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Treasures of Romania & Bulgaria Tour - 11 days

Shared tour of Eastern Europe Group up to 6 persons

Info Tour

"Treasures of Romania and Bulgaria" Tour takes you in just 11 days to two important countries of the Balkans. Romania and Bulgaria, part of Eastern Europe, share many similarities but at the same time have their unique traits. During this tour, you can discover two capitals, Bucharest and Sofia, two different languages, great historical regions such as Transylvania, Maramures or Thrace (Bulgaria), beautiful medieval cities Sibiu, Sighisoara, Veliko Tarnovo or Plovdiv, and many other famous tourist landmarks.

Info Panel

Type: shared, cultural tour

Distance: 2200km / 1367mi

Country: Romania, Bulgaria

Accommodation: 4-star hotels and B&Bs

Departures

Year: 2024

13 March – 23 March

27 March – 6 April

10 April – 20 April

21 April – 1 May

8 May – 18 May

22 May – 1 June

5 June – 15 June

19 June – 29 June

3 July – 13 July

17 July – 27 July

16 August – 26 August

28 August – 7 Septemeber

11 September – 21 September

25 September – 5 October

9 October – 19 October

30 October – 9 November

Year: 2025

12 March – 22 March

26 March – 05 April

09 April – 19 April

23 April – 03 May

7 May – 17 May

21 May – 31 May

11 June – 21 June

25 June – 05 July

09 July – 19 July

23 July – 02 August

20 August – 30 August

03 August – 3 September

17 September – 27 September

01 October – 11 October

15 October – 25 October

29 October – 08 November

This tour can be organized as a private one on any other date. In this case, the price will be provided on request.

Price

€2469/person sharing a double room

Single Supplement: €390

Book for 3 persons and get a discount of 5%

Book for 4 or more persons and get a discount of 10%

Highlights of the tour:

Regions

Wallachia
Transylvania
Maramures
Bucovina
Moldova
Northern Bulgaria
The Balkan
The Northern Thrace
Shopluk

Cities

Bucharest
Sibiu
Cluj Napoca
Piatra Neamt
Brasov
Veliko Tarnovo
Plovdiv
Sofia

Major Sights

The Romanian Parliament
Transfagarasan Highway
Merry Cemetery
Bicaz Gorge
Peles Castle
Bran Castle
Tsarevets Fortress
The Village of Arbanasi
The Roman Ruins from Plovdiv
The Bulgarian Parliament
Alexander Nevsky Cathedral

UNESCO Attractions

Sighisoara
Surdesti Wooden Church
Moldovita Painted Church
Sucevita Painted Church
Voronet Painted Church
Ivanovo Rock-Hewn Churches

Day 1
OTOPENI AIRPORT – BUCHAREST (40min drive)

Arrival in Bucharest. You’ll be transferred to your hotel where you’ll receive more details about your tour. The rest of the day is at your leisure.

Overnight in Bucharest: 4-star hotel

Day 2
FULL-DAY TOUR OF BUCHAREST (1h drive)

After breakfast, a full-day sightseeing tour of Bucharest, including the visit to the famous Parliament Palace. The walking tour includes Revolution Square and the bustling old center of Bucharest. You’ll admire as well The Village Museum and famous boulevards and neighborhoods of this interesting city.

Bucharest's settlement was first mentioned in 1459, and, ever since, the town went through a series of continuous changes, representing the central scene of Romania’s political, artistic, university, financial and cultural life. Between the two world wars, due to the elegant architecture and to the elite living in Bucharest, the city was nicknamed “The Little Paris.”

During the tour of Bucharest, you’ll stop to visit the Romanian Parliament, the largest administrative building in Europe. The building is located in Bucharest's historical and geographical center, and it was built on a hill. The building, whose works were started in July 1984, includes a huge combination of monumental sculptures, gilded ornaments, decorative flooring, laced ceilings, brocade curtains, heavy carpets, tapestry, all in a succession of chambers, galleries, lavish vast rooms, and halls. It’s the perfect image of a regime detached from reality, a regime that didn’t care at all about the real needs of the Romanian society.

