Timeless Romania

Fly from London (regional connections available) to Bucharest with British Airways. Transfer to Novotel Hotel (or similar) for 1 night. (N)

Morning tour of Bucharest, known as the ‘Paris of the east’ due to its boulevards and belle époque buildings. View the Old Princely Court and the Royal Palace. Transfer to Sibiu, staying at Hotel Continental Forum (or similar) for 2 nights. (B)

Morning tour of the old town followed by time at leisure or visit the Brukenthal Museum. In the evening, visit the picturesque village of Sibiel. Dinner in a local family home including meat and cabbage rolls cooking demonstration. Return to Sibiu. (B, D)

Transfer to Sighisoara via the salt mine at Turda. This is one of the largest salt mines in the world, dating back to the 11th century. A highlight is the 112-metre-high great hall; its superb acoustics have even made it a popular concert venue. Continue to Sighisoara, staying at the Hotel Central Park (or similar) for 1 night. (B)

Morning tour of the Unesco-listed town of Sighisoara, a beautifully preserved medieval settlement. The city walls encircle cobbled streets lined with colourful 16th-century burgher houses. Visits include the citadel, the Church on the Hill and the clock tower. Travel north to Gura Humorului via Târgu Mures, a Hungarian stronghold. Stay 2 nights at the Best Western Bucovina (or similar) and enjoy a traditional dinner and dance show. (B, D)

Tour the area’s remarkable painted monasteries, considered to be among Europe’s greatest artistic monuments and awarded Unesco world heritage status. (B, D)

Head south to Brasov, via the Agapia monastery, a Romanian Orthodox nunnery dating back to 1649. Continue to Lacu Rosu for lunch and on to Brasov. Free time in the late afternoon to enjoy the city. Stay at the Hotel Aro Palace (or similar) for 2 nights. (B, L)

Short drive through the beautiful Transylvanian countryside to Bran castle, which is famously associated with Dracula, the legendary character from Bram Stoker’s gothic novel, enjoy a tour and coffee stop. Drive to Sinaia to visit the palaces of Peles and Pelisor, the former royal residences of King Carol I, another beautifully resorted Unesco world heritage site. Return to Brasov. (B)

Morning tour of the medieval town of Brasov and view the Piasa Sfatului, one of the finest baroque squares in the country. Visit the Black Church with its collection of more than 300 Ottoman rugs. See St Nicholas Church and explore Romania’s first school. Return to Bucharest and stay overnight at the Intercontinental (or similar). (B)

Morning visit to the Palace of Parliament, which is the third largest building in the world. Early afternoon transfer to the airport and fly to London. (B)