Itinerary
- Day 1
Budapest
You'll arrive in Budapest and have a welcome meeting at 6 pm. After that, the evening is yours to wander around the city and take in the nighttime atmosphere with all the lights. The Jewish Quarter is a good spot for dinner if you're hungry, and there are plenty of bars nearby if you want to grab a celebratory drink with the group.
Optional Activities
- Explore Budapest by night
- Visit the Jewish Quarter for dinner
- Nightlife and bars
- Day 2
Budapest to Eger
A train heads east toward Eger, a well-preserved Baroque town with hills and vineyards surrounding it. You'll visit wine cellars in the Valley of the Beautiful Women to try the famous Bull's Blood red wine. If you have free time, Eger's got a 13th-century castle, Gothic Palace, underground passageways, a 19th-century cathedral, a medieval minaret, and a Minorite church all worth checking out.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Wine sampling in Valley of the Beautiful Women (Bull's Blood red wine)
Optional Activities
- Eger Castle exploration
- Gothic Palace visit
- Underground passageways tour
- 19th-century cathedral visit
- Medieval minaret visit for city views
- Minorite church in Dobo Square visit
Landmarks/POIs Eger Castle Valley of the Beautiful Women Minaret of Eger Cathedral of Eger Minorite Church - Day 3
Eger to Debrecen to Maramures
The day starts with heading to Debrecen to see Deri Square with its fountains and colorful buildings, plus some museums and the golden Great Church. From there, you'll travel by train and private vehicle across the central plains into Romania's Maramures region. You'll settle into a family-run pension and have a home-cooked dinner with your group while meeting the locals.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Homecooked dinner with group and locals)
Included Activities
- Explore Deri Square in Debrecen
- Family-run pension homecooked dinner
Landmarks/POIs Deri Square Great Church of Debrecen - Day 4
Maramures
A local guide takes you around Maramures to see the region's traditions and folklore. The Merry Cemetery in Sapanta is the main stop, where you'll see colorful wooden crosses carved with stories of the deceased. After that, you'll walk through traditional villages and check out the village museum in Sighetu with its beautiful local wooden architecture.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided group tour of Maramures region
- Merry Cemetery in Sapanta visit
- Village museum in Sighetu visit
Landmarks/POIs Merry Cemetery (Cimitirul Vesel) Sighetu Village Museum Barsana Monastery - Day 5
Maramures to Sighisoara
You'll drive to Sighisoara, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with a long history that started with Romans and grew under Saxons from the 12th century onward. The old town sits on a narrow hill with fortified walls, and there's a 64-meter-high clock tower to explore. The town is known as Vlad the Impaler's birthplace, and Casa Dracula is an option if you want dinner there.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Explore old town of Sighisoara
- Visit the clock tower
- Traditional Romanian dinner at Casa Dracula
Landmarks/POIs Sighisoara Clock Tower Church of the Dominican Monastery Church on the Hill - Day 6
Sighisoara to Viscri
A short drive takes you to Viscri, a small Transylvanian village originally settled by Saxons and barely changed over 900 years. You'll see the fortified church, believed to be Transylvania's oldest. If there's time, a horse cart ride through pastures and woods is possible. Evening brings a home-cooked dinner from a local family, and you'll sleep in rustic houses rented by locals.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Home-cooked dinner with fresh produce, homemade wines and schnapps)
Included Activities
- Viscri Fortified Church visit
- Home-cooked dinner prepared by local family
Optional Activities
- Horse cart ride through the area
Landmarks/POIs Viscri Fortified Church - Day 7
Viscri to Brasov
Bran Castle sits on a high cliff surrounded by pine trees, and you'll explore it with your leader and group for some good photo opportunities. After that, you'll head to Brasov where there's free time to see the ornate churches, townhouses, and squares with their gingerbread-roofed merchants' houses. The town has funky bars and restaurants if you're looking for nightlife.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Bran Castle tour with leader and group
