Dobro dosli! Welcome to Serbia. Your adventure begins in Belgrade. When you arrive at the airport, you’ll be met by a representative and brought to your hotel. Join your local leader and fellow travellers for a welcome meeting at 6 pm. If you arrive early, check out the city’s many museums – including the one dedicated to Nikola Tesla, the Serbian American inventor known for transforming the world’s understanding of electricity. Or maybe get a caffeine fix with a Turkish coffee at a kafana – these traditional coffee houses date back to the Ottoman era. After the meeting, get to know your group over dinner at a local restaurant and explore the flavours of Serbian 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.