Itinerary
- Day 1
Sofia
You'll arrive in Sofia and get settled at your hotel. If you've got time before evening, there's a private guided city tour available that takes you through Alexander Nevski Memorial Cathedral, St. Sofia basilica, Parliament Square, National Theatre, Old City Garden, St. George rotunda, mineral springs, and Ancient Serdica ruins. Afterward, dinner happens at a traditional restaurant where you can try local dishes.
- Meals
- Dinner (3-course menu at traditional restaurant with mineral water)
Included Activities
- Private guided city tour of Sofia (3 hours) - includes Alexander Nevski Memorial Cathedral, St. Sofia basilica, Parliament Square, National Theatre, Old City Garden, St. George rotunda, mineral springs, and ruins of Ancient Serdica
- Dinner at traditional restaurant - 3-course menu with mineral water
Landmarks/POIs Alexander Nevski Memorial Cathedral St. Sofia Basilica Parliament Square National Theatre Old City Garden St. George Rotunda Ancient Serdica - Day 2
Sofia
This day is yours to use however you'd like. You can wander around Sofia on your own schedule, or if your arrival yesterday was late, you can arrange a city tour today instead. Sofia's got a nice mix of ancient heritage and modern city life with Roman ruins scattered throughout, Soviet-era buildings, and lots of cafes to stop at.
Optional Activities
- City tour of Sofia (alternative option if Day 1 arrival was late)
- Day 3
Sofia to Plovdiv
After breakfast, you'll head to Plovdiv by train or coach. The journey takes you to Bulgaria's second-largest city, which has been continuously inhabited for over 8,000 years, making it one of Europe's oldest settlements. Once you arrive, you'll check in at your hotel.
Included Activities
- Train or coach transfer from Sofia to Plovdiv
- Day 4
Plovdiv
The morning includes a half-day guided tour of Old Plovdiv where you'll see the architecture reserve with its colorful national-revival houses, Ancient Theatre ruins, Roman stadium, Djumaya mosque square, and St. Constantine and Helena Church. You'll also walk along the world's longest pedestrian street. The afternoon is free, so you can explore whatever caught your interest or just relax.
Included Activities
- Half-day guided tour of Plovdiv (3 hours) - Old Plovdiv architecture reserve, national-revival houses, Ancient Theatre, Roman stadium, Djumaya mosque square, St. Constantine and Helena Church, pedestrian street
Landmarks/POIs Old Plovdiv Ancient Theatre of Philippopolis Roman Stadium Djumaya Mosque St. Constantine and Helena Church - Day 5
Plovdiv to Veliko Turnovo
You'll take a train from Plovdiv to Veliko Turnovo, with a change at either Stara Zagora or Dubovo/Tulovo. The route travels through the highest and most beautiful section of the Balkan mountains, the same mountains that gave the entire Balkan peninsula its name. Several trains run daily on this route, and you'll check in at your hotel after arriving.
Included Activities
- Train transfer from Plovdiv to Veliko Turnovo (with change at Stara Zagora or Dubovo/Tulovo)
- Day 6
Veliko Turnovo
Your day starts with a guided visit to Tsarevets citadel, which sits on the Royal hill and contains a medieval fortress, the Patriarch's complex, and Baldwin tower. After that, the day is open for you to explore further. You can check out local museums or walk through Samovodska Charshia, the old marketplace that now has workshops, art centers, souvenir shops, a bakery, and a winery. The nearby Arbanassi museum village is also worth the trip if you're interested.
Included Activities
- Guided visit of Tsarevets citadel - Royal hill with medieval fortress, Patriarch's complex, and Baldwin tower (entrance fee included)
Optional Activities
- Independent museum visits
- Walk through Samovodska Charshia - old marketplace with workshops, souvenir and art centers, bakery, and winery
- Visit Arbanassi museum village
Landmarks/POIs Tsarevets Citadel Samovodska Charshia Arbanassi - Day 7
Veliko Turnovo to Bucharest
After breakfast, you'll board a train heading to Bucharest with a stop at Rousse station to change trains. You should arrive in Bucharest around 5:30 PM.
Included Activities
- Train transfer from Veliko Turnovo to Bucharest (with change at Rousse)
