Romania, Serbia and Bulgaria, at the crossroads of the Balkans
- Starts in: BUCHAREST
- Itinerary: +25 destinations
- Ends in: SOFIA
HIGHLIGHTS
- Experience the highlights of Romania, Serbia and Bulgaria. Explore their bustling cities along with the rolling Transylvanian countryside, the Rose Valley and the communist heritage. Also discover the extensive history from ancient Roman right up to the more recent communist regimes.
- Legendary Castles - Delve beneath the myths at Castle Bran and marvel at the exquisite stained glass and décor in Peles Castle
- Belgrade - Discover the Ottoman, Roman and Communist history in the old capital of Yugoslavia
- Rila Monastery - Visit this spectacular UNESCO World Heritage Site with its brightly coloured frescoes
ITINERARY
Arrival to Bucharest, the Romanian capital. Transfer to your hotel. Time at leisure. Meeting with your tour guide for an orientation tour and for a briefing about the incredible journey that awaits you. Dinner and overnight in Bucharest.
After breakfast, start discovering the Romanian capital with a sightseeing tour in the city that was once called ,,little Paris of the East’’. Visit the Parliament Palace, former house of Ceaușescu (built between 1984 and 1989) and the 2nd largest building in the world after the Pentagon: 270 meters by 240, 86 meters high, 1100 pieces and 12 floors. It’s without a doubt that the interior surprises more than the outside: the Transylvanian marble that covers kms of walls, each and every piece is adorned. Big stairways, sophisticated floors and alive colours make the palace a perfect place for shooting a movie. The ceiling is at 8 meters high; everything is at double the size from any palace. Discover unique places and people by passing by Victory Avenue, Romanian Athenaeum, National Military Club. In the afternoon, walking tour in the old city center in Bucharest. The tangle of cobbled streets and alleys of this district reminds undoubtedly Paris. It is nice to walk through the little streets if you want to soak up the old Bucharest life. Overnight in Bucharest.
In option: Folklore show dinner in a local restaurant.
Drive to Sinaia, named the Pearl of the Carpathians. Visit the summer residence of the first royal couple, King Carol I and Queen Elisabeth, Peles Castle, one of the most beautifulpalaces in Europe. You will discover this unique masterpiece of German Neo-Renaissance style castle, a reminder of the King’s Carol German origins. Drive on to Bran to visit the famous medieval castle built as a fortress – The „Dracula’s” Castle – for the citizens of Brasov with view to defend the city. Prince Vlad used the Castle as a general headquarters during his incursions in Transylvania. Surrounded by an aura of mystery and legend and perched high atop a 200- foot-high rock, Bran Castle owes its fame to its imposing towers and turrets as well as to the myth created around Bram Stocker’s Dracula. Built on the site of a Teutonic Knights stronghold dating from 1212, the castle was first documented in an act issued by Louis I of Hungary on November 19, 1377, giving the Saxons of Kronstadt (Brasov) the privilege to build the Citadel. Drive to Brasov. Fringed by the peaks of the Southern Carpathian Mountains and resplendent with gothic, baroque and renaissance architecture, as well as a wealth of historical attractions, Brasov is one of the most visited places in Romania. Founded by the Teutonic Knights in 1211 on an ancient Dacian site and settled by the Saxons as one of the seven walled citadels, Brasov exudes a distinct medieval ambiance and has been used as backdrop in many recent period films. Walking tour in the main square to admire the unique baroque buildings. Overnight in Brasov.
Drive to Viscri to visit Viscri Fortified Church wich is one of a series of UNESCO-listed historic churches in Romania. It is first mentioned in a 16th century accounts book of the bishopric of the county of Rupea. The village of Viscri is famous for the fact that Prince Charles has bought two properties here. The Prince of Wales has bought and renovated properties to help protect the unique way of life that has existed for hundreds of years through the promotion of sustainable tourism. We will discover this beautiful village by taking a carriage ride to learn to old ways of living in Romania. We continue our trip to Sighisoara, the best preserved medieval citadel in Europe (UNESCO heritage). Walking tour in the old citadel. This perfectly intact 16th century gem with nine towers, cobbled streets, burgher houses and ornate churches rivals the historic streets of Old Prague or Vienna for atmospheric magic. Admire the Clock Tower with its weapons museum, the 13th century Venetian House and the Church of the Dominican Monastery, known for its Transylvanian renaissance carved altarpiece, baroque pulpit, Oriental carpets and 17th century organ. Drive back to Brasov. Overnight in Brasov.
After breakfast, drive to Sibiu, one of the oldest towns in Transylvania – formerly Hermannstadt – founded by the Saxon colonists. Guided walking tour of the medieval town (the Main Square, the Evangelical Church, the Liars’ Bridge etc.). Sibiu – once one of the easternmost cities of the glittering Hapsburg Empire was European Cultural Capital in 2007. Nine centuries of cultural treasures await discovery. In option: Sibiel village. In the afternoon, optional tour to visit the picturesque village of Sibiel. Visit the Icon Glass Museum that hosts the larges painted icons in Transylvania, unique in Europe. Dinner in a local family home including meat and cabbage rolls cooking demonstration. You will have the unique chance to learn more about the local traditions in Romania and to discover the old ways of cooking. Return to Sibiu. Overnight in Sibiu.
