Day 1 – Bucharest

Join your tour group at the hotel.

Day 2 – Bucharest

Romania’s capital city is a trove of great museums, stroll-worthy parks and tempting eateries. Its turbulent political past is plain to see from the severe Stalinist architecture – but the organic curves of 17th and 18th-century churches and graceful La Belle Époque-style villas can be found hushed away in hidden corners. We waste no time in peeling back the layers of Bucharest’s history with a full-day tour, encompassing all the highlights including the beautifully restored historic centre. We’ll also enjoy a guided visit of the Palace of the Parliament.

Day 3 – Bucharest

Today is free for you to explore the city under your own steam. Perhaps revisit some of the magnificent sites from yesterday’s tour – or make your discoveries. Seek out some of the city’s charming treasures – we love Cărturești Carusel, one of the world’s most beautiful bookshops. Or perhaps stop for a taste of the local fare – juicy mici-pork rolls and aubergine salad are typical Romanian dishes. Alternatively, you could join our optional excursion to former President Ceaușescu’s Palace and the open-air National Museum of the Village.

Day 4 – Sinaia – Azuga – Brasov

Peles Castle – the summer residence of the Royal Family – is a neo-Renaissance masterpiece. Sharp spires, timber-framed panels, and detailed brickwork surrounded by thick forest in every shade of green – you’ll be forgiven for thinking you’ve walked straight into the pages of a storybook. But the inside is even more impressive, with every corner lavished in silk rugs, Murano glass, and polished marble. We’ll enjoy a guided tour this morning. Romania might not be the first country that springs to mind when you think of fine wines, but it’s known for its aromatic whites and full-bodied reds – and today we’ll be treated to a sparkling wine tasting and lunch at one of the country’s most prestigious wineries. Nestled among the majestic Carpathian Mountains, the award-winning Azuga Wine Cellar offers incredible scenery as well as an interesting history as the official supplier of the Romanian Royal Family.

Day 5 – Brasov

Imagine a huddle of pastel-coloured baroque buildings encircling a sun-bathed pedestrianised square. Shoppers bustle from store to store browsing fabrics and local handicrafts, and the sound of chatter and clinking glasses rings in the air from alfresco eateries. The forested Mount Tampa in the distance is stamped with ‘Brasov’ in huge white letters. It’s a delightful scene, and it draws travellers from all over who want to simply ‘be’ here. We spend the morning exploring this charming town together. We discover the medieval parts of Brasov, including the Black Church, Rope Street, and the Schei district as part of our guided tour. There’ll then be time to explore on your own or maybe sit in a café for lunch before a free afternoon.

Day 6 – Sighisoara

This morning we’ll visit a Saxon fortified church, just one example of a number that exist in rural Transylvania. After spending some time here, we’ll continue to Sighisoara. Strolling through Sighisoara’s twist of medieval streets is a tranquil, fairytale-like experience; you’ll feel utterly transported. But it wasn’t always this peaceful and idyllic. Its towers were once packed with weapons and emergency supplies in anticipation of Turkish attacks. We’ll spend time exploring and learning about the history here, passing Vlad the Impaler’s birthplace and getting a glimpse of the covered Scholars’ Stairs built in 1642. We’ll be transferred between the upper and lower parts of the citadel by a mini train. This evening we’ll enjoy a special dinner with wine tasting and a live folklore show at a local restaurant.

Day 7 – Bran Castle

The morning is yours to spend as you please. Perhaps delve deeper into the secrets of Brasov’s medieval old town, or you might like to join an optional private visit to the nearby Liberty Bear Sanctuary – the largest animal welfare project in Europe. Later this afternoon, we take our much-anticipated visit to Bran Castle, or Dracula’s Castle as it has come to be known. Perched on a headland above Bran, you’ll see the castle’s conical towers rise above the thick green forest as we approach – and it’s simply thrilling. Our evening visit means we’ll have the castle completely to ourselves for a private guided tour. You’ll wind up the narrow staircases, wander through creaky-floored corridors, and admire grand rooms decorated with bearskin rugs and antiques. It’s undoubtedly atmospheric, but there’s no whiff of vampires here. Our guide will explain the castle’s history, dating back to the 14th century, before we head down to the gardens for a traditional Romanian feast. We’ll be transported down in the Time Tunnel lift experience, taking us through hundreds of years of history as we go.

Day 8 – Bucharest

Say goodbye to your tour group for your onward travel.