HIGHLIGHTS OF THE BALKANS - ROMANIA AND BULGARIA TOUR

No of days: 10 DAYS / 9 NIGHTS

Price: from 1295 Euro

DAY 1 Arrival in Sofia / Transfer to the hotel

Arrival at Sofia airport and transfer to the hotel. Meet your English speaking guide in the airport and on the way to the hotel he will present you the tour and he will give all the practical information about exchange rates, food and restaurants. Brief sightseeing tour of the Bulgarian Capital. Overnight in a hotel centrally located.

DAY 2 Sofia – Rila – Sofia

In the morning, walking tour in the city center of the Bulgarian Capital. During the tour you’ll see the Presidency of Bulgaria, St George Church (also known as Rotonda) - the oldest in Sofia – The National Theatre, the Russian church of St Nicholas and the impressive cathedral Alexandr Nevski. In the afternoon, departure for Rila Monastery, the greatest symbol of the Bulgarian culture, art, architecture and religion. It takes around two hours to drive to Rila Monastery. After the visit, return to Sofia and accommodation at the same hotel.

DAY 3 Sofia – Plovdiv

After the breakfast, we leave Sofia and we drive on the free way to Plovdiv, the second largest Bulgarian city and the most representative for the Bulgarian Revival architecture. Walking tour in the old town, situated on the highest hill from the area and visit The Roman Arena, The Roman Amphitheatre, St Constantine and Helen Church and the Ethnography Museum. In the afternoon, drive south and reach the Assenovgrad Gorges, where you will visit another impressive UNESCO world heritage site, Bachcovo Monastery. In the evening, drive back to Plovdiv and accommodation close to the old town.

DAY 4 Plovdiv – Kazanlik – Veliko Tarnovo

In the morning we leave Plovdiv and we drive north, to Kazanlik, a small town known worldwide for the industry of the roses. Every year, the town is the host of a popular festival of the roses (usually at the beginning of June). We visit the Thracian Tomb, discovered by mistake during World War Two and then we cross the mountains, through Shipka Pass, the place of the battles between the Russians and the Turks in 1878. Before Gabrovo, we stop for the visit of a beautiful outdoor Ethnography Museum, Etara. In the evening, arrival in the former Capital of Bulgaria, Veliko Tarnovo and visit the medieval fortress called Tzarevetz, the residence of the Bulgarian Kings, between 1185 – 1393. Accommodation in a hotel centrally located.

DAY 5 Veliko Tarnovo – Arbanassi - Bucharest

After the breakfast, drive 6 miles north to Arbanassi, a very picturesque village, where the Bulgarian rich people had their residences at the beginning of the 17^th century. Visit here Konstantsaliev House and The Church of the Nativity, then departure for Bucharest. We cross the border at Russe / Giurgiu, from where we still have one 35 miles before we reach the Capital of Romania. Before you go to the hotel, sightseeing tour, including the most beautiful places in town: The Constitution Square (get off), Unirea ave, The University Square, the Triumphal Arch, Victoria ave, The Revolution Square (get off). In the evening arrival at the hotel located in the city center and accommodation.

DAY 6 Bucharest - Sibiu

In in the morning, after breakfast, leave the hotel for the visit of one of the most impressive buildings in the world, The Parliament’s Palace, also known as The People’s House, the second largest building in the world, built by the communists starting with 1984. Leave Bucharest and drive to the Curtea de Arges, the former Capital of Walachia. Visit the two old churches (St. Nicholas, part of the Medieval Royal Court and Curtea de Arges Monastery, where the first 3 Romanian kings are buried). Before crossing the highest part of the Carpathien mountains - over 8000 feet - , on Transfagarasan road, stop at Poienari and eventually visit of the fortress of the prince Vlad the Impaler. There are though 1500 steps to climb to get to the fortress -!!! this road is open only from July to the end of September and for the rest of the season we use the road on Olt Valley!!! . In the evening, arrival in Sibiu and accommodation in a hotel centrally located.

DAY 7 Sibiu – Biertan – Sighisoara

In the morning we visit the old town of Sibiu, the European Capital of Culture in 2007. The tour includes the Big Square and the Small Square, The Liars’ Bridge, The Lutheran Cathedral and Bruckental Museum. In the afternoon, we leave Sibiu and we drive to Sighisoara. On the way, stop at Biertan for the visit of the fortified church. The old Saxon village was the residence of the Lutheran Bishop for over 300 years. Arrival in Sighisoara, the best preserved medieval town in Romania. During the walking tour, we visit the Church on the Hill, the Clock Tower and Vlad Dracul’s House, the place where in 1431, the famous prince Vlad the Impaler (Dracula) was born. Accommodation in a hotel in the fortress.

DAY 8 Sighisoara – Bran - Brasov

In the morning, leave Sighisoara and drive to Bran, where you visit the medieval castle known as Dracula’s Castle, one of the highlights of this trip. Free time for shopping and departure for Brasov, one of the most beautiful cities of Transylvania. Visit the old town of Brasov, including the biggest gothic cathedral from the south east of Europe, the Black Church and the amazing museum of the First Romanian School from Schei. Accommodation in a hotel in the old town.

DAY 9 Brasov – Sinaia – Bucharest

Leave Brasov in the morning and departure for Sinaia, to visit the summer residence of the first royal couple, Peles Castle, one of the most beautiful palaces in Europe. After this visit we come back in Bucharest. On the way, we stop at Snagov, to visit the medieval monastery where the prince Vlad the Impaler was buried. The monastery is located on an island so we need to cross the lake on a small boat. Arrival in Bucharest and accommodation in the city center. In the evening, farewell dinner in a traditional restaurant where we will enjoy the best Romanian dishes and a quality folk show. Accommodation in a hotel in the city center.

DAY 10 Transfer to the airport / end of our services

Our services include:

- 9 nights accommodation in 3*** or 4**** star hotels

- 9 breakfasts

- 1 dinner

- The entrance fees for all the sites mentioned in the program

- Transportation for the entire tour (car, mini van or van – depending on the size of the group)

- Transfers from the airport and back

- English speaking guide for the entire tour

Not included:

- Other meals than mentioned

- Photo fees

- Tips

Price:

1295 EUR / person, based on double room occupancy, for 3*** star hotels

1455 EUR / person, based on double room occupancy, for 4**** star hotels

Single room supplement: 220 EUR / person for 3*** star hotels

265 EUR / person for 4**** star hotels

This price is valid and the departure is guaranteed for a group of minimum 2 persons!

Gallery