TREASURES OF THE BALKANS AND TRANSYLVANIA
14 DAYS FROM $1,795 US
Details below or click here for more information INQUIRY FORM
Phone: 1-888-682-6449/1-303-670-5640
Fax: (425) 984-7676
Discover the
treasures of the Balkans on this adventure that starts and ends in
Budapest, the lively city on the Danube. Guided sightseeing introduces
you to the highlights, including the Royal Castle, Parliament, and
Fishermen’s Bastion. Next, head south through ever-changing landscapes
to Novi Sad, famous for its citadel, then Serbia’s capital of Belgrade
and the breathtaking gorges leading into Bulgaria. Explore Sofia with
its ornate orthodox churches; visit Rila Monastery, a UNESCO World
Heritage Site; and explore Plovdiv’s charming Old Town and Roman
Amphitheater. Continue to medieval Veliko Târnovo and Arbanassi
before arriving in beautiful Bucharest, Romania, for two overnights. On
to the picturesque mountains, fortified villages, and castles of
Transylvania. Visit Sinaia Monastery and Bran Castle, the medieval
dwelling of legendary Count Dracula. Enjoy additional stops in
enchanting Sighisoara and Cluj Napoca and return to Budapest for the
finale of this outstanding vacation.Day 1 Mon.
BOARD YOUR OVERNIGHT TRANSATLANTIC FLIGHT
Day 2 Tue. ARRIVE 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. Also see Heroes’ Square, which typifies the modern capital, as well as the old inns and wine cellars along the riverbank, the Royal Castle, Parliament, Margaret Island, Fishermen’s Bastion, and Matthias Coronation Church. (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 TÂRNOVO
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 Târnovo. (B,D)
Day 8 Mon. VELIKO TÂRNOVO–BUCHAREST, ROMANIA
Today, time to see some of the highlights of Veliko Târnovo, 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 famous for its town square filled 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 within the city walls, which surround cobblestone 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. In the evening, enjoy an optional Danube dinner cruise. (B)
Day 14 Sun.
YOUR HOMEBOUND FLIGHT ARRIVES THE SAME DAY. (B)
INCLUDED FEATURES
Visits to Novi Sad, Belgrade, Rila Monastery, Plovdiv, Veliko Târnovo, Arbanassi village, Sinaia Monastery, Brasov, Bran Castle, Sighisoara.
SCENIC HIGHLIGHTS
Stara Planina Mountains, Southern Carpathia, Transylvania
INSIDE VISITS
Inside visits and special features are shown in the description, including admission charges when applicable.
GUIDES
Local Guides for city sightseeing in Budapest, Sofia, Bucharest, Peles Castle; services of a professional Tour Director while touring
STANDARD INCLUDED FEATURES
Hotels, and other standard included features offered.
MEALS - (B) Breakfast (L) Lunch (D) Dinner
Buffet breakfasts (B); 4 dinners (D)
HOTELS - (F) First-Class (ST) Superior Tourist-Class (T) Tourist Class
Budapest Mercure Duna (ST), Belgrade Best Western Hotel M (F), Sofia Princess (F), Veliko TÂrnovo Yantra Grand (F), Bucharest Pullman Bucharest (F), Brasov Aro Palace (F), Cluj-Napoca Belvedere (F), Budapest Flamenco Park (F)
TRANSPORTATION
Touring by private first-class air-conditioned motorcoach.
BOARD YOUR OVERNIGHT TRANSATLANTIC FLIGHT
Day 2 Tue. ARRIVE 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. Also see Heroes’ Square, which typifies the modern capital, as well as the old inns and wine cellars along the riverbank, the Royal Castle, Parliament, Margaret Island, Fishermen’s Bastion, and Matthias Coronation Church. (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 TÂRNOVO
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 Târnovo. (B,D)
Day 8 Mon. VELIKO TÂRNOVO–BUCHAREST, ROMANIA
Today, time to see some of the highlights of Veliko Târnovo, 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 famous for its town square filled 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 within the city walls, which surround cobblestone 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. In the evening, enjoy an optional Danube dinner cruise. (B)
Day 14 Sun.
YOUR HOMEBOUND FLIGHT ARRIVES THE SAME DAY. (B)
INCLUDED FEATURES
Visits to Novi Sad, Belgrade, Rila Monastery, Plovdiv, Veliko Târnovo, Arbanassi village, Sinaia Monastery, Brasov, Bran Castle, Sighisoara.
SCENIC HIGHLIGHTS
Stara Planina Mountains, Southern Carpathia, Transylvania
INSIDE VISITS
Inside visits and special features are shown in the description, including admission charges when applicable.
GUIDES
Local Guides for city sightseeing in Budapest, Sofia, Bucharest, Peles Castle; services of a professional Tour Director while touring
STANDARD INCLUDED FEATURES
Hotels, and other standard included features offered.
MEALS - (B) Breakfast (L) Lunch (D) Dinner
Buffet breakfasts (B); 4 dinners (D)
HOTELS - (F) First-Class (ST) Superior Tourist-Class (T) Tourist Class
Budapest Mercure Duna (ST), Belgrade Best Western Hotel M (F), Sofia Princess (F), Veliko TÂrnovo Yantra Grand (F), Bucharest Pullman Bucharest (F), Brasov Aro Palace (F), Cluj-Napoca Belvedere (F), Budapest Flamenco Park (F)
TRANSPORTATION
Touring by private first-class air-conditioned motorcoach.
April - October
Prices
From approx $1,795 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
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