2026 ROMANIA & BULGARIA EXPLORER 
A PREMIUM, SEVEN-DAY COMPREHENSIVE TOUR OF
THE MAJOR HIGHLIGHTS OF BOTH COUNTRIES. FROM 1,167 EURO PER PERSON
Itinerary: Bucharest City Tour - Transylvania: Sibiu - Biertan Fortress - Sighisoara - Gypsy Family Visit - Brasov - Bran and Peles Castles - Ruse, Bulgaria - Ivanovo Rock Hewn Churches - Veliko Tarnovo - Kazanlak Tomb - Plovdiv Old Town - Rila Monastery - Sofia City Tour
Day 1:
Bucharest City Tour - Olt River Gorge - The Trans Fagarasan Road (July to October) - Transylvania: Sibiu
Begin your Romania and Bulgaria private tour with a morning pick up at your hotel or residence followed by a city tour of Bucharest with the main sites such as the Revolution Square, main avenues, a view of the Palace of the Parliament - the second largest building in the world, Cotroceni Quarter and the Kiseleff Avenue as well as the Village Museum, one of the world's most interesting open air museum featuring vernacular households from all over Romania.
Depart for Sibiu, Transylvania via the scenic Trans Fagarasan Road with a view of Poienari Citadel (Dracula's), the Vidraru Dam and the Balea Glacier Lake. During the Spring and Fall the Olt River Valley & Gorge Road will be used; with a brief stop at Cozia Monastery built at the end of the 14th century. Reach Sibiu in the late afternoon. Enjoy an orientation tour of the Old Town on the way to your hotel. The remainder of the day is at leisure.
Accommodation in Sibiu at Hotel MyContinental *** (or similar)
Day 2:
Sibiu Walking Tour & Market – Biertan (UNESCO Site) - The Gypsy Experience - Sighisoara
Hot & cold buffet breakfast at hotel. Start your day with a leisurely walking tour of Sibiu, the chief city of the Transylvanian Germans including the hustling and busling Sibiu Open Air Market (oportunity to sample fresh priduce). View the old surrounding defense walls and the remaining guild towers. One of the landmarks of Sibiu is the Baroque Bruckenthal Palace, assembled by Baron Bruckenthal, Governor of Transylvania at the beginning of the 19th century. The Evangelical Cathedral was completed in its actual shape in 1520, but inside, there is an exquisite fresco of the Crucifixion on the north wall of the choir dating from 1445. Head to the Biertan for a tour of to the impressive fortified Saxon church, an UNESCO World Heritage site and formerly the Seat of the Lutheran Bishops of Transylvania for over three centuries.
Hot & cold buffet breakfast at hotel. Start your day with a leisurely walking tour of Sibiu, the chief city of the Transylvanian Germans including the hustling and busling Sibiu Open Air Market (oportunity to sample fresh priduce). View the old surrounding defense walls and the remaining guild towers. One of the landmarks of Sibiu is the Baroque Bruckenthal Palace, assembled by Baron Bruckenthal, Governor of Transylvania at the beginning of the 19th century. The Evangelical Cathedral was completed in its actual shape in 1520, but inside, there is an exquisite fresco of the Crucifixion on the north wall of the choir dating from 1445. Head to the Biertan for a tour of to the impressive fortified Saxon church, an UNESCO World Heritage site and formerly the Seat of the Lutheran Bishops of Transylvania for over three centuries.Exclusive visit (based on availability): to a Gypsy village followed by a Gypsy home visit: this is an unique opportunity to learn about this less known yet controversial ethnic group, about its culture, identity and lifestyle. Today's final stop is Sighisoara – a World Heritage Site and the only still inhabited medieval citadel in Europe. Accommodation in the Upper Town. Suggested dinner at the Birthplace of Vlad Dracula.
Breakfast
Breakfast
Accommodation in Sighisoara at The House with Antler *** OR Casa Wagner *** (Upper Town)
Day 3:
Day 3:
Sighisoara Walking Tour – The Saxon Village Trail & Viscri - Tour of Brasov
Hot & cold buffet breakfast at hotel. Sighisoara is one of a kind. It was developed by the German settlers as of late 12th century. It stands on a network of tunnels and catacombs and, according to one version of the myth; this is where the Pied Piper brought the children of Hamelin after their ungrateful parents refused to pay him his due. The walking tour includes the two squares of the Citadel (Upper Town), the Scholars’ Staircase, the Tower with Clock (climb up for a great view), the Torture Chamber and the Weapon Museum. Sighisoara is the place where the Vlad the Impaler Dracula was born in 1431. The Birthplace is one of the main tourist attractions.
Hot & cold buffet breakfast at hotel. Sighisoara is one of a kind. It was developed by the German settlers as of late 12th century. It stands on a network of tunnels and catacombs and, according to one version of the myth; this is where the Pied Piper brought the children of Hamelin after their ungrateful parents refused to pay him his due. The walking tour includes the two squares of the Citadel (Upper Town), the Scholars’ Staircase, the Tower with Clock (climb up for a great view), the Torture Chamber and the Weapon Museum. Sighisoara is the place where the Vlad the Impaler Dracula was born in 1431. The Birthplace is one of the main tourist attractions.
Continue on the Saxon Village Trail with a stop in Viscri. Later reach Brasov, for a tour of "The Crown City" of Transylvania. You'll marvel at unique local landmarks, the merchant houses, Catherine's Gate and the famous Rope Street also including the Gothic style 14th century Black Church featuring a unique collection of Anatolian rugs. The picturesque Schei Quarter, the Old Town Hall and the Council Square are the famous landmarks of this well preserved medieval town. The remainder of the day at leisure so you enjoy the lovely atmosphere of the pedestrian area of the Old Town Brasov with its many open air restaurants and cozy cafes.
