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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 local favourites goulash (a beef stew) and svickova (roast beef) on the menu.

Get up and out this morning on a guided tour of the city. Start in the Old Town Square, where you’ll see the Old Town Hall and its astronomical clock that’s been ticking away since 1410, then pass by the Jan Hus Monument, Old New Synagogue and Pinkas Synagogue. Your leader will take you to a lesser-known viewpoint to see the medieval Charles Bridge. Cross over into Mala Strana to see St Nicholas Church and stroll through this historic district’s back streets and Baroque gardens. As you walk, you’ll probably spot Prague Castle – one of the largest ancient castles in the world, visible from different parts of the city. The rest of your day is free for you to continue exploring at your own pace. Maybe pay the castle a proper visit to walk through its gardens, courtyards and down Golden Lane, with its colourful houses where castle marksmen and goldsmiths once lived.

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 WWII. Then, get hands-on with Krakow’s culinary scene with a cooking class – learn how to make pierogi (Central European dumplings) and enjoy tucking into them after.

Make your way to central Slovakia today, stopping along the way for a guided tour of Orava Castle. This 13th-century castle blends Renaissance, Gothic and Romanesque architecture and wraps around a cliff high above the Orava River, giving it a whimsical appearance. Then, continue 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 Calvaria Church, which sits on a hill overlooking the city. You’ll start from the Calvaria Hill 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 yourself! Sample brandy and cheese pie (a local delicacy) then continue to Budapest. When you arrive, you’ll take a private cruise along the Danube River in a rebuilt 19th-century steamship. Pass by the highlights that line the city’s waterfront including Hungarian Parliament, Gresham Palace and Buda Castle as you sip on a welcome drink and toast to your first night in Budapest.

Get your bearings in Hungary’s capital today with a guided walk with a local expert. Visit the Inner City Parish Church for a guided tour and a private organ concert with a local musician, followed by a short Q&A session. This special experience set in one of the oldest buildings in the city will give you a first-hand insight into Budapest's strong musical traditions. The church’s striking organ was built in 1932 and has more than 5000 pipes. Later, refuel with a langos (a popular local snack of deep-fried flatbread topped with garlic butter, sour cream or cheese). 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.

Drive to Serbia this morning and stop off at Subotica. Enjoy a guided tour of the border city, where you’ll spot notable Art Nouveau architecture around the place, namely the City Hall and the Synagogue. Your guide 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.

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 6 pm 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 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 Signature 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.