BULGARIA, ROMANIA & CROATIA - TREASURES OF THE BALKANS AND TRANSYLVANIA
14 DAYS FROM $1,600 US
Details below or click here for more information INQUIRY FORM
Phone: 1-888-682-6449/1-303-670-5640
Fax: (425) 984-7676
A 14 day tour of the
Balkans and Transylvania with visits to include Visits to Novi Sad,
Belgrade, Rila Monastery*, Plovdiv, Veliko Tarnovo, Arbanassi village,
Sinaia Monastery*, Peles Castle*, Bran Castle*, Sighisoara, Cluj Napoca
Botanical Gardens.Day 1 Mon. BOARD
YOUR OVERNIGHT TRANSATLANTIC FLIGHT
Day 2 Tue. ARRIVAL IN BUDAPEST, HUNGARY
Check into your hotel. The rest of the day is free. Tonight, meet your Tour Director and fellow travelers.
Day 3 Wed. BUDAPEST
Included sightseeing with a Local Guide features Buda Castle which dominates the twin cities of Buda and Pest, separated by the broad ribbon of the Danube. See Heroes’ Square which typifies the modern capital, the old inns and wine cellars along the riverbank, the Royal Castle, Parliament, Margaret Island, Fishermen’s Bastion, and Matthias Coronation Church. In the evening enjoy an optional Danube dinner cruise. (B)
Day 4 Thu. BUDAPEST-NOVI SAD, SERBIA-BELGRADE
This morning travel southwards at first along the motorway to the border town of Szeged to cross into the province of Vojvodina in Serbia. Stop in Novi Sad, the capital of the province, situated on the River Danube and famous for its Petrovaradin Citadel, known in the west as the “Gibraltar of the Danube.” Drive along the motorway into Belgrade, the capital of Serbia. (B)
Day 5 Fri. BELGRADE-SOFIA, BULGARIA
A comfortable drive this morning southeast by way of Nis; then across the border into Bulgaria. Arrive in Sofia, its capital, for sightseeing with a Local Guide, which will include such highlights as the Parliament building, Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, the Boyana Church, the National Theater, and St. Sofia Church. The locals will tell you that Sofia is growing all the time, yet never aging. (B,D)
Day 6 Sat. SOFIA. EXCURSION TO RILA MONASTERY
This morning drive to Rila to visit its Monastery (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), the most famous in the country. It has a checkered history that goes way back to Ivan Rilski, a hermit who founded it in 927. During the very long Turkish rule over the country, the monastery became a beacon of Bulgarian culture. Return to Sofia. Tonight, maybe join an optional folklore dinner. (B)
Day 7 Sun. SOFIA-PLOVDIV-VELIKO TARNOVO
This morning head eastwards to Plovdiv, Bulgaria’s second-largest city, located along the banks of the River Maritsa. Stop here to visit the charming Old Town and the Roman Amphitheater. Journey northwards through fine scenery over the Stara Planina Mountains to Veliko Tarnovo. (B,D)
Day 8 Mon. VELIKO TARNOVO-BUCHAREST, ROMANIA
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, although now a modern town, it still retains some of its most attractive medieval features. Later, drive to nearby Arbanassi, world famous for its type of house, which is 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 the Nativity built in 1637. In the afternoon journey north to Rousse and cross the Danube to reach Bucharest. (B,D)
Day 9 Tue. BUCHAREST
Flower-festooned parks, gardens, and wide boulevards shaded by century-old trees contribute to Bucharest’s beauty. The highlight of your sightseeing tour is a visit to the open-air Village Museum, a unique collection of traditional farmhouses, cottages, wind and watermills, and artisans’ workshops from all parts of the country. The Local Guide will also show you other places of interest, including the Government Victoria Palace, the Royal Palace, and the Savings Palace. There is also an afternoon optional visit to the Romanian Parliament, known as the House of the People. (B)
Day 10 Wed. BUCHAREST-SINAIA-BRASOV
Leave this morning for a stop in 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 in the world. Only a few more miles and you reach Brasov, a lovely medieval town and famous for its town square, studded with baroque architecture and outdoor cafés. This evening enjoy an optional folklore dinner in a typical Transylvanian restaurant. (B)