Optional Activities
- Explore Brasov churches
- Explore Brasov squares and townhouses
- Nightlife and restaurants in Brasov
Landmarks/POIs Bran Castle Black Church (Biserica Neagra) - Day 8
Brasov
You have the full day in Brasov to do whatever you like. Walk around the pedestrianized Strada Republicii, take a cable car up to Mt Tampa, or head to the nearby Rasnov Fortress on a rocky hilltop. The gothic Black Church is worth seeing, or you could just find a good spot to eat and watch the people go by.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Explore Strada Republicii (pedestrianized street)
- Cable car ride to Mt Tampa
- Rasnov Fortress visit
- Black Church visit
- Local dining and people-watching
Landmarks/POIs Mt Tampa Rasnov Fortress - Day 9
Brasov to Bucharest
A train takes you south to Bucharest, a city known more and more for its cosmopolitan energy. You'll see art nouveau buildings, ancient churches and monasteries, parks, lakes, and elegant boulevards. There's a guided walking tour to help you get oriented, then the rest of the day is free so you can explore further or hunt for traditional home-cooked Romanian food with other travelers.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided walking tour of main sights in Bucharest
Optional Activities
- Explore art nouveau buildings
- Visit churches and monasteries
- Traditional home-cooked Romanian food
Landmarks/POIs Palace of Parliament Central Market Hall - Day 10
Bucharest
Another free day in Bucharest to explore at your own pace. You could join an Urban Adventures Bohemian Bucharest Markets tour, visit the Former Ceausescu Residence, or learn about the region's history on a Palace of Parliament tour. Later, head out for a drink or dinner and get to know any new people joining the group.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Urban Adventures Bohemian Bucharest Markets and Mahallas Tour
- Former Ceausescu Residence visit
- Palace of Parliament Tour
- Bike Tour
- Village Museum visit
- Romanian Athenaeum visit
- National History Museum visit
- National Archaeological Museum visit
- National Art Gallery visit
- Dinner or drinks with group
- Day 11
Bucharest to Veliko Tarnovo
You'll cross the Friendship Bridge into Bulgaria and travel to Veliko Tarnovo, a town founded in 4500 BC by Neolithic people. Your leader will give you an orientation walk that finishes in the Old Town at a family-owned place. A local chef guides you through an interactive experience about Bulgarian cheese and wine making, with truffle cheese, cold cuts, and locally produced premium wine on the menu.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Authentic interactive experience showcasing Bulgarian cheese and wine making history)
Included Activities
- Orientation walk in Veliko Tarnovo
- Authentic interactive cheese and wine workshop with local chef
Landmarks/POIs Tsarevets Hill - Day 12
Veliko Tarnovo
The morning focuses on Tsarevets Fortress overlooking the city, built in the 7th century with ruined parts that are great for wandering around. The rest of Veliko Tarnovo is free for you to explore. The Old Quarter has preserved Renaissance houses and handicraft workshops, or you could just relax at one of the town's cafes or wine bars.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Tsarevets Fortress visit
Optional Activities
- Old Quarter exploration with Renaissance houses
- Handicraft workshops visit
- Cafes or vinarnas (wine bars) visit
Landmarks/POIs Tsarevets Fortress - Day 13
Veliko Tarnovo to Sofia
A public bus takes you to Sofia, Bulgaria's cosmopolitan capital with wide tree-lined boulevards and parks. On the way, you'll stop at Kazanlak Valley, famous for Damascena roses used in rose oil production. Etno Village is an open-air museum showing Bulgarian culture from the 18th and 19th centuries. You'll visit a family rose distillery to learn about production, then see the Thracian Tombs, a UNESCO site with well-preserved murals, before heading to Sofia for the next two nights.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Etno Village visit (open-air museum)
- Family Rose Distillery visit and learning experience
- Thracian Tombs visit (UNESCO World Heritage site)
