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Orient-Express

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-- From 2025/09/26 to 2025/10/01
-- Trans-en-Provence-Istanbul by train

Trans-en Provence-Paris by High-speed train

On 09/25/2025 the taxi picks me up at Villa Thébaïde at 08:30 for Arcs-Draguignan station. The TGV train leaves at 09:12 for Paris-Lyon station img. Arrival at 1:50 p.m., an SNCF porter takes charge of my suitcase to assist me; an AlloCab taxi awaits me at the drop-off point in the second basement of the station to go to the IBIS Paris Opera Bastille hotel where I usually go to the Opera.

Paris-gare de l'Est, Orient-Express

The next day a private limousine takes me to Paris-Est station img to board the Orien-Express train

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Trajet Paris-Istanbul

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The GPS tracklog from Paris to Istanbul
from 2025/09/26 to 2025/10/01

Paris-Budapest

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On 09/26/25 departure around 11:35 a.m. * from Paris Gare de l'Est, dinner and overnight on board the train.
The steward welcomes you, settles you into your cabin and leaves you to relax over a delicious afternoon tea.
Later, you enjoy a delicious gourmet dinner served on board.

You enjoy the sublime landscape that passes by as the “Venice Simplon-Orient-Express” crosses Hungary.
Continental breakfast is served in your cabin.
You then have lunch in one of the sumptuous restaurant cars.



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On 27/09/2025 afternoon tea is served later in the day.
Upon arrival in Budapest, you are transferred to your luxury hotel.
Dinner and overnight in Budapest. here img

On 09/28/2025 after breakfast at the hotel, you will enjoy a guided tour of Budapest and have lunch in a local restaurant. You join the train at the end of the day and can have an aperitif in the bar car while waiting for dinner time as the train crosses

Budapest-Bucarest

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On 09/29/2025 the train arrives in the mountain town of Sinaia, after breakfast. You descend for a visit to the magnificent Peles Castle. You join the train to cover the few kilometers that separate you from Bucharest. On arrival, you will be transferred to the Athénée Palace Hilton hotel where you will be served a late lunch.
In the afternoon, a short guided tour of the city is organized.
Dinner and overnight in Bucharest. here img


On 09/30/2025 this morning, you join the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express. The train heads south, crossing the Danube and Bulgaria.
During the afternoon, you make a stop in Bulgaria and enjoy the charm of this pretty rural country.
Lunch and dinner are served on board the train throughout the journey.

Bucarest-Istanbul

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01/10/2025 Breakfast served in the cabin.
The train will stop at the Kapikule border crossing point for customs formalities.
Entry into Türkiye.
Lunch with Turkish flavors.
Arrival in Istanbul around 3:45 p.m. here

Istanbul Orient-Express-Sofitel Taksim hotel

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On 01/10/2025 a private limousine picks me up at Istanbul train station to drop me off at the Sofitel Taksim hotel. img
I will rest in the afternoon while preparing the visits to Byzantium / Constantinople / Istanbul lasting five days including a day of mid-time rest.