Explore Transylvania to Venice Odyssey - 13 Days

Welcome to Bucharest. On arrival, we’ll transfer you to your hotel and provide information about the start of your tour. You’ll have some free time to settle in. At 3:00 pm – after lunch – we set off on a panoramic city tour taking in the historic quarter and the Palace of the Parliament. After the tour, you’ll have more time to explore at your own pace before we include dinner. Please note: This tour may have travellers joining or departing at various points along the route, meaning group composition can change during the tour. Please also be aware that depending on group composition, guiding may be in additional languages as well as English.

We leave Bucharest for Transylvania, crossing the Carpathian Mountains through forested landscapes. In Sinaia we take a relaxed walk through the gardens of the Peles and Pelisor Castles. We then continue to the 14th century Bran Fortress – often called Dracula’s Castle – with entry included. You’ll have time for lunch at your own pace before we carry on to Sighisoara, a beautifully preserved walled medieval city and UNESCO World Heritage Site. In the evening we sit down to a special dinner at Count Dracula’s restaurant, set in the house where Vlad the Impaler was born.

We depart Sighisoara and travel deeper into Transylvania to Biertan to visit its UNESCO World Heritage fortified church – tickets included – one of many built by the region’s historic German-speaking communities. We then continue to Sibiu, a former capital of Transylvania and today an important cultural and economic centre, where you can wander the narrow streets and lively squares and choose a spot for lunch. In the afternoon, we visit Hunedoara Castle – tickets included – considered the most beautiful castle in Romania. We end the day in Timisoara, where you’ll have time to explore the elegant central squares at your own pace.

We depart for Serbia, crossing the border and driving for about three hours to reach Belgrade, the lively capital at the confluence of the Danube and the Sava. On arrival, we take a panoramic tour – exploring the bustling city centre, viewing the parliament and strolling through Kalemegdan Fortress – and we include a visit to the Museum of Yugoslavia, home to Tito’s Mausoleum. The afternoon is free for you to continue exploring at your own pace.

We leave Belgrade for Vojvodina, stopping in Sremska Mitrovica, a historic town on the Sava. Entrance to the Imperial Palace of Sirmium is included – a window into its Roman past as the capital of Pannonia. We then continue toward Bosnia, pausing en route for lunch, and travel across the Republic of Srpska through scenic landscapes to Sarajevo. We arrive in the late afternoon – you can explore the historic centre and stroll the bazaar, the old Ottoman market known for its architecture and traditional shops. Dinner included.

In the morning, we take a guided tour of Sarajevo, a city shaped by the coexistence of different faiths – its mosques, churches and synagogues standing side by side. In the Ottoman old town we see a mosque dating back over 500 years and the beautiful fountain. After the visit, we travel through the scenic landscapes of Herzegovina to Mostar, whose historic centre is anchored by the iconic stone bridge linking Orthodox, Muslim and Catholic communities. You’ll have free time for lunch and to explore at your own pace. We then continue into Croatia – border formalities may be lengthy – arriving in Dubrovnik at the end of the day. Dinner included.

This morning we explore Dubrovnik on a panoramic tour with a local guide, taking in the walled old town and its beautifully preserved historic centre. We stop at a roadside viewpoint for sweeping city views. Entry is included to the Franciscan Monastery – home to the oldest pharmacy in Europe – and the Assumption Cathedral. We then take a short boat ride to Lokrum, a small island about 15 minutes away, to see the ruins of its 11th–century Benedictine monastery, also a filming location for Game of Thrones. Afterwards you’ll have free time to explore at your own pace before we return to the hotel in the late afternoon. Dinner is included. Note: On some departures we may stay in Cavtat, a coastal town near Dubrovnik. From November to March there is no boat service to Lokrum, so the island visit will not operate in these months.

We set off this morning along Croatia’s spectacular Adriatic coastline, with sweeping sea views and scattered islands. Our first stop is Ston, a picturesque town known for its extensive defensive walls – among the longest in the world. We continue through striking scenery and cross the impressive Pelješac Bridge over the sea before arriving in Split around midday. Here we meet a local guide for a city tour that includes entry to Diocletian’s Palace, the vast Roman complex whose maze of lanes and courtyards forms the heart of the city. Dinner is included.

We travel inland from Split through hilly countryside to Plitvice Lakes National Park – a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We include park entry and, depending on conditions, a boat ride or the panoramic train. We explore the lakes and waterfalls together, and you can use your free time to follow the marked trails at your own pace and take in the views.

After time for lunch, we continue north back to the coast and arrive in Opatija. We settle into our accommodation in this elegant seaside resort, with dinner included.

Please note – in case of adverse weather or high visitor numbers, the boat or train within Plitvice may not operate.

We travel from Opatija into Slovenia to visit Postojna Cave – one of the world’s largest – exploring part of its vast chambers by underground train. We then continue to Bled, a scenic town on the shore of Lake Bled, and take a boat to its island, where the church bell tower stands below the medieval castle. Our journey ends in Ljubljana, where we take a guided tour to get to know Slovenia’s capital. Dinner is included.

Morning at leisure in Ljubljana – you can explore the charming city centre at your own pace. In the afternoon, we travel towards the Adriatic and cross into Italy. We arrive in Venice in the evening and stay in the Mestre district.

In the morning, we take a boat transfer into Venice – a city built on over 100 islands linked by more than 400 bridges – and disembark near the St Mark’s area. We then set off on an included walking tour with a local guide through the city of canals. Afterwards, you have free time to explore at your own pace. In the afternoon, you can choose to take an optional gondola ride along the canals.

After breakfast, we conclude the tour in Venice – our services end here. You can depart at your convenience.