2025 Romania Hungary Poland and Baltics Tour

Day 1 / Mon June 2 2025 / ARRIVE BUCHAREST

Welcome to Romania! Meet your Travel Director for our Welcome Drink before our highlight Welcome Dinner. Later, enjoy getting to know your fellow guests over a fabulous Welcome Dinner.                                       (HD)

Hotel: 2 nights Bucharest, Romania– hotel to be advised

Day 2 / June 3 2025 / BUCHAREST

This morning we start with an introduction to Bucharest with local guide. We explore the cosmopolitan contrasts of Bucharest on our tour of Romania’s capital and surrounding sights. We see the best of Bucharest, including Communist relics like the supersized Parliament Palace and Revolution Square, plus the charming, French-inspired Old Town and traditional folk houses of the Village Museum. An evening at leisure or join for a fun evening at Bucharest’s historic open-air guesthouse pub and restaurant.                                            (BB)

Day 3 / June 4 2025 / BUCHAREST to BRASOV

This morning we travel north along the Prahova Valley to the elegant mountain resort of Sinaia to visit the imposing and magnificent Peleș Castle. Built by the royal family of Romania during the 19th century, this palace offers an insight of 19th century German Renaissance style of decorations. Admire the lavish rooms filled with art, armour and tapestries. Continuing northwards we travel through the Carpathian Mountains to the charming medieval city of Brașov, founded in 1211 by the Teutonic Knights. With our local expert, walk around Town Hall Square, lined with beautiful red-roofed houses and dominated by the Black Church. Tonight, a highlight local dinner in one of the old medieval restaurants.                                (BB, HD)

Hotel: 2 nights Brasov – tba

Day 4 / June 5 2025 / BRASOV SIGHTSEEING

Today we visit the iconic Bran Castle, said to be the inspiration for Bram Stoker’s Dracula. The imposing construction watches over a valley from a strategic position, it was originally built as a fortress at the former border between Wallachia and Transylvania. Learn about Queen Maria of Romania, the last inhabitant of the castle, visit the torture rooms and relive the tales of the infamous Count Dracula. We then visit the nearby Liberty Bear Sanctuary, the biggest brown bear sanctuary in Europe. Here, 75 rescued bears are looked-after in this welfare facility. Here we see happy bears in their natural environment after bad lives in circuses and zoo cages. Finally, we drive up into the mountains above Brașov and take the cable-car up to the top viewpoint at Poiana Mountain Resort.                                            (BB)

Day 5 / June 6 2025 / BRASOV to SIGHISOARA

This morning we head for the fortified church in the traditional Saxon village of Viscri. Viscri is one of the most well preserved saxon villages where time has stood still. The well preserved Transylvanian village does so well that Prince Charles decided to buy several houses within the village. As you stroll through this UNESCO Heritage site you will see how people used to live and still live nowadays in the same old ways. A short drive later and we arrive to Sighișoara, one of the very few permanently inhabited citadels in Europe. This is also the birthplace of the legendary Vlad Dracula, whose house we will see, after which we will climb to the top of the 500 year old clock tower for a fantastic view over the town.                                                                                                        (BB,HD)

Hotel: 1 night Sighișoara – tba

Day 6 / June 7 2025 / SIGHISOARA to SIBIU

This morning the short drive to reach Biertan Fortified Church. We take a look inside and find out the story behind one of the most well known fortified churches of Transylvania. Last stop will be Sibiu, also known as Hermannstadt. This is the heart of the German community living in Romania, the German Saxons having lived here for over 800 years. A former European capital of culture, on our walking tour we take in many of its great sights from medieval times when it was a citadel: the Great Square, the Brukenthal Museum and an infamous Bridge of Lies. A highlight dinner in the old town tonight.           (BB,HD)

