Day 1 – Sunday – Bucharest – Ivanovo Monastery – Arbanassi – Veliko ROMANIA + BULGARIA

Bucharest - Depart from Bucharest in the morning and journey towards Bulgaria. After crossing the Danube River bridge, enter Bulgaria.

Arbanasi - Explore the charming village of Arbanasi. During the walking tour, discover houses that showcase unique medieval Bulgarian architecture and a hidden 16th-century Church of Nativity adorned with beautiful frescoes.

Veliko Tarnovo - Arrive in Veliko Tarnovo, known as the “City of Tsars,” the former capital of the Second Bulgarian Kingdom, in the early evening. Key attractions include Tsarevets Fortress, the Monument of the Asenevtsi kings, and Samovodska charshia.

Day 2 – Monday – Veliko – Shipka – Kazanlak – Plovdiv BULGARIA

Shipka Monument - Cross the Stara Planina mountains and stop to visit the Shipka Monument, also known as the “Monument of The Liberty.” This memorial complex honors the Bulgarian volunteers and Russian soldiers who fell during the Shipka battles in the summer of 1877, a pivotal event in the Russo-Turkish War and Bulgaria’s liberation from Ottoman rule.

Museum of Roses - Continue south to Kazanlak, located in the picturesque Valley of Roses at the foot of the Balkan mountains, and visit the Rose Oil Museum.

Thracian Tomb of Kazanlak - Visit the Thracian Tomb, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the only monument completely preserved from the Early Hellenistic Period (4th-3rd century B.C.).

Plovdiv Old Town - Arrive in Plovdiv late in the evening for an orientation tour.

Day 3 – Tuesday – Plovdiv – Sofia

Plovdiv Old Town - Explore Plovdiv, one of the world’s oldest settlements, established on three adjacent hills with a history dating back to 4,000 years BC. It preserves Thracian, Roman, and Bulgarian heritage from various epochs. Enjoy a 2-hour walking tour in the town’s heart, learning historical facts and legends while visiting its most intriguing sites, including the Roman Theater and parts of the Roman Stadium. Walk along Europe’s longest pedestrian street and explore the magnificent Revival old town with its unique 19th-century colorful houses.

Sofia - Arrive in Sofia in the early evening. The city center walking tour includes the gold-domed Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Saint (Sveta) Sofia Church, Banya Bashi Mosque, the Sofia Synagogue, and the main shopping street, Vitosha.

Day 4 – Wednesday – Sofia – Rila – Skopje BULGARIA + MACEDONIA

Rila Monastery - Visit Rila Monastery, Bulgaria’s most renowned tourist site and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, founded in the 10th century by Saint Ivan Rilsky (St John of Rila), a hermit canonized by the Orthodox Church. The monastery, one of the largest in the Balkans, was a center of Bulgarian culture and Orthodox belief for over 1,000 years. The tour includes a visit to the Church, adorned by the foremost 19th-century masters of the Samokov, Bansko, and Debar schools of painting and woodcarving.

Skopje - Continue south to the Bulgarian-Macedonian border. Arrive in Skopje, Macedonia’s capital, in the early evening for an orientation tour before reaching your centrally located hotel.

Day 5 – Thursday – Skopje – Nis – Belgrad (190 km) MACEDONIA + SERBIA

Old Bazaar, Skopje - Enjoy a walking tour of Skopje, internationally famous as Mother Teresa’s birthplace, featuring its most significant landmarks: the quay of the Macedonian river “Vardar,” the narrow streets of the Old Bazaar (the largest preserved bazaar in the Balkans today), the Memorial house of Mother Teresa, the 1,500-year-old fortress Kale, and Macedonia Square with the statue of Alexander The Great on horseback.

Nis - Cross the border into Serbia and visit Nis, the birthplace of Constantine the Great, the first Christian Emperor. It houses one of Serbia’s oldest churches, dating back to the 4th century, located in the suburb of Medijana. Discover fortress remains, a shopping street, and beautiful gardens. The approach to Nis is scenic, with the road passing through a river gorge.

Belgrade - Arrive in Belgrade, Serbia’s capital, in the afternoon. Visit Republic Square, the National Theater and Museum, Bohemian Quarter (Skadarlija), the oldest part of Belgrade with Ottoman heritage, the oldest residential house and museum of Serbian language, the city’s only mosque, Kalemegdan park, Belgrade fortress, “Victor,” the most famous symbol of Belgrade, the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers, Saborna church, and Knez Mihailova street.

