Dobro dosli! Welcome to Croatia! When you arrive, you’ll be met at the airport by a local representative and transferred to your hotel. Your adventure begins at 6 pm with a welcome meeting with your leader and group. If you arrive early, you might like to head out and explore Dubrovnik’s medieval Old Town, surrounded entirely by city walls and easily covered on foot. Although Dubrovnik experienced devastation during the war in the early 1990s, the restored Old Town remains one of the most picturesque places in the world, surrounded by the Adriatic Sea. Maybe take a self-paced stroll through town to discover the 15th-century Rector’s Palace and the stunning Baroque churches. After your meeting, join your leader and fellow travellers for dinner at a local restaurant showcasing Croatia’s traditional cuisine.

Today, you’ll cross the border and travel into Bosnia and Herzegovina, stopping at several scenic destinations along the way. Your first stop is Trebinje, where you’ll join your leader for a walk around the compact Old Town and its market square, followed by a stop at an Orthodox monastery to taste the renowned Tvrdos wine. After, head to Mostar – a picturesque town home to numerous stone millhouses and cobbled streets. The star attraction is the world-famous Stari Most (Old Bridge), which spans the Neretva River and connects the two sides of the city. Find a spot for lunch and then get to know the town in the company of an expert local guide – including why the locals have such a strong connection to coffee. Pop into a traditional coppersmith workshop and meet the owner here who makes jewellery. You’ll learn about the process, then make something of your own to take home – the perfect souvenir!

Leave Mostar this morning and make your way toward Sarajevo, stopping in Konjic along the way. Here, you’ll discover one of the best-kept secrets of former Yugoslavia – Tito’s nuclear bunker. Built to protect Yugoslav President Josip Broz Tito and his top military personnel, this military bunker has only recently opened to the public. Step back in time on a guided tour of the bunker and learn about Yugoslav history and what life was like in the not-so-distant past. After exploring the bunker, continue to Sarajevo and settle into your Feature Stay. Well located near the old Ottoman quarter and vibrant bazaars, this boutique hotel is inspired by traditional Bosnian bosanska kuka homes, built with local stone, timber and adobe to blend in with the mountainous Balkan climate.

Head out on a city tour through Sarajevo with a local guide this morning to get to know your surroundings and learn more about this historical city. With some free time to explore at your own pace after, you might taste your way through the market stalls of Bascarsija, visit one of the museums dedicated to the Yugoslav War or take a cable car up Trebevic Mountain for views of the city. Wrap up the day with a cooking lesson in a charming Austro-Hungarian building. You’ll learn how to make Bosnia and Herzegovina’s most beloved dish – pita – including how to hand-roll and coil the dough to create the distinctive shape. After, enjoy a hearty traditional meal of sogan dolma, stuffed paprika) and, of course, your freshly made pita, too!

Today, travel to Serbia, with a stop in the small town of Visegrad. Here, a 16th-century bridge that inspired the Nobel Prize-winning literary work The Bridge on the Drina dominates the horizon. From Visegrad, you’ll head to Drina Canyon for a warm welcome to Serbia – a boat tour with a local food tasting. After your scenic lunch, you’ll board a steam train in Mokra Gora National Park for a scenic ride through forests and mountains. Served by one of the last operational steam trains in Europe, this stretch of historic railway is part of the renowned Ciro trail, connecting Belgrade and the Adriatic Sea.

Hop on board the longest gondola ride in the world today – the Gold Gondola, spanning 9000 m (29,530 ft) in length. Take in panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and lakes before exploring the area on foot. After your ride, drive through the winding roads toward Sirogojno village, known as one of the most beautiful villages in the country and declared as a Cultural Monument of Exceptional Importance in Serbia. Recharge with a lunch break before a special experience in the village meeting local artisans. Check out their pottery, blacksmiths and coopers workshops, and basket weaving, then visit the Knitters Museum, where all products are still traditionally handmade. This is your chance to buy meaningful souvenirs and support the locals in the community.

Leave Zlatibor behind today and head to Belgrade. When you arrive, kick off your visit with a walking tour to discover the best of the city, from Republic Square and Knez Mihailova Street to Kalemegam Park and the Belgrade Fortress, where the Danube and Sava Rivers meet. Then, peel back a layer and discover some lesser-known sights, including the Roman Well, World War II Military Bunkers, Roman Lapidarium and Old Wine Cellar. This afternoon is free, so you might like to visit the city market or catch a trolleybus to Zemun – a Bohemian neighbourhood known for its cafes along the riverside promenade. Tonight, join your group for an exceptional farewell dinner. Set within the iconic Salon 1905 – a masterpiece of Baroque and Art Nouveau influence – your multicourse meal is cooked by a native Belgrade chef who infuses his Serbian cuisine with local seasonal ingredients. Tuck in, then toast the end of your adventure.

The day is yours to enjoy Belgrade and all it has to offer, including the delicious Turkish coffee at a kafana – these traditional coffee houses date back to the Ottoman era. You will have a second welcome meeting at your hotel at 6 pm tonight to meet your new leader and any new travellers joining you for the next part of your adventure. After, step out into Belgrade for dinner at a local restaurant and get to know each other.

