BLACK NOVEMBER: Best of Romania, Transylvania & Hungary

Welcome to Bucharest, Romania’s vibrant capital, where grand boulevards and Belle-Époque elegance hint at a rich past. Settle into the rhythm of the city before meeting your Travel Director and fellow travellers for a local dinner. Raise a glass to the journey ahead as you share your first taste of Romania’s warm hospitality – the perfect way to begin your adventure

Step into Bucharest’s history on a walking tour with a visit to the colossal Palace of Parliament, one of the world’s largest and heaviest buildings, built during Romania’s communist era. Passing through Revolution Square, a key site in the country’s fight for freedom, you’ll finally arrive at the Arch of Triumph, the city’s tribute to its WWI victory. The afternoon is yours to explore, shop or simply enjoy the Romanian capital’s energy

Leave the buzz of Bucharest behind as you travel into the breathtaking Carpathian Mountains. Your first stop is Sinaia, where you’ll visit the fairytale Peleș Castle, a lavish summer retreat built for Romania’s first king. Next, step back in time at Prejmer’s fortified church, a UNESCO-listed stronghold built to withstand centuries of invasions. The day ends in Brașov where you’ll enjoy an authentic Romanian dinner

Bran Castle—better known as the home of Bram Stoker’s Dracula—sets the scene this morning. With its towering spires, hidden passageways and dramatic history, it’s easy to see why this fortress fuels the legend. Dive into Culture as your Local Specialist reveals the real story, from royal retreat to eerie icon. Then, wander the medieval streets of Braşov, uncover its Saxon past and visit the fire-scarred Black Church. Tonight, your evening is yours to enjoy as you wish

Welcome to Sighișoara, a UNESCO-listed citadel full of medieval charm. Stroll through the old town’s winding streets, pausing at the Clock Tower, a 14th-century sentinel standing watch over the city. See the Covered Staircase, once a shelter for schoolchildren climbing to class, before stopping outside Vlad Dracul House, where the infamous Vlad the Impaler was said to be born. This afternoon, enjoy a Be My Guest experience, soaking in the warmth of local hospitality before continuing to Sibiu, where you’ll settle in for the night

Your morning begins in Sibiu, where a walking tour with your Local Specialist brings the city’s Saxon heritage to life. Explore the Great Square and Huet Square, the heart of the old citadel dating back to the 12th century. Cross the Liar’s Bridge, shrouded in local legend, before stepping inside the Gothic Lutheran Cathedral of Saint Mary, its 73-meter steeple dominating the skyline since the 14th century. Leaving Sibiu, you’ll visit Câlnic Fortress, a UNESCO-listed stronghold built to defend against Mongol invasions. Tonight, stay in Timișoara, often called ‘Little Vienna’ for its elegant architecture and rich cultural scene

Wake up in Timișoara, this morning, explore Union Square, framed by elegant Baroque architecture, a striking plague column, and two cathedrals—one Catholic, the other Serbian Orthodox. Soak up the atmosphere in Victory Square, the heart of the city, where a coffee at a bustling cafe is the perfect way to take it all in. This afternoon, cross into Hungary, arriving in Budapest by evening. For a magical end to the day, why not join an optional Danube dinner cruise, gliding past the beauty of the ‘Paris of the East’?

Start your final day uncovering the grandeur of Budapest with your Local Specialist. Stand in the vast Heroes’ Square, surrounded by statues of Hungary’s great leaders, before crossing the Danube to Buda. Ascend Castle Hill, to see the striking Matthias Church. Nearby, take in views over the city from the Fisherman’s Bastion, with its fairytale turrets overlooking the Hungarian Parliament. The afternoon is yours to explore at leisure—perhaps a soak in the city’s famous thermal baths? Tonight, toast to an unforgettable journey over dinner with your fellow travellers

Your journey comes to an end as you bid farewell to Budapest and your travel companions