Treasures of the Balkans & Transylvania
Discover the treasures of the Balkans on this adventure that starts in Budapest, the lively city on the Danube. Guided sightseeing introduces you to the highlights, including the Royal Castle, Parliament, and Fishermen’s Bastion. Next, head south through ever-changing landscapes to Novi Sad, famous for its citadel, then Serbia’s capital of Belgrade and the breathtaking gorges leading into Bulgaria. Explore Sofia with its ornate orthodox churches; visit Rila Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage Site; and explore Plovdiv’s charming Old Town and Roman Amphitheater. Continue to medieval Veliko Târnovo and Arbanassi before arriving in beautiful Bucharest, Romania, for two overnights. On to the picturesque mountains, fortified villages, and castles of Transylvania. Visit Sinaia Monastery and Bran Castle, the medieval dwelling of legendary Count Dracula. Enjoy additional stops in enchanting Sighisoara and Cluj-Napoca, and return to Budapest for the final overnight on this outstanding holiday.
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Day 01: Arrive In Budapest, Hungary
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.
Hotel: Ibis Styles City West, 2 nights
Day 02: Budapest
Budapest is a treasure trove of architectural wonders, from Gothic to Baroque; Neoclassical to 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.
Day 03: Budapest – Novi Sad, Serbia – Belgrade
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, and discover the capital of Serbia on a guided city sightseeing tour.
Hotel: Best Western Hotel
Day 04: Belgrade – Sofia, Bulgaria
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.
Hotel: Crystal Palace, 2 nights
Day 05: Sofia – Excursion to Rila Monastery
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.
Day 06: Sofia – Plovdiv – Veliko Tarnovo
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 Tarnovo.
Hotel: Yantra Grand Hotel
Day 07: Veliko Tarnovo – Bucharest, Romania
Today, time to see some of the highlights of Veliko Tarnovo, 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.
Hotel: Pullman, 2 nights
Day 08: Bucharest
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”.
Day 09: Bucharest – Sinaia – Brasov
Travel to Sinaia in the Prahova Valley. This is a lovely ski resort, almost 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 cafes.
Hotel: Aro Palace, 2 nights
Day 10: Brasov
This morning, depart 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.
Day 11: Brasov – Sighisoara – Cluj-Napoca
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.
Hotel: Golden Tulip Ana Dome
Day 12: Cluj-Napoca – Budapest, Hungary
Cross the border at Oradea into Hungary and return to Budapest.
Hotel: Ibis Styles City West
Day 13: Budapest
Your holiday ends with breakfast this morning.
2020 Dates & Prices | Twin Share | Solo Traveller |
---|---|---|
April: 14 | $2,739.00 | $3,603.00 |
April: 21 | $2,809.00 | $3,673.00 |
April: 28 | $2,909.00 | $3,773.00 |
May: 05, 12, 26 | $2,909.00 | $3,773.00 |
June: 02, 09 | $2,979.00 | $3,843.00 |
June: 23 | $3,029.00 | $3,893.00 |
July: 14 | $2,939.00 | $3,803.00 |
July: 21 | $2,879.00 | $3,743.00 |
August: 04, 11, 18 | $2,879.00 | $3,743.00 |
August: 25 | $2,939.00 | $3,803.00 |
September: 01, 08, 15 | $2,909.00 | $3,773.00 |
September: 22 | $2,809.00 | $3,673.00 |
September: 29 | $2,739.00 | $3,603.00 |
Inclusions | |
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Meals: | 12 breakfasts, 4 dinners |
Transport: | Deluxe air-conditioned motorcoach while touring |
Accommodation: | 12 nights accommodation |
Guide: | An expert Tour Director and separate Driver. Local Guides for city Sightseeing in Budapest, Sofia, Bucharest & Peles Castle |
Entrance Fees & Touring: | Entrance fees & activities as per itinerary |
* Tour departure dates are subject to availability at time of booking.
* Prices and itinerary are correct at time of publication and are subject to change without notice.