Comprehensive Tour of Romania and Bulgaria

Day 1: Bucharest 

Arrive in Bucharest, the capital of Romania. Stroll through the parks to explore the city’s dynamic and energetic environment with educational museums and trendy cafes. While much of the center is filled with modern décor, you’ll find splendid 17^th and 18^th century Orthodox churches and graceful art nouveau villas tucked away in quiet corners. Spend overnight at your hotel in Bucharest.

Day 2: Bucharest – Curtea De Arges – Sibiu

Spend the day exploring the city on a panoramic sightseeing tour of Bucharest. Depart to Curtea de Arges, the former capital of Wallachia. Explore the humble, likeable charm, enriched by the captivating treasures left over from the town’s role as a Wallachian capital in the 14^th century. Visit the Episcopal Church where the Romanian Kings are buried. Drive along the picturesque Old Valley to Sibiu. As one of the oldest towns in Transylvania this town is awash in aristocratic elegance. Sibiu has stayed at the forefront of Romania’s cultural scene through its festivals of opera, theatre and film, as well as rock, jazz, and more. The country’s first hospital, school, library and pharmacy were all established here, and locals are, justly, proud of the spirit of enterprise that endures to this day. Spend overnight in Sibiu.

Day 3: Sibiu – Biertan – Sighisoara 

In the morning, drive to the heart of Transilvanya to visit the secret retreat for the royalties of Europe. After, explore the Saxon villages, which are remote, romantic villages along the Târnave plateau that have the power to plunge you deep into Transylvania’s past. Saxon flavor can be strongly sensed through well-preserved churches and the slow pace of the locals. Drive to Biertan to visit the impressive fortified church (UNESCO) world heritage. Continue onto Sighisoara, the birthplace of Dracula to visit the medieval citadel, the Clock Tower, the Church on the Hill, and many more sights. Spend overnight in Sighisoara.

Day 4: Sighisoara – Sucevita

After breakfast, continue to the heart of Transylvania to the city of Târgu Mures. Visit of the elegant city centre well known for its architecture shown through its statues, two cathedrals, and the unique Culture Palace. Proceed to the town of Bistrita. Spangled (what’s this word?) with pastel-colored Renaissance buildings, whitewashed churches, and cobbled streets lined with cafes. Continue through to Tihuta Pass. Accommodation and overnight at your hotel in Sucevita.

Day 5: Sucevita – Monasteries – Piatra Neamt

Spend a full day in Bucovina. Explore everything Bucovina has to offer through the hill walks, cycling, rural idylls and, of course, the colorful monasteries belonging to the UNESCO World Heritage. Visit the Moldovita and Sucevita monasteries with outside frescoes. Proceed to visit the famous monastery of Voronet, “the Sixtine Chapel of the Orient”. Take a late afternoon drive south to visit the Agapia monastery. Spend overnight at your hotel in Piatra Neamt.

Day 6: Piatra Neamt – Brasov or Poiana Brasov

Depart across the mountains to Brasov through the spectacular Bicaz Gorges, the Red Lake and Miercurea Ciuc.  Visit the beautiful fortified church of Prejmer. Late afternoon arrival Poiana Brasov. Spend overnight in Poiana Brasov.

Day 7: Brasov – Bran – Sinaia – Bucharest

Panoramic sightseeing tour and guided walking tour in the historical center of Brasov, including a visit to the Black Church, then departure to Bran for a visit to “Dracula’s Castle”. Drive across the mountains to Sinaia. Visit the Sinaia Monastery (1695) and the fabulous Peles Castle – former summer residence of the Royal family. Late afternoon drive to Bucharest. Upon arrival visit the outdoor Village Museum. Accommodation and overnight at hotel in Bucharest.

Day 8: Bucharest – Ruse – Veliko Turnovo 

Morning departure to Bulgaria. Stop for lunch in Ruse and enjoy a panorama of the largest Bulgarian Danubian city, once an important Roman port with the name “Sexaginta Prista” (Harbor of 60 Ships). Proceed to Veliko Turnovo, the medieval capital city of Bulgaria, picturesquely located on 4 hills above the Yantra River. Check in at a 4-star hotel. Visit Tsarevets Royal Hill, with its fortress, Patriarh’s Complex, and Baldwin Tower (named for the leader of the 4th Crusade). Enjoy a walking tour of Samovodska Charshia and the old part of town. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Day 9: Veliko Turnovo – Etura – Shipka – Kazanluk – Plovdiv

We will continue south from Veliko Turnovo with a possible stop en route for some pictures at Dryanovo Monastery. In the suburbs of Gabrovo, we will visit Etura Open Air Ethnographic Complex with 50 different sites, including water installations and typical houses with craftsmen’s workshops attached (woodcarving, pottery, coppersmithing, furriery, cutlery, needlework, icon painting, etc.) Via Shipka Mountain Pass (the mountain which gave its name to the Balkan Peninsula), we will cross the central and highest part of the Balkans down to Shipka Memorial Church and Kazanluk, the center of the Valley of Roses, known also as the Valley of the Thracian Kings. We will also visit the Kazanluk Thracian Tomb (a UNESCO site).

Late afternoon arrival to Plovdiv,  the 2nd largest Bulgarian city, once capital city of Philip the 2nd of Macedonia. The eternal city, as Rome is conventionally called, is much younger than Plovdiv. UNESCO awarded Plovdiv a gold medal for architecture, and it was awarded a European City of Culture in 1999 and has also been selected for 2019. Check in at the hotel and walk along the longest pedestrian street in the world to see the remains of the Roman Stadium, Roman Forum, Djumaya Mosque Square and Kapana Artistic neighborhood of Plovdiv.

Day 10: Plovdiv – Bachkovo Monastery – Brestovitsa – Plovdiv

Arrive in Plovdiv, the 2^nd largest city in Bulgaria and one of the oldest. Plovdiv has a rich cultural heritage and impressive list of attractions including the still functioning Roman Amphitheater, ancient churches and mosques. In the old town, architecture is preserved in the restored national revival era houses. Spend the afternoon exploring the 11th c Bachkovo Monastery, Bulgaria’s 2^nd largest monastery founded in 1803. The monastery is known and appreciated for the unique combination of Byzantine, Georgian and Bulgarian culture, united by the common faith. In the nearby village of Brestovitsa, we will visit and taste local wines at a boutique wine cellar. Bulgaria grows over 3,000 wine varieties and is a renowned exporter to more than 70 countries. Return to Plovdiv and spend overnight.

Day 11: Plovdiv – Rila Monastery – Sofia

Depart to visit Rila Monastery, the most important monastery in Bulgaria (UNESCO). First built in 927, the monastery helped keep Bulgarian culture and language alive during the Ottoman Rule. Admire wooden balconies, collonades, facades and colorful frescoes. In the late afternoon, arrive in Sofia and enjoy some free time for your own exploration. Overnight at your hotel.

Day 12: Sofia 

Full day in Sofia, the capital city of Bulgaria. It’s a largely modern, youthful city, with a scattering of onion-domed churches, Ottoman mosques and the Red Army monument. On a panoramic tour of Sofia visit the Alexander Nevski Memorial Cathedral, St. Sofia Basilica, Parliament Square, the National Theatre and the Old City Garden, the ruins of Ancient Serdica and more. Farewell dinner with live music and overnight at your hotel.

Day 13: Sofia – Departure 

Free time and depart to airport.

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