Romania & Bulgaria 2023

Welcome to the Bulgarian capital Sofia. Meet with your Tour Director to get all the information about the tour.

Bulgaria is definitely one of the monuments of Communism architecture and its capital Sofia will definitely prove it. Your guide will take you by the unique Boyana Church, Aleksandar Nevski Cathedral, the Parliament, the Church of St Nicholas the Miracle-Maker, the Presidential Palace that will absolutely leave an impression. Visit of the Museum of Socialist Art where you will see the city’s collection of Social Realist propaganda statues, including the giant one of Vladimir Lenin that stood where the Saint Sofia statue stands today. In the afternoon visit the famous Rila Monastery also known as Treasury of Bulgaria in the bosom of Rila Mountain, where the rivers Drushlyavitsa and Rilska join. In the evening return to Sofia for overnight. (B, L)

Drive to Plovdiv, the second largest city in Bulgaria and one of the oldest cities in Europe. Start with a walk in the old town which is situated on 3 hills and is an architectural reserve with lovely examples of Bulgarian Renaissance architecture. Visit Kîyumdzioglu House with city’s Ethnographic Museum, Roman Amphitheatre that is still used as the cultural heart of Plovdiv. Free afternoon to enjoy the charming pedestrian streets with 19th and 20th century houses, parks and fountains as well as lively cafes and cosy restaurants. (B)

Enjoy the morning ride through the valley of roses and visit its centre, the town of Kazanluk. Besides protected age-old forests and nature reserves in its vicinity, Kazanluk is also on a UNESCO World Heritage list due to best preserved tombs of Thracians and Museum of Roses. Free time for lunch before continuing to medieval capital and cultural centre of the Second Bulgarian Empire, Veliko Tarnovo. Some free time to refresh before taking a guided tour of the old town area with delightful handcraft shops with typical icon paintings, textile arts, woodcarvings and even demonstrations of traditional crafts such as metalworking. You will have some free time to savour a cup of Turkish coffee brewed over hot sand, just as it was done in times long past. (B, L)

Day will start with a short drive to the village of Arbanasi, an architectural gem of the 1600s and 1700s built by the patronage of an Ottoman sultan. This is where rich and powerful merchants of the past lived out their lives. Catch a glimpse of the Konstantsalieva House, home of one of the wealthiest merchants of the 18th century and discover the Nativity Church, built at a time when Christian architecture in Bulgaria was heavily restricted by the Ottomans. Continue your trip to Romania and just before crossing the border and Danube River, stop in the port town of Ruse with its charming pedestrian area for lunch. Arrival to Bucharest in the late afternoon, accommodation and time at leisure. (B, L)

If we are talking about Communist monuments, then Ceausescu’s Romania is surely highly ranked on that list and your guided tour of its capital Bucharest will confirm that. The Parliament Building is one of the biggest buildings in the world, right next to the American Pentagon. Your guide will take you to the Arch of Victory, Revolution Square and even the Princely home to give you a nice introduction to Romania and its history. Afternoon is free for individual museum visits and your own exploring. Overnight in Bucharest. (B)

Magical days ahead as we head to Transylvania. You will start with the town of Sinaia and one of the most beautiful European castles, Peles Castle. Built in German renaissance style, the castle is holding numerous arts from woodcarvings, ceramics and tapestry. After that, finally time for mysterious count Dracula! In Bran, you will visit the castle that Bram Stoker forever marked as Count Dracula’s home in his stories. In 1918, the castle was given to Romanian Queen Mary that left a big mark on the castle when she restored it. Enjoy some time among the marvellous ponds and small meadows and admire the picturesque ethnographic museum outside. Day will end in Brasov, surrounded by Carpathian Mountains. (B, L)

Start your day with Brasov tour. The city offers a lot of interesting sites, such as St Nichola’s Church with Forest Romanian School, Catherine Gate, Rope Street, Council Square and of course the famous Black Church. Your next stop will be Sighisoara, located on Tarnava Mare River. The town is also the birthplace of Vlad the Impaler. The old town is on the UNESCO World Heritage list and offers interesting sites, such as Clock Tower and Arms Museum. You will end today’s journey in Sibiu, known as crossroads of different cultures, as besides Romanians, you can find here also German minority, big Hungarian minority and smaller Roma, Slovakian and Ukrainian communities. Overnight in Sibiu. (B, L)

Guided walk through Sibiu’s old town is absolutely the right way to continue with magical spirit before returning back to Bucharest on the famous road through the mountains called Transfagarasan Road. This scenic road, through Fagaras Mountains is connecting historical regions of Transylvania and Wallachia and offers spectacular views of pristine nature. On the way you will stop at the ruins of 14th century Poenari Citadel and monastery Curtea de Arges, the resting place of Romanian Royal family. Arrival in Bucharest in the afternoon and free time before Farewell Dinner where you will talk about most memorable moments of the tour and plan for the new ones. (B, D)

Breakfast at the hotel and free time until departure transfer to Bucharest Airport. (B)