Grand Tour of Romania, Serbia and Bulgaria
Description
Summary
Description
Embark on a captivating 15-day journey through the heart of Eastern Europe, exploring the rich history, diverse culture, and stunning landscapes of Romania, Serbia, and Bulgaria. This multi-day tour offers a unique blend of urban exploration and countryside adventure, taking you from bustling city centers to serene mountain peaks. Discover Romania's vibrant capital, Bucharest, and the 'Paris of Eastern Europe', Serbia's historic Belgrade, and Bulgaria's ancient city of Sofia. Visit iconic attractions like Bran Castle, the Palace of Parliament, and Rila Monastery, and immerse yourself in local culture and cuisine. Whether you're a history buff, a nature lover, or a foodie, this tour has something for everyone.
Included
A key facet of our responsible approach to tourism is that we encourage our groups to eat in local restaurants that prepare locally grown food. We give customers choice as to their meals and do not use rather bland and impersonal hotel restaurants or all- inclusive options
14 Breakfasts
1 Dinners
vegetarian, meat
Bus
1 nights standard guesthouse
11 nights standard hotel
2 nights simple hotel
Our comfortable, mid- range accommodation offers a good level of service, often with amenities such as, restaurant, bar, garden or swimming pool. Rooms generally have en-suite facilities.
Tour Leaders are quite simply the glue that holds our tours together. They are chosen for their travel experience and people skills and are thoroughly trained by Explore, widely acknowledged as some of the best training in the industry. A Tour Leader's ultimate aim is to ensure everyone is well looked after and have a fantastic trip. They are there to ensure that the tour logistics run smoothly, that health and safety is adhered to and provide comprehensive briefings at the beginning and throughout the tour.
All accommodation, activities and meals that are shown in the itinerary are included in the total cost of your trip You will also receive a complimentary transfer to and from the airport if you arrive on day 1 of the trip and depart on the last day and have provided your international flight information.
Map
Attractions
Museum of Yugoslavia
Varna Zoo
Peleș Castle
"Dimitrie Gusti" National Village Museum
The Museum of Bucharest
"The First Romanian School" Museum
Muzeul Naţional Brukenthal
National Museum of Romanian History
Romanian Athenaeum
Bran Castle
Black Church
Dormition of the Theotokos Cathedral
Skull Tower
Belgrade Fortress
Palace of the Parliament
Shipka Memorial ChurchDaily Itinerary
Day 1 – Day 1: Arrival in Bucharest
- Bucharest - Arrival day
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- National Museum of Romanian History
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Welcome to Bucharest, Romania's vibrant capital city. After settling into your hotel, join your tour leader for a welcome meeting at 6 pm. If you arrive early, take the opportunity to explore the city's Old Town or visit one of the many museums, such as the National Museum of Romanian History. In the evening, you're free to sample local cuisine at a nearby restaurant.
Day 2 – Day 2: Exploring Bucharest and Transylvania
- Bucharest
- Bran
- Sinaia
- Moroeni
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- Peleș Castle
- "Dimitrie Gusti" National Village Museum
- The Museum of Bucharest
- Romanian Athenaeum
- Bran Castle
- Palace of the Parliament
- More
Today, we delve into the heart of Romania's capital, Bucharest, exploring its blend of turn-of-the-century elegance and communist excess. Visit the Romanian Atheneum, the Royal Palace, and the controversial Palace of Parliament. Later, we head to the countryside, stopping at Sinaia to visit the stunning Peles Castle. Our journey continues to Bran Castle, famously associated with Count Dracula. We end our day in the quaint village of Moieciu, where we enjoy a home-cooked meal at a local guesthouse.
Day 3 – Day 3: Brasov and Sibiu
- Sibiu
- Moroeni
- Brasov
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- "The First Romanian School" Museum
- Muzeul Naţional Brukenthal
- Black Church
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Our journey continues to Brasov, a city rich in centuries-old buildings and churches. Explore the City Square, the narrow Rope Street, and the magnificent 15th-century Gothic cathedral. In the afternoon, we head to Sibiu, a city known for its rich history and vibrant food scene. Our trip leader will guide us through the city's backstreets and ramparts, past the first hospital and pharmacy in Romania, and to Liar's Bridge. The evening is yours to explore the city's culinary delights.
Day 4 – Day 4: Corvin Castle and Orsova
- Orșova
- Sibiu
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Today, we visit the Gothic Corvin Castle, known for its red-roofed turrets and vaulted ceilings. Learn about its history and the legends that surround it. Later, we drive to Orsova, located beside the Danube River. Here, we see the gigantic statue of King Decebalus, a Romanian folk hero, carved into the rocky river gorge. If you wish, join a boat trip on the Iron Gates Gorge for a closer look at this impressive monument.