Located in a green area of Bucharest and inaugurated in 1936, The Village Museum is one of the most beautiful and most interesting museums in the country. It boasts old and original houses brought from different parts of the country. In The Revolution Square, you’ll get the story of the anti-communist revolution from 1989, and you’ll find out more about the hardships an entire nation had to suffer for 45 years. The day ends with what became the most bustling area of Bucharest, The Old Center. Once the place of princely families and nobles, later an area of the craftsmen, the old center became today the Mecca of bars, restaurants, and quaint cobblestone streets.

Overnight in Bucharest: 4-star hotel

Day 3
BUCHAREST – CURTEA DE ARGES – SIBIU (5h drive)

Departure to Curtea de Arges, the former capital of Walachia, and visit Curtea de Arges Monastery.

The Episcopal Church, known as the Church of the Curtea de Arges Monastery, was built by the Romanian ruler of Wallachia Neagoe Basarab in 1512-1517. A great legend is connected to this church. It is said Master Manole entombed his wife alive in the church walls so that they would never crumble. In 1875, the beautiful church was demolished and rebuilt by French architect Andre Lecomte du Nouy. The Episcopal Church of Curtea de Arges houses the tomb of its founder, Neagoe Basarab, and other members of the royal family (Kings Carol I and Ferdinand, and Queens Elisabeth and Mary).

You’ll pass by the fortress from Poenari built by Vlad the Impaler in the afternoon, and you’ll take a drive along the famous Transfagarasan Highway. Built in just 4 years, the highway passes the Carpathian Mountains. The landscape is stunning, and you’ll stop several times for pictures. Once on the top of the mountain, you’ll admire Balea Lake. (Between November 1st and June 30, Transfagarasan Highway will be replaced with the road along the Olt Valey).

Late in the afternoon, you’ll be in Sibiu, one of the most beautiful German towns.

Overnight in Sibiu: 4-star hotel

Day 4
SIBIU – SIGHISOARA – CLUJ NAPOCA (4h 20 min drive)

After breakfast, you will enjoy a walking tour of Sibiu. Hermanstadt, to use its German name, was founded by the Saxon colonists about 800 years ago. In a short time, Sibiu became one of the most important cities of Transylvania. Sibiu boasts several medieval squares, including the Great Square (Piata Mare), which is the largest in Romania. It is surrounded by old houses, impressive palaces such as the Brukenthal Palace, and religious constructions, including the Catholic Cathedral. The tour of Sibiu continues with the other squares, the oldest cobblestone streets, and you’ll find out more about the legend which surrounds the Bridge of Lies. The tour of Sibiu ends with the Evangelical Cathedral and the former medieval towers.

Drive to Biertan to visit the impressive Saxon fortified church.

The village of Biertan (German: Birthalm), first mentioned in an official document in 1283, is home to one of the largest and most impressive medieval strongholds in Transylvania. Surrounded by quaint streets and vineyards, the 15th-century fortified church from Biertan is perched high on a hill in the village center. Three tiers of 35-foot-high defensive walls, connected by towers and gates, encircled the complex, making the church impossible to conquer during medieval times. Featuring late-Gothic architecture with heavy doors and double exterior walls, the church boasts the largest Transylvanian polyptych wooden altar and a remarkable wooden door that once protected the sacristy's treasures. The altar was built by Viennese artisans and Nurenberg (Germany) between 1483 and 1513. The door, a true marvel of engineering, has an ingenious locking mechanism with 19 bolts that can be simultaneously activated by a key.

Sighisoara, another UNESCO site in Transylvania, is the next stop on your trip. Built by the Germans about 800 years ago, the medieval citadel of Sighisoara looks like a perfect postcard. It is the best-preserved citadel in Romania, a stunning combination of cobblestone streets, medieval walls, massive watchtowers, and old architecture. Add to these the House of Vlad Dracul, allegedly the birthplace of Dracula. You’ll visit the Clock Tower, the symbol of Sighisoara, and the Church on the Hill, one of the citadel's oldest buildings.

Drive on to Cluj Napoca, one of the oldest cities of Romania.

