Uniworld Boutique River Cruises completed an industry first at the CLIA RiverView Conference 2025 in Budapest by hosting 70 travel agents on a luxury train journey.
The ride aboard the Golden Eagle Danube Express was aimed at highlighting the opportunity for agents in selling combined rail and river trips, featured in Uniworld’s World’s Greatest Rail and River Journeys collection.
Guests were welcomed to Nyugati station in Budapest where they enjoyed a glass of Tattinger in the Royal waiting room before boarding the Golden Eagle Danube Express to the sound of a brass band.
During the three-hour round trip, travel agents were given a tour of the private sleeper train, and the restaurant and bar carriages.
They enjoyed a demonstration of the onboard cuisine and service during a three-course meal.
Chris Townson, Uniworld’s UK & Ireland MD, said: “We wanted to do something that’s never been done before at the CLIA RiverView Conference. We are so grateful to Golden Eagle Luxury Trains for bringing the train into Budapest specially.”
“We are seeing an undeniable trend in customers booking longer, bucket list trips that combine ultra-luxury rail, river and land.”
Tim Littler, President and Founder of Golden Eagle Luxury Trains, added: “It was a real pleasure to welcome Uniworld’s partners onto the Golden Eagle Danube Express this week so they could see, touch and taste what it’s like to be on board”.
Lewis Johnston, of rivercruising.co.uk. said: “The views as we journeyed in parallel with the Danube were spectacular. I was so impressed by the suites and how much space there was. It’s just the perfect fit with a brand like Uniworld.”
In response to demand, Uniworld’s World’s Greatest Rail and River Journeys has expanded for 2025 and features a number of new trips including Istanbul to Paris, linking a six day journey from Istanbul to Paris on the Golden Eagle Danube Express with a seven-night cruise on the Seine.
Grand Alpine and Enchanting Danube combines Uniworld’s sailing from Passau to Budapest on the Super Ship Maria Theresa with a seven day Alpine train journey to Venice.
