Itinerary
- Day 1
Sofia
You'll get picked up from the airport and head to your hotel to settle in. Around 3:00 p.m., you'll join a city tour that covers Sofia's main sights like Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, the Russian Church, and the Mosque, plus the city's distinctive Soviet-era architecture. The rest of your evening is yours to spend however you'd like.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Astoria Grand), Hotel (Ramada Sofia)
Included Activities
- City tour of Sofia
- Visit Alexander Nevsky Cathedral
- Visit Russian Church
- Visit Mosque
- Explore city squares and avenues with Stalinist architecture
Landmarks Alexander Nevsky Cathedral Russian Church 
- Day 2
Sofia to Plovdiv
This morning you'll travel to Bachkovo Monastery, Bulgaria's second most important monastery from the eleventh century, and walk through its three churches. After that, you'll head to Plovdiv where lunch is included, then take a guided tour of this ancient city with stops at the Roman Amphitheatre, the Old Pharmacy, and the Armenian House.
- Meals
- Lunch
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Ramada Plovdiv Trimontium), Hotel (Radisson Plovdiv)
Included Activities
- Visit Bachkovo Monastery
- City tour of Plovdiv
- Admission to Roman Amphitheatre
- Visit Old Pharmacy
- Visit Armenian House
- Lunch in Plovdiv
Landmarks Bachkovo Monastery Roman Amphitheatre 
- Day 3
Plovdiv to Veliko Tarnovo
You'll drive through the Balkan Mountains toward the Rose Valley, stopping in Kazanlak to see the replica of the Thracian Tomb (UNESCO World Heritage Site) and learn about rose products from the region. Next comes the Shipka Memorial Church, then Etar village with its ethnographic museum. After lunch, you'll visit the Nativity Church in Arbanasi before arriving in Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria's former capital with its medieval center overlooking a canyon.
- Meals
- Lunch
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Bolyarski Meridian), Hotel (Panorama), Hotel (Gurko)
Included Activities
- Travel through Balkan Mountains
- Visit Rose Valley
- Admission to replica of Thracian Tomb of Kazanlak
- Learn about local rose-based products
- Visit Shipka Memorial Church
- Explore Etar village and ethnographic museum
- Admission to Nativity Church in Arbanasi
- Lunch in Etar
Landmarks Thracian Tomb of Kazanlak Shipka Memorial Church Nativity Church 
- Day 4
Veliko Tarnovo to Bucharest
You're heading to Romania, first stopping at Basarbovski Monastery carved into the rock as a pilgrimage site. After crossing the border and the Danube River, you'll reach Bucharest around 1:00 p.m. The afternoon includes a panoramic tour of the historic center and the Palace of Parliament. You'll have free time to wander on your own before dinner, which is included.
- Meals
- Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Mercure Bucarest City Center), Hotel (Doubletree By Hilton Bucharest Unirii Square), Hotel (Park Inn By Radisson Bucharest)
Included Activities
- Visit Basarbovski Monastery
- Panoramic city tour of Bucharest
- Explore historic center
- Visit Palace of Parliament
- Dinner in Bucharest
Landmarks Basarbovski Monastery Palace of Parliament 
- Day 5
Bucharest to Sighisoara
Today takes you through Transylvania with drives through the Carpathian Mountains and forests. In Sinaia, you'll walk around the gardens at Peles and Pelisor Castles. Then you'll visit the 14th-century Bran Fortress (Dracula's Castle) with admission included, continuing to Sighisoara, a walled medieval city and UNESCO site. That evening, there's a special dinner at Count Dracula's restaurant in the house where Vlad the Impaler was born.
