National Palace of Culture (NDK)

Your journey into Eastern Europe’s communist past begins in Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria. Upon arrival at Sofia International Airport, you’ll be greeted by our representative and transferred to your central 4★ hotel. In the evening, enjoy an introductory walking tour of Sofia’s communist landmarks, from the monumental Largo Complex to the massive National Palace of Culture, built as a propaganda symbol of socialist progress. Gather with fellow travelers for a welcome dinner in a traditional restaurant, where your guide will outline the days ahead. Overnight: Central Hotel Sofia or similar 4★

Museum of Socialist Art

Today is a deep dive into the machinery of the communist state. Visit the Museum of Socialist Art, home to statues of Lenin, propaganda posters, and the original red star from the Party House. Learn about Bulgaria’s State Security services, the regime’s feared secret police, and how they monitored citizens’ daily lives. Walk through the Soviet Army Monument and discover its controversial history. In the afternoon, contrast Sofia’s medieval Boyana Church with the stark communist urban planning nearby. Evening free to explore Sofia’s lively cafés and boulevards. Overnight: Central Hotel Sofia or similar 4★

Rila Monastery

After breakfast, travel south to the Rila Monastery, a UNESCO site and spiritual stronghold. Hear how the monastery survived decades of atheist communist policy, symbolizing faith in a secular regime. In the afternoon, continue to Plovdiv, Bulgaria’s cultural capital. Check in at your boutique hotel and enjoy a wine tasting of Bulgarian varietals that once thrived under state-run cooperatives. Overnight: Hotel Evmolpia Plovdiv or similar 4★

Plovdiv Old Town

Start in Plovdiv’s Old Town, with its Roman amphitheater and Ottoman mansions, before shifting to communist landmarks. Visit the imposing Alyosha Monument, a giant Soviet soldier watching over the city, and explore socialist housing districts that redefined urban life. In the evening, enjoy an optional folklore dinner, blending traditional music with stories of how the communist regime tried to reshape Bulgaria’s cultural identity. Overnight: Hotel Evmolpia Plovdiv or similar 4★

Belgrade

Travel north through scenic landscapes, crossing into Serbia. Arrive in Belgrade, capital of the former Yugoslavia. Enjoy an evening orientation walk, seeing Republic Square, Knez Mihailova Street, and the monumental blocks of New Belgrade — a district built almost entirely under communist rule. Overnight: Hotel Moskva Belgrade or similar 4★

Josip Broz Tito Mausoleum

Step into the world of Josip Broz Tito, the charismatic leader who broke from Moscow and forged his own path of socialism. Visit the House of Flowers, Tito’s mausoleum, and the Yugoslav History Museum, filled with propaganda, gifts from world leaders, and Tito’s personal items. Explore New Belgrade, an open-air museum of brutalist architecture, and learn how vast apartment blocks and civic buildings were designed to embody socialist ideals. Evening free to experience Belgrade’s vibrant nightlife or relax in a historic café once frequented by party officials. Overnight: Hotel Moskva Belgrade or similar 4★

Nikola Tesla Museum

This morning, visit the Nikola Tesla Museum, where science met socialist propaganda. Then return to the heart of Belgrade, exploring Kalemegdan Fortress, a place where centuries of history overlook a city shaped by communism. Hear stories of censorship, youth movements, and how Yugoslavia positioned itself between East and West during the Cold War. Evening option: a Danube dinner cruise, offering stunning views of illuminated Belgrade. Overnight: Hotel Moskva Belgrade or similar 4★

Timisoara

Cross the border into Romania, arriving in Timisoara, the city where the 1989 revolution began. Walk through Victory Square, where protests erupted, and visit the Revolution Memorial Museum to learn about the uprising that toppled Nicolae Ceaușescu. Evening free to stroll through Timisoara’s elegant squares, now symbols of freedom. Overnight: Savoy Hotel Timisoara or similar 4★

Sibiu

Travel deeper into Transylvania, arriving in Sibiu, a former German-settled town. Explore its charming medieval squares alongside communist quarters built in the 20th century. Discover how Ceaușescu’s urban planning reshaped even centuries-old cities. Dinner in a traditional restaurant with Transylvanian flavors. Overnight: Continental Forum Sibiu or similar 4★

Sighisoara

On the way to Brasov, stop in Sighisoara, birthplace of Vlad the Impaler. Wander cobblestoned streets that survived centuries of invasions and then communism’s neglect. Arrive in Brasov, where Soviet-style neighborhoods contrast with its medieval core. Evening stroll in the lively main square. Overnight: Aro Palace Brasov or similar 4★

Brasov

Excursion to Bran Castle, famously linked with Dracula but also used in communist propaganda as a tourist draw. Return to Brasov for a walking tour through both the medieval center and socialist-era districts. Learn how daily life changed under Ceaușescu, from food shortages to housing projects. Overnight: Aro Palace Brasov or similar 4★

Bucharest

Travel to Bucharest, Romania’s capital. In the evening, take a guided walk through Revolution Square, where the 1989 protests unfolded, and University Square, the heart of student demonstrations. Hear firsthand accounts of Ceaușescu’s downfall and the struggles of transition to democracy. Overnight: Hotel Capitol Bucharest or similar 4★

Palace of Parliament

This is the climax of your journey into communism’s legacy. Visit the Palace of Parliament, the second-largest building in the world, a monument to Ceaușescu’s ego and the suffering of thousands of Romanians forced to build it. Continue to Ceaușescu’s private residence, revealing the dictator’s luxurious lifestyle amid a population struggling for basic goods. Walk down Victory Avenue into Bucharest’s Old Town, where historic churches and cobblestone streets survived demolition orders. Celebrate with a farewell dinner, reflecting on two weeks of history, culture, and resilience. Overnight: Mercure Bucharest City Center or similar 4★

Bucharest

After breakfast, transfer to Bucharest Henri Coandă International Airport for your onward flight. Those extending their stay can remain at the hotel and continue exploring at leisure.