Itinerary
- Day 1
Athens
You'll arrive in Athens and head to your hotel to get settled. The afternoon gives you time to rest and pick up tour information at the hotel reception whenever you're ready.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Novotel Athenes), Hotel (President)
- Day 2
Athens
A local guide takes you through Athens this morning, covering the Presidential Mansion, Panathenaic Stadium, National Library, and main squares. You'll also see neighborhoods built for the 2004 Olympics before finishing at the Acropolis. By evening, head to the Plaka neighborhood.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Novotel Athenes), Hotel (President)
Included Activities
- Guided city tour of Athens
- Visit Presidential Mansion
- Visit Panathenaic Stadium
- Visit National Library
- Explore city center squares
- Visit newer post-Olympic neighborhoods
- Evening transfer to Plaka neighborhood
Optional Activities
- Acropolis admission (not included with tour)
- Dinner and Folk Show in Athens - 60 EUR (2 hours, minimum 15 people, includes dinner-tasting with traditional dance performance from different Greek regions)
Landmarks Presidential Mansion Panathenaic Stadium National Library of Greece Acropolis Plaka 
- Day 3
Athens to Kalambaka
Leave early for northern Greece, stopping at Kamena Vourla on the coast, then the historic Thermopylae Mountain Pass. Next comes Kastraki village with valley views and lunch on your own. After that, tour the UNESCO-listed Meteora monasteries (admission included), then dinner in Kalambaka.
- Meals
- Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Divani Meteora), Hotel (Amalia Kalambaca), Hotel (Kosta Famissi)
Included Activities
- Stop at Kamena Vourla
- Visit Thermopylae Mountain Pass
- Stop at Kastraki village
- Explore Meteora UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Admission to one Meteora monastery included
Optional Activities
- Lunch in Kastraki (free time)
Landmarks Kamena Vourla Thermopylae Mountain Pass Kastraki Meteora 
- Day 4
Kalambaka to Sandanski
Head through northern Greece toward the Aegean, stopping in Thessaloniki to explore and grab lunch. Cross into Bulgaria to visit Melnik, a museum town known for wine. End your day in Sandanski, a spa town with historical significance.
- Meals
- Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Pirin Park Hotel)
Included Activities
- Stop in Thessaloniki
- Visit Melnik museum town
Optional Activities
- Lunch in Thessaloniki (free time)
Landmarks Thessaloniki Melnik Sandanski 
- Day 5
Sandanski to Sofia
Start at Rila Monastery, a UNESCO site with fortress-like architecture in forested surroundings. Drive to Sofia, arriving by late morning. Have lunch, then take a guided tour of Bulgaria's capital seeing St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, the Russian Church, the Mosque, and buildings from the Stalinist era. Afternoon is yours to explore.
- Meals
- Lunch
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Ramada Sofia), Hotel (Astoria Grand)
Included Activities
- Visit Rila Monastery (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
- Guided city tour of Sofia
- Visit St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral
- Visit Russian Church
- Visit Mosque
Landmarks Rila Monastery St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral Russian Church 
- Day 6
Sofia to Plovdiv
Visit Bachkovo Monastery in the morning, Bulgaria's second most significant monastery with three churches set in forest. Continue to Plovdiv for included lunch, then tour this old European city, checking out the Roman Amphitheatre, Old Pharmacy, and Armenian House.
- Meals
- Lunch
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Ramada Plovdiv Trimontium), Hotel (Radisson Plovdiv)
Included Activities
- Visit Bachkovo Monastery
- Guided city tour of Plovdiv
- Visit Roman Amphitheatre
- Visit Old Pharmacy
- Visit Armenian House
Landmarks Bachkovo Monastery Roman Amphitheatre Armenian House 
- Day 7
Plovdiv to Veliko Tarnovo
Travel through the Balkan Mountains to the Rose Valley. In Kazanlak, see the Thracian Tomb replica and learn about rose production (admission included). Stop at Shipka Memorial Church honoring the Russo-Turkish War, then Etar ethnographic village. After included lunch, tour Arbanasi's Nativity Church (admission included), an ancient fortress-like trading city. Finish in Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria's former capital.
- Meals
- Lunch
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Bolyarski Meridian), Hotel (Panorama), Hotel (Gurko)
Included Activities
- Visit Kazanlak
- Admission to Thracian Tomb Replica
- Learn about local rose production
- Stop at Shipka Memorial Church
- Explore Etar ethnographic village
- Visit Arbanasi
- Admission to Nativity Church in Arbanasi
Landmarks Kazanlak Thracian Tomb of Kazanlak Shipka Memorial Church Etar Arbanasi Nativity Church Veliko Tarnovo 
- Day 8
Veliko Tarnovo to Bucharest
Travel to Romania, stopping at Basarbovski Monastery, a pilgrimage site carved into rock. Cross into Romania over the Danube River, arriving in Bucharest around 1:00 p.m. Take a panoramic tour of the historic center and the Palace of Parliament, then have free time to explore on your own.
- Meals
- Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Doubletree By Hilton Bucharest Unirii Square), Hotel (Mercure Bucarest City Center), Hotel (Park Inn By Radisson Bucharest)
Included Activities
- Visit Basarbovski Monastery
- Panoramic city tour of Bucharest
- View historic center
- View Palace of Parliament
Landmarks Basarbovski Monastery Palace of Parliament Bucharest Historic Center 
- Day 9
Tour End
After breakfast, your tour ends here, leaving you with lasting memories from your journey through Greece, Bulgaria, and Romania.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast buffet)