Day 11 Thu. BRASOV
This morning a walking orientation of the Old Town of Brasov will include a visit to the Black Church and leisure time. In the afternoon leave for Bran and visit its castle, built in 1377 and inhabited by Vlad the Impaler— better known as Dracula. (B)
Day 12 Fri. BRASOV-SIGHISOARA-CLUJ NAPOCA
Head northwards for a stop in Sighisoara, a medieval town with 11 towers—standing within the city walls—which surround cobbledstone streets, ancient houses, and churches—it is one of Romania’s prettiest towns. Legend has it that it is also the birthplace of the notorious Vlad (Dracula). Continue the journey north by way of Tirgu Mures on to Cluj Napoca in the heart of Transylvania. (B,D)
Day 13 Sat. CLUJ NAPOCA-BUDAPEST, HUNGARY
Travel westwards today by way of Oradea into Hungary and return to Budapest. (B)
Day 14 Sun. YOUR HOMEBOUND FLIGHT ARRIVES THE SAME DAY. (B)
Your Travel Package Includes
SIGHTSEEING
Visits to Novi Sad, Belgrade, Rila Monastery*, Brasov, Plovdiv, Veliko Tarnovo, Arbanassi village, Sinaia Monastery*, Peles Castle*, Bran Castle*, Sighisoara
*entrance fee included
SCENIC HIGHLIGHTS
Stara Planina Mountains, Southern Carpathia, Transylvania
* Inside visits are shown in UPPERCASE in the tour description, including admission charges when applicable
GUIDES
Local Guides for city sightseeing in Budapest, Sofia, Bucharest; services of a professional Tour Director while touring.
TRANSPORTATION
Touring by private first-class air-conditioned motorcoach.
QUALITY HOTELS
Rooms with private bath or shower, hotel taxes, porterage, tips, and service charges
BUDAPEST Millenium (ST), BELGRADE M Hotel (ST), SOFIA Princess (F), VELIKO TARNOVO Yantra Palace (ST), BUCHAREST Sofitel (F), BRASOV AREA Aro Palace (ST), CLUJ NAPOCA Best Western Topaz (ST), BUDAPEST Flamenco Park (F)
MEALS
12 buffet breakfasts (B); 4 dinners (D)
OPTIONALS
Choice of optional excursions at reasonable prices to customize your own experience. Please find a detailed list in your travel documents.
Day 2 Tue. ARRIVAL IN BUDAPEST, HUNGARY
Check into your hotel. The rest of the day is free. Tonight, meet your Tour Director and fellow travelers.
Day 3 Wed. BUDAPEST
Included sightseeing with a Local Guide features Buda Castle which dominates the twin cities of Buda and Pest, separated by the broad ribbon of the Danube. See Heroes’ Square which typifies the modern capital, the old inns and wine cellars along the riverbank, the Royal Castle, Parliament, Margaret Island, Fishermen’s Bastion, and Matthias Coronation Church. In the evening enjoy an optional Danube dinner cruise. (B)
Day 4 Thu. BUDAPEST-NOVI SAD, SERBIA-BELGRADE
This morning travel southwards at first along the motorway to the border town of Szeged to cross into the province of Vojvodina in Serbia. Stop in Novi Sad, the capital of the province, situated on the River Danube and famous for its Petrovaradin Citadel, known in the west as the “Gibraltar of the Danube.” Drive along the motorway into Belgrade, the capital of Serbia. (B)
Day 5 Fri. BELGRADE-SOFIA, BULGARIA
A comfortable drive this morning southeast by way of Nis; then across the border into Bulgaria. Arrive in Sofia, its capital, for sightseeing with a Local Guide, which will include such highlights as the Parliament building, Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, the Boyana Church, the National Theater, and St. Sofia Church. The locals will tell you that Sofia is growing all the time, yet never aging. (B,D)
Day 6 Sat. SOFIA. EXCURSION TO RILA MONASTERY
This morning drive to Rila to visit its Monastery (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), the most famous in the country. It has a checkered history that goes way back to Ivan Rilski, a hermit who founded it in 927. During the very long Turkish rule over the country, the monastery became a beacon of Bulgarian culture. Return to Sofia. Tonight, maybe join an optional folklore dinner. (B)