This morning, travel by private vehicle to Timisoara, crossing the Serbia-Romania border. Timisoara is a park-filled city where an uprising of local people sparked the Romanian Revolution in 1989. This saw the fall of the country’s Communist regime – reflecting the broader political change seen across Eastern Europe at the time. On a guided walking tour, you’ll take in some of Timisoara’s most significant sights – including the grand and aptly named Victory, Liberty and Union Squares – and learn more about the city’s history.

Head to Sibiu after breakfast, stopping on the way to visit Sarmizegetusa Regia – the capital of the ancient Kingdom of Dacia. Romania’s answer to Stonehenge, Sarmizegetusa Regia was a centre of religious, military and political significance until it was invaded by the Romans in AD102. It is now a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the oldest and most mysterious historical sites in Romania. After touring the site with a local guide, continue to Sibiu, where you’ll get acquainted with the cobbled streets and squares on a guided walk. Sibiu is known for its creative, bohemian atmosphere, rich history and architecture. Explore what remains of the city’s medieval walls and towers, cross the legend-shrouded Bridge of Lies and take in the grandeur of Brukenthal National Museum before a free evening.

This morning, head to the outskirts of the city to explore ASTRA Village Museum. Set across 96 acres surrounding a sparkling lake, this open-air living museum seeks to preserve, showcase and celebrate Romanian folk culture and traditional ways of life. Wander the grounds to discover reconstructed old dwellings, windmills and workshops, and learn how Romanian people of centuries past grew food, raised families and made a living. The afternoon is free to visit the Orthodox Cathedral or admire the slightly less imposing (but equally magnificent) Gothic Lutheran church. Alternatively, grab a covrigi (a tasty Romanian pretzel), wander the old town and snap photos of the colourful, Wes Anderson-style architecture.

Depart Sibiu and head to Alba lulia – one of the oldest cities in Romania. It’s home to an 18th-century citadel with a history that dates to Roman times. Shaped like a seven-point star, the fortress features a collection of ornate gates and vantage points, as well as numerous museums and cafes. Wander the cobbled streets with an expert guide to hear more about what went on within these ancient walls over the last two millennia. Next, drive to the Trascau Mountains to reach Coltesti and check in to Szekler Mansion. This evening, sit down for a traditional meal, which might feature hearty bowls of borsch or goulash, locally made cheese and sarmale (smoky, meat-filled cabbage rolls).

On your way to Sighisoara today, stop off at the Turda Salt Mine. This huge subterranean space was renovated and opened to the public in the early 1990s and resembles an alien planet or a Bond villain’s lair. Don’t forget to pack a sweatshirt – it gets chilly 119 m (390 ft) down! When you resurface, head to the nearby town Medias, where you can catch a glimpse of the Trumpeter Tower, a medieval structure with a distinctive tilt. Finish your journey in the UNESCO World Heritage site of Sighisoara – your home for the next two nights and the birthplace of Vlad the Impaler – the historical figure and inspiration behind Bram Stoker’s Dracula. Explore the colourful streets of Sighisoara’s Old Town on a guided walk to discover the myths and legends of Transylvania, then enjoy a free evening.

Start your day by visiting the UNESCO World Heritage site of Biertan, home to a 15th-century fortified church perched high on a hill in the centre of town. Then, drive to Malancrav for lunch in a bucolic setting – the Saxon village was once owned by one family, the Apafis, and populated with German farmers. While you’re there, you’ll watch a traditional bread-making demonstration with local women, offering a window into village life and culinary heritage. After, maybe see the Apafi Mansion and the 14th-century church that features the oldest wall paintings in Transylvania. Head back to Sighisoara after your sightseeing and spend the rest of the day exploring as you wish.

After breakfast, set off for Brasov, making a stop at the Saschiz fortified church along the way. This 15th-century Gothic-style Lutheran church was built by the Saxons to serve both religious and protective purposes and is now renowned for its massive defensive walls and historic clock tower. After your visit, stop into an artisanal food producer for a taste of local meats, cheeses and wines. Continue to Brasov and join a local guide for a city walk. You’ll learn about the city’s most notable sights, including the remnants of the old medieval fortifications, the Black Church – damaged in the 1689 Great Fire but now restored – and the wedge-shaped Council Square, lined with historic buildings. Round the day off with the Romanian sweet treat of chimney cake (or kurtoskolacs, as the locals call it).

After breakfast this morning, travel to the Zarnești Bear Sanctuary for a Premium Experience at one of Europe’s most important wildlife conservation projects. Accompanied by a specialist guide, you’ll learn about bear rescue efforts in Romania and gain deeper insight into the challenges and successes of protecting these magnificent animals in a natural setting. From there, move on to Bran Castle, where a local guide will show you around what is perhaps Romania’s most famous attraction, given its associations with the tale of Count Dracula. Vampire myths aside, it was never actually home to Vlad the Impaler or Bram Stoker! The forested surroundings and lofty location of this 14th-century castle make it a moody setting. The rest of the afternoon is free.

Your discovery of Romanian castles continues this morning with Peles. Built in the late 19th century, the neo-Renaissance creation is even more extravagant on the inside than it is on the outside. After your exploration, you’ll continue to Bucharest, where you’ll check into your Feature Stay – the regal Suter Palace atop Filaret Hill. This afternoon, join a guided city tour exploring Bucharest’s key landmarks and layered history, then come together for a farewell dinner to celebrate your journey.

Your adventure comes to an end after breakfast. If you’d like to spend some more time in Bucharest, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time to organise additional accommodation.