Day 1: Arrival (North Macedonia)                                                   

Arrive in Skopje for a panoramic tour of the Macedonian capital city if time permits. Welcome dinner.

Overnight at your hotel.

(D)

Day 2: Skopje/Ohrid/Skopje

Day tour from Skopje to Ohrid, a picturesque historic town on the hilly shores of Ohrid lake and a UNESCO site. We will visit the old town with the medieval churches and open-air ruins, Samuil`s fortress with wonderful view of the area and enjoy the small cobblestone streets and beautiful houses. Return to Skopje for 2nd night.

(B)

Day 3: Skopje/Sofia

Continue with the tour of Skopje and transfer to Sofia.
Upon arrival, panoramic tour of Sofia, the capital city of Bulgaria, which Constantine the Great once called as “My Rome”. Visit Alexander Nevski Memorial Cathedral, St. Sofia 6th c basilica, Parliament Square, National Theatre and the Old City Garden, and St. George 4th c rotunda.

Dinner and overnight at your hotel.

(B, D)

Day 4: Sofia/Boyana/Rila Monastery/Sofia

Morning visit of the National Museum of History and Boyana Church, a UNESCO site.
Proceed to Rila Monastery UNESCO site, the largest and most important monastery in Bulgaria, located in Rila Mountain National Park.
Return to Sofia.

2nd overnight at the same hotel.

(B)

Day 5: Sofia/Plovdiv/Kazalnuk

Departure to Plovdiv, the oldest continuously inhibited city in Europe. Visit the Old Plovdiv architecture reserve with the Ancient Theatre and the National Revival houses complex. Walk along the longest pedestrian street in the world with the remains of Roman stadium and Forum, and enjoy a coffee in Kapana, the artistic neighbourood of Plovdiv.
In the afternoon we will depart to Kazanluk, the centre of the Valley of Roses known as the Valley of the Thracian kings. Visit Kazanluk Thracian tomb UNESCO site.

Dinner and overnight at your hotel.

(B, D)

Day 6: Kazanluk/Veliko Turnovo/Ruse/Bucharest

Departure to Veliko Turnovo, the medieval capital city of Bulgaria, beautifully located on 4 hills above Yantra river. En route we will make photo stops at Shipka memorial Church, Shipka peak with the mountain pass and Dryanovo Monastery. Upon arrival in Veliko Turnovo, we will tour the old part of the city with the small cobblestones streets like Gurko and Samovodska Charhia, the street of traditional crafts in Veliko Turnovo. Visit Tsarevets Royal Hill with the medieval Citadel.
Proceed in the afternoon to the border city of Ruse, located on the banks of Danube river. Proceed in Bucharest. In the early evening, check-in at your hotel.

Dinner and overnight.

(B, D)

Day 7: Bucharest/Curtea De Arges/Sibiu/Sibiel

After breakfast, departure to Curtea de Arges, the former capital of Wallachia. Visit the Episcopal Church where the Romanian Kings are buried. Drive along the picturesque Olt Valley to Sibiu, one of the oldest cities in Transylvania formerly Hermannstadt, founded by the Saxon colonists. Guided walking tour of the medieval town. In the Main Square, visit the Evangelical Church and the Liars’ Bridge etc. Depart to Sibiel, visit the Museum of Icons.

Accommodation and dinner in Sibiel.

(B, D)

Day 8: Sibiel/Sighisoara/Targu Mures/Bistrita

Morning departure to Sighisoara, birthplace of Vlad the Impaler known as Dracula. En route, visit the fortified Church at Biertan, one of the most beautiful in Romania. Arrival in Sighisoara and walking tour to explore the medieval Citadel UNESCO site. Visit the Clock Tower and the Church on the Hill. Continue to Targu Mures, walking tour through the elegant city centre, well known for its architecture. Visit the Palace of Culture, the Orthodox Churches, and the Teleki-Bolyai Library. Drive on to Bistrita and one of the 7 medieval cities in Transylvania. Dinner and overnight stay at your centrally located hotel.  After dinner, optional night walking tour.

(B, D)

Day 9: Bistrita/Campulung Moldovenesc/Moldovita/Voronet/Sucevita/Gura Himorului 

Departure to Bucovina, where you will find the “upper land” with the unique painted monasteries UNESCO site. Arrival at Campulung Moldovenesc, lunch in a local restaurant. In the afternoon, visit the Moldovita Monastery, a symphony in purple red and a medieval art treasure. We continue with visit to Lucia CONDREA’s workshop, the famous creator of painted eggs and the village of Vatra Moldovitei. We also visit one of the jewels of Bucovina, the Voronet Monastery, a wellknown touristic attraction called “the Sistine Chapel of the East”.

Dinner and accommodation in the area.

(B, L, D)

Day 10: Sucevita/Gura Himorului/Lacu Rosu/Miercurea Ciuc/Brasov/Poiana Brasov

We continue driving through the Moldavian villages, we visit the monastery of Agapia. In the afternoon, we cross the fabulous Bicaz Gorges on foot, if the weather is permit. Arrive at Lacu Rosu, the Red Lake resort. Continue to Brasov, founded by the Saxon colonists, in the center of Transylvania.

Overnight at your hotel in Brasov/Poiana Brasov.

(B, L)

Day 11: Poiana Brasov-Brasov/Prejmer/Bran/Brasov (100 KM /4 hrs)

Stop at Peles Castle, an exquisite piece of architecture and one of the most spectacular castles in Europe. Drive on to Bran and visit the famous medieval castle of Dracula built as a fortress for the citizens of Brasov in 1377. Stop in Prejmer for a visit to  fortified church, also a UNESCO site. Return to Brasov for a city tour , visit the Gothic Black Church. Stop at the White and Black Tower, the Council Square, the Ekaterina Gate and Saint Nicholas Church. Overnight stay at your hotel Brasov/Poiana Brasov.

(B, L)

Day 12: Brasov/Sinaia/Bucharest

In the morning, we cross the Carpathians mountain. Continuing to Bucharest for a panoramic tour. The city  is a contrast between old and modernity, with large boulevards and magnificent buildings like the Romanian Athenaeum, the Patriarchal Church, and the House of Parliament. Check-in at a 4* hotel in Bucharest. In the afternoon, a walking tour in the Old City centre. Farewell by a lovely dinner.

Dinner and overnight Bucharest. (B, L, D)

Day 13: Departure

Departure from Bucharest. After breakfast, time at leisure depending on your departure flight. Transfer to the airport for your return flight.

(B)

Payment and Refund Policies

If you have any questions or you’d like to book this trip, please contact us.

Custom itineraries available to this or any of the destinations we travel to.

Please check the Resources page for more information on Travel Insurance, Visa Service and other useful links.

SPECIAL AIRFARES: Kutrubes Travel can assist you with your flight reservations to your destination with all major carriers. We offer special rates through our various airline contracts. Please call us or email us with your proposed travel plans and we will be sure to accommodate you and respond quickly.

Kutrubes Travel also offers a variety of other tours throughout this region. Contact us for detailed itineraries and descriptions.