Duration: 13 Days
Discover the treasures of the Balkans on this holiday that travels through Hungary, Serbia, Bulgaria, and Romania. On this Balkans and Transylvania tour, visit the capitals—Budapest, Belgrade, Sofia, Bucharest—as well as some of the fascinating towns and cities—Novi Sad, famous for its citadel; Plovdiv, with its picturesque old town centre; Veliko Târnovo, Bulgaria’s capital during the Middle Ages; Sinaia, a lovely ski resort; Brasov, a charming medieval town famous for its town square filled with baroque architecture and outdoor cafés; Sighisoara, one of Romania’s prettiest towns with 11 medieval towers within the city walls, cobblestone streets, ancients houses, and churches; and Cluj Napoca, Romania’s film capital.
Enjoy sightseeing throughout this tour with highlights including visits to Sofia’s Bojana Church, a medieval Bulgarian orthodox church listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site; Plovdiv’s Roman Amphitheatre, built between the 1st and 2nd centuries and one of the world’s best-preserved ancient theatres; Arbanassi’s Church of the Nativity, built in 1637 and housing an outstanding collection of frescoes; Sinaia Monastery, built between 1690 and 1695; Rila Monastery, with a history dating back 10 centuries and today a UNESCO World Heritage Site; and Peles Castle, a masterpiece of German new-renaissance architecture built in the 1880s and nestled at the foot of the mountains—considered one of the most romantic and stunning European castles. In Bucharest, visit the open-air Village Museum, showcasing traditional village life with a collection of traditional farmhouses, cottages, wind and watermills, and artisans’ workshops from all parts of the country. Last, but not least, visit Bran Castle, built in 1377 with imposing towers and turrets, and once inhabited by Vlad the Impaler—better known as Dracula.
This Balkans and Transylvania tour is designed for value-minded, savvy travellers. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime holiday!
Check into your hotel. Take advantage of the CosmosGO app to visit Budapest at leisure. In the early evening, meet your Tour Director and fellow travellers.
Budapest is a treasure trove of architectural wonders, from Gothic to Baroque, Neoclassical and Art Nouveau, but also full of history, a food capital and surprisingly rich in thermal waters. Discover all of this and more during the guided city tour. (B)
Travel to Serbia. Stop in Novi Sad, capital of the province, situated on the Danube River and famous for its Petrovaradin Citadel, the fortress known in the west as the "Gibraltar of the Danube." Continue to Belgrade, where you will discover the capital of Serbia on a guided city sightseeing tour. (B)
Cross the border into Bulgaria to arrive in the capital city of Sofia. Join a Local Guide for a city tour that includes the Parliament building, Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, BOJANA CHURCH, a medieval Bulgarian orthodox church listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the National Theatre, and St. Sofia Church. (B,D)
This morning, discover Rila MONASTERY with its colourful frescoes, located inside a nature park. Its checkered history goes back to Ivan Rilski, a hermit who founded it in 927. During the long Turkish rule over the country, the monastery became a beacon of Bulgarian culture. Return to Sofia. (B)
Head eastwards to Plovdiv, Bulgaria's second-largest city, located along the banks of the Maritsa River. Stop here to visit the charming Old Town and the ROMAN AMPHITheatre. Journey northwards through fine scenery over the Stara Planina Mountains to Veliko Târnovo. (B,D)
Today, time to see some of the highlights of Veliko Târnovo, located on the Yantra River. During the Middle Ages, it was Bulgaria's capital and it still retains some of its most attractive medieval features. Visit nearby Arbanassi, world famous for its house design, a cross between a dwelling and a fortress. The village is known as an architectural and historic reserve and was at one time the summer residence of Bulgarian kings. One of the highlights of the visit is the CHURCH OF THE NATIVITY, built in 1637. Carry on north to Rousse and cross the Danube to reach Bucharest. (B,D)
Flower-festooned parks, gardens, and wide boulevards shaded by century-old trees contribute to Bucharest's beauty. The highlight of your sightseeing tour is a visit to the open-air VILLAGE MUSEUM, a unique collection of traditional farmhouses, cottages, windmills, watermills, and artisans' workshops from all parts of the country. Your Local Guide will show you other places of interest, including the Government Victoria Palace, the Royal Palace, and the Savings Palace. There is also an optional afternoon visit to the massive Romanian Parliament, known as the "House of the People." (B)
Travel to Sinaia in the Prahova Valley. This is a lovely ski resort, almost 1000 metres (3,300 feet) above sea level. While in Sinaia, there will be time to visit the SINAIA MONASTERY and PELES CASTLE, considered among the most romantic castles in the world. Only a few more miles and you reach Brasov, a lovely medieval town famous for its town square filled with baroque architecture and outdoor cafés. This evening, enjoy an optional folklore dinner in a traditional Transylvanian restaurant. (B)
This morning, leave for Bran and visit its legendary CASTLE, built in 1377 and inhabited by Vlad the Impaler-better known as Dracula. In the afternoon, a walking orientation of the Old Town of Brasov includes a visit to the BLACK CHURCH, followed by leisure time. (B)
Stop in Sighisoara, a medieval town with 11 towers within the city walls that surround cobblestone streets, ancient houses, and churches-one of Romania's prettiest towns. Legend has it that it is also the birthplace of the notorious Vlad (Dracula). Continue to Cluj-Napoca, the film capital of Romania. (B,D)
Cross the border at Oradea into Hungary and return to Budapest. (B)
Your holiday ends with breakfast this morning. (B)
