Castles to Coffee Houses

Arrive in Bucharest, once known as the Little Paris of the East, and meet your local guide. A panoramic city tour takes in the Arch of Triumph, Revolution Square, and the Romanian Athenaeum, followed by a tour of the vast Palace of the Parliament. This evening, stroll the cobbled lanes of the Old Town for dinner at a traditional Romanian tavern.

Travel into the Carpathians to the mountain town of Sinaia for a tour of Peleș Castle, the opulent former summer residence of Romania’s royal family. Pause for photos at Cantacuzino Castle, which served as Nevermore Academy in the series Wednesday, then continue to Brașov. Explore Council Square and the Gothic Black Church and, time permitting, ride the cable car up Tâmpa Mountain for sweeping views of the city.

Spend the day at Bran Castle, Romania’s most famous fortress, where you’ll separate the history of Vlad the Impaler from the Dracula legend. Continue to the Libearty Bear Sanctuary near Zărnești to see rescued brown bears roaming a protected forest.

Visit Viscri, a preserved Saxon village where King Charles III owns a restored traditional home, then continue to Sighișoara, one of Europe’s best-preserved medieval towns and the birthplace of Vlad the Impaler. Arrive this evening in Sibiu, a walkable city of towers, Saxon architecture, and illuminated old town squares.

Cross into Hungary on a scenic drive, with a stop in Timișoara or Szeged along the way. This evening, glide past the illuminated Parliament, Chain Bridge, and Castle Hill on a Danube river cruise.

Explore Buda Castle and Fisherman’s Bastion for panoramic views over the Danube, then discover Heroes’ Square and the elegant Andrássy Avenue. Spend the rest of the day at leisure, with the option to unwind at the famous Széchenyi Thermal Baths.

Depart for Austria with a stop in Bratislava, Slovakia’s compact riverside capital. Arrive in Vienna and tour Schönbrunn Palace, the magnificent summer residence of the Habsburgs.

Join a local guide this morning for a tour of Vienna’s imperial landmarks. In the afternoon, choose between the Hofburg Palace and Spanish Riding School or the art collections of the Kunsthistorisches Museum and the Belvedere. Linger over coffee and cake at a classic Viennese coffee house on your final evening in the city.

After breakfast and hotel checkout, transfer to the airport for your return flight to the USA.