Day 5 – Day 5: Viminacium and Belgrade
- Belgrade
- Orșova
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- Museum of Yugoslavia
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We leave Romania and cross the border into Serbia, heading to the ancient Roman city and military fort at Viminacium. A local guide will explain the city's history, from its prosperity during the reign of Hadrian to its decline in the 6th century. In the afternoon, we drive to Serbia's capital, Belgrade, where we'll see the Ruins of the Yugoslav Army Headquarters before checking into our hotel. The evening is yours to explore the city and sample Serbian cuisine.
Day 6 – Day 6: Novi Sad and Belgrade
- Novi Sad
- Belgrade
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- Belgrade Fortress
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Today, we drive to Novi Sad, Serbia's second-largest city. Enjoy a walking tour of the city, ending at the Petrovaradin Fortress. After lunch, we return to Belgrade for a walking tour that takes us from the Belgrade Fortress to the Main Square. The rest of the day is yours to explore the city at your own pace.
Day 7 – Day 7: Devil's Town and Nis
- Niš
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- Skull Tower
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We drive south to Devil's Town, known for its towering rock formations. After a picnic lunch, we drive to Nis, stopping en route at Bubanj Memorial Park to learn about the city's history during World War II. In Nis, we take a walking tour to see Tito's Memorial, the Ottoman Citadel, and the Skull Tower. The rest of the day is yours to explore the city's vibrant music scene and sophisticated cocktail bars.
Day 8 – Day 8: Sofia
- Sofia
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We leave Serbia and drive to Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria. Sofia is a city of contrasts, with ancient onion-domed churches, Ottoman mosques, Roman ruins, and old Soviet monuments. We visit the Monument to the Soviet Army and the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral. The rest of the day is yours to explore Sofia's wealth of museums, art galleries, cafes, and restaurants.
Day 9 – Day 9: Rila Monastery
- Rila
- Sofia
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Today, we visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Rila Monastery, an important religious and cultural centre for the Bulgarian people. Explore the monastery's stunning frescoes and distinctive striped brickwork. Afterward, we return to Sofia, where you have a free afternoon to explore more of the city.
Day 10 – Day 10: Plovdiv and Kazanlak
- Plovdiv
- Kazanlak
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We drive to Plovdiv, an ancient city built on seven hills. Explore the city's main highlights, including the well-preserved Roman Theatre of Philipoppol. After lunch, we drive to Kazanlak in the Rose Valley, famous for its rose oil production. Visit the Rose Museum and the Thracian Tomb of Kazanlak before checking into our hotel for the night.
Day 11 – Day 11: Shipka Memorial Church and Veliko Tarnovo
- Veliko Tarnovo
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- Shipka Memorial Church
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Today, we visit the Shipka Memorial Church, dedicated to the Russian soldiers who died during the Russo-Turkish War. We then head to the Etar Open Air Museum, showcasing Bulgarian customs and craftsmanship. Our journey continues to Veliko Tarnovo, one of Bulgaria's oldest towns. Here, we visit the mighty Tsarevets Fortress and the handicraft market, Samovodska Charshiya.
Day 12 – Day 12: Varna and Balchik
- Varna
- Balchik
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- Varna Zoo
- Dormition of the Theotokos Cathedral
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We drive to Varna on the Black Sea coastline. Explore the city's main sights, including the ancient Roman Baths of Odessos and the Dormition of the Mother of God Cathedral. In the afternoon, we drive to Balchik, where we visit the summer residence of Queen Marie of Romania and the surrounding botanical gardens. We spend the next two nights in rooms in the old villas that formed part of the Black Sea Summer Palace.
Day 13 – Day 13: Kaliakra Fortress and Balchik
- Balchik
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Today, we explore the Black Sea coast, starting with a visit to Kaliakra Fortress. Afterward, we take an easy walk along the cliffs that line the shore, enjoying the sea views. In the afternoon, we return to Balchik and visit Balchik Palace and the botanical gardens. The rest of the day is yours to relax on the beach or explore more of the gardens.
Day 14 – Day 14: Return to Bucharest
- Bucharest
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- National Museum of Romanian History
- Palace of the Parliament
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We leave Bulgaria and cross back over the border to Bucharest in Romania. After checking into our hotel, the rest of the afternoon is free for you to unwind and explore Bucharest at your own pace. There's plenty to discover in the city's Old Town or a multitude of museums available to choose from.
Day 15 – Day 15: Departure from Bucharest
- Bucharest - Departure day
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Our captivating journey through Eastern Europe comes to an end. After breakfast at our hotel in Bucharest, you are free to depart at any time. If your flight is departing later in the day, luggage storage facilities are available at our hotel.
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