St Petersburg to Istanbul Itinerary

Arrive in St Petersburg, Russia and be dazzled by this city's multitude of opulent palaces.

Travel to Novgorod, on the banks of the Volkhov River, and explore the graceful Kremlin with a local guide.

Arrive in the enigmatic city of Moscow and grab some pirozhki - Russian pastries - to fuel explorations of the Kremlin. Take time to discover Moscow's many cultural attractions and modern sights.

Stop by the Chernobyl Museum in Kyiv to gain insight into Ukraine's tragic history.

Head into the Carpathian Mountains that are located near the borders of no less than five European countries. Stay with a local family and join in with the cooking of Ukrainian delicacies. Perhaps appreciate the immense natural beauty of this region with a hike in the hills.

Be captivated by the crumbling facades of Lviv's old town.

Since Communism collapsed, Budapest has experienced a renaissance. Head out on a cycling tour to uncover all this wonderful city has to offer.

Sip on Egri Bikaver - a red wine native to Hungary's Eger region - during an optional trip to the evocatively named, Valley of the Beautiful Women.

Discover one of the last peasant cultures in Europe on a visit to rural villages in Maramures, the heart and soul of Romania.

Uncover the myths of Transylvania.

Enjoy a home-cooked dinner with a local family in Viscri.

Travel to the medieval town of Brasov and be sure to sample the nightlife at some of the funky bars in town.

No trip to Romania would be complete without a visit to the eerie Bran Castle, the home of Dracula. Explore this iconic castle before travelling on to Sinaia. Once a quiet monastery settlement, Sinaia quickly became a booming resort town with the construction of King Carol I's summer residence, the Peles Castle.

Explore the imposing fort which overlooks picturesque Veliko Tarnovo.

Make tracks to Sofia, Bulgaria's capital. Marvel at the gold-domed Aleksander Nevski Church.

Be a guest of a local family during a stay in the Rila Mountains.

Stretch legs on an invigorating hike through alpine scenery.

Wander among impressive Byzantine ruins in Plovdiv, nestled on the banks of the Maritsa River before boarding an overnight train to Istanbul.

Finish up among the many mosques and bevy of bazaars in Istanbul, Turkey's eclectic and very beautiful capital.