Itinerary
- Day 1
Bucharest
You'll arrive in Bucharest and get transferred to your hotel. The afternoon and evening are yours to explore the capital however you'd like, whether that's wandering the streets, checking out a museum, or just relaxing after travel.
Optional Activities
- Explore Bucharest city at leisure
- Day 2
Peleș Castle - Brașov - Magura
Head to Transylvania this morning to see Peleş Castle in Sinaia, a beautiful Neo-Renaissance structure tucked in the Carpathian Mountains. From there you'll continue to Cantacuzino Castle in Bușten for lunch and a wine-tasting. Later, you'll reach Brașov to walk through the medieval old town and see the Gothic Black Church. By evening you'll transfer to Magura village in the Rhodope Mountains.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Sumptuous lunch featuring Transylvanian delicacies)
Included Activities
- Visit Peleș Castle
- Visit Cantacuzino Castle
- Transylvanian lunch with local delicacies
- Wine-tasting session at Cantacuzino Castle
- Explore Brașov old town and Black Church
Landmarks/POIs Peleș Castle Cantacuzino Castle Black Church Council Square, Brașov Rope Street - Day 3
Carpathian Mountains - Bran Castle
Start at a local sheepfold in Magura village learning about traditional shepherding and the Transhumance practices, then taste some local cheese. After that, you'll take a leisurely hike in the Carpathian Mountains. This evening you'll visit Bran Castle after hours with lamplights, walking through the Torture Room and Time Tunnel, followed by a wine-tasting session.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Traditional dinner with authentic Romanian cuisine in cosy, rustic ambience)
Included Activities
- Visit local sheepfold
- Cheese-tasting session
- Leisurely hike in Carpathian Mountains
- Private after-hours tour of Bran Castle
- Explore Torture Room at Bran Castle
- Time Tunnel experience at Bran Castle
- Wine-tasting session at Bran Castle
Landmarks/POIs Bran Castle - Day 4
Crit Village
Travel to Viscri and explore it by horse-drawn cart, meeting local craftspeople working in traditional arts. You'll have lunch with local specialties, then head to a hidden wild observatory where you can spot bears and other wildlife. The day wraps up in Crit Village with dinner at one of King Charles' preferred spots.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Traditional lunch with local delicacies and warm hospitality), Dinner (Delicious dinner in one of King Charles' preferred areas)
Included Activities
- Explore Viscri by horse-drawn cart
- Meet local craftsmen and view traditional arts
- Traditional lunch with local delicacies
- Wildlife observation at hidden wild observatory
- Day 5
Apold
You'll arrive in Sighișoara, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and walk its medieval cobbled streets. Climb the Clock Tower for views over the town. Later, get on electric bikes to cycle through the Transylvanian hills around Sighișoara and Apold village. In the afternoon or evening, you'll take a cooking class learning traditional Romanian dishes made with fresh local ingredients.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Explore Sighișoara UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Climb Clock Tower
- Electric bike tour through Transylvanian hills and Apold village
- Cooking class - traditional Romanian cuisine
Landmarks/POIs Sighișoara Citadel Clock Tower, Sighișoara - Day 6
Brateiu - Sibiu
Check out the Biertan Fortified Church, one of Transylvania's largest and well-preserved structures. Then visit Brateiu village to see Gypsy metal craftspeople working and shaping metal using traditional techniques. From there, travel to Sibiu, which has large squares, bridged alleys, and baroque architecture spread throughout the city.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Biertan Fortified Church
- Explore Brateiu village and meet Gypsy metal craftsmen
- Witness metal craftsmanship demonstrations
Landmarks/POIs Biertan Fortified Church - Day 7
Sibiu to Sofia
You'll head to the Bulgarian border where you'll meet your Bulgarian crew and continue to Sofia. The city sits at the foothills of Vitosha Mountain and offers different architectural styles, from the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral to ancient Roman ruins, along with busy markets and a growing food scene.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Landmarks/POIs Alexander Nevsky Cathedral - Day 8
Sofia to Plovdiv
Start in Sofia walking through the historic Yellow Pavements, passing by St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral and the National Assembly building along with other notable architecture. Grab lunch at a Soviet-themed restaurant serving Bulgarian cuisine before heading to Plovdiv, which is about 150km away and takes roughly 2 hours. Once you arrive, wander the cobbled streets of one of Europe's oldest continuously inhabited cities. Dinner tonight is at House of Philipopolis, a restored 2nd-century Roman mansion that operates as an exclusive restaurant.