- Meals
- Dinner (Special dinner at Count Dracula's restaurant in the house where Vlad the Impaler was born)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Mercure Binderbubi Sighisoara), Hotel (Doubletree Sighisoara Cavaler)
Included Activities
- Travel through Carpathian Mountains
- Stroll through gardens of Peles and Pelisor Castles
- Admission to Bran Fortress
- Visit Sighisoara medieval city
- Dinner at Count Dracula's restaurant
Landmarks Peles Castle Pelisor Castle Bran Fortress 
- Day 6
Sighisoara to Timisoara
You'll check out Transylvania's fortified churches, including one in Biertan (UNESCO site, admission included). From there, you'll head to Sibiu, a major cultural center that was once Transylvania's capital, where you can walk narrow streets and squares with time for lunch. In the afternoon, you'll see Hunedoara Castle (admission included), considered Romania's most beautiful castle. After that, you'll continue to Timisoara with time to explore its elegant central squares.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Timisoara)
Included Activities
- Visit fortified church in Biertan
- City exploration in Sibiu
- Admission to Hunedoara Castle
- Explore Timisoara's central squares
Landmarks Biertan Fortified Church Hunedoara Castle 
- Day 7
Timisoara to Belgrade
You're crossing into Serbia for about a 3-hour drive to Belgrade. In this lively capital where the Danube and Sava rivers meet, you'll take a panoramic tour covering the bustling center, parliament, and Kalemegdan Fortress. You'll also visit the Museum of Yugoslavia where Tito's Mausoleum is located. The afternoon is free for you to explore at your own pace.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Nobel Palace)
Included Activities
- Panoramic city tour of Belgrade
- Explore city center
- Visit Kalemegdan Fortress
- Visit Museum of Yugoslavia
Landmarks Kalemegdan Fortress Museum of Yugoslavia 
- Day 8
Belgrade to Sarajevo
You'll travel through the Vojvodina region, stopping first in Sremska Mitrovica, a city with a nice historic center along the Sava River. This was once a key Roman location and capital of Pannonia province, and you'll visit the grounds of the Imperial Palace of Sirmium (admission included). Next comes Zvornik, one of Bosnia's oldest cities on the river border with Serbia, then the drive continues through beautiful landscapes to Sarajevo, arriving in the evening. You'll explore the charming historic bazaar with its old Ottoman market, architecture, and traditional shops. Dinner is included.
- Meals
- Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hollywood), Hotel (Ibis Styles Sarajevo), Hotel (Randon Plaza), Hotel (Spa Hotel Terme)
Included Activities
- Visit Sremska Mitrovica
- Admission to Imperial Palace of Sirmium grounds
- Visit Zvornik
- Explore Sarajevo historic bazaar
- Dinner in Sarajevo
Landmarks Imperial Palace of Sirmium 
- Day 9
Sarajevo to Dubrovnik
You'll have a guided tour in Sarajevo, called the 'Jerusalem of Europe' because of its religious diversity. You'll see mosques, churches, and synagogues showing how different religions coexist, plus the old town with strong Ottoman influence, a mosque over 500 years old, and a beautiful fountain. Then you'll travel through gorgeous landscapes to Mostar with its historic center and iconic stone bridge separating different communities. After lunch and a stroll, you'll cross into Croatia (border can take time) and arrive in Dubrovnik by evening with included dinner.
- Meals
- Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Lero), Hotel (Royal Neptun), Hotel (Valamar Lacroma)
Included Activities
- Guided sightseeing tour of Sarajevo
- Explore mosques, churches, and synagogues
- Visit old town Ottoman areas
- Visit Mostar
- Explore Mostar historic center
- See Mostar stone bridge
- Dinner in Dubrovnik
Landmarks Stari Most 
- Day 10
Dubrovnik
A local guide will take you on a panoramic tour of Dubrovnik in the morning. This city sits on a cliff surrounded by walls and the Adriatic Sea, with a historic center that's recognized as world architectural heritage. You'll get a nice view from a scenic viewpoint. Your tour includes tickets to the Franciscan Monastery (which has Europe's oldest pharmacy) and the Assumption Cathedral. Later, you'll take a boat to Lokrum, a small island 15 minutes away with eleventh-century Benedictine monastery ruins and Game of Thrones filming locations. You'll have free time to explore before returning to your hotel in the late afternoon. Dinner is included.
