Itinerary
- Day 1
Budapest
You'll arrive in Budapest whenever works for your flight. The day is yours to settle in and get oriented to the city at your own pace. In the evening, you'll meet up with your CEO and the rest of the travel group at a welcome meeting to go over what's coming.
Included Activities
- Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group
- Day 2
Budapest to Balla Géza Winery
Start with a free morning to walk around Budapest and get a feel for the place. After checking out, you'll head to a social enterprise café supported by G Adventures for a coffee or light snack. Then a private vehicle takes you out to Balla Géza Winery where you'll do a tasting and have dinner with traditional Romanian food. You're staying at the winery's guesthouse that night.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Traditional Romanian dinner at Balla Géza Winery)
Included Activities
- Nem Adom Fel Café and Bar
- Balla Géza Winery Visit
Optional Activities
- Budapest Morning Walking Tour
- Optional bite to eat at Nem Adom Fel Café and Bar
Landmarks/POIs Balla Géza Winery - Day 3
Balla Géza Winery to Sighișoara
Breakfast happens at the winery before you travel to Sighișoara, a medieval town with lots of history. You'll wander the cobblestone streets and check out the walled citadel and old architecture on your own schedule. For meals, try some Romanian dishes, and if you're curious about the Dracula connection, Casa Dracula is a restaurant in what used to be Vlad's house, serving hearty meat and game.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast at Balla Géza Winery)
Optional Activities
- Clock Tower Visit
- Casa Dracula (Vlad Dracul Restaurant)
- The History Museum (Muzeul de Istorie)
- The Church of the Dominican Monastery Visit
Landmarks/POIs Sighișoara Medieval Citadel Casa Dracula - Day 4
Sighișoara to Brașov
You'll take a half-day guided tour around Sighișoara with a local guide who'll show you traditional villages and the surrounding countryside with its rolling hills and medieval fortified churches. By early evening, you're driven to Brașov, which is known for being Romania's best preserved medieval city and will be your base for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Sighișoara Region Guided Tour
Landmarks/POIs Brașov - Day 5
Brașov
This day focuses on Bran Castle, a 14th century fortress that sits on a rocky outcrop overlooking the valley. You'll learn about its history and the folklore tied to Count Dracula while taking in the countryside views. It's a chance to understand the real and legendary stories connected to this place.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Bran Castle Visit
Landmarks/POIs Bran Castle - Day 6
Brașov to Bucharest
You'll take a train to Bucharest, and when you arrive, your CEO leads an orientation walk to show you the main parts of the city. After that, you've got time to explore the Soviet-era architecture, visit the cathedral, or try some of the international restaurants the city has to offer.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Orientation With CEO
Optional Activities
- Arch of Triumph Visit
- National Village Museum Visit
- National History Museum Visit
- Palace of the Parliament Visit
- Bucharest Bike Tour
- Museum of the Romanian Peasant
Landmarks/POIs Bucharest - Day 7
Bucharest to Veliko Tarnovo
The morning is free to explore more of Bucharest. Then you'll travel by private vehicle into Bulgaria heading to Veliko Tarnovo, one of the oldest cities in the world. Once there, you can wander the medieval streets, check out museums, eat Bulgarian food, or optionally visit Tsarevets Fortress just outside town.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Tsarevets Fortress Visit
Landmarks/POIs Veliko Tarnovo Tsarevets Fortress - Day 8
Veliko Tarnovo
Spend the morning in Veliko Tarnovo continuing to explore the medieval town at your own pace. In the afternoon, head to the hilltop village of Arbanasi where you'll get views looking out over Veliko Tarnovo below. It's a nice spot to take in the landscape.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Arbanasi Village Visit
Optional Activities
- Nativity Church Visit
Landmarks/POIs Arbanasi Village - Day 9
Veliko Tarnovo to Sofia
A local bus takes you to Sofia, Bulgaria's capital. Your CEO does an orientation walk to help you navigate the city. Later, you can stroll the pedestrian street or check out the Ladies' Market. There's good modern Bulgarian and international food around if you want to eat somewhere trendy.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Orientation With CEO
Optional Activities
- Ladies' Market Visit
- St Alexander Nevsky Cathedral Visit
- Vitosha Boulevard Visit
Landmarks/POIs Sofia St Alexander Nevsky Cathedral Ladies' Market - Day 10
Sofia to Plovdiv
You'll train to Plovdiv, Bulgaria's second largest city. The hilly old town has museums and the Theatre of Ancient Philippopolis, one of several Roman ruins scattered around the area. Taking a coffee break and trying the local baklava is a good way to spend an afternoon here.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Plovdiv Regional Ethnographic Museum Visit
- Ancient Theatre of Philippopolis Visit
- Plovdiv Old Town Visit
Landmarks/POIs Plovdiv Theatre of Ancient Philippopolis - Day 11
Plovdiv to Istanbul
Explore more of Plovdiv in the morning before boarding an afternoon bus to Istanbul. It's a longer journey, so you'll have time to relax and watch the landscape change as you cross into Turkey.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Day 12
Istanbul
A local Turkish guide leads you on a city tour so you get your bearings in Istanbul. After that, you've got free time to check out whatever attractions interest you. In the evening, the group celebrates wrapping up the trip with drinks and food at bars and restaurants, trying raki or traditional Turkish drinks.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Istanbul Guided Walking Tour
Optional Activities
- Blue Mosque Visit
- Grand Bazaar Visit
- Hagia Sophia (or Aya Sofya) Visit
- Topkapi Palace Visit
- Spice Bazaar Visit
Landmarks/POIs Blue Mosque Grand Bazaar Hagia Sophia Topkapi Palace Spice Bazaar - Day 13
Istanbul
You're free to depart Istanbul whenever your flight is scheduled. If you want more time to explore this city that spans two continents, booking extra accommodation afterward is something to consider.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Istanbul Walking Tour and Bosphorus Cruise