Hotel: 1 night Sibiu – tba

Day 7 / June 8 2025 / SIBIU to TIMISOARA

This morning we travel further westward we head for Alba-Iulia city. Alba-Iulia has an important cultural role in modern Romania as this is the place where the ancient and medieval history can be observed and also for the fact that this is where our country signed the unification treaty in 1918. Heading southwest we arrive at imposing Corvin Castle. Explore this gothic castle to find it’s history that lays in the walls of this place. Finally we arrive to Timișoara, the informer capitol of the historical Serbian Banat region and is one of the most important educational centres in Romania, with about 40,000 students enrolled in the city’s six universities.Nicknamed the “Little Vienna” or the “City of Roses”, Timișoara is noted for its large number of historical monuments and its 36 parks and green spaces. This bustling city has been awarded European Capital of Culture 2019 due to it’s architecture that shows Turkish and massive Austro-Hungarian influences.                                                                                     (BB, D)

Hotel: 1 night Timisoara – tba

Day 8 / June 9 2025 / TIMISOARA to BUDAPEST

We say farewell to Transylvania and Romania and cross into Hungary, the land of the Magyars. Here by the Great Hungarian Plain we see “Hungarian cowboys” displaying their renowned horsemanship and followed by a traditional Hungarian lunch. Continuing northwestward we arrive to one of the world’s most beautiful capitol cities, Budapest. Later we cruise the Danube on an evening River Cruise to see this stunning city under lights.                                             (BB,D)

Hotel: 3 nights Budapest – Budapest Marriott Danube

Day 9 / June 10 / BUDAPEST

With a local guide, we take a driving and walking tour around the two separate parts of the city divided by the Danube, Buda and Pest. Heroes’ Square, Buda Castle, Matthias Church and Fisherman’s Bastion and the Great market Hall all included! This afternoon is free to explore the city at leisure from our central 4-star hotel. Perhaps try the famous thermal waters of one of Budapest’s famed baths, enjoy the gypsy music along the famous Duna Corso promenade or shop on Vaci St. (B)

Day 10 / June 11 2025 / BUDAPEST

 This morning, we drive out to the lovely little village of     Szentendre with all it’s local handicrafts and traditional foods and architecture. Upon returning to
the city we visit the spectacular Parliament House for a guided tour. Free time to explore this afternoon before a traditional highlight final dinner in this beautiful city. (B,HD)

Day 11 / June 12 2025 / BUDAPEST to KOŠICE

 Departing the Hungarian capitol we head eastward to arrive at Eger, famed for it’s mighty fortress that was laid siege to the Turks in 1552 and for it’s “Bull’s Blood” red wine. We visit the fortress before a wine tasting in an old cellar. Continuing northwestward we cross the border into Slovakia to arrive at Kosice. The second biggest town of Slovakia Košice is not only the centre of eastern Slovakia but also the core of the Eastern Carpathians where several ethnicities live. We take a brief orientation of the city before a relaxing evening in the center of the city.            (BB, D)

Hotel: 1 night Košice – tba

Day 12 /  June 13 2025 / KOŠICE to KRAKOW

Departing Košice we head northwestward passing by the imposing Spiš Fortress and crossing the border to reach the magnificent Tatra alps and the delightful Polish mountain resort of Zakopane. We take the cable-car up the mountain for views of this beautiful southern Poland  region with time for lunch before arriving to stunning and lively Krakow.                                                 (BB, D)

Hotel: 3 nights Krakow– Hotel Imperial or similar

Day 13 / June 14 2025 / KRAKOW SITESEEING

This morning we start with an introduction to Krakow with local guide. A walk around the Rynek Główny, Europe’s largest and most beautiful town square. We see the famous Cloth Hall, St. Mary’s Church and the many historic townhouses, palaces and churches. Be sure to listen out for the famed trumpeter’s call Later we ascend Wawel Hill to see the Renaissance castle before a visit the cathedral, the final resting place of the Kings of Poland and the former seat of Archbishop Karol Wojtyła, later known to the world as Pope John Paul II. Visiting the former Jewish Quarter we see Ghetto Square and the remains of the Ghetto Wall. Visit Oskar Schindler’s Factory Museum and gain a fascinating insight into his factory and the fate of its Jewish workforce in Nazi-occupied Poland. This evening we get a taste of local entertainment enjoying a Polish Polka Party with dinner and wine.                                                          (BB, HD)

