Itinerary
- Day 1
Sofia
You'll arrive in Sofia and get settled at your hotel. Around 3:00 p.m., start exploring Bulgaria's capital with a guided city tour that hits the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Russian Church, and Mosque, plus some distinctive Stalinist architecture. After that, the rest of the evening is free so you can wander around at your own pace and get a feel for the city.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Astoria Grand), Hotel (Ramada Sofia)
Included Activities
- City tour of Sofia including Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Russian Church, Mosque, and Stalinist architecture squares and avenues
Landmarks/POIs Alexander Nevsky Cathedral Russian Church 
- Day 2
Plovdiv
Head south to Bachkovo Monastery, Bulgaria's second most significant monastery from the eleventh century with three churches to explore. From there, continue to Plovdiv for lunch and a tour that includes the Roman Amphitheatre, Old Pharmacy, and Armenian House. You'll get to see how layers of history come together in this ancient city.
- Meals
- Lunch
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Ramada Plovdiv Trimontium), Hotel (Radisson Plovdiv)
Included Activities
- Visit to Bachkovo Monastery with three churches
- Guided tour of Plovdiv
- Admission to Roman Amphitheatre in Plovdiv
- Admission to Old Pharmacy in Plovdiv
- Admission to Armenian House in Plovdiv
Landmarks/POIs Bachkovo Monastery Roman Amphitheatre of Philippopolis Armenian House 
- Day 3
Arbanasi - Veliko Tarnovo
Travel through the Balkan Mountains into the Rose Valley and stop in Kazanlak to see the replica Thracian Tomb and check out rose-based products. Then visit the Shipka Memorial Church, which honors the Russo-Turkish War, and walk through Etar ethnographic museum village. After lunch, see the Nativity Church in Arbanasi with its fortress-like houses before heading to Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria's former capital, where you'll spend the night.
- Meals
- Lunch
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Bolyarski Meridian), Hotel (Panorama), Hotel (Gurko)
Included Activities
- Admission to replica of Thracian Tomb of Kazanlak (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
- Visit to Shipka Memorial Church
- Exploration of Etar ethnographic museum village
- Admission to Nativity Church in Arbanasi
Landmarks/POIs Thracian Tomb of Kazanlak Shipka Memorial Church Etar Nativity Church 
- Day 4
Veliko Tarnovo to Bucharest
Cross into Romania and visit Basarbovski Monastery carved into rock. Later you'll cross the Danube and arrive in Bucharest around 1:00 p.m. A panoramic city tour covers the historic center and the Palace of Parliament. You'll have free time in the afternoon and evening to explore on your own before dinner.
- Meals
- Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Mercure Bucarest City Center), Hotel (Doubletree By Hilton Bucharest Unirii Square), Hotel (Park Inn By Radisson Bucharest)
Included Activities
- Visit to Basarbovski Monastery
- Panoramic tour of Bucharest
- Exploration of historic center of Bucharest
- View of Palace of Parliament
Landmarks/POIs Basarbovski Monastery Palace of Parliament 
- Day 5
Bucharest to Sighisoara
Drive through the Carpathian Mountains and lush forests into Transylvania. In Sinaia, stroll the gardens at Peles and Pelisor Castles. Then see Bran Fortress, known as Dracula's Castle, and continue to Sighisoara, a walled medieval town that's a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Dinner happens at Count Dracula's restaurant in Vlad the Impaler's birthplace, which makes for an interesting evening.
- Meals
- Dinner (Special dinner at Count Dracula's restaurant in Vlad the Impaler's birthplace)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Mercure Binderbubi Sighisoara), Hotel (Doubletree Sighisoara Cavaler)
Included Activities
- Leisurely stroll through gardens of Peles and Pelisor Castles in Sinaia
- Admission to Bran Fortress (Dracula's Castle)
Landmarks/POIs Peles Castle Pelisor Castle Bran Fortress Sighisoara 
- Day 6
Timisoara
Visit a fortified church in Biertan, a UNESCO site built by German-origin people centuries ago. Head to Sibiu to walk its narrow streets and squares, grab lunch, and see why it's an important cultural center. In the afternoon, visit Hunedoara Castle, considered Romania's most beautiful, then continue to Timisoara for evening exploration of its elegant central squares.
