Comprehensive Tour of Romania and Bulgaria Tour Description

Our comprehensive tour offers the highlights of Romania and Bulgaria. It gives you a chance to explore two different cultures in the Balkans that share the Danube River and the Black Sea. Romania offers a perfect blend of Roman, French and Turkish culture. Experience its majestic castles, medieval towns and stunning scenery unspoiled by mass tourism. Bulgaria lies at the crossroads of Europe in the heart of the Balkan Peninsula. Across Bulgaria you will find churches and monasteries full of vibrant icons, picturesque villages of timber-framed houses and cobbled lanes, seemingly lost in time.

For a deeper discovery of these two beautiful countries we suggest also out tour The Best of  Romania and Bulgaria

TOUR DETAILS

2022/2023 pricing, please contact us for an estimate anytime

2020 Land Cost Per Person for a Party of 4 People (double occupancy)

$2015/per person

Single supplement: $411

For parties less or more than 4 people, rates available upon request. This tour can be customized to meet your schedule, travel and budgetary needs. Please contact us for a current price estimate.

UNESCO SITES:

  • Biertan, to visit the impressive fortified church
  • Bucovina, with its colorful monasteries
  • Kazanluk Thracian Tomb
  • Plovdiv
  • Rila Monastery

Price includes:

  • Accommodation at selected 3* and 4* hotels
  • FB basis ( starts with dinner Day 1, finishes with breakfast Day 13 ), included 1 folklore dinner in Sofia
  • Licenced tour guide in Bulgaria and in Romania
  • Transport services, border and road taxes
  • Entrances as per the itinerary
  • Wine tasting in Brestovitsa village

Price Does Not Include:

  • International Airfare
  • Departure and custom fees
  • Gratuities and individual daily expenses
  • Additional beverages
  • Travel insurance
  • Trip cancellation
  • Medical and luggage insurance are recommended for coverage against all unforeseen circumstances

Day 1: Bucharest 

Arrive in Bucharest, the capital of Romania. Stroll through the parks to explore the city’s dynamic and energetic environment with educational museums and trendy cafes. While much of the center is filled with modern décor, you’ll find splendid 17th and 18th century Orthodox churches and graceful art nouveau villas tucked away in quiet corners. Spend overnight at your hotel in Bucharest.

Day 2: Bucharest – Curtea De Arges – Sibiu

Spend the day exploring the city on a panoramic sightseeing tour of Bucharest. Depart to Curtea de Arges, the former capital of Wallachia. Explore the humble, likeable charm, enriched by the captivating treasures left over from the town’s role as a Wallachian capital in the 14th century. Visit the Episcopal Church where the Romanian Kings are buried. Drive along the picturesque Old Valley to Sibiu. As one of the oldest towns in Transylvania this town is awash in aristocratic elegance. Sibiu has stayed at the forefront of Romania’s cultural scene through its festivals of opera, theatre and film, as well as rock, jazz, and more. The country’s first hospital, school, library and pharmacy were all established here, and locals are, justly, proud of the spirit of enterprise that endures to this day. Spend overnight in Sibiu.

Day 3: Sibiu – Biertan – Sighisoara 

In the morning, drive to the heart of Transilvanya to visit the secret retreat for the royalties of Europe. After, explore the Saxon villages, which are remote, romantic villages along the Târnave plateau that have the power to plunge you deep into Transylvania’s past. Saxon flavor can be strongly sensed through well-preserved churches and the slow pace of the locals. Drive to Biertan to visit the impressive fortified church (UNESCO) world heritage. Continue onto Sighisoara, the birthplace of Dracula to visit the medieval citadel, the Clock Tower, the Church on the Hill, and many more sights. Spend overnight in Sighisoara.

Day 4: Sighisoara – Sucevita

After breakfast, continue to the heart of Transylvania to the city of Târgu Mures. Visit of the elegant city centre well known for its architecture shown through its statues, two cathedrals, and the unique Culture Palace. Proceed to the town of Bistrita. Spangled (what’s this word?) with pastel-colored Renaissance buildings, whitewashed churches, and cobbled streets lined with cafes. Continue through to Tihuta Pass. Accommodation and overnight at your hotel in Sucevita.

Day 5: Sucevita – Monasteries – Piatra Neamt

Spend a full day in Bucovina. Explore everything Bucovina has to offer through the hill walks, cycling, rural idylls and, of course, the colorful monasteries belonging to the UNESCO World Heritage. Visit the Moldovita and Sucevita monasteries with outside frescoes. Proceed to visit the famous monastery of Voronet, “the Sixtine Chapel of the Orient”. Take a late afternoon drive south to visit the Agapia monastery. Spend overnight at your hotel in Piatra Neamt.

Day 6: Piatra Neamt – Brasov or Poiana Brasov

Depart across the mountains to Brasov through the spectacular Bicaz Gorges, the Red Lake and Miercurea Ciuc.  Visit the beautiful fortified church of Prejmer. Late afternoon arrival Poiana Brasov. Spend overnight in Poiana Brasov.