Overnight in Cluj Napoca: 4-star hotel

Day 5
CLUJ NAPOCA – SURDESTI – SAPANTA – SIGHET – MARAMURES (4h drive)

After breakfast, you will be driven toward the region of Maramures, a place where the purity of nature blends with the beauty of the old villages, where the locals kept untouched their traditions, where the carved wood represents a common way of building.

You will reach the UNESCO site of Surdesti. The local wooden church, built in the 18th century, is an amazing example of the local architecture, a wooden church surrounded by a well-preserved rural landscape.

Crossing the Gutai Mountains, you’ll arrive in Sapanta village, where you will admire the famous Merry Cemetery. It has gained originality and value through the chopped, carved, and painted crosses on which the artisan has chiseled out versified epitaphs, most of them full of a remarkable sense of humor, particular to the area and all Romanians. The value of these works of art is recognized both at home and abroad.

In the same village, you’ll stop to admire the highest wooden structure in the world: Peri Convent, recently rebuilt.

In Sighet, you will hear more about the horrors of the communist regime. You will visit a former prison where during the communist years, many important Romanian leaders, but also common people who were against the regime, lost their lives.

The day ends in a local guest where you’ll meet a wonderful family. It is here where you’ll enjoy a rich dinner and plenty of tuica, also known as palinca, which is a sort of strong plum brandy. You are going to enjoy a room with a private bathroom.

Overnight in Maramures village: guest house, rooms with private bathroom

Day 6
MARAMURES – BARSANA – MOLDOVITA – SUCEVITA – BUCOVINA (5h drive)

Today, the journey is long and beautiful. You’ll visit one of the highest wooden churches in the world, Barsana Convent.

Perched on the hills of Maramures, overlooking the Iza Valley, the Barsana Convent is one of Romania's most impressive monastic places, although it was rebuilt recently. The slender and tall silhouette of the wooden church, each building's carvings, and the amazing garden represents a perfect synthesis between the strong faith of the locals, their skills, and nature.

Then, enter for the first time Bucovina, known for its painted monasteries and the traditional houses adorned with beautiful floral and geometrical motifs, for its traditions kept over the centuries, and for its hospitable people.

The tour of Bucovina includes several painted churches, all of them UNESCO sites. You will begin with the convent from Moldovita. You’ll receive explanations about the frescoes and why they were painted on the exterior walls more than 400 years ago.

The last journey takes you through the gentle mountains of Bucovina. In the end, you’ll reach Sucevita, known for its stunning painted church, the most impressive and the best preserved of all the painted churches. This religious complex, which looks more like a fortress, is set up in a beautiful valley surrounded by green mountains.

Overnight in Bucovina: 4-star hotel

Day 7
BUCOVINA – VORONET – BICAZ – SZEKLERLAND (5h 40min drive)

Today the journey is long but impressive.

The first visit of the day will be the Voronet convent. Erected in 1488, Voronet Monastery represented one of the first Moldavian creative elements showing a distinctive style. The church is a combination of Byzantine, Gothic and local elements. The exterior painting on the western wall depicts the Last Judgment scene, on five registers, unique in the whole world. The Voronet Monastery entered the universal cultural heritage for having in the composition of the paintings the inimitable “Voronet blue.”

You will leave behind Bucovina entering again into Transylvania. It is here where you’ll be astonished by the wonders of nature. The Bicaz Gorge and Red Lake are among the most known landmarks of Romania.

Then you’ll be taken to the core of the Hungarian minority that lives in an area known as Szeklerland. It is here where you’ll be able to admire the traditional way of living of these people and their amazing old houses.

You’ll stay in the manor house where you’ll enjoy a lovely dinner (not included in the price, about18€/person). Prepare yourself to step back in time…

Overnight in Szeklerland: superior estate

Day 8
SZEKLERLAND – BRASOV – BRAN – SINAIA– BUCHAREST (5h drive)

After breakfast, you will enjoy a short walking tour in the old town of Brasov. You’ll admire the beautiful buildings like the Black Church, which is built in Gothic style. You will also see the narrowest street in Romania, Rope Street, Schei and Catherine’s Gates, St. Nicholas Church, and the old Schei neighborhood.