- Meals
- Lunch
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Timisoara)
Included Activities
- Admission to fortified church in Biertan
- Exploration of Sibiu with stroll through narrow streets and squares
- Admission to Hunedoara Castle
Landmarks/POIs Church of Biertan Hunedoara Castle 
- Day 7
Timisoara to Belgrade
Cross into Serbia and drive about 3 hours to Belgrade, where the Danube and Sava rivers meet. A panoramic city tour covers the bustling center, parliament, and Kalemegdan Fortress. You'll also visit the Museum of Yugoslavia, which houses Tito's Mausoleum. The afternoon is yours to explore the city however you'd like.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Nobel Palace)
Included Activities
- Panoramic city tour of Belgrade
- Exploration of city center and parliament
- Visit to Kalemegdan Fortress
- Admission to Museum of Yugoslavia with Tito's Mausoleum
Landmarks/POIs Kalemegdan Fortress Museum of Yugoslavia 
- Day 8
Belgrade to Novi Sad
Head to Fruska Gora natural park to see Orthodox monasteries dating to the 12th century. Visit Krusedol and Novo Hopovo Monasteries, both founded by the influential Brankovic family. Continue to Sremski Karlovci from 1308, with neoclassical architecture throughout. Lunch includes wine tasting at a winery and beekeeping museum. End in Novi Sad on the Danube with diverse architecture and Petrovaradin Fortress.
- Meals
- Lunch (Lunch and wine tasting at Winery Živanović)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Sole Mio)
Included Activities
- Visit to Krusedol Monastery in Fruska Gora
- Visit to Novo Hopovo Monastery in Fruska Gora
- Visit to Museum of Beekeeping in Sremski Karlovci
- Lunch and wine tasting at Winery Živanović in Sremski Karlovci
Landmarks/POIs Fruska Gora Krusedol Monastery Novo Hopovo Monastery Sremski Karlovci Petrovaradin Fortress 
- Day 9
Novi Sad to Nis
Travel south and visit Viminacium, a Roman archaeological site that once had 40,000 inhabitants. You'll see Roman roads, temples, streets, plazas, amphitheaters, palaces, hippodromes, and thermal baths. Then visit Manasija Monastery with its 15th-century frescoes. Continue to Nis, Serbia's third-largest city with rich Roman heritage and the birthplace of Constantine the Great.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (New City)
Included Activities
- Admission to archaeological site of Viminacium
- Visit to Manasija Monastery
Landmarks/POIs Viminacium Manasija Monastery - Day 10
Nis to Kraljevo
Visit Žica Orthodox Monastery, the Coronation Church where seven Serbian kings were crowned, dating to the early 13th century. Head to Studenica Monastery, Serbia's largest, founded in 1190 in the mountains. It has impressive wood and plaster work with Byzantine frescoes inside. After lunch, continue to Kraljevo, a charming central Serbian town surrounded by mountains with a beautiful main square and medieval fortress.
- Meals
- Lunch
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Tourist)
Included Activities
- Visit to Žica Orthodox Monastery (Coronation Church)
- Visit to Studenica Monastery
Landmarks/POIs Žica Monastery Studenica Monastery 
- Day 11
Kraljevo to Belgrade
Travel to Ravanica to see its impressive five-domed church monastery. Then head to the village of Topola to explore its history. Visit St. George's Church on Oplenac Hill, founded by King Peter I of Yugoslavia, which serves as the mausoleum of the Serbian and Yugoslav royal house. From there, return to Belgrade.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Nobel Palace)
Included Activities
- Visit to Ravanica Monastery
- Admission to St. George's Church (Mausoleum of Serbian and Yugoslav royal house)
Landmarks/POIs Ravanica Monastery St. George's Church 
- Day 12
Departure
Your tour ends after breakfast. You'll leave with memories from your journey through Bulgaria, Romania, and Serbia.
- Meals
- Breakfast
