Itinerary
- Day 1
Budapest to Timisoara
Meet your guide in Budapest and head into Romania by crossing the border at Arad. You'll take a walking tour through Arad's main architectural sites including City Hall Palace, Palace of Culture, Red Church, and State Theatre. From there, continue on to Timisoara, a city with Turkish and Austro-Hungarian influences layered throughout. Check into your centrally located hotel for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Walking tour of Arad city center
- Walking tour of Timisoara
Optional Activities
- Lunch at local restaurant in Arad
Landmarks/POIs City Hall Palace Palace of Culture Red Church Roman Catholic Church State Theatre - Day 2
Alba Iulia - Sibiu
Start your day at Corvin Castle, one of Europe's largest Gothic castles with layers of historical legends. Next, head to Alba Iulia to walk through the Old Town where Romania's unification treaty was signed back in 1918. Later you'll arrive in Sibiu, known for its cultural significance and designation as European Capital of Culture in 2007. After a guided walking tour, settle into your hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Entrance to Corvin Castle
- City tour of Alba Iulia
- Guided walking tour of Sibiu
Landmarks/POIs Corvin Castle - Day 3
Sighisoara - Brasov
Travel to Sighisoara, a medieval town with historic streets and the birthplace of Vlad Dracula in 1431. You'll take a guided walking tour through the old town. After that, continue on to Brasov, one of Romania's well-loved cities, for another walking tour of the Old Town area. The Black Church and historic city gates are key stops on your route.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided walking tour of Sighisoara
Optional Activities
- Walking tour of Brasov Old Town
Landmarks/POIs Sighisoara Medieval Town Black Church - Day 4
Bran - Sinaia - Bucharest
This morning you'll visit Bran Castle, the 14th-century fortress with strong Dracula connections, and learn about Vlad Dracula's actual history. Head to Sinaia afterward to see Peles Castle, a well-preserved 19th-century royal residence. Later you'll continue to Bucharest and check in for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit to Bran Castle
- Visit to Peles Castle
Landmarks/POIs Bran Castle Peles Castle - Day 5
Bucharest
After breakfast, take a guided tour covering Bucharest's highlights like Revolution Square, the Romanian Atheneum, and the Old Town. You'll see Manuc's Inn and the Old Princely Court along the way. Later in the day you'll have free time to relax and walk around on your own before spending another night here.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided city tour of Bucharest with licensed local guide
Landmarks/POIs Revolution Square Romanian Atheneum Manuc's Inn Old Princely Court - Day 6
Veliko Tarnovo - Sofia
After breakfast, transfer to Sofia, Bulgaria's capital. During the drive, you'll stop for lunch in Veliko Tarnovo, once the capital of the former Bulgarian Empire. By evening you'll arrive in Sofia, check into your hotel, and have free time to explore the city at your own pace.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Landmarks/POIs Veliko Tarnovo - Day 7
Skopje
Following breakfast, take a guided tour of Sofia's cultural sites including Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, St. Sofia Basilica, the National Art Gallery, and the Presidential Palace. Then travel to Skopje, North Macedonia's capital, for a comprehensive city tour. You'll see the Kale Fortress, Stone Bridge, Macedonia Square with Alexander the Great's statue, and the Mustafa Pasha Mosque. Spend your evening at the hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided panoramic city tour of Sofia
- Visit to Alexander Nevsky Cathedral
- Comprehensive city tour of Skopje
Landmarks/POIs Alexander Nevsky Cathedral St. Sofia Basilica National Art Gallery Presidential Palace Kale Fortress Stone Bridge Macedonia Square Mustafa Pasha Mosque - Day 8
Matka Canyon - Prizren - Tirana
Start with breakfast before leaving for Tirana. There's an optional stop at Matka Canyon if you're interested in scenic landscapes and a serene lake. Next you'll reach Prizren, Kosovo, to check out Ottoman architecture and cultural highlights like Prizren Castle with panoramic views, Sinan Pasha Mosque, White Drin River, and Sadrvan Square. You can shop for local handicrafts and try traditional cuisine before heading to Tirana for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit to Sadrvan Square
- Visit to Sinan Pasha Mosque
Optional Activities
- Matka Canyon visit - 25 euros per person
Landmarks/POIs Matka Canyon Prizren Castle Sinan Pasha Mosque White Drin River Sadrvan Square - Day 9
Kotor - Dubrovnik
After breakfast, travel through Montenegro and Croatia toward Dubrovnik. You'll stop in Kotor with a local guide to see the medieval Castle of Kotor on the city walls, Triphun Cathedral, Archive Museum, and the Wall of Shame. From there, you'll explore Kotor Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with natural beauty and cultural significance. Spend some free time taking in the views, then continue on to Dubrovnik. Check in and settle for the night in this historic city.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Kotor with local expert
Landmarks/POIs Kotor Castle Triphun Cathedral Archive Museum Wall of Shame Kotor Bay - Day 10
Dubrovnik Departure
After breakfast, self-transfer to the airport for your departure, which marks the end of your Balkan tour.
- Meals
- Breakfast