Then, you will visit the famous Bran Castle, also known as Dracula’s castle. It was a safeguard castle for the trade route that connected Transylvania and Wallachia. It was built by the people of Brasov between 1377 – 1378. It represents in the consciousness of any tourist the dark residence of Prince Dracula, a fictional hero in the famous British Bram Stoker’s novel. In reality, Bran Castle is connected to Queen Marie of Romania. Her story is equally interesting with the one of Dracula, if not more interesting.

After a scenic drive, you will leave Transylvania, and you will stop in Sinaia to visit the most beautiful castle in Romania – Peles Castle.

The Peles Castle, built in two stages between 1875 and 1914, was the summer residence of King Carol Ist and his wife, queen Elisabet. You’ll visit the ground floor where you’ll be astonished by the overwhelming interiors, amazing stain-glass windows, paintings, some of them made by famous artists such as Gustav Klimt.

In the evening you’ll reach Bucharest, in time for the last Romanian dinner during this trip.

Overnight in Bucharest: 4-star hotel

Day 9
BUCHAREST (RO) – RUSE (BG) – VELIKO TARNOVO – PLOVDIV (5h 50min drive)

In the morning, prepare to leave Romania and enter the second country of your journey, Bulgaria.

First, you’ll reach the remote area of the Ivanovo Churches. Part of the UNESCO heritage since 1979, the rock-hewn churches of Ivanovo boast some stunning frescos dating back to the 13th-14th centuries. The monastic life was founded in the 13th century by the future patriarch of Bulgaria, Joachim. All these churches are located in the beautiful valley of the Rusenski Lom River.

Then, stop in Arbanassi, located right next to Veliko Tarnovo, a little and quaint village with a strong medieval atmosphere. You’ll enjoy a stroll, and you’ll admire the beautiful houses.

In the afternoon, you will arrive in Veliko Tarnovo, also known as the City of the Tsars. Located on the banks of the Yantra River, Veliko Tarnovo was the capital of the Second Bulgarian Empire. It is given as one of the strongest fortifications in the area. Even today, the most impressive tourist attraction of the old town is the fortress. You’ll roam on the alleys of the former Tsarevets palace, and you’ll visit the former patriarchal church, rebuilt in modern times. You’ll be taken along the old streets and alleys of the town where you’ll admire the local architecture and the beautiful panorama.

In the afternoon you’ll be transferred to Plovdiv.

Overnight in Plovdiv: 4-star hotel

Day 10
PLOVDIV – SOFIA (1h 45min drive)

After breakfast, enjoy a tour of Plovdiv, the second-largest city after Sofia.

Here you’ll find out more about the old town with its 3,000 years long history. And the best place to do this is the ancient Roman Amphitheater, which boasts impressive marble statues, decorative columns, and arcades.

In the afternoon, enjoy a sightseeing tour of Sofia. You are going to visit Saint Alexander Nevski Cathedral – one of the largest Eastern Orthodox cathedrals in Europe, as well as one of Sofia’s symbols and a primary tourist attraction, Saint George Roman Rotunda dating from the 4th century, Saint Sophia Basilica built by the Roman Emperor Justinian in the 6th century, the Ruins of Serdica, the National Theatre Ivan Vazov, the former Royal Palace, the Synagogue, etc.

Overnight in Sofia: 4-star hotel

Day 9
SOFIA – AIRPORT (30min drive)

You’ll be transferred to the airport according to your flight schedule.

End of the tour

Price

€2469/person

Single Supplement: €390

Book for 3 persons and get a discount of 5%

Book for 4 or more persons and get a discount of 10%

Included:

Airport pick-up and drop-off
Transport by modern car
Accommodation for 10 nights in 4-star hotels and B&Bs
Breakfast each morning
One homemade dinner in Maramures
Licensed English-speaking tour guide/driver
Tour leader/driver in Bulgaria
Entrance fees to sites included in the program

Not Included:

Flight ticket
Hotel extras (telephone, mini bar, etc.)
Drinks (other than water)
Other meals except for breakfast
Photographing or filming fees at the visited sites
Tips
Travel insurance
Personal expenses

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