Itinerary
- Day 1
Bucharest to Lovech
Leave Bucharest early this morning and cross into Bulgaria over the Danube River. You'll spend time at Devetashka Cave, where natural light filters through the limestone and vegetation surrounds the interior. The afternoon takes you to Krushyna Falls, where water cascades over travertine formations and pools form below. By evening you'll be settled in Lovech for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Visit Devetashka Cave
- Visit Krushyna Falls
Landmarks/POIs Devetashka Cave Krushyna Falls - Day 2
Lovech to Sofia
After breakfast, walk across Lovech's Covered Bridge, which connects the two parts of town in a structure unlike anything else in the region. Then head to Sofia for the day. You'll walk through the city center seeing Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Saint Sofia Church, Banya Bashi Mosque, and Sofia Synagogue. Later you can browse shops along Vitosha before checking into your hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Covered Bridge over the Osam River in Lovech
- Walking tour of Sofia city center including Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Saint Sofia Church, Banya Bashi Mosque, Sofia Synagogue, and Vitosha shopping street
Landmarks/POIs Covered Bridge over the Osam River Alexander Nevsky Cathedral Saint Sofia Church Banya Bashi Mosque Sofia Synagogue Vitosha Street - Day 3
Sofia to Skopje
This morning you're heading to Rila Monastery, Bulgaria's most significant UNESCO site and founded back in the 10th century by Saint Ivan Rilsky. The main church has 19th-century artwork throughout. From there, travel south toward the Macedonian border and arrive in Skopje. You'll get a quick orientation tour of the city before settling in at your hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Rila Monastery and Church
Landmarks/POIs Rila Monastery - Day 4
Skopje to Ohrid
After eating, spend the morning walking around Skopje. You'll see the Vardar River waterfront, the Old Bazaar (the largest preserved bazaar in the Balkans), Mother Teresa's memorial house, and Kale Fortress which dates back 1500 years. Macedonia Square with its Alexander the Great statue is also on the route. Later you travel to Ohrid, a UNESCO site right on Lake Ohrid, where you'll explore the old city with its ancient churches, monasteries, Tsar Samuil's Fortress, and local shopping areas.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Walking tour of Skopje including Vardar River quay, Old Bazaar, Mother Teresa Memorial House, Kale Fortress, and Macedonia Square
- Walking tour of Ohrid old city center including churches, monasteries, Tsar Samuil's Fortress, and shopping streets
Landmarks/POIs Vardar River Old Bazaar, Skopje Mother Teresa Memorial House Kale Fortress Macedonia Square Lake Ohrid Ancient Theater, Ohrid Sveti Sofia Church, Ohrid Tsar Samuil's Fortress - Day 5
Ohrid to Shkoder
After breakfast, head to the Albanian border and travel to Tirana, Albania's capital. You'll walk through the city center visiting Skanderbeg Square, the National History Museum, Et'hem Bey Mosque, and the Skanderbeg statue. By evening you arrive in Shkoder, one of Albania's most authentic towns, where you'll spend the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Walking tour of Tirana city center including Skanderbeg Square, National History Museum, Et'hem Bey Mosque, and Skanderbeg statue
Landmarks/POIs Skanderbeg Square National History Museum Et'hem Bey Mosque - Day 6
Shkoder to Trebinje
Today you cross from Albania into Montenegro and head for Kotor. The old town of Stari Grad is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with fortified walls and historic structures. From there, continue on to Trebinje in Bosnia and Herzegovina where you'll stay the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Stari Grad (Old Town) in Kotor
Landmarks/POIs Stari Grad (Old Town), Kotor - Day 7
Trebinje to Sarajevo
After breakfast, travel to Mostar to see the old town and its famous Old Bridge, originally built in 1566, destroyed in 1993, and rebuilt since then. You'll learn about the tradition of bridge diving from the structure. The scenic drive after takes you through Jablanica Lake and the Neretva River canyon. By midday you're in Sarajevo for a 2.5 hour walking tour covering Ottoman and Austro-Hungarian buildings, bazaars, markets, mosques, churches, synagogues, and the Latin Bridge where WWI's trigger event occurred. You'll also hear about the 1984 Winter Olympics and the city's siege.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Walking tour of Mostar old town and Old Bridge
- Walking tour of Sarajevo old city center including Ottoman and Austro-Hungarian quarters, Latin Bridge, and historical WWII sites
Landmarks/POIs Mostar Old Bridge (Stari Most) Jablanica Lake Neretva River Latin Bridge - Day 8
Sarajevo to Belgrade
