Itinerary
- Day 1
Bucharest
You'll arrive at Bucharest airport and look for your Travel Talk sign to catch your transfer to the hotel. Around 7pm, there's an informal welcome meeting with your guide and fellow travelers to get oriented. After that, you have the option to join a group dinner around 8:15pm if you'd like to explore some of Bucharest's streets and grab food with the group.
Included Activities
- Welcome Meeting
Optional Activities
- Group Dinner
- Day 2
Bucharest
After breakfast at the hotel, you'll spend the day exploring Bucharest with your guide. You'll walk through Revolution Square, see the Arc of Triumph, check out the Romania Athenaem, the Opera House, National Military Club, Dimitrie Gusti National Village, and the Palace of Parliament. Each building tells you something about Romanian culture. Later in the day you'll get some free time to wander around on your own before heading back to the hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Bucharest City Tour
- Visit to National Village Museum
Landmarks/POIs Revolution Square Arc of Triumph Romania Athenaem Opera House National Military Club Dimitrie Gusti National Village Palace of Parliament - Day 3
Bucharest to Brasov
This morning you'll drive through misty forests toward Transylvania. First stop is Peles Castle in Sinaia, a beautiful neo-renaissance castle in the Carpathian mountains (you'll see the exterior only). From there you'll head to Bran Castle, also known as Count Dracula's Castle. Then you'll continue deep into Transylvania to reach Brasov, a fascinating medieval town. You'll walk through the cobblestone Piata Sfatului (Council Square), see the Black Church, and visit Muresenilor House Museum before checking into your hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit to Peles Castle
- Visit to Count Dracula Castle
- Brasov Sightseeing
Landmarks/POIs Peles Castle Bran Castle Piata Sfatului Black Church Muresenilor House Museum - Day 4
Brasov to Cluj-Napoca
You'll travel to Sighisoara following the Count Dracula story, starting with a stop at the Clock Tower. You'll explore Sighisoara Citadel, the Dominican Monastery, The Church on the Hill, and Dracula's House while your guide shares the town's history. Then it's on to Cluj-Napoca, the unofficial capital of Transylvania. You'll tour Union Square, St. Mihail Church, and Matthias Corvinus Monument before checking into your 4-star hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Sighisoara Sightseeing
- Cluj-Napoca Sightseeing
Landmarks/POIs Clock Tower Sighisoara Citadel Dominican Monastery The Church on the Hill Dracula's House Union Square St. Mihail Church Matthias Corvinus Monument - Day 5
Cluj-Napoca to Sibiu
After breakfast, you'll head to the salt mines of Turda, a geologic wonder that's been producing salt since the 11th century. Next you'll visit Hunedeadora Castle (Corvin Castle) and hear about its vibrant history from your guide. Then you'll travel to the fairytale-like town of Sibiu and check into your 4-star hotel. You can relax or start exploring the town on your own if you're feeling up to it.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit to Salina Turda (Salt Mine)
- Hunedeoara Sightseeing
Landmarks/POIs Salina Turda Hunedeoara Castle - Day 6
Sibiu to Bucharest
You'll start with a walking tour of charming Sibiu, which showcases Germanic architecture with roots going back to Saxon settlers in the 12th century. You'll visit Brukenthal Palace, Piata Mare (city square), Lutheran Cathedral, Holy Trinity Cathedral, and the Church of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul. By afternoon you'll head back to Bucharest for your overnight stay.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Sibiu Sightseeing
Optional Activities
- Group Dinner
Landmarks/POIs Brukenthal Palace Piata Mare Lutheran Cathedral Holy Trinity Cathedral Church of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul - Day 7
Bucharest to Veliko Tarnavo
You'll say goodbye to Romania and head to Veliko Tarnavo, the City of the Tsars, the historic capital of the Second Bulgarian Empire. You'll discover the unique Bulgarian medieval architecture and learn about its vast history. You'll visit Tsarevets Fortress and the Holy Forty Martyrs Church before moving on to Plovdiv.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Veliko Tarnavo Sightseeing
Landmarks/POIs Tsarevets Fortress Holy Forty Martyrs Church - Day 8
Plovdiv to Sofia
After breakfast you'll explore Plovdiv. You'll start at Old Plovdiv on Nebet Hill, visiting the Balabanov and Georgi Mavridi House, St. Konstantin Church and Elena Church. You'll see the impressive Roman Amphitheatre of Philippopolis and Stadium, some of the best-preserved Roman architecture around. Then you'll continue to the Citadel Door, Castle Streets, and St. Nedelya Church. After that you'll head to Sofia for a panoramic city tour covering the Bulgarian capital's major sights and history.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Plovdiv City Tour
- Sofia Panoramic Tour