Day 6 – Friday – Belgrad – Novi Sad – Timisoara SERBIA + ROMANIA

Novi Sad - Depart for Novi Sad, the European Capital of Culture 2021, to visit Zmaj Jovina Street, the promenade of Novi Sad, a must-see for tourists, especially for the ornamental Palace of the Orthodox Bishop. Also explore Dunavska Street with its long line of single-storied 19th-century houses, the Danube embankment, the Petrovaradin Fortress on the opposite bank, and learn about the troubled bridges of Novi Sad.

Timisoara Historical Center - In the evening, cross the border into Romania and arrive in Timisoara, the second European Capital of Culture in 2021. Discover Timisoara, a city full of charm and distinct architectural style influenced by Turks, Serbians, Austrians, Germans, and more. Learn about the Romanian revolution and much more during the walking tour.

Day 7 – Saturday – Timisoara

Timisoara Historical Center - Enjoy free time in Timisoara to stroll around the large squares or explore one of Romania’s largest pedestrian areas. Alternatively, partake in the wide array of cultural events typically happening in Timisoara.

Day 8 – Sunday – Timisoara – Corvini’s Castle – Alba Iulia – Sibiu

Castelul Corvinilor - In the morning, visit the most fascinating Gothic castle in Eastern Europe and one of the continent’s most beautiful and grandest, the renowned Corvin Castle.

Cetatea Alba Iulia - Explore Alba Iulia, a city of historical significance, as it was where the Great United Romania was established on December 1st, 1918, shortly after World War I.

Sibiu - Visit Sibiu, a stunning medieval city where Romanians and Saxons have coexisted peacefully for centuries. The various religious monuments (Catholics, Orthodox, and Protestants) demonstrate this harmonious coexistence. Sibiu was named European Capital of Culture in 2007 and hosts an extraordinary theater festival annually. The city captivates with its three squares (Big Square, Small Square, and Huet Square) that transport tourists to a genuine medieval atmosphere. Its towers, 15th-century bastions, beautiful museums, and the famous “houses with the eyes” offer visitors delightful experiences. Sibiu also boasts one of Transylvania’s largest Gothic evangelical churches.

Day 9 – Monday – Sibiu – Sighisoara – Targu Mures - Bistrita

Centrul Istoric Sighisoara - Visit Sighisoara, featuring its imposing Clock Tower. This citadel is Europe’s best-preserved and, remarkably, still inhabited. Since 1999, Sighisoara’s historic center has been a UNESCO heritage site. Admire the church on the hill, accessible via a wooden staircase known as the schoolchildren’s ladder. Also, see the statue of the famous Hungarian national poet Petofi Sandor, highlighting the historically significant Magyar community in Sighisoara. Nearby is the beautiful Catholic church for the Hungarian community and the shoemakers’ tower. Lunch at the house where Vlad the Impaler was born is available (not included).

Targu Mures - Targu Mures is dominated by the stunning Palace of Culture, a symbol of the locality and an extraordinary baroque palace. In this Transylvanian city, the Hungarian community remains significant, and the architects who designed the historic buildings were all Hungarian.

Bistrita - Arrive in Bistrita late in the evening.

Day 10 – Tuesday – Bistrita - Moldovita - Sucevita - Gura Humorului

Moldovita Monastery - Visit Moldovita Monastery, another renowned religious monument founded by Pietro Rares in the 16th century, with enchanting interior and exterior frescoes.

Sucevita Monastery - The final painted monastery to admire is Sucevita Monastery, founded by the Movila brothers in the 17th century. Like the previous two, it features Gothic and Byzantine elements that merge to create the captivating Moldovan architectural style. The frescoes on the northern façade remain visible due to the protective walls that have never been demolished.

Manastirea Voronet - Voronet, known as the Sistine Chapel of the Carpathians, was founded by the great prince Stephen the Great and is characterized by a beautiful, unique blue color.

Day 11 - Wednesday - Gura Humorului – Piatra Neamt – Bicaz Gorges – Miercurea Ciuc (290 km)

Bicaz Canyon - Head towards the Bicaz Gorges to admire a breathtaking landscape. The Bicaz Gorges are traversed by a road flanked by a stream, creating a landscape of strong emotional impact with thrilling cliffs. Along the gorges, a market with typical handicrafts and souvenirs adds vibrancy to the attraction.

