral water available at all times

• Beer, wine and soft drinks drinks from the Bar Car included (excluding Premium Wine List)

• 5 cabins per carriage

Note: cabin configurations and decor may vary from samples depicted




Heritage Class Comfortable air-conditioned seating by day is transformed while you dine into upper and lower berths ready for nighttime use. A washbasin is included in the cabin, and large windows make sightseeing pleas-ant. Toilet and shower facilities are provided in each car at the end of the corridor.

Heritage Class Cabin information:• 33 sq. ft. cabins

• Sleeps 2 in upper/lower bunk style twin beds (lower: 6 ft. 2 in. by 2 ft. 5.5 in; upper: 5.7 ft. x 2ft. 5 in.)

• WC and shower shared with other travelers in the same train car

• Personal wash basin with running water in cabin, folds up unobtrusively during the day

• Curtained clothes hanging area, luggage rack above window for baggage storage

• Electrical outlets

• Individually controlled air-conditioning


• Beer, wine and soft drinks drinks from the Bar Car included (excluding Premium Wine List)

• 9 cabins per carriage




Heritage Saloon Class Specially configured car with one double en suite cabin, four singles with washbasins, and a conference room. Toilet and shower facilities are shared with fewer travelers than in Heritage Class. No air-conditioning – travel weather is expected to be cool.

Heritage Saloon Single Cabin information:• 40 sq. ft. cabins (Note: layout is different from Heritage Class cabins)

• Sleeps 1 in lower twin bed (6 ft. 2 in. by 2 ft. 5.5 in. )

• Individually controlled heating (note: no air-conditioning)


• Beer, wine and soft drinks from the Bar Car included (excluding Premium Wine List)

• WC and shower shared with other travelers in the same train car

• Use of Saloon Car private seating area

• Clothes hanging storage and electrical outlets

Heritage Saloon Double Cabin information:• 99 sq. ft. suite including 16 sq. ft. en suite bathroom

• Sleeps 2 in lower small double bed (6 ft. by 4 ft.)

• Individually controlled heating (note: no air-conditioning)


• Beer, wine and soft drinks from the Bar Car included (excluding Premium Wine List)

• Use of Saloon Car private seating area

• Clothes hanging storage and electrical outlets




Dates for 2015 – Private Rail JourneyThe land itinerary is scheduled to operate on the following dates. Please note that you need to depart the U.S. at least one day prior to the tour start date, due to airline flight schedules.

March 31-April 14, 2015September 4-18, 2015October 6-20, 2015

Note: this train also runs westbound from Tehran to Budapest. (Eastbound and westbound programs are priced differently.) 2015 westbound departure dates are:

April 13-27, 2015September 17-October 1, 2015October 29-November 12, 2015

2015 Package PricesLand Tour Cost – Per Person:Heritage Class, twin share $13,595Heritage Class, single $20,995

Heritage Saloon Double $21,995Heritage Saloon Single $20,995

Deluxe Class, twin share $21,995Deluxe Class, single $37,995

Private Train Tour Deposits – Per PersonHeritage Class deposit $1,500Heritage Saloon Class deposit $2,000 Deluxe Class deposit $2,000

A non-refundable deposit and completed reservation form/signed release are required to hold space.

Land Tour Includes• Accommodation aboard the Golden Eagle Danube Express private train.

• Hotel accommodation per the itinerary (1 night in Budapest, 1 night in Istanbul, 1 night in Tehran).

• All meals starting with dinner on Day 1 until breakfast on final tour day, including a generous, though not unlimited, allowance of wine or local beer, soft drinks and water with all lunches and dinners.

• Arrival/departure transfers, provided you arrive and depart on the tour start/end dates and in the tour start/end cities.

• All guided off-train tours per itinerary.

• The services of an experienced Train Tour Manager, with local guides for scheduled off-train touring.

• Complimentary tea, coffee and mineral water round the clock from your car attendant while on board the train.




• All gratuities.

• Baggage handling.

Not Included• International airfare or surface transport to the point of joining/leaving the tour. MIR is able to ar-

range your air itinerary in economy or business class. If you wish to obtain an air quote, please con-tact us for details.

• Items of a purely personal nature (laundry, telephone, bar account, photography at museums, etc.)

• Optional pre- or post-tour extensions.

• Drinks in the bar car and outside of meal times.

• Visa fees, any excess baggage charges, airport departure taxes, vaccination or medical costs.

• Trip cancellation, medical and evacuation insurance.

Interested in travel insurance?To learn more about all the benefits of purchasing a Travel Guard travel insurance plan, please visit www.travelguard.com/mircorp or contact Travel Guard at 1.877.709.5596.

Rail Journey by Private TrainPrivate Train tours are in a class of their own, offering the opportunity to experience remote destinations in unparalleled style. These all-inclusive, overview tours aboard the fully-chartered Danube Express private train bring together passengers from around the world. Group sizes are flexible and on the Danube Ex-press private train can be up to 90 passengers.

