Explore two of Europe's most fascinating countries, as you travel through brilliant Bulgaria and onto the riveting Romania. Starting in the city of Sofia, you will snake your way through the Rila and Rhodopi mountains, seeing priceless medieval history along the way. Throughout your adventure, you will learn of ancient Thracian kings at Kazanlak, the Roman rulers at Plovdiv, and the mark left by the Ottomans in Veliko Tarnovo. Cross the border into Romania, where famous castles such as Pele's and Brans are to be explored, with stays in the charming towns of Brasov and Sibiu.
9 days - from $5,470
ITINERARY HIGHLIGHTS
- Spend time in Sighisoara, a wonderful town still set within its fortress walls
- Explore the Rila Monastery, containing UNESCO world heritage wall paintings
- Travel through Transylvania, seeing its wonderful beauty as well as learning about its fascinating history
- Have two nights in Sofia, a vibrant capital city with the mountains overlooking it
- Enter into Bran's Castle, the legendary lair of Count Dracula
DAY 1 Sofia
Welcome to Bulgaria! Your tour commences with an arrival transfer to your hotel. This evening join your fellow travellers for a welcome dinner.
Stay at the Rosslyn Central Hotel (4 star) or similar
Meals included: Dinner
DAY 2 Sofia
After breakfast embark on a panoramic city tour of Bulgaria’s capital. Highlights include the 5th century St. Sofia Basilica, National Parliament, the ruins of the Roman Serdica and the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral. In the afternoon you have free time to further explore Sofia, or perhaps take an optional tour to the foot of Vitosha Mountain. Here you will visit the Boyana Church, a UNESCO world heritage site, and the National Museum of History, before returning to the capital.
Stay at the Rosslyn Central Hotel (4 star) or similar
Meals included: Breakfast
DAY 3 Sofia - Rila Monastery - Plovdiv
A morning departure for Rila Monastery, Bulgaria’s largest spiritual centre. This 10th century monastery contains a rich collection of icons, wall-paintings and rare books and included on UNESCO’s World Heritage list. After lunch in a local restaurant continue on to Plovdiv, passing through the beautiful Rhodopi Mountains on your way to this ancient city.
Stay at the Ramada Plovdiv Trimontium (4 star), Boutique Hill House Old Town or similar
Meals included: Breakfast and lunch
DAY 4 Plovdiv - Kazanlak - Etara - Veliko Tarnovo
Discover Plovdiv’s highlights on a walking tour through the beautiful Old Town and marvel at the 18th century Bulgarian architecture, Orthodox churches, Muslim mosques and 2nd century Roman Amphitheatre. Continue to Kazanluk, capital of the Valley of the Roses, to learn about the production of Bulgarian rose oil followed by a visit to the 4th century Thracian Kazanlak Tomb. After spending time at the Etara Open-Air Museum, where you will discover over 300 years of Bulgarian tradition, your day ends in Veliko Tarnovo.
Stay at the Authentic Hotel Gurko (3 star) or similar
Meals included: Breakfast and dinner
DAY 5 Veliko Tarnovo - Ivanovo - Ruse - Bucharest
This morning discover Veliko Tarnovo’s historic Tsarevets Hill as well as the Patriarchal Church and Emperor Baldwin’s Tower on a walking tour. Continue through the to the rock churches of Ivanovo, famous for their unique frescoes. Next you will visit the city of Ruse, with a distinct European feel sitting on the river Danube. Here you will say goodbye to your Bulgarian guide, and hello to your Romanian one, as you cross into Romania and onto Bucharest. On arrival in the Romanian capital city, commence a panoramic city tour before dinner and overnight at your hotel.
Stay at the Continental Forum (4 star)
Meals included: Breakfast and dinner
DAY 6 Bucharest - Sibiu
This morning take a tour of the Romanian Parliament building, the second largest building in the world, before a departure via the spectacular Oltului Valley dotted with centuries old churches, to medieval Sibiu. After check-in at your hotel explore Sibiu’s impressive Old Town, exploring the largest medieval city in Romania.
Stay at the Continental Forum (4 star)
Meals included: Breakfast and dinner
DAY 7 Sibiu - Biertan - Sighisoara - Bran - Brasov
This morning admire the perfectly preserved, medieval town of Biertan in Transylvania which has changed little over time. Continue to beautiful Sighisoara where you will be taken of a tour of the city, seeing the clock tower, the covered staircase and the church on the hill. Later, have lunch at the famous restaurant "Casa Vlad Dracul”, which is situated in the house where Vlad Dracula was born. In the afternoon, travel to Bran where the haunting Bran castle is situated, before continuing to Brasov.
Stay at the Boutique Hotel Casa Cranta (4 star) or similar
Meals included: Breakfast and lunch
DAY 8 Brasov - Sinaia - Bucharest
After breakfast take a morning city tour to reveal the magnificence of Brasov. Visit the Black Church, the largest Gothic church between Vienna and Istanbul, as well as the historic Old Town Hall. In the afternoon travel to Sinaia for a tour of the enchanting Peles Castle built by King Carol l. Marvel at its fine collection of paintings, sculptures and furniture, then drive to Bucharest for dinner and overnight.
Stay at the Continental Forum (4 star)
Meals included: Breakfast and dinner
DAY 9 Bucharest
Your tour concludes after breakfast with a departure transfer for your onward journey.
Meals included: Breakfast
- Private English-speaking driver/guide
- 3-4 star hotel accommodation
- Transport by air-conditioned vehicle
- Entrance fees
- Arrival and departure transfers
- 8 breakfasts
- 2 lunches
- 5 dinners
Sightseeing tours:
- Sofia
- Rila Monastery
- Plovdiv
- Kazanlak
- Veliko Tarnovo
- Ivanovo
- Ruse
- Bucharest
- Sibiu/Hermannstadt
- Sighisoara
- Brasov
- Sinaia
Entrance fees:
- The Church of St Sofia,
- Alexander Nevski Cathedral
- Rila Monastery
- Ethnographical Museum
- Antique Theatre
- Roman Stadium
- Bishop’s Basilica of Philipopolis
- Rose oil distilary
- Thracian Kazanlak Tomb
- Etara open air museum
- Veliko Tarnovo Fortress, The Patriarchal church and Emperor Baldwin’s Tower
- Rock Churches of Ivanovo
- Parliament Palace
- Sibiu Evangelical Church
- The Council Tower
- Brukenthal Palace
- The Fortified Church in Biertan
- Sighisoara Citadel
- The Clock Tower
- The Covered Staircase
- Dracula’s birth house
- The Church on the Hill
- Peles Castle
| Bulgaria & Romania Trails | ||
|---|---|---|
Twin/Double Single | ||
| 2 Jan 2025 - 21 Mar 2025 | $5,470 $6,160 | |
| 23 Mar 2025 - 15 Aug 2025 | $5,470 $6,160 | |
| 17 Aug 2025 - 20 Dec 2025 | $5,470 $6,160 | |
| Price per adult in Australian Dollars (AUD) |
