Ahoj! Welcome to Prague. When you arrive at Prague Airport, you’ll be met by a local representative and transferred to your hotel. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm to meet your local leader and fellow travellers. Until then, you can explore Czech Republic's capital city as you wish. Steeped in history, there’s plenty to see here – maybe check out the National Gallery, with Czech and international art on display, or the Franz Kafka Museum – a wonderful dedication to the life and work of the famous Prague writer. After your meeting, get to know your group over a traditional Czech dinner – look out for goulash (a beef stew), svickova (marinated beef) or trdelnik (a sweet pastry, also called chimney cake) on the menu.

Get up and out this morning on a leader-led orientation walk around the city. You’ll probably spot Prague Castle – one of the largest ancient castles in the world, visible from different parts of the city. See Charles Bridge, another medieval structure that crosses the Vltava River and venture into the charming Old Town with its own architectural highlights, like the astronomical clock that’s been ticking away since 1410. If you’re a fan of beer, you’re probably familiar with a Pilsner – but did you know this pale lager originated in the Czech Republic? Try some out on a visit to the Pilsner brewery, where you’ll also learn all about the brewing process and its origins.

Hop on a train to Olomouc today, east of Prague. Although often overshadowed by the capital, this city has plenty to offer – like the Holy Trinity Column, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and Olomouc Castle, which dates back to the 12th century. Olomouc even has its own astronomical clock in its Old Town, offering an insight into how people kept time in the medieval period. Learn about these and more during a leader-led orientation walk. You’re then free to explore as you wish. Make sure to ask your leader for any restaurant recommendations in the city centre or go for a walk around Smetana Gardens.

This morning, you’ll drive across the border into Poland and on to Auschwitz – one of the trip’s most difficult but profoundly impactful experiences. As you walk around what once was the largest Nazi concentration camp with a guide, you’ll learn about the suffering of millions of Jewish people, as well as other persecuted groups, during the Holocaust. While visiting Auschwitz is incredibly emotional, it’s essential for understanding the past and ensuring such atrocities aren’t repeated in the future. Decompress after in Krakow, your next destination, and perhaps head to the Old Town for dinner.

Krakow is best known for its well-preserved medieval architecture, so take it all in as you tour the city with a local guide this morning. They’ll likely bring you to Main Market Square in the Old Town, one of the largest squares in Europe, and St. Mary’s Basilica, a church known for its Gothic architecture. As you walk, learn about how Krakow changed during the Austro-Hungarian Empire and World War II. Then, get hands-on with Krakow’s culinary scene with a cooking class – learn how to make Pierogi (Eastern European dumplings) and enjoy tucking into them after.

Make your way to central Slovakia today and stop in Banska Bystrica – a city with medieval origins. When you arrive, head out on a leader-led tour, where you might see the Main Square in the Old Town and the Church of St. Francis Xavier – an excellent example of Baroque architecture. Maybe learn about the city’s role in the Slovak National Uprising of 1944 in the square dedicated to it. Then, head to your Feature Stay accommodation for the night – Hotel Grand Viglas. Feel like royalty in this converted castle that offers modern amenities like a swimming pool and spa, as well as an upscale restaurant for dinner.

Check out the nearby town of Banska Stiavnica today, which sits in the middle of a caldera created by the collapse of an ancient volcano with the whole town declared a UNESCO World Heritage site. Start with a visit to the Slovak Mining Museum to see first-hand the role that mining precious metals has had in shaping this region and its communities. After, your leader will take you on a short but rewarding hike to Kalveria Church, which sits on a hill overlooking the city. You’ll start from the city centre and take a well-marked trail, with plenty of good views of the city. Finally, relax with a free evening back at your Feature Stay.

Pack up and head for Budapest today, stopping at Holloko on the way. This village, tucked away in the Cserhat Mountains, is a well-preserved representation of Paloc culture – an ethnic subgroup in Hungary. You might feel as though you're stepping back in time as you walk around Holloko, where residents often wear traditional clothing, and crafts like pottery and weaving remain integral to village life. Walk around with a local guide and learn about these different traditional crafts at demonstrations – where you can even try on traditional clothing! Sample brandy and cheese pie (a local delicacy) then continue to Budapest for the evening.

Get your bearings in Hungary’s capital today with an orientation walk with your leader. Many associate Budapest with its thermal bath culture, which is why it’s also known as the City of Spas. You can opt to visit the Szechenyi Baths – one of the largest and most famous thermal baths in Budapest, featuring several outdoor pools. Buda Castle is also a highlight, standing tall on the west side of the Danube River. Join your leader for the Buda Castle Walk – a well-loved route that allows you to see lots of historical parts of the city, like Chain Bridge, the bridge that connects Buda and Pest, and Matthias Church. After, refuel with a langos (a deep-fried flatbread, very popular in Budapest)!

Drive to Serbia this morning and stop off at Subotica. Enjoy a guided tour of the border city, where you’ll spot notable Art Noveau architecture around the place, namely the City Hall and the Synagogue. Your leader can also explain how the Roman, Ottoman and Austro-Hungarian periods influenced the city. You’ll then drive to a local winery, where you’ll learn about the winemaking process in Serbia. Put your wine-tasting skills to the test by sampling various wines from their signature collection. After, continue to Belgrade, your last destination.

As Serbia’s capital, Belgrade has a rich history and your leader will touch on this today on an orientation walk. Located where the Danube River and the River Sava meet, this city has been a centre of power for various empires over the centuries. Once you know your way around the city, the day is yours to explore as you wish. Perhaps check out Knez Mihailova Street if you’re in the mood to shop, or head to Kalemegdan Fortress for good views of the rivers converging. Maybe visit the Nikola Tesla Museum, where you can learn all about how the engineer shaped technological advancement in the 20th century. Then, get together with your group for a traditional Serbian dinner – think cevapi (grilled sausages), sarma (cabbage rolls with minced meat) and prebranac (a bean stew).

Enjoy a day at leisure in Belgrade. Perhaps check out the city’s many museums, or maybe get a caffeine fix with a Turkish coffee at a kafana. Since this is a combination trip, another welcome meeting will take place at your hotel at 6pm this evening to meet your new leader welcome any new travellers joining you for the next part of your adventure. After your meeting, head out for dinner at a local restaurant showcasing Serbia’s traditional cuisine.

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 102 AD. 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 walking tour. 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 is 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 – your exclusive Feature Stay. 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 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 and then enjoy a free evening.

Start your day by visiting the UNESCO World Hertiage site 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. 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 pit stop at hilltop Rupea Fortress along the way. The restored citadel’s steep and rocky pathways spiral up to the highest point, offering sweeping views over the surrounding fields. Next, you'll visit Bran Castle – 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 is a great setting. This evening you’ll reach Brasov and have dinner together at a local restaurant.

Your tour of Romanian castles continues 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. Return to Brasov and, in the afternoon, join your leader for a walk, learning about the city’s most notable sights. You’ll see 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).

Today, you have a free morning in Brasov. Maybe seek out tiny String Street, which is 44 inches at its narrowest point or indulge in some Romanian sweet treats like papanasi (a sweet cream doughnut topped with blueberry jam). Depart the city and head for lunch in the Prahova Valley, where you’ll tour a local winery known for its sparkling rose in the mountain town of Azuga. Hit the road one last time, reaching Bucharest in the late afternoon.

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.