Red Lake - Visit the Red Lake, a natural barrier lake formed by a mountain landslide, with tree trunks still present in the lake, creating a particularly evocative atmosphere. The site is intriguing, especially for the legends associated with the lake’s name. During the visit, learn about these legends.

Miercurea-Ciuc - Continue along a scenic road offering spectacular views of the Carpathian chain to reach Miercurea Ciuc. This area is also known as the Siberia of Romania due to its low temperatures and distinctive landscape.

Day 12 - Thursday - Miercurea Ciuc – Brasov – Bran – Sinaia (180 km)

Brasov Historical Center - Explore Brasov, a wonderful Transylvanian town, once entirely fortified and an important cultural, tourist, and commercial center. Brasov impresses with its typically German architecture, where Gothic, Baroque, and Renaissance styles intersect to create a vibrant cultural city. Visit the First Romanian School, located in the city’s oldest district, inhabited exclusively by Romanians, the Schei district, notable for medieval entrances through Caatherine’s and Schei Gate, the latter from the 19th century. In Brasov, also visit the impressive Black Church, the largest evangelical Gothic church in Eastern Europe, with a 65-meter-high bell tower and a length of 90 meters, housing Romania’s most beautiful 19th-century mechanical organ. Admire the recently restored palaces and houses of the historic center, with the Council Square now hosting a beautiful museum, and the pedestrian Avenue of the Republic.

Bran Castle (Dracula’s Castle) - Proceed to Bran to visit the famous Bran Castle, also known as Dracula’s Castle. In the Middle Ages, Bran was on the border between Wallachia and Transylvania, making it essential for Brasov’s inhabitants to build and maintain a defensive stronghold.

Sinaia - Arrive in Sinaia late in the evening.

Day 13 - Friday - Sinaia – Bucharest (130 km)

Peles Castle - Visit the fabulous Peles Castle, the summer residence of Romania’s first king, King Charles I of Hohenzollern, of German origin. The castle, beautifully designed by a Czech architect, is renowned for being one of Europe’s most modern castles at the time of its construction between the 19th and 20th centuries. Each room features a unique style, distinct from the others. Admire the Florentine room, where a typically Italian and Renaissance atmosphere prevails.

Bucharest - Tour the historical center of Bucharest, a completely pedestrian area, featuring the remains of Vlad the Impaler’s princely fortress, the 16th-century palatine church in Byzantine style, and the Stavropoleos church, an 18th-century architectural jewel in typical Wallachian style with significant oriental influences in its external decoration.

Day 14 – Saturday – Bucharest

Palace of Parliament - Visit the Parliament Building, the world’s second-largest building after the Pentagon in the United States.

Muzeul National al Satului “Dimitrie Gusti” - Explore the Village Museum, an open-air museum preserving typical houses from across Romania.

• Small Group Tour
• In-vehicle air conditioning
• Complimentary Breakfast
• Accommodation in 3/4* Hotels

• Entrance fees to museums/churches/national parks ecc
• Tips for tour manager / driver
• Single Supplement to be payed locally = 350 euro - cash/credit card

Embark on a 14-day excursion through the Balkans, Transylvania, and Bukovina, across four nations: Romania, Bulgaria, Macedonia, and Serbia. Make the most of your adventure in a small group of 4 to 7 people, guided by a tour leader who tailors the journey to your interests, creating lasting memories. Your tour will feature visits to two European Capitals of Culture for 2021: Novi Sad and Timisoara, as well as Romania’s capital, also known as ‘Little Paris.’ Marvel at the Royal Peles Castle in Sinaia, the infamously referred to ‘Dracula’s Castle’ - Bran Castle, and take a deep dive into the past with the medieval towns of Brasov, Sibiu (the 2007 European Capital of Culture), and Sighisoara, the birthplace of Vlad Dracula. Visit the meticulously preserved Corvin’s Castle, a gem of Eastern Europe. Additionally, experience Bulgaria’s UNSECO heritage sites and its capital Sofia.

• A minimum of 4 participants is required to organise the tour. If the tour it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund

If you cancel at least 6 full day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund.
If you cancel between 2 and 6 day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a 50% refund.
If you cancel within 2 day(s) of the scheduled departure, you will receive a 0% refund.