Landmarks/POIs Balabanov House Georgi Mavridi House St. Konstantin Church and Elena Church Roman Amphitheatre of Philippopolis Stadium Citadel Door Castle Streets St. Nedelya Church - Day 9
Sofia to Belgrade
After a substantial breakfast, you'll hop on the bus and head to Belgrade, the Serbian capital. You'll see the views over the Danube and Sava rivers and the medieval Belgrade Fortress. You'll start at the vibrant shopping street Knez Mihailova, filled with cafes, shops, and charming spots. Then you'll join a walking tour to discover the incredible landmarks Belgrade has to offer and learn about their histories.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Belgrade City Tour
Landmarks/POIs Belgrade Fortress Knez Mihailova Danube River Sava River - Day 10
Belgrade to Sarajevo
You'll travel to Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina's capital, a city with significant history. This is where the Western and Eastern Roman Empire split and where people of many nations, religions, and cultures met, lived, and warred. You can still see reminders of the Yugoslav War in bullet holes and cannon marks around town. Despite its turbulent past, it remains an oriental beauty with unique character. You'll explore on a walking tour of the old town and try the endless delicacies available, with lamb being the local specialty.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Sarajevo City Tour
- Day 11
Sarajevo to Trebinje
You'll drive to the Adriatic shore, but first stop in Mostar. You'll walk through the Old Town of this Herzegovina pearl and see the iconic Old Bridge (Stari Most) and the old caršija (market). You'll enjoy lunch with a nice view at one of the local venues, discover the old town, and try Turkish coffee. In the afternoon you'll ride to Trebinje for your overnight stay.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch with an amazing view at one of the local venues)
Included Activities
- Mostar City Tour
Optional Activities
- Kravice Waterfalls - EUR 30
Landmarks/POIs Stari Most Čaršija Kravice Waterfalls - Day 12
Trebinje to Dubrovnik
Prepare for a long day at Dubrovnik, the Pearl of the Adriatic. The well-preserved walls encircle the whole town and its sea of terra-cotta roof tiles create a distinctive look. The whole town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Even the drive down to town from the mountainside is spectacular. You'll start with a guided walking tour of the Old Town and explore the millennial history of this town. You'll walk on the mighty walls, discover narrow streets, taste seafood, or jump into the blue waters. In the evening you'll return to Trebinje for your rest.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Dubrovnik City Tour
Optional Activities
- Dubrovnik Boat Trip - EUR 50
Landmarks/POIs Dubrovnik Old Town Dubrovnik City Walls - Day 13
Trebinje to Shkoder
You'll travel to Montenegro and arrive in Kotor after a scenic drive. You'll find its calming natural beauty and characteristic architecture a less-crowded version of Dubrovnik with an impressive medieval citadel. You'll follow a walking tour of the old town with your expert local guide and enjoy some free time. Then you'll depart for Albania, your final destination for the day. Shkoder is one of the most authentic cities in Albania. You'll take a walking tour through the center before settling in for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Kotor City Tour
- Shkoder Orientation Walking Tour
Landmarks/POIs Kotor Old Town Kotor Medieval Citadel - Day 14
Shkoder to Ohrid
You'll hit the road after breakfast. A panoramic city tour of Tirana will introduce the best preserved samples of Albanian architecture, dropping you off at the town center for free time to discover the bustling Skenderbeg Square. In the afternoon you'll continue toward Ohrid, Macedonia, and check into your comfortable hotel. You can rest after a long day or join the optional Balkan night with dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Tirana City Tour
Optional Activities
- Balkan Night With Dinner - EUR 35
Landmarks/POIs Skenderbeg Square - Day 15
Ohrid to Skopje
You'll start the day with a guided city tour of Old Ohrid, which has hundreds of chapels and churches scattered all around. In the afternoon you'll travel to Skopje, the capital of Macedonia, for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Ohrid City Tour
Optional Activities
- St. Naum Tour - EUR 25
Landmarks/POIs Old Ohrid St. Naum - Day 16
Skopje to Sofia
You'll discover Skopje with a guided sightseeing tour filled with architecture, grand monuments, and unique history. You can pose with the famous statue of Alexander the Great or walk through the Macedonian Arc de Triumph. The city has countless landmarks and vibrant street life with many cafes and bars. In the afternoon you'll leave for Sofia, where the trip ends and you say goodbye to your new friends. You can explore the shopping streets, highlights, and nightlife as you wish.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Skopje City Tour
Landmarks/POIs Alexander the Great Statue Macedonian Arc de Triumph
