Itinerary
- Day 1
Timisoara
You'll cross into Romania and arrive in Timisoara, a city where Turkish, Serbian, Austrian, and German influences shape the architecture throughout. The streets reveal layers of European heritage, and you'll notice how different cultures have left their mark on buildings and squares. This morning and afternoon involve moderate walking with some hills and stairs to navigate, so comfortable shoes are worth having. Timisoara was Europe's Capital of Culture in 2023, which means there's plenty to take in as you settle into the city.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Walking tour of Timisoara city center
Landmarks/POIs Timisoara - Day 2
Sibiu
After breakfast, you'll head to Corvin Castle, a Gothic fortress that's genuinely impressive once you see it in person. Then you continue to Sibiu, which held the Capital of Culture title back in 2007. The Tower of the Clock and the Brukenthal museum occupy much of your afternoon, and you'll walk through three different squares including Huet Square with its Evangelical Cathedral nearby. The day involves strenuous walking with lots of hills, stairs, and uneven terrain, so pace yourself and take breaks when needed.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Corvin Castle
- Walking tour of Sibiu city center including Tower of the Clock, Brukenthal museum, and squares
Landmarks/POIs Corvin Castle Tower of the Clock (Council Tower) Brukenthal Museum Evangelical Cathedral, Sibiu Sibiu - Day 3
Brasov
You'll travel to Sighisoara early in the day to see the Clock Tower and walk through Europe's best-preserved citadel, which still has people living there today. The citadel tour includes the birthplace of Vlad the Impaler, adding historical context to the medieval streets. Later, you head to Brasov where German architecture dominates the town center with its mix of Gothic, Baroque, and Renaissance styles. This is a strenuous day with lots of hills, stairs, and uneven terrain, so you'll want to budget energy and perhaps grab lunch at a good stopping point.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Walking tour of Sighisoara citadel including Clock Tower and house of Vlad the Impaler
- Walking tour of Brasov city center
Landmarks/POIs Sighisoara Clock Tower Sighisoara Citadel House of Vlad the Impaler Brasov - Day 4
Sinaia - Bucharest
You start with Bran Castle, the medieval fortress known as Dracula's Castle, which Queen Maria transformed into something more refined than its defensive origins. After touring there, you continue to Sinaia and explore Peles Castle, the summer residence of Romania's first king with its distinctive rooms including the Florentine room with Italian Renaissance details. By evening, you'll take a panoramic tour of Bucharest covering the Triumph Arch, Atheneum, and Revolution Square. Walking is strenuous but manageable with some hills and stairs.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Bran Castle
- Visit Peles Castle
- Panoramic tour of Bucharest including Triumph Arch, Atheneum, and Revolution Square
Landmarks/POIs Bran Castle Peles Castle Triumph Arch Atheneum Revolution Square - Day 5
Devetashka Cave - Krushyna Falls - Lovech
You leave Bucharest behind and cross into Bulgaria using the Danube River bridge. Devetashka Cave comes first, and you'll find it well-lit inside with greenery covering the floor in an unusual way. After that, you check out Krushyna Falls, Bulgaria's largest travertine cascade at around 20 meters high with small natural pools and mineral-rich water. The day involves strenuous walking with lots of hills, stairs, and uneven surfaces, so take your time and stay hydrated.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Devetashka Cave
- Visit Krushyna Falls
Landmarks/POIs Devetashka Cave Krushyna Falls - Day 6
Sofia
You explore Lovech and see the historic Covered Bridge spanning the Osam River, a unique structure that links the two sides of town together architecturally. Then you travel to Sofia for an evening walking tour where you'll see the gold-domed Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Saint Sofia Church, Banya Bashi Mosque, and Sofia Synagogue. The shopping street Vitosha rounds out the tour, and walking here is light on mostly level ground, which gives you a chance to catch your breath before dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Lovech Covered Bridge
- 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 Osam River Alexander Nevsky Cathedral Saint Sofia Church Banya Bashi Mosque Sofia Synagogue Vitosha Street - Day 7
Rila Monastery - Skopje
Rila Monastery sits at the top of today's itinerary, Bulgaria's most famous site and a UNESCO World Heritage Site established back in the 10th century. Inside the Church you'll see ornate 19th-century artwork created by masters from Samokov, Bansko, and Debar. After touring the monastery, you head south toward the Bulgarian-Macedonian border and arrive in Skopje for an orientation tour before checking into your hotel. Walking is light on mostly level terrain, giving you an easier day overall.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Rila Monastery and Church
- Orientation tour of Skopje
Landmarks/POIs Rila Monastery - Day 8
Ohrid
After breakfast you walk through Skopje, starting at the Macedonian Vardar river quay and moving into the Old Bazaar with its tight streets (the largest preserved bazaar in the Balkans). You'll pass Mother Teresa Memorial House and the 1500-year-old Kale Fortress before reaching Macedonia Square with its Alexander the Great statue. Later you travel to Ohrid on Lake Ohrid's shores, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where you explore the old city center with ancient streets, the Ancient Theater, churches, monasteries, and Tsar Samuil's Fortress. This is strenuous with lots of hills, stairs, and uneven terrain, so plan accordingly.