- Meals
- Lunch (Lunch at Soviet-themed communist restaurant featuring Bulgarian cuisine with communist memorabilia and mid-century minimalism; menu includes hearty mezes, mains, and extensive selection of Rakia (Bulgarian fruit brandy)), Dinner (Dinner at House of Philipopolis - exclusive private venue on ancient Roman defence wall from 2nd century, restored historic residence with 19th-21st century art collection)
Included Activities
- Walking tour through Sofia starting near St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral
- Guided exploration of Yellow Pavements and key landmarks including National Assembly, Council of Ministers, and National Theatre
- Viewing of architectural landmarks: Sofia city bath, Banya Bashi Mosque, Central Sofia halls, synagogue, and National Palace of Culture
- Coffee break at Vitoshka
- Lunch at Soviet-themed communist restaurant
- Transfer to Plovdiv
- Exploration of Plovdiv's cobbled streets and Roman ruins
- Dinner at House of Philipopolis (restored 2nd-century Roman mansion with 19th-21st century art collection)
Landmarks/POIs St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral National Assembly of Bulgaria Council of Ministers National Theatre of Bulgaria Banya Bashi Mosque National Palace of Culture Vitoshka Boulevard House of Philipopolis - Day 9
Plovdiv
Spend the morning in Plovdiv with a local guide exploring cobbled streets and tasting traditional Bulgarian food like banitsa pastries, kufte kebabs, and Kapama stew. After that, head to the Ancient Theatre of Philippopolis and Roman Stadium to walk around the structures. Later, you'll meet with an iconographer artist who works in the area. In the afternoon, travel about 20km to Dragomir Winery in the Thracian valley, where you'll get a tour of how they produce wine and have a private tasting session with an oenologist.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Walking tour through Plovdiv's charming cobbled streets with expert local guide
- Culinary exploration including banitsa pastries, kufte kebabs, and Kapama specialty
- Exploration of Kapana district
- Wine tasting and learning about local winemaking heritage
- Walking tour of Roman ruins of Plovdiv
- Visit to Ancient Theatre of Philippopolis (2nd-century AD Roman theatre)
- Exploration of Roman Stadium
- Wandering through Old Town cobblestone streets to view Roman walls, gates, and buildings
- Exclusive meeting with iconographer artist specializing in religious icons
- Transfer to Dragomir Winery
- Winery tour exploring wine production process from grape to bottle
- Guided tour with knowledgeable oenologist
- Private tasting of Dragomir's wines
Landmarks/POIs Ancient Theatre of Philippopolis Roman Stadium of Philippopolis Kapana District Old Town Plovdiv Dragomir Winery - Day 10
Bachkovo Monastery
Travel to Gela in the Rhodope Mountains, historically considered the birthplace of Orpheus. Visit Bachkovo Monastery, Bulgaria's second-largest, founded in 1083 by Georgian brothers and featuring Byzantine and Bulgarian architecture with original frescoes and icons. Walk through Gela's cobbled streets learning about its Thracian origins and fortress ruins. Later, go on a foraging experience in the Rhodope Mountains with a local expert to find wild mushrooms.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Bachkovo Monastery
- Explore Nativity of the Mother of God Church
- Walking tour through Gela village
- Learn about Thracian fortress ruins
- Foraging experience for wild mushrooms in Rhodope Mountains
Landmarks/POIs Bachkovo Monastery - Day 11
Mountain Village to Kovachevitsa
Drive 50km to Kovachevitsa, about an hour away, and stop at a mountain village along the route. Here you'll meet Maria Jekova, a Bulgarian Masterchef winner who also hosts The Taste of Bulgaria. She'll lead a hands-on cooking class using ingredients from the surrounding forests and mountains while sharing her story of revitalizing this formerly abandoned hamlet. After the class, continue to Kovachevitsa proper to see the well-preserved 18th and 19th century stone houses with wooden details that define the village's character.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Drive to mountain village to meet Maria Jekova
- Hands-on cooking class with Maria Jekova using forest and mountain ingredients
- Exploration of revitalized mountain hamlet
- Visit to Kovachevitsa village
- Exploration of well-preserved 18th-19th century traditional stone houses
Landmarks/POIs Kovachevitsa - Day 12
Leshten to Zornitza Family Estate