Optional Activities
- Kazanlak Valley exploration
Landmarks/POIs Kazanlak Valley (Valley of Roses) Etno Village Thracian Tombs - Day 14
Sofia
A free day in Sofia to explore however you like. The Central Market Hall has cured meats and cheese, and walking through the city brings you to the gold-domed Alexander Nevski Church. This afternoon, check out the National History Museum, browse artifacts at the National Archaeological Museum, or spend a couple of hours looking at local art in the National Art Gallery.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Central Market Hall browse
- Alexander Nevski Church visit
- National History Museum visit
- National Archaeological Museum visit
- National Art Gallery visit
Landmarks/POIs Alexander Nevski Church Central Market Hall - Day 15
Sofia to Bansko
You'll head into the Rila Mountains to visit Rila Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage site in a valley and Bulgaria's largest and holiest orthodox monastery. Inside you'll see murals, the 14th-century Hrelyo Tower, the five-domed Birth of the Blessed Virgin Church, and the original 19th-century kitchen. After that, you'll continue to Bansko at the base of the Pirin Mountains, where the Vazrazhdane neighborhood has churches and taverns to check out. Try local dishes like filet elena or kapama with melnik dark red wine.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Local cuisine including filet elena (spicy cured meat) or kapama (simmered meat, rice and sauerkraut) with melnik dark red wine)
Included Activities
- Rila Monastery visit
Optional Activities
- Explore Bansko churches
- Explore Bansko taverns (mehanes)
- Local cuisine dining experience
Landmarks/POIs Rila Monastery Church of Sveta Troitsa - Day 16
Bansko to Plovdiv
You'll drive to Vihren Chalet to start a hike in the Pirin Mountains toward Okoto Lake with panoramic views, and you might spot Mt Vihren, the range's highest peak. From there, it's either Banderitsko Lake or stay in Bansko for the thermal baths. Later, board Bulgaria's only operational narrow-gauge railway for a scenic ride, then continue to Plovdiv on the Maritsa River. Evening means wandering the bustling streets and trying grilled meats and vegetables on skewers.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Pirin Mountains hike to Okoto Lake
- Rhodope Narrow-Gauge Railway ride
Optional Activities
- Continue hike to Banderitsko Lake
- Bansko thermal baths visit
- Local grilled meats and vegetables
Landmarks/POIs Okoto Lake Mt Vihren Banderitsko Lake - Day 17
Plovdiv
A local guide takes you through Plovdiv's main sights, starting with the remarkable ancient Roman theatre discovered after a landslide in the early 1970s. Built in the 2nd century BC during Trajanus' reign, it holds about 6000 people and is still in use today. You'll climb up to Nebet Tepe's hilltop fortress ruins for city views, then visit the 15th-century Dzhumaya Mosque. The afternoon is free to wander the street art and cafes of Kapana Creative District or visit the Ethnographic Museum.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Plovdiv walking tour with local guide
- Ancient Roman theatre visit
- Nebet Tepe fortress ruins visit
- Dzhumaya Mosque visit
Optional Activities
- Kapana Creative District exploration
- Ethnographic Museum visit
Landmarks/POIs Ancient Roman Theatre of Plovdiv Nebet Tepe Dzhumaya Mosque - Day 18
Plovdiv to Istanbul
A long travel day takes you from Europe to Asia. Grab a window seat if you can and watch the landscape change, or read if you prefer. You'll travel like locals do, on a bus along the Tsarigrad Road heading to Istanbul. After arriving in this city that straddles two continents with history from Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, and Ottomans, you'll have free time to settle in. Consider dinner with the group and a real Turkish kebab.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Settle into accommodation
- Dinner with group
- Turkish kebab experience
- Day 19
Istanbul
Your tour ends here with no further activities scheduled. You're free to explore Istanbul at your own pace or just relax. If you'd like to stay longer in Istanbul, contact your booking agent beforehand to arrange an extension.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Self-guided exploration of Istanbul