Important Notes: Is This Trip Right For You?• This trip is moderately active, and rated moderate to rigorous touring due to the daily walking

involved and the overall shortcomings of the tourism infrastructure. To reap the full rewards of this adventure, travelers must be able to walk at least a mile a day, keeping up with fellow travelers. Flexibility, a sense of humor and a willingness to accept local standards of amenities and services are essential components to the enjoyment of this trip.

• This itinerary features a significant amount of touring on foot. Many streets and sidewalks are un-even, and some attractions are only accessible via steep staircases. Museums generally do not have elevators.

• On the train, restaurant and bar cars may be some distance from your sleeping car. Although por-terage is provided where possible, you may have to carry your baggage for short distances.

• Passengers may encounter problems getting on and off trains; there may be low platforms, steep steps and/or gaps between the platform and the train.

• In true expedition style, some delays or changes in the itinerary are likely.

Another challenge for women travelers is the need to wear Islamic dress at all times when in public, even on the bus or at breakfast in the hotel. Women are expected to respect the local dress code of covered hair and no exposed skin except for the face and hands. This can consist of a headscarf and a loose long-sleeved over-garment, like a coat or tunic. Please call for more specific details.


http://www.travelguard.com/mircorp

http://www.travelguard.com/mircorp



We recommend that you read the U.S. State Department’s Consular Information Sheet and travel warn-ing regarding travel to Iran. Check http://travel.state.gov/ for up-to-date travel information.

Are You Prepared?A Travel Guard travel insurance plan can help cover your vacation investment, offset expenses from travel mishaps and provide you with emergency travel assistance. To learn more about all of the benefits of pur-chasing a Travel Guard travel insurance plan, please visit www.travelguard.com/mircorp

WeatherThe climate of Eastern Europe is a rather severe continental climate, cold in winter and hot in summer. As with traveling anywhere, it is best to bring layers of different weights and thickness to keep you com-fortable. In the winter and spring months, a warm coat, hat and gloves will come in handy, and a pair of boots that will withstand wet snow or rain. Autumn is beautiful, particularly in the hills around Buda-pest and in the Northern Uplands. November is one of the rainiest months of the year, and the winter can be cold and snowy.

Turkey has many different climates because of its varied topography. The coasts share a moderate cli-mate all year round, which means they are typically cool and rainy in the winter, but hot and dry in the summer months. In contrast, the mountainous east can be quite cold in the winter, with temperatures dropping well below -20 degrees Fahrenheit.

Iran enjoys a highly variable climate, ranging from very hot at the height of summer to quite cold during the relatively short winter months. By mid-March the cold season has generally passed, and the weather can be expected to range from the low 50s to the mid 60s. As summer progresses daytime temperatures can range into the mid 90s or low 100s, with July and August generally being the hottest, sunniest, driest months. Mid- to late-September sees the coming of autumn, and the temperatures begin to drop again. October and November are especially good travel months.

General travel clothing advice applies to Iran, with some special concerns because of the country’s status as an Islamic state. The dress code for men is not as strict as for women, but shorts are not worn. Short-sleeved shirts are accepted, with many men wearing t-shirts. Neutral colors and conservative cuts will keep you from feeling conspicuous, which should help you to have a successful trip. For women trav-elers, the Islamic dress code, hijab, must be followed at all times when in public (even on a tour bus or at a hotel breakfast). Women are expected to respect the local dress code of covered hair and no exposed skin except for the face and hands. This can consist of a headscarf and a loose long-sleeved over-garment, like a coat or tunic. Please call for more specific details.

International AirfareMIR’s in-house, full-service air department is available to assist with your air travel needs. Check with MIR before booking air on your own, as we are happy to research and compare the best published fares available. Airfare varies depending on a wide variety of factors, such as dates of travel, seat availability, special airline promotions, how restrictive ticket changes are, how long the fares can be held without purchase, routing considerations such as stopovers, and more. Tour dates are based on the land tour only. Please call us at 1-800-424-7289 for further details and for assistance with custom air reservations from your preferred departure city.


http://travel.state.gov

http://travel.state.gov

http://hwww.travelguard.com/mircorp/

http://hwww.travelguard.com/mircorp/



VisasA single-entry Iranian visa, and a single-entry Turkish visa are required for this tour. You may also need a visa for any country you fly through prior to joining the tour, or for a country in which you plan to do a pre- or post-tour extension. Extensive pre-tour paperwork and time are necessary to obtain an Iranian visa. Travelers should expect to have their passports out of their hands for the 2-3 month period prior to the tour. MIR will provide you with the necessary applications and instructions.

An estimate of current visa costs for U.S. passport holders, based on standard processing time, is $187 for the Iranian visa. Your exact visa fees may differ as visa costs can depend on a number of factors, such as state of residence, processing time, and return shipping. Visa fees are always subject to change.

The Turkish visa is now an e-Visa, issued online and paid directly by your credit card. The process costs $20 and does not require the physical passport to be sent to an embassy or consulate. MIR will provide detailed instructions on how and when to complete the online process for the Turkish visa.

In the past some travelers have made their own visa arrangements instead of using MIR’s preferred pro-vider for their visa processing; either using their own visa service or attempting to process directly with the embassies/consulates. We strongly recommend you discuss with us before choosing an alternate visa processing method, to help avoid difficulties and visa problems.