Day 7: Brasov – Bran – Sinaia – Bucharest

Panoramic sightseeing tour and guided walking tour in the historical center of Brasov, including a visit to the Black Church, then departure to Bran for a visit to “Dracula’s Castle”. Drive across the mountains to Sinaia. Visit the Sinaia Monastery (1695) and the fabulous Peles Castle – former summer residence of the Royal family. Late afternoon drive to Bucharest. Upon arrival visit the outdoor Village Museum. Accommodation and overnight at hotel in Bucharest.

Day 8: Bucharest – Ruse – Veliko Turnovo 

Morning departure to Bulgaria. Stop for lunch in Ruse and enjoy a panorama of the largest Bulgarian Danubian city, once an important Roman port with the name “Sexaginta Prista” (Harbor of 60 Ships). Proceed to Veliko Turnovo, the medieval capital city of Bulgaria, picturesquely located on 4 hills above the Yantra River. Check in at a 4-star hotel. Visit Tsarevets Royal Hill, with its fortress, Patriarh’s Complex, and Baldwin Tower (named for the leader of the 4th Crusade). Enjoy a walking tour of Samovodska Charshia and the old part of town. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Day 9: Veliko Turnovo – Etura – Shipka – Kazanluk – Plovdiv

We will continue south from Veliko Turnovo with a possible stop en route for some pictures at Dryanovo Monastery. In the suburbs of Gabrovo, we will visit Etura Open Air Ethnographic Complex with 50 different sites, including water installations and typical houses with craftsmen’s workshops attached (woodcarving, pottery, coppersmithing, furriery, cutlery, needlework, icon painting, etc.) Via Shipka Mountain Pass (the mountain which gave its name to the Balkan Peninsula), we will cross the central and highest part of the Balkans down to Shipka Memorial Church and Kazanluk, the center of the Valley of Roses, known also as the Valley of the Thracian Kings. We will also visit the Kazanluk Thracian Tomb (a UNESCO site).

Late afternoon arrival to Plovdiv,  the 2nd largest Bulgarian city, once capital city of Philip the 2nd of Macedonia. The eternal city, as Rome is conventionally called, is much younger than Plovdiv. UNESCO awarded Plovdiv a gold medal for architecture, and it was awarded a European City of Culture in 1999 and has also been selected for 2019. Check in at the hotel and walk along the longest pedestrian street in the world to see the remains of the Roman Stadium, Roman Forum, Djumaya Mosque Square and Kapana Artistic neighborhood of Plovdiv.

Day 10: Plovdiv – Bachkovo Monastery – Brestovitsa – Plovdiv

Arrive in Plovdiv, the 2nd largest city in Bulgaria and one of the oldest. Plovdiv has a rich cultural heritage and impressive list of attractions including the still functioning Roman Amphitheater, ancient churches and mosques. In the old town, architecture is preserved in the restored national revival era houses. Spend the afternoon exploring the 11th c Bachkovo Monastery, Bulgaria’s 2nd largest monastery founded in 1803. The monastery is known and appreciated for the unique combination of Byzantine, Georgian and Bulgarian culture, united by the common faith. In the nearby village of Brestovitsa, we will visit and taste local wines at a boutique wine cellar. Bulgaria grows over 3,000 wine varieties and is a renowned exporter to more than 70 countries. Return to Plovdiv and spend overnight.

Day 11: Plovdiv – Rila Monastery – Sofia

Depart to visit Rila Monastery, the most important monastery in Bulgaria (UNESCO). First built in 927, the monastery helped keep Bulgarian culture and language alive during the Ottoman Rule. Admire wooden balconies, collonades, facades and colorful frescoes. In the late afternoon, arrive in Sofia and enjoy some free time for your own exploration. Overnight at your hotel.

Day 12: Sofia 

Full day in Sofia, the capital city of Bulgaria. It’s a largely modern, youthful city, with a scattering of onion-domed churches, Ottoman mosques and the Red Army monument. On a panoramic tour of Sofia visit the Alexander Nevski Memorial Cathedral, St. Sofia Basilica, Parliament Square, the National Theatre and the Old City Garden, the ruins of Ancient Serdica and more. Farewell dinner with live music and overnight at your hotel.

Day 13: Sofia – Departure 

Free time and depart to airport.

Payment and Refund Policies

If you have any questions or you’d like to book this trip, please contact us.

Custom itineraries available to this or any of the destinations we travel to.

Please check the Resources page for more information on Travel Insurance, Visa Service and other useful links.

SPECIAL AIRFARES: Kutrubes Travel can assist you with your flight reservations to your destination with all major carriers. We offer special rates through our various airline contracts. Please call us or email us with your proposed travel plans and we will be sure to accommodate you and respond quickly.

Kutrubes Travel also offers a variety of other tours throughout this region. Contact us for detailed itineraries and descriptions.