- 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 Ancient Theater, churches, monasteries, basilicas, and Tsar Samuil's Fortress
Landmarks/POIs Vardar River Quay Old Bazaar, Skopje Mother Teresa Memorial House Kale Fortress Macedonia Square Ohrid Ancient Theater Sveti Sofia Church Tsar Samuil's Fortress - Day 9
Tirana - Shkoder
You depart after breakfast for the Macedonian-Albanian border and head into Tirana, Albania's capital. The city center walking tour reveals Skanderbeg square, the National History Museum, Et'hem Bey Mosque, and Skanderbeg's statue standing prominently. By evening you travel to Shkoder, one of Albania's most authentic cities with genuine character and fewer tourists than other spots. Walking here is light on mostly level ground, making it a relaxed introduction to Albania.
- 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 10
Kotor - Trebinje
You cross from Shkoder into Montenegro and arrive in Kotor to explore Stari Grad, the fortified old town that's a UNESCO World Heritage Site with narrow streets and historic buildings throughout. Later in the evening you continue to Trebinje in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The day involves moderate walking with some hills and stairs, so you'll get a good sense of the terrain without it being too demanding overall.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Walking tour of Kotor old town (Stari Grad)
Landmarks/POIs Kotor Old Town (Stari Grad) - Day 11
Mostar - Sarajevo
After breakfast you head to Mostar to see the old town and the famous Old Bridge built in 1566, which was destroyed during the 1993 Siege of Mostar and later reconstructed. You might catch the bridge divers tradition where young competitors dive for euros, a local custom that's been going on for generations. From there you travel via scenic roads passing Jablanica lake and the Neretva river canyon to reach Sarajevo. The walking tour covers the old city with its medieval Bosnian Kingdom heritage, Ottoman and Austria-Hungarian architecture, markets, bazaars, mosques, churches, and synagogues. You'll visit the Latin Bridge where WWI was triggered and learn about the 1984 Winter Olympics and the Siege of Sarajevo. Walking is strenuous with lots of hills, stairs, and uneven surfaces.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Walking tour of Mostar old town and Old Bridge
- Walking tour of Sarajevo old town and city center including Ottoman and Austria-Hungarian quarters, bazaars, mosques, churches, synagogues, and Latin Bridge
Landmarks/POIs Mostar Old Bridge (Stari Most) Latin Bridge - Day 12
Belgrade
You depart for Belgrade, Serbia's capital, and explore Republic Square along with the National Theater and National Museum. The Bohemian Quarter called Skadarlija retains its Ottoman heritage and gives you a feel for the city's layered history. Kalemegdan park and its fortress stand out with the famous 'Victor' monument, and you'll walk to see where the Sava and Danube rivers meet. Moderate walking with some hills and stairs lets you cover the major sites without exhaustion.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Walking tour of Belgrade including Republic Square, National Theater, National Museum, Bohemian Quarter (Skadarlija), Kalemegdan park and fortress, and river confluence
Landmarks/POIs Republic Square National Theater National Museum Skadarlija (Bohemian Quarter) Kalemegdan Fortress - Day 13
Novi Sad - Budapest
You depart for Budapest with a stop in Novi Sad, which was Europe's Capital of Culture back in 2021. You'll check out Zmaj Jovina Street and its promenade, the ornamental Palace of the Orthodox Bishop, Danube-street with its 19th-century houses, and the Danube embankment before visiting Petrovaradin Fortress. Then you continue to Budapest, the Queen of the Danube and Hungary's capital. Light walking on mostly level terrain means you can enjoy the journey without strain.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Zmaj Jovina Street and promenade, Novi Sad
- Visit Palace of the Orthodox Bishop
- View Petrovaradin Fortress
Landmarks/POIs Zmaj Jovina Street Palace of the Orthodox Bishop Petrovaradin Fortress - Day 14
Budapest
You have spare time in Budapest to explore on your own terms. Heroes' Square and Andrássy Avenue (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) are worth your attention, and St. Stephen's Basilica and Dohány Street Synagogue deserve a visit too. The Castle District in Buda sits across the Danube with its own character and history. How you spend this time depends on what interests you most, and there's no guided schedule demanding your attention.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Visit Heroes' Square and view iconic statues
- 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