Leave for Belgrade this morning. You'll walk through Republic Square and see the National Theater and National Museum. The Bohemian Quarter called Skadarlija retains Ottoman character throughout its streets. You can visit the city's only mosque, then head to Kalemegdan Park and its fortress. The 'Victor' statue sits as Belgrade's most recognized symbol, and you can see where the Sava and Danube rivers meet before the day ends.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Republic Square
- Visit National Theater
- Visit National Museum
- Explore Bohemian Quarter (Skadarlija)
- Visit Kalemegdan Park and Belgrade Fortress
- View Victor statue and confluence of Sava and Danube rivers
Landmarks/POIs Republic Square National Theater National Museum Skadarlija (Bohemian Quarter) Kalemegdan Fortress Victor Statue - Day 9
Belgrade to Budapest
Travel toward Budapest with a stop in Novi Sad, which was Europe's Capital of Culture in 2021. Walk along Zmaj Jovina Street and the city's promenade, see the Palace of the Orthodox Bishop, and explore Dunavska Street with its 19th century buildings and the Danube embankment. From Petrovaradin Fortress you get views across the water. Later you arrive in Budapest, known as 'The Queen of the Danube' and Hungary's capital.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Zmaj Jovina Street and promenade in Novi Sad
- View Palace of the Orthodox Bishop
- Explore Dunavska Street
- View Danube embankment and Petrovaradin Fortress
Landmarks/POIs Zmaj Jovina Street Petrovaradin Fortress - Day 10
Budapest
You have free time to move around Budapest on your own today. Consider visiting Heroes' Square, Andrássy Avenue which is itself a UNESCO World Heritage Site, St. Stephen's Basilica, Dohány Street Synagogue, or the Castle District in Buda. How you spend the day is entirely up to you and your interests.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Visit Heroes' Square
- Explore Andrássy Avenue
- Visit St. Stephen's Basilica
- Visit Dohány Street Synagogue
- Explore Castle District in Buda
Landmarks/POIs Heroes' Square Andrássy Avenue St. Stephen's Basilica Dohány Street Synagogue Castle District - Day 11
Budapest to Timisoara
After crossing into Romania, you arrive in Timisoara, a city known for its varied architecture shaped by Turkish, Serbian, Austrian, and German influences over time. Timisoara was chosen as European Capital of Culture in 2023, so there's plenty to see reflecting that recent honor.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Timisoara
Landmarks/POIs Timisoara - Day 12
Timisoara to Sibiu
This morning visit Corvin Castle, a gothic structure that ranks among Eastern Europe's most striking castles architecturally. By evening you're in Sibiu, which held the title of European Capital of Culture in 2007. Your tour covers the city center with its medieval Clock Tower and the extensive Brukenthal Museum from the 18th-19th century. You'll see the Big Square, Small Square, and Huet Square with the Evangelical Cathedral.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Corvin Castle
- Visit Tower of the Clock (Council Tower) in Sibiu
- Visit Brukenthal Museum
- Explore Big Square, Small Square, and Huet Square with Evangelical Cathedral
Landmarks/POIs Corvin Castle Tower of the Clock (Council Tower) Brukenthal Museum Evangelical Cathedral, Sibiu - Day 13
Sibiu to Brasov
Head out toward Sighisoara and its Clock Tower that dominates the citadel, Europe's best preserved and still inhabited. It's been a UNESCO site since 1999. During your walking tour you'll see the birthplace of Vlad the Impaler. From there, continue to Brasov, a Transylvanian town that was once fully fortified. This important cultural and commercial center shows German architectural styles blending Gothic, Baroque, and Renaissance elements throughout.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Sighisoara citadel and Clock Tower
- Visit house where Vlad the Impaler was born
- Walking tour of Brasov exploring medieval fortifications and architecture
Landmarks/POIs Sighisoara Clock Tower Vlad the Impaler Birthplace House - Day 14
Brasov to Bucharest
Travel to Bran to visit Bran Castle, known widely as Dracula's Castle. Medieval times saw Bran positioned on the Wallachia-Transylvania border, making it crucial for Brasov residents to construct and maintain this defensive stronghold. Queen Maria of Romania restored it into a beautiful castle in the 1990s. Next you reach Sinaia, called the pearl of the Carpathians, to see Peles Castle, the summer residence of Romania's first king, Charles I of Hohenzollern. A Czech architect designed this castle and it was modern for its time, with each room featuring distinct styles including a Florentine room. Finally, see Bucharest's Triumph Arch, Atheneum, and Revolution Square on a panoramic tour.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Bran Castle
- Visit Peles Castle in Sinaia
- Panoramic tour of Bucharest including Triumph Arch, Atheneum, and Revolution Square
Landmarks/POIs Bran Castle Peles Castle Triumph Arch Atheneum Revolution Square