Drive to Hunedoara and visit Corvin Castle, the largest castle in all East Europe and the only Gothic castle entirely preserved in Romania. Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque styles meet here to create a unique 14th century castle. This picturesque medieval castle stands grand with tall walls and towers next to a river over which a long entrance bridge was built to protect it from invaders. As legend has it Vlad Țepeș (the main character who inspired the story of Dracula) was imprisoned here for 7 years before he married the daughter of the castle owner and took back his reign of Wallachia. The castle also boasts the legend of the raven that held the golden ring in its beak and of the well that took 15 years to dig by Turkish prisoners. Arrival in Timisoara, called “little Vienna of Romania” as it is abundant in Austrian style palaces or churches. The connections with Vienna were drawn starting the 18th century when the city was conquered by the Austrian armies from the Turks. Overnight in Timisoara.
After breakfast depart for Novi Sad, capital of the Northern Serbian province of Vojvodina and Serbia’s second largest city. Upon arrival enjoy a walking tour of all the major attractions of Novi Sad: The Petrovardian Fortress, Liberty Square, the Cathedral, City Council, Zmaj Jovina, and Dunavaska St. and learn why Novi Sad bears the name ,,New Garden’’. Our journey continues to Belgrade, the Serbian capital and one of the oldest cities in Europe. Belgrade has been the capital of Serbia since 1403, when Despot Stefan, son of Tsar Lazar, moved his palace here. Free time to enjoy the vibrant life of the locals. Overnight in Belgrade.
Today, you will explore the fascinating city of Belgrade. Start with Republic Square that boasts architectonic monuments such as the National Theatre and the National Museum, Knez Mihajlova Street the main shopping and meeting place with few other masterpieces of Belgrade’s architecture such as the Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts. Nearby in a 19th century quarter you will find the ‘Question mark sign’ Inn, Princess Ljubica’s Residence, the Patriarchy and the Orthodox Cathedral. Learn about life under Tito and Milosevic and how modern Serbia is preparing itself for a new era. Discover Kalemegdan Fortress situated at the confluence of the mighty Danube and Sava rivers. The Upper fortress area includes well-preserved artillery structures dating from the mid-18th century as well as a medieval fortification – an acropolis with original or partly reconstructed ramparts, gateways, towers and the excavated ruins of a 15th century castle, an elegant 18th century Baroque Clock Tower and the Roman Well. The Eastern Ward includes the Rose Church of Our Lady along with a panoramic view of the Lower fortress and its monuments – the Nebojsa Tower, the Baroque Gate of Karl VI, and th e remains of the medieval Metropolitan Palace. Free time. Overnight in Belgrade. In option: Danube River Cruise and Traditional Serbian Dinner. Board a scenic cruise! As you travel down the Sava and Danube rivers, soak in views of Old Belgrade, Belgrade Fortress, and New Belgrade and the historic Zemun neighborhood. You’ll also pass Great War Island, a protected nature reserve that’s home to almost 200 species of bird. Then, disembark to enjoy a traditional Serbian dinner served with beer or wine at a local restaurant overlooking the Danube River.
In the morning, departure to Sofia, the capital city of Bulgaria. On the way you’ll do a short stop in Niš, the birthplace of the Roman emperor Constantine the Great. The modern tourist center, Niš is has been a gate embodies the combination of exotic East and elegant West. Do not miss the Niš fortress (best preserved Ottoman fort in this part of the Balkans) or “Ćele kula” (“The Skull tower“, a unique structure built by the order of the Ottoman Hursid pasha using the skulls of Serbian soldiers killed in the Battle of Čegar during the First Serbian uprising. We cross the border to Bulgaria and arrive to Sofia, its capital. Overnight in Sofia. In option: folklore show dinner with Nestinari dance (barefoot dance on burning charcoals, UNESCO world heritage)
Today, you will discover Sofia, a dynamic Eastern European capital, well known for its unique combination of European and Communist style architecture. Sightseeing tour in Sofia, visiting Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, one of the most spectacular buildings in Bulgaria and one of the biggest cathedrals from the Balkans. We continue our tour and we visit St. Sofia church, dating back from 6th century. During our tour, we will discover other interesting sites such as: Party House, the ruins of the ancient city Serdica, St. George Rotunda (4th century), National Theatre etc. Free time in the afternoon. Overnight in Sofia. In option: Trip to Rila Monastery. In the afternoon, d rive to Rila to discover the largest and most impressive Bulgarian monastery (UNESC O – 11th century). Tour of the monastery complex, church and museum with its lavish collection of precious old manuscripts, icons, jewels, masterpieces of woodcarving, ethnographic exhibition of fabrics and carpets.
Transfer to Sofia airport. End of our services.
WHAT'S INCLUDED
Accommodation 10 nights as per the above program / sharing a DBL room / 4* centrally located hotels.
Note: SGL room is available on request (additional costs apply).
English speaking guide for the entired program.
Meals as per program (half board reccommented).
Transportation in 19 seater minibus or 49 seater coach, depending on the group size.
Entrance fees as mentioned in the program.
NOT INCLUDED
International flight tickets are not included.
Travel insurance is not included.
Visa procurement (if needed) is not included.
The following extras are not included:
- Hotel extras (telephone, Internet, minibar etc.);
- Drinks (other than mineral water), coffee;
- Photographing or filming fees at the visited sites;
- Personal expenses, porterage, tips.
AVAILABILITY
This tour is operated on request only. We are at your disposal no matter if your are an individual interested to take this tour or a tour operator aiming to propose it to your clients.
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