Day 3: Sofia - Plovdiv - Veliko Tarnovo
Leaving Sofia behind, we head toward the second largest city in Bulgaria, Plovdiv. This is a city with an ancient history. During our city tour we will see the Roman Forum and the stadium, as well as the Roman amphitheater. We will walk through the cobbled streets of the small and ancient city surrounded by houses and beautiful churches. After the visit we will cross the Balkan Mountains through the historic Shipka Pass, which played a key role in the Russian-Turkish War for the Liberation of Bulgaria. Arrival in Veliko Tarnovo, the medieval capital of Bulgaria.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 4: Veliko Tarnovo - Arbanassi - Baile Govora
In the morning, panoramic visit of the city of Veliko Tarnovo with a walk to Tsarevets, where the kings of Bulgaria once lived. We will walk along the oldest street in the city called Samovodska Charshia. We will proceed to Arbanassi, a small village in Bulgaria located 4km from Veliko Tarnovo, known for its interesting architecture. In the village, we can see the Konstancalieva house and the Church of the Nativity, whose wall paintings are a work of art. Then we head to the mountain resort of Baile Govora (long transfer).
Meals: Breakfast
Day 5: Baile Govora - Cozia - Sibiu
Head to Cozia for a visit of the Byzantine style Cozia Monastery. A model of harmonious proportions, the main church is richly decorated with frescoes dating back to 1390. Then we cross the Olt Valley into Transylvania. In the afternoon we take a panoramic walk through the city of Sibiu. Sibiu is one of the most important cultural centres of Romania and bears a strong resemblance to a southern German or Austrian town. The old city centre has retained a largely Saxon aspect and managed to fuse the Middle Ages with the new.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 6: Sibiu - Sighisoara - Targu Mures
Today, we travel first to the picturesque city of Sighisoara, the birthplace of Vlad Dracula. It is the only inhabited fortified citadel in Romania and is an enchanting city of sloping roofs, pastel facades and cobbled streets. We continue to Targu Mures.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 7: Targu Mures - Piatra Neamt
Targu Mures remains a noticeably Hungarian town. Dating back at least to the 14th century it has long been an important commercial and academic centre. After the visit that includes the Palace of Culture, we continue to Piatra Neamt through the Bicaz Gorge, the largest gorge in Romania, admiring the beauty of the landscape, the Red Lake and its hill station.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 8: Piatra Neamt - Bucovina - Piatra Neamt
Depart for the Bucovina region to visit its monasteries, the most representative monuments of Moldovan art. Declared a World Heritage Site, these monasteries are one of the most important legacies of Byzantine art in the world, in which their brightly coloured interior and exterior fresco paintings stand out. Visit of the Monasteries of Sucevita and the black pottery workshops of Marginea. In the afternoon visit the Voronet Monastery, considered the best architectural and pictorial example in the region, called the "Sistine Chapel" in the East. Return to Piatra Neamt.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 9: Piatra Neamt - Brasov
In the morning, we leave Piatra Neamt and travel south to Brasov. Arrival in the afternoon, followed by a tour of the fascinating medieval city of Brasov. Visit the old town and see the exterior of the Black Church, the most representative Gothic monument in Romania.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 10: Brasov - Bran - Sinaia - Bucharest
Continuation towards the town of Bran. Visit of its famous Castle, also known as Dracula's Castle. In the afternoon arrival in the city of Sinaia, known as "the pearl of the Carpathians" because of its beauty. In the afternoon we will visit the wonderful Peles Palace, the former summer residence and retreat place of the royal family, built in the second half of the 19th century by the first King of Romania, Carlos I.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 11: Bucharest
We will get to know the Romanian capital, once known under the nickname "Little Paris". The visit will take us to the Romanian Athenaeum, the Opera House, the Military Club of the Nation, the Military Academy and the Arc de Triomphe. Bucharest is Romania's capital and largest city, as well as the most important industrial and commercial centre of the country. With 2 million inhabitants in the city proper and more than 2.4 million in the urban area, Bucharest is one of the largest cities in Southeastern Europe.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 12: Bucharest
After breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport for your departure flight.
Meals: Breakfast
Escorted Package Includes:
- 11 nights' Accommodation
- Breakfast daily
- Touring by modern air-conditioned motor coach
- Airport transfers
- Professional English-speaking Tour Director throughout
- Licensed local guides
- Entrance fees included in the program: Alexander Nevski Cathedral, Rila Monastery, Tsarevets, Church of the Nativity, Cozia Monastery, Palace of Culture, Monasteries of Sucevita, black pottery workshops of Marginea, Voronet Monastery, Dracula's Castle, Peles Palace
- Luggage handling at hotels
- Service charges and hotel taxes
Sightseeing Tours Included:
- Sofia (Alexander Nevski Cathedral)
- Rila (Rila Monastery)
- Plovdiv
- Veliko Tarnovo (Tsarevets)
- Arbanassi (Nativity Church)
- Cozia (Cozia Monastery)
- Sibiu
- Sighisoara
- Targu Mures (Palace of Culture)
- Painted Monasteries of Bucovina (Sucevita and Voronet Monasteries, Ceramica neagra Marginea)
- Brasov
- Bran (Dracula’s Castle)
- Sinaia (Peles Palace)
- Bucharest
Not Inlcuded:
- Hotel extras /telephone, mini bar, etc
- Additional meals
- Drinks
- Tips
- Porterage
- Travel insurance
- Personal Expenses
- Visa procurement
Hotels (or similar):
- Sofia: Hotel Balkan 5* / BW Premier Collection City 4*
- Veliko Tarnovo: Hotel Yantra Grand 4*
- Baile Govora: Hotel Palace 4*
- Sibiu: Hotel Continental Forum 4*
- Targu Mures: Hotel Continental Forum 4*
- Piatra Neamt: Hotel Central Plaza 4*
- Brasov: Hotel Aro Palace 5* / Ambient 4*
- Bucharest: Hotel Capitol 4*
Tour Prices are per person twin share in Australian Dollars. Conditions apply and group tours are subject to change and availability. Prices are subject to currency fluctuations. (km)