Discover the treasures of the Balkans on this vacation through Hungary, Serbia, Bulgaria, and Romania. Visit the capitals-Budapest, Belgrade, Sofia, Bucharest-as well as some of the fascinating towns and cities along the way. Discover Novi Sad, famous for its citadel; Plovdiv, with its picturesque old town centre; Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria's capital during the Middle Ages; and Sinaia, a lovely ski resort town. Explore Brasov, a charming Transylvanian town featuring Saxon walls and bastions and an expansive square surrounded by Baroque architecture and the Gothic Black Church. Sighisoara is one of Romania's prettiest towns with 11 medieval towers within the city walls, cobblestone streets, ancient houses, and churches.

Visit Sofia's Boyana Church, a medieval Bulgarian Orthodox church listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site; Plovdiv's Roman Amphitheatre, one of the world's best-preserved ancient theatres, and Arbanassi's Church of the Nativity, built in 1637 and housing an outstanding collection of frescoes. Rila Monastery is a UNESCO World Heritage site, with a history dating back 10 centuries. Marvel at Peles Castle, a masterpiece of German neo-renaissance architecture built in the 1880s and nestled at the foot of the mountains. It is considered one of the most stunning and romantic European castles. In Bucharest, visit the open-air Village Museum, showcasing traditional village life with a collection of traditional farmhouses, cottages, wind and watermills, and artisans' workshops from all parts of the country. Last, but not least, visit Bran Castle, built in 1377 with imposing towers and turrets, and once inhabited by Vlad the Impaler-the Count who gave Bran Stoker the inspiration for his novel's character, the vampire known as Dracula. This Balkans and Transylvania tour is designed for value-minded, savvy travel lovers. It's a once-in-a-lifetime vacation!

All This. Included.
Adventure is knocking with everything you need for perfectly affordable touring. We include hand-selected accommodations, guided sightseeing, and seamless transportation between destinations-with value-minded travel lovers in mind. Explore with expert Tour Directors and Local Guides, complimentary headsets, private, first-class, air-conditioned motorcoach with free WiFi. Enhance your free time to explore like a local with your GO mobile app!

Day 1: Budapest
Check into your hotel. Take advantage of the GO app to visit Budapest at leisure. In the early evening, meet your Tour Director and travel companions.

Day 2: Budapest - Danube
Budapest is a treasure trove of architectural wonders, from Gothic to Baroque and Neoclassical to Art Nouveau, but also full of history and other surprises, such as delicious food and wines, as well as a multitude of spa establishments built on top of natural hot springs. The Danube River divides the old city in two, making it even more spectacular. Discover all of this and more during the guided city tour.(B)

While we include select excursions on your trip, you may wish to explore other options for your free time. Below is a selection of excursions that may be available for purchase on your tour.

Option - Danube Cruise Discover the magic of Budapest on this enchanting Danube River cruise past the city's most famous landmarks! 1h 30m

Day 3: Serbia - Novi Sad - Belgrade
Travel to Serbia. Stop in Novi Sad, capital of the province, built on the banks of the Danube River and famous for its Petrovaradin Citadel, the fortress featuring the iconic clock tower with the "reversed clock". Continue to Belgrade and discover the capital of Serbia on a guided city sightseeing tour.(B) Today's Distance: 267 mi/ 430 km

Day 4: Bulgaria - Sofia
Cross the border into Bulgaria to arrive in the capital city of Sofia. Join a Local Guide for a city tour that includes the Parliament building, Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Boyana Church, a medieval Bulgarian orthodox church listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the National Theater, and St. Sofia Church. (B,D) Today's Distance: 273 mi/ 440 km

Day 5: Bulgaria
This morning, discover Rila Monastery, located inside a nature park and featuring vibrant frescoes. Its checkered history goes back to Ivan Rilski, the hermit who founded it in 927. During the long Turkish rule over the country, the monastery became a beacon of Bulgarian culture.(B) Today's Distance: 130 mi/ 210 km

Option - Bulgarian Dinner and Folklore
Dine in the heart of mountainside Boyana on this memorable excursion featuring vivacious Bulgarian folkloric entertainment and a dinner of local specialties! 3h 0m