Head to the mountain village of Leshten in the morning, taking time to walk around and see the distinctive Kovachev architectural style. Then transfer to Zornitza Family Estate, which will be your base for the next three nights. The estate tour covers the vineyards, winery facilities, olive groves, and estate kitchens, plus the boutique hotel and spa areas. By evening, head to a secret location for an exclusive BBQ dinner featuring premium grilled meats and locally sourced ingredients.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Exclusive BBQ dinner in secret location featuring premium meats and fresh locally sourced ingredients expertly prepared by skilled chefs, with succulent grilled meats and delectable side dishes)
Included Activities
- Visit to Leshten village
- Transfer to Zornitza Family Estate
- Tour of vineyards at Zornitza Family Estate
- Winemaking education from cultivation to finished wine
- Visit to state-of-the-art winery
- Walk through olive groves
- Witness olive harvest and pressing process
- Tour of estate kitchens and farm-to-table culinary realm
- Exploration of boutique hotel and spa
- Exclusive BBQ dinner in secret location featuring premium meats and locally sourced ingredients
Landmarks/POIs Leshten Zornitza Family Estate - Day 13
Melnik and Rozhen Monastery
Drive 30km to Melnik in about 40 minutes, Bulgaria's smallest town. Walk the cobbled streets and see the traditional houses scattered throughout. Visit the Sand Pyramids nearby, natural formations created by erosion that offer panoramic views across the landscape. Have lunch featuring traditional Bulgarian food and local Melnik wine. Then travel 7km to Rozhen Monastery (15 minutes) to visit the Nativity of the Mother of God Church and see the remarkable frescoes and icons inside. Head back to Zornitza for the afternoon where you can relax and use the spa facilities. Before dinner, join a pre-dinner reception drink at Aya Estate, then sit down for the Chef's Tasting Menu with wine pairings.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch at local restaurant in Melnik featuring traditional Bulgarian cuisine with modern twist; regional specialties including local cheeses, grilled meats, and fresh salads paired with renowned Melnik wine), Dinner (Chef's Tasting Menu at Zornitza curated by talented chefs featuring symphony of flavours in sequence of courses, highlighting freshness of locally sourced ingredients with thoughtfully curated wine pairing experience by knowledgeable sommeliers)
Included Activities
- Drive to Melnik
- Walking tour through Melnik's cobbled streets
- Exploration of traditional Bulgarian houses
- Visit to Sand Pyramids natural formations
- Leisurely walk around Sand Pyramids viewing unique wind and water-sculpted shapes
- Panoramic viewpoints of surrounding landscapes
- Lunch at local restaurant in Melnik featuring traditional Bulgarian cuisine with modern twist
- Regional specialties including local cheeses, grilled meats, and fresh salads paired with Melnik wine
- Transfer to Rozhen Monastery
- Exploration of Rozhen Monastery complex
- Visit to Nativity of the Mother of God Church with remarkable frescoes and icons
- Viewing of Pirin Mountains panoramic views
- Return to Zornitza accommodation
- Afternoon leisure time at Zornitza spa and facilities
- Pre-dinner reception drink at Aya Estate with Zornitza wine or cocktail
- Dinner at Zornitza featuring Chef's Tasting Menu with thoughtfully curated wine pairings
Optional Activities
- Visit to Kordopulov House (18th-century mansion) - paid locally
Landmarks/POIs Melnik Sand Pyramids of Melnik Kordopulov House Rozhen Monastery Nativity of the Mother of God Church Pirin Mountains - Day 14
Zornitza Estate
The day is completely yours to relax and enjoy Zornitza's spa and facilities however you like.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Spa treatments at Zornitza (paid locally)
- Day 15
Sofia
After a morning at leisure, you'll head to Rila Monastery, founded in the 10th century by St. Ivan of Rila. This UNESCO-listed site blends different architectural styles including Bulgarian Renaissance elements. The main church has vibrant frescoes with biblical scenes and a beautiful iconostasis with gilded altar. Later you'll continue to Sofia and check into your hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Visit Rila Monastery
- Explore main church with frescoes and iconostasis
Landmarks/POIs Rila Monastery - Day 16
Sofia Departure
You'll have breakfast at the hotel and free time until your transfer to the airport for your onward flight.
- Meals
- Breakfast