Day 14 / June 15 2025 / KRAKOW SITESEEING

This morning we travel to the city of Oświęcim, better known throughout the world by its German name, Auschwitz. With a Local Expert we visit this moving memorial and the museum of Auschwitz and also stop at Birkenau. Upon returning to Krakow the rest of the day is at leisure. Perhaps spend time browsing the shops for traditional folklore products or trying pierogi and local Zywiec beer. Later today after your free time we head south to discover the fascinating Wieliczka Salt Mine.                             (BB)

Day 15 / June 16 2025 / KRAKOW to WARSAW

Today we head northwest making a stop in fascinating Czestochowa for a visit to it’s pilgrimage church, home to the famed “Black Madonna”. Afterwards we stop in the pretty city of Lodz for an orientation and some free-time before arriving into the vibrant capitol of the country, exciting Warsaw.                                                 (BB, D)

Hotel: 2 nights Warsaw – Sofitel Warsaw

Day 16 / June 17 2025 / WARSAW AT LEISURE

We start our day with a tour around the Polish capital with local expert guide and see how well the city was restored after almost complete obliteration during World War II. Pass the tiered Palace of Culture and stroll through Łazienki Park to the Chopin Memorial and visit the Ghetto Heroes Monument. We visit the delightful Old Town and it’s market before free time for lunch. Later on we journey out to visit Wilanow Palace, the residence of Polish King Sobieski. This afternoon we have a private recital of Chopin music by a celebrated Polish pianist before an evening at leisure to explore the tastes of Warsaw.   (BB)

Day 17 / June 18 2025 / WARSAW to VILNIUS

Today we take a direct flight to Vilnius, the charming capitol of Lithuania. Upon arriving into the capitol, we take a walking tour of the pretty capitol with our local guide and stroll through the Old Town and see the Jesuit University, the Gates of Dawn and the former Soviet KGB headquarters. Baroque Church of St. Peter and St. Paul before moving on to see the neoclassical cathedral. Checking into our central hotel, a relaxed included dinner tonight.                (BB, D)

Hotel: 2 nights Vilnius– Radisson Blu Royal Astorija

Day 18 / June 19 2025 / VILNIUS at LEISURE

A late start this morning before we travel to visit the fortified island castle of Trakai, originally built in the 13th century and now restored to all its glory. Time for lunch before we head back to the Old Town center and free time for souvenir hunting and further exploring. An evening at leisure to explore the many exciting and varied options for dinner.        (BB)

Day 19 / June 20 2025 / VILNIUS to RIGA

A relaxed-start as we head north and stop at the unusual Votive Hill of Crosses near Siauliai, the symbol of resistance against the Soviet occupation. We then continue to the Latvian capital of Riga, one of the most beautiful of the Baltic capitols and known for it’s mix of of Teutonic-inspired spires, lounges and some of the world’s most remarkable art nouveau architecture.  (BB)

Hotel: 2 nights Riga– Pullman Riga Old Town Centre

Day 20 / June 21 2025 / RIGA at LEISURE

This morning with local guide we explore Riga’s Old Town visiting the Domkirk and see the city walls, the House of the Three Brothers and the castle of the Livonian Knights. Plenty of free time to explore this remarkable city at your own pace. This evening a highlight dinner of local delicacies!                  (BB, HD)

Day 21 / June 22 2025 / RIGA to TALLINN

Departing the city we continue along the shores of the Gulf of Riga and across the Estonian border and visit the quaint seaside village of Parnu. Time for lunch before we arrive at Estonia’s beautiful capitol, Tallinn, considered by many to be the most beautiful medieval capitol in Europe.                                                               (BB)

Hotel: 2 nights Tallinn – My City Hotel

Day 22 / June 23 2025 / TALLINN

With our local guide, we take a driving tour of the outskirts of the city before a stroll through the cobbled streets of the Old Town which will make you feel like you’ve been transported to a time from centuries ago. We visit the market square with its Town Hall, quaint artisan shops and old German pharmacy. Enjoy free time to browse Tallinn’s shops, famous for fine amber and silver jewelry and further explore before a highlight dinner of local food and wine.                          (BB, HD)

Day 23 / June 24 2025 / END TALLINN

Sadly we end our exciting adventure this morning after breakfast. Time to continue exploring or continue your journey to your next destination. Many thanks for joining the big adventure and a fond farewell!                        (BB)