Day 6: Plovdiv - Veliko Tarnovo
Head eastwards to Plovdiv, Bulgaria's second-largest city, located along the banks of the Maritsa River. Stop here to visit the charming Old Town and the Roman amphitheatre. Journey northwards through fine scenery over the Stara Planina Mountains to Veliko Tarnovo. (B,D) Today's Distance: 190 mi/ 305 km

Day 7: Veliko Tarnovo - Arbanassi - Rousse - Bucharest
Today, time to see some of the highlights of Veliko Tarnovo, located on the Yantra River. During the Middle Ages, it was Bulgaria's capital, and still retains some of its most attractive medieval features. Visit nearby Arbanassi, world famous for its house design, a cross between a dwelling and a fortress. The village is known as an architectural and historic reserve and was at one time the summer residence of Bulgarian kings. One of the highlights of the visit is the Church of Nativity, built in 1637. Carry on north to Rousse and cross the Danube to reach Bucharest. (B,D) Today's Distance: 130 mi/ 210 km

Day 8: Bucharest
Flower-festooned parks, gardens, and wide boulevards shaded by century-old trees contribute to Bucharest's beauty. The highlight of the included sightseeing tour is a visit to the open-air Village Museum, a unique collection of traditional farmhouses, cottages, windmills, watermills, and artisans' workshops from all parts of the country. Your Local Guide will show you other places of interest, including the Government Victoria Palace, the Royal Palace, and the Savings Palace. There is also an optional afternoon visit to the massive Romanian Parliament, known as the "Peoples 'Palace." (B)

Option - Palace of the Parliament, the People's House
Visit Bucharest's colossal Palace of the Parliament - the second-largest and most expensive administrative building, and heaviest building in the world - on this mesmerizing guided excursion. 2h 0m

Option - Communist Romania, an Expert's Perspective
Learn what life was like in Romania under the rule of the Communist Party from 1947 to 1989 during this enriching tour with a guide who experienced it himself. 3h 0m

Day 9: Sinaia - Brasov
Travel to Sinaia in the Prahova Valley. This is a lovely ski resort, almost 3,300 feet above sea level. While in Sinaia, there will be time to visit the Sinaia Monastery and Peles Castle, considered among the most romantic castles in the world. Only a few more miles and you reach Brasov, a lovely medieval town famous for its town square filled with Baroque architecture and outdoor cafes. (B) Today's Distance: 106 mi/ 170 km

Option - Brandy & Bites of Romania
Visit Palincaria Transilvania in Rasnov to taste five varieties of delicious Transylvania Pálinka brandy, followed by a delicious Romanian feast at a local eatery. 3h 0m

Day 10: Transylvania - Bran - Brasov
Transylvania is commonly associated with vampires due to the influence of Bram Stoker's 1897 novel Dracula, and all the subsequent books and many films the tale has inspired. This morning, depart for Bran and visit the legendary Dracula castle. It was built in 1377 and inhabited by the Wallachian prince, Vlad the Impaler, also known as Dracula. In the afternoon, a walking orientation of the Old Town of Brasov includes a visit to the Black Church, followed by leisure time.(B) Today's Distance: 39 mi / 62 km

Day 11: Sighisoara - Cluj-Napoca - Romania
Stop in Sighisoara, a medieval town with 11 towers within the city walls surrounding cobblestone streets, ancient houses, and churches-one of Romania's prettiest towns. Legend has it that it is also the birthplace of the notorious Vlad (Dracula). Continue to Cluj-Napoca, the film capital of Romania. (B,D) Today's Distance: 174 mi/ 280 km

Day 12: Hungary - Budapest
Cross the border at Oradea into Hungary and return to Budapest. (B) Today's Distance: 292mi/ 470 km

Option - Hungarian Dinner & Folklore Show
Dine in a peaceful wooded setting in the hills over Budapest on this memorable excursion featuring a dinner of local specialties and vivacious Hungarian folkloric entertainment. 3h 45m

Day 13: Budapest - Home
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)

MEALS:
Brekfasts and Dinners as indicated (B,D)

The following UNESCO World Heritage Sites can be seen or visited on this vacation:
Boyana Church
Budapest (including the Banks of the Danube, the Buda Castle Quarter and Andrassy Avenue)
Historic Centre of Sighisoara
Rila Monastery