Breakfast
Breakfast
Accommodation in Brasov at Hotel Bella Muzica *** OR Hotel Casa Wagner ***
Day 4:
Brasov - Bran Castle Tour - Sinaia & Peles Castle - Ruse, Bulgaria
Hot & cold buffet breakfast at hotel. Morning drive to the village of Bran. Tour Bran Castle also known as Dracula Castle. The castle was built in 1377 to safeguard the trading route between Transylvania and Wallachia, enlarged and restored a few times to finally become a royal residence under Queen Marie of Romania. After the visit enjoy a cheese sampling as this area is known for its high quality cheeses. Continue to Sinaia mountain resort. Named after St. Catherine Monastery on Mount Sinai, Sinaia became the unofficial capital of the Kingdom of Romania toward the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century when the Orient Express Train used to call here. Take a self guided tour of Peles Castle and Gardens - the breathtaking former summer residence of the Romanian royal family.
Hot & cold buffet breakfast at hotel. Morning drive to the village of Bran. Tour Bran Castle also known as Dracula Castle. The castle was built in 1377 to safeguard the trading route between Transylvania and Wallachia, enlarged and restored a few times to finally become a royal residence under Queen Marie of Romania. After the visit enjoy a cheese sampling as this area is known for its high quality cheeses. Continue to Sinaia mountain resort. Named after St. Catherine Monastery on Mount Sinai, Sinaia became the unofficial capital of the Kingdom of Romania toward the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century when the Orient Express Train used to call here. Take a self guided tour of Peles Castle and Gardens - the breathtaking former summer residence of the Romanian royal family.
In the afternoon drive to Ruse, Bulgaria; cross the impressive Friendship Bridge spaning over the mighty Danube. Then take a tour of the center with its classical architecture examples, before arriving to your hotel. The evening is at leisure in town.
Breakfast
Breakfast
Accommodation in Ruse, Bulgaria at Adeo Hotel & Spa ***
Day 5:
Day 5:
Ruse - Ivanovo Rock Churches - Veliko Tarnovo - Kazanlak Thracian Tomb - Plovdiv
Hot & cold buffet breakfast at hotel. Start exploring Bulgaria with a visit to the cavernous Ivanovo Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Head South to the picturesque town of Veliko Tarnovo, the anicent capital of Bulgaria. The tour will include the picturesque Samovodene Street with its many artisans shops and a view of the mighty Tsarevets Fortress.
Hot & cold buffet breakfast at hotel. Start exploring Bulgaria with a visit to the cavernous Ivanovo Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Head South to the picturesque town of Veliko Tarnovo, the anicent capital of Bulgaria. The tour will include the picturesque Samovodene Street with its many artisans shops and a view of the mighty Tsarevets Fortress. We will journey through the heart of rural Bulgaria today en route to Plovdiv, the country’s second largest city. As we wind through picturesque Rose Valley, we make a stop in the town of Kazanlak at the world famous Thracian Tomb, you get an up-close view of the wonderfully preserved Hellenistic frescoes dating back to the 4th century BC. Upon arrival in Plovdiv, the center of Bulgarian industry, we tour the lovely The Old Town including the large Roman Amphitheatre. Plovdiv is known for its stunning late 19th century typical Bulgarian (Revival) architecture thru a number of merchant houses. After check in, enjoy an evening at leisure in the lovely pedestrian of the Old Town.
Breakfast
Breakfast
Accommodation in the Old Town of Plovdiv at Hotel Odeon ***
Day 6:
Day 6:
Plovdiv - Rila Monastery – Sofia Panoramic City Tour & Evening at Leisure
Hot and cold buffet breakfast at hotel. Leave Plovdiv early. Take a scenic ride thru the Bulgarian countryside on the way to Rila Monastery, Bulgaria's most famous tourist site and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Founded in the 10th century by St. Ivan Rilsky, the monastery was at the center of Bulgarian culture and Orthodox belief for centuries and today the most visited cultural site of Bulgaria. Once in the capital Sofia take a panoramic city tour with the Rotunda of St George and a visit to Alexaner Nevski Cathedral. Hotel check in with the evening at leisure.
Breakfast
Hot and cold buffet breakfast at hotel. Leave Plovdiv early. Take a scenic ride thru the Bulgarian countryside on the way to Rila Monastery, Bulgaria's most famous tourist site and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Founded in the 10th century by St. Ivan Rilsky, the monastery was at the center of Bulgarian culture and Orthodox belief for centuries and today the most visited cultural site of Bulgaria. Once in the capital Sofia take a panoramic city tour with the Rotunda of St George and a visit to Alexaner Nevski Cathedral. Hotel check in with the evening at leisure.
Breakfast
Accommodation in Sofia at Hotel Saint George **** (or similar)
Day 7:
Day 7:
Sofia Departure
Hot & cold buffet breakfast at hotel or boxed breakfast for early departures. Time at leisure until your transfer to Sofia International Airport where your Romania and Bulgaria private tour ends.
Hot & cold buffet breakfast at hotel or boxed breakfast for early departures. Time at leisure until your transfer to Sofia International Airport where your Romania and Bulgaria private tour ends.
Your Price Includes:
- 6 nights accommodations at three and four star hotels
- fully insured sedan / van with climate control for the entire distance
- fuel and parking fees
- all sightseeing tours and cultural connections
- 6 breakfasts
- cheese sampling in Bran village
- services of an experienced tour guide (driving)
- guide's expenses
- Bucharest & Sofia city tours
- airport transfer on departure
- porterage at hotels.
Not Included:
- admissions (pay on spot based on the elected tour, senior citizen discounts up to 50%)
- credit card fee of 2.5%
- gratuities of any kind.