Pre and Post-Tour Extensions MIR can arrange for an extended program in Russia or Eastern Europe, the South Caucasus or the ‘Stans. Contact us for more information.

Also Nearby...For more tours to this region, you may want to check out:

Flexible Essential Trips – Classic Private JourneysEssential Caucasus: Armenia, Georgia, Azberbaijan, 10 days. Armenia’s intricate stone khachkar crosses, the bounteous wines of Georgia and the ancient petroglyphs of Azerbaijan are icons of these three inter-twined Caucasus countries, where you can experience five UNESCO masterpieces in ten days.

Essential Central Asia, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan, 13 days. Explore the markets, mosques and minarets of oasis towns on the fringes of the Kyzyl Kum and Kara Kum deserts. Here spiritual beliefs were the greatest commodities to flow along trade routes, and civilizations blossomed amidst austere natural beauty.

Essential Uzbekistan, 10 days. Roam the great Silk Road oases of Bukhara, Samarkand and Khiva, along with modern Tashkent, the Uzbek capital. Admire their mosques, madrassahs and minarets built of mud-bricks and clad in ceramic tiles the color of the desert sky.

Essential Turkmenistan, 12 days. From the golden monuments of Ashkabad and the ruins of Parthian Nisa, head into the mountains to overnight in a village home. Visit the Caspian seaport, Turkmenbashi, explore UNESCO-listed Merv and learn about traditional crafts. Camp at the “Door to Hell” and survey Kunya-Urgench, ancient capital of Khorezm.




Essential Iran, 10 days. Visit a trio of Iran’s finest cities to discover Persian treasures and modern Is-lamic daily life. See spirited Tehran, the country’s marketplace, romantic Shiraz with its miles of roses, and beautiful Isfahan, its arched bridges glowing in the evening light.

Conditions of ParticipationYour participation on a MIR Corporation trip is subject to the conditions contained in the 2015 Tour Reservation Form and Release of Liability and Assumption of Risk Agreement. Please read this document carefully and contact us with any questions.

Cancellation and Refund Policy Please note that no partial refunds are available for any missed days of a tour or any whole or part of a tour, accommodation, meal or any other service not utilized by the participant during the tour. Thequoted price represents a package price for the services offered and an itemization of individual compo-nent costs will not be provided. Please understand there will be no exceptions to our cancellation poli-cies regardless of your situation. Should you need to cancel your travel plans, please notify us in writing immediately. At the time we receive written notification of cancellation, the following charges apply:

Scheduled Rail Journeys by Private Train: 95 or more days prior to departure----------------deposit due or paid in full of $1,500 or $2,00065-94 days prior to departure-----------------------------50% of the land tour cost64 days prior to departure or after trip departure----no refund

ReferencesWe encourage you to speak directly with satisfied past travelers. Please request a list of references.

Why MIR?Regional knowledge is crucial to the success of any trip to our corner of the world. MIR combines de-tailed information about geography and infrastructure, history and art, language and culture, with the depth of knowledge that comes only from decades of regional experience. You may wonder how we dif-fer from other tour operators…

Destination SpecializationMIR focuses exclusively on the exceptional region at the crossroads of Europe and Asia. This area has been our overriding passion since 1986; we don’t do the rest of the world. Our hard-earned expertise gained over the last 28 years can take you from end to end of the largest country in the world – Russia – and to all of its neighbors. We specialize in travel to Siberia, the Silk Route, St. Petersburg & Beyond. Our destinations include: Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Moldova, the Baltics (Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia), the Balkans (Slovenia, Croatia, Montenegro, Albania, Macedonia, Kosovo, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina), Central Asia (the five ‘Stans), Iran, the Caucasus (Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan), Mongolia, China, Tibet and Central/East Europe (Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Romania).




28 Years of ExperienceA travel company doesn’t last 28 years in the business without a solid track record. MIR has helped thousands of individuals achieve their travel goals. Our dedication and experience have earned us their trust and the trust of many well-respected institutions. Today MIR is the preferred tour operator for mu-seum, alumni and special interest organizations across the country.

Recommended & RespectedMIR has twice been rated one of the “Best Adventure Travel Companies on Earth” by National Geographic Adventure. Several of our tours have won awards in top travel publications, such as Outside magazine and National Geographic Traveler. Our trips have been featured in books like Riding the Hula Hula to the Arctic Ocean and 1,000 Places to See Before You Die.

More Questions?Please feel free to call us with questions at 1-800-424-7289, 8:30am-5:30pm Pacific Time.

MIR Corporation85 South Washington Street, Suite 210Seattle, WA 98104800-424-7289, 206-624-7289Fax [email protected]

Sellers of Travel: Washington#601-099-932, California# 2082306-40

© Photos: GW Travel, MIR Corporation, Peter Guttman, Warren & Janny Strickland




http://www.mircorp.com

http://www.mircorp.com



from budapest to tehran aboard the golden eagle danube express 2015€¦ · yazd fire temple,...

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