Medieval fortresses, haunting tales, and countryside traditions are waiting to be discovered on this eight-day Eastern European journey. Begin in the bustling metropolis of Budapest before venturing off the tourist trail to Romania, where medieval villages, churches, and the storied Bran Castle of Dracula fame await. Along the way, top guides help deepen your knowledge of the region.

Day 1 Budapest
Arrive at any time.

Day 2 Budapest
Explore Budapest by embarking on a guided historic tour of the city. Start at Heroes Square and hop on the metro to learn the history of Europe's second oldest underground transportation system. Discover the Opera House, Liberty Square and Chain Bridge, ending at the Great Market Hall with a typical Hungarian lunch. The afternoon is free to explore.

Day 3 Budapest/Cluj-Napoca
Embark on a full-day transfer from Budapest to Cluj-Napoca. Enjoy watching the graceful countryside of Hungary and Romania roll by from the comfort of a train.

Day 4 Cluj-Napoca/Sighișoara
Visit Salina Turda Salt Mine, the world's deepest underground salt museum and marvel at 2,000 years of history and highly preserved galleries. Learn about all the purposes of the mine over the years, from being used as a World War II bomb shelter to becoming a warehouse for storing cheese. From here, head to Sighișoara and enjoy an orientation walk of the old town on arrival.

Day 5 Sighișoara/Braşov
Transfer to the small medieval village of Medias. Together with a local chef, visit the market to pick out fresh ingredients for your Transylvanian cooking class and learn about the cultural and gastronomical influences found in Transylvanian cuisine. In the afternoon, head to the town of Brasov to visit the famous Black Church.

Day 6 Braşov
Enjoy a free morning to explore Brasov's baroque architecture and beautiful squares. Later, visit the haunting Bran Castle, also known as Dracula's castle, for a guided visit. Afterwards, head to the castle's tea house for an afternoon tea accompanied by the on-site historian and learn about the castle's eerie past and connection with Dracula.

Day 7 Braşov/Bucharest
Travel to Bucharest, stopping to visit the fairytale-like Peleș Castle. Commissioned by King Carol I as a summer home in the late 1800s, Peleș Castle offers visitors the opportunity to admire the ornate interior of the castle as well as breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside. Once in Bucharest, enjoy a walking tour. Opt for a final night out on the town.

Day 8 Bucharest
Depart at any time.