- Meals
- Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Lero), Hotel (Royal Neptun), Hotel (Valamar Lacroma)
Included Activities
- Panoramic tour of Dubrovnik
- Scenic viewpoint visit
- Admission to Franciscan Monastery
- Admission to Assumption Cathedral
- Dinner in Dubrovnik
Optional Activities
- Boat trip to Lokrum island
Landmarks Franciscan Monastery Assumption Cathedral Lokrum Island 
- Day 11
Dubrovnik to Split
You'll travel along the Croatian coastline with nice seascapes and islands in view. Your first stop is Ston, a picturesque town with one of the world's longest walls. You'll continue through beautiful landscapes and cross the impressive Pelje\u0161ac Bridge over the sea. By midday you'll reach Split for a guided tour that includes admission to Diocletian's Palace. You can explore this vast Roman palace with its labyrinthine streets and sea views. Dinner is included.
- Meals
- Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Salona Palace), Hotel (Mondo), Hotel (Amphora), Hotel (President)
Included Activities
- Travel along Croatian coastline
- Visit Ston
- Cross Pelje\u0161ac Bridge
- City tour of Split
- Admission to Diocletian's Palace
- Dinner in Split
Landmarks Diocletian's Palace 
- Day 12
Split to Opatija
You're heading to Croatia's interior through hilly landscapes until you reach Plitvice Lakes National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here you'll see lakes and waterfalls, walk scenic trails, or take a boat ride. Tickets are included for either a boat or train ride. After lunch, you'll head back toward the coast traveling north. When you reach Opatija, dinner is included and you'll settle into this charming resort town known for its nice atmosphere.
- Meals
- Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Bristol), Hotel (Grand Adriatic), Hotel (Agava), Hotel (Astoria)
Included Activities
- Visit Plitvice Lakes National Park
- Scenic trails in Plitvice Lakes
- Choice of boat ride or train ride in Plitvice Lakes
- Dinner in Opatija
Landmarks Plitvice Lakes National Park 
- Day 13
Opatija to Ljubljana
You're traveling to Slovenia with your first stop at Postojna Cave, one of the world's largest caves, which you'll partially tour by train. Next is Bled, a picturesque town on the shore of Lake Bled. You'll take a boat to reach the island where the monastery's bell tower stands at the foot of a medieval castle. Then you'll continue to Ljubljana, Slovenia's capital, for a guided tour of this charming Central European city. Dinner is included.
- Meals
- Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Exe Lev), Hotel (Bb Ljubljana Park), Hotel (Park Ljubljana-urban Green)
Included Activities
- Visit Postojna Cave
- Boat trip on Lake Bled
- Guided tour of Ljubljana
- Dinner in Ljubljana
Landmarks Postojna Cave Lake Bled 
- Day 14
Ljubljana to Venice
You'll have free time in the morning to explore Ljubljana's charming center at your own pace. In the afternoon, you'll head toward the Adriatic Sea and cross the border into Italy. You'll arrive in Venice in the evening and stay in the Mestre district.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Elite), Hotel (Smart Holiday)
Optional Activities
- Explore Ljubljana city center
- Day 15
Venice
In the morning, you'll get a boat transfer to Venice, a city built on over 100 islands connected by more than 400 bridges. The boat drops you at St. Mark's area. You'll do a guided walking tour with a local guide through the city of canals (included). After that, you'll have free time to explore on your own. In the afternoon, there's an optional gondola ride available along the canals if you'd like.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Elite), Hotel (Smart Holiday)
Included Activities
- Boat transfer to Venice
- Walking tour of Venice
Optional Activities
- Gondola ride along Venice canals (40 EUR for 20 minutes)
Landmarks St. Mark's Square 
- Day 16
Tour End
After breakfast, your trip comes to an end, leaving you with wonderful lasting memories of your journey through Eastern Europe.
- Meals
- Breakfast