Day 7 Sun. SOFIA-PLOVDIV-VELIKO TARNOVO
This morning head eastwards to Plovdiv, Bulgaria’s second-largest city, located along the banks of the River Maritsa. Stop here to visit the charming Old Town and the Roman Amphitheater. Journey northwards through fine scenery over the Stara Planina Mountains to Veliko Tarnovo. (B,D)
Day 8 Mon. VELIKO TARNOVO-BUCHAREST, ROMANIA
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, although now a modern town, it still retains some of its most attractive medieval features. Later, drive to nearby Arbanassi, world famous for its type of house, which is 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 the Nativity built in 1637. In the afternoon journey north to Rousse and cross the Danube to reach Bucharest. (B,D)
Day 9 Tue. BUCHAREST
Flower-festooned parks, gardens, and wide boulevards shaded by century-old trees contribute to Bucharest’s beauty. The highlight of your sightseeing tour is a visit to the open-air Village Museum, a unique collection of traditional farmhouses, cottages, wind and watermills, and artisans’ workshops from all parts of the country. The Local Guide will also show you other places of interest, including the Government Victoria Palace, the Royal Palace, and the Savings Palace. There is also an afternoon optional visit to the Romanian Parliament, known as the House of the People. (B)
Day 10 Wed. BUCHAREST-SINAIA-BRASOV
Leave this morning for a stop in 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 in the world. Only a few more miles and you reach Brasov, a lovely medieval town and famous for its town square, studded with baroque architecture and outdoor cafés. This evening enjoy an optional folklore dinner in a typical Transylvanian restaurant. (B)
Day 11 Thu. BRASOV
This morning a walking orientation of the Old Town of Brasov will include a visit to the Black Church and leisure time. In the afternoon leave for Bran and visit its castle, built in 1377 and inhabited by Vlad the Impaler— better known as Dracula. (B)
Day 12 Fri. BRASOV-SIGHISOARA-CLUJ NAPOCA
Head northwards for a stop in Sighisoara, a medieval town with 11 towers—standing within the city walls—which surround cobbledstone streets, ancient houses, and churches—it is one of Romania’s prettiest towns. Legend has it that it is also the birthplace of the notorious Vlad (Dracula). Continue the journey north by way of Tirgu Mures on to Cluj Napoca in the heart of Transylvania. (B,D)
Day 13 Sat. CLUJ NAPOCA-BUDAPEST, HUNGARY
Travel westwards today by way of Oradea into Hungary and return to Budapest. (B)
Day 14 Sun. YOUR HOMEBOUND FLIGHT ARRIVES THE SAME DAY. (B)
Your Travel Package Includes
SIGHTSEEING
Visits to Novi Sad, Belgrade, Rila Monastery*, Brasov, Plovdiv, Veliko Tarnovo, Arbanassi village, Sinaia Monastery*, Peles Castle*, Bran Castle*, Sighisoara
*entrance fee included
SCENIC HIGHLIGHTS
Stara Planina Mountains, Southern Carpathia, Transylvania
* Inside visits are shown in UPPERCASE in the tour description, including admission charges when applicable
GUIDES
Local Guides for city sightseeing in Budapest, Sofia, Bucharest; services of a professional Tour Director while touring.
TRANSPORTATION
Touring by private first-class air-conditioned motorcoach.
QUALITY HOTELS
Rooms with private bath or shower, hotel taxes, porterage, tips, and service charges
BUDAPEST Millenium (ST), BELGRADE M Hotel (ST), SOFIA Princess (F), VELIKO TARNOVO Yantra Palace (ST), BUCHAREST Sofitel (F), BRASOV AREA Aro Palace (ST), CLUJ NAPOCA Best Western Topaz (ST), BUDAPEST Flamenco Park (F)
MEALS
12 buffet breakfasts (B); 4 dinners (D)
OPTIONALS
Choice of optional excursions at reasonable prices to customize your own experience. Please find a detailed list in your travel documents.
April - October
Prices
From approx $1,600 US
per person based on double occupancy
To book or for more information please complete the
INQUIRY FORM
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Phone: 1-888-682-6449/1-303-670-5640
Fax: (425) 984-7676
tours@a-ztravel.com