Behind the Iron Curtain Group Tour

Fly to Bucharest and transfer to your hotel. Depending on your arrival time, enjoy a stroll through the city and discover some of its notable landmarks, or simply relax at the hotel before the tour begins.

Depart Bucharest and travel towards Brasov, stopping at Jilava Prison, one of Romania's most notorious communist-era detention centres. Originally built as a military fort, Jilava later became a political prison where thousands of detainees were held, particularly during the late 1940s and 1950s. Accompanied by a local guide, explore the former prison's intake area, cells and infirmary, as well as the notorious 'black' punishment wing. Learn about the harsh conditions endured by prisoners and Jilava's role as a transit point for those being sent to other prisons and labour camps across communist Romania. After the visit, stop for lunch en route before continuing to Brasov for your overnight stay. (B,L)

Begin the day with a walking tour of Brasov, exploring its medieval streets, lively squares and historic centre. Afterwards, continue to Bran Castle for a guided visit to the imposing fortress, famously associated with Bram Stoker's Dracula. Later, travel to Birlad and check into a Soviet-inspired hotel for the night. In the evening, meet a local Romanian family over dinner and hear first-hand how everyday life has changed since communist times. (B,D)

Cross into the Republic of Moldova today and travel to Orheiul Vechi, one of the country's best-known historic sites. Visit the Adormirea Maicii Domnului Church, see the remains of a Geto-Dacian fortress and explore the cave monastery and ruins of an old Turkish bath. After a traditional Moldovan lunch in the village, continue to Cricova, home to one of the world's largest underground wine cellars. Explore its extraordinary network of subterranean tunnels and learn about the history of Moldovan wine production before continuing to Chisinau. Check into your hotel for a two-night stay. (B,L)

Enjoy a half-day walking tour of Chisinau with your guide, or opt for an alternative day trip to Transnistria, available for those who wish to take part). For travellers choosing the Transnistria excursion, travel to Tiraspol, the region's administrative centre, and experience the Independence Day celebrations. Transnistria lies within Moldova's internationally recognised borders but operates as a self-declared, unrecognised republic known as the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic. Soviet-era symbols remain prominent, including the hammer and sickle on its coat of arms and numerous statues of Lenin. Return to Chisinau for a special dinner in the evening. (B,D)

Travel south today to Gagauzia, an autonomous region of Moldova. Visit the Museum of History and Ethnography in Besalma to learn about the history, culture and traditions of the Gagauz people, before continuing to a working 'Kolhoz', a collective farm dating from the Soviet era. Lunch is served in the farm canteen alongside local workers. In the afternoon, cross the Prut River and return to Romania at Cahul-Oancea. Continue to Galati, an industrial city on the Danube known for its vast steelworks, developed as a major centre of industry during the communist era. Overnight in a communist-era hotel. (B,L)

Return to Bucharest today, a journey of around 300 kilometres, with a stop en route for lunch at your own expense. On arrival in the capital, continue your exploration of Bucharest with a visit to the imposing Palace of Parliament, commissioned by Nicolae Ceausescu during the 1980s and one of the most striking legacies of Romania's communist era. Afterwards, explore Bucharest's Old Town before enjoying a farewell dinner on your final evening. (B,D)

After breakfast, depending on your flight time, there may be an opportunity to visit Bucharest's Museum of Communism, which offers an engaging insight into everyday life in Romania during the communist era. Later, transfer to the airport for your flight back to the UK. (B)