2025 ROMANIA & BULGARIA EXPLORER 
A PREMIUM, COMPREHENSIVE PRIVATE TOUR OF
THE MAJOR HIGHLIGHTS OF BOTH COUNTRIES.
FROM 998 EURO PER PERSON.
Itinerary: Bucharest Tour - Sibiu - Sibiel Home Hosted Lunch - Biertan - Sighisoara - Gypsy Family Visit - Brasov - Bran and Peles Castles - Ruse, Bulgaria - Ivanovo Rock Hewn Churches - Roman Ruins at Nicopolis -Veliko Tarnovo - Kazanlak - Plovdiv - Rila - Sofia Tour
Day 1:
Bucharest City Tour & Parliament Visit - Olt River Gorge - 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, a guided tour 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 household from all over Romania. Depart for Sibiu, Transylvania with a brief stop at Cozia Monastery built at the end of the 14th century. Drive along the picturesque Olt River Canyon and reach Sibiu. Orientation tour on the way to the hotel
.
. Accommodation in Sibiu at Hotel Casa Luxemburg *** (or similar)
Day 2:
Sibiu Walking Tour – Sibiel Home Hosted Lunch – 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. We'll then take a short drive to the picturesque village of Sibiel to tour the Glass Painted Icons Museum. After enjoying a traditional home hosted lunch at a local farmhouse (and meeting the hosts), 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. We'll then take a short drive to the picturesque village of Sibiel to tour the Glass Painted Icons Museum. After enjoying a traditional home hosted lunch at a local farmhouse (and meeting the hosts), 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 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.
B L Accommodation in Sighisoara at The House with Antler *** (Upper Town)
Day 3:
B L Accommodation in Sighisoara at The House with Antler *** (Upper Town)
Day 3:
Sighisoara Walking Tour – The Saxon Trail- 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. 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. Reach Brasov, for a tour of "The Crown City" of Transylvania. You'll marvel at unique local landmarks including the Gothic style 14th century Black Church featuring a unique collection of Anatolian rugs, Schei Quarter, the Old Town Hall and the Council Square right in the heart of the Old Town. The remainder of the day at leisure so you enjoy the lovely atmosphere of the pedestrian area of the Old Town Brasov.
B Accommodation in Brasov at Hotel Bella Musica ***
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. 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. Reach Brasov, for a tour of "The Crown City" of Transylvania. You'll marvel at unique local landmarks including the Gothic style 14th century Black Church featuring a unique collection of Anatolian rugs, Schei Quarter, the Old Town Hall and the Council Square right in the heart of the Old Town. The remainder of the day at leisure so you enjoy the lovely atmosphere of the pedestrian area of the Old Town Brasov.
B Accommodation in Brasov at Hotel Bella Musica ***
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 guided tour of Peles Castle and Gardens - the breathtaking former summer residence of the Romanian royal family. In the afternoon drive to Ruse, Bulgaria. Take an orientation tour of the center with its classicla architecture examples, before arriving to your hotel. The evening is at leisure in town.
B Accommodation in Ruse, Bulgaria at Hotel Dunav Plaza 8*** (or similar)
Day 5:
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 guided tour of Peles Castle and Gardens - the breathtaking former summer residence of the Romanian royal family. In the afternoon drive to Ruse, Bulgaria. Take an orientation tour of the center with its classicla architecture examples, before arriving to your hotel. The evening is at leisure in town.
B Accommodation in Ruse, Bulgaria at Hotel Dunav Plaza 8*** (or similar)
Day 5:
Ruse - Ivanovo Rock Churches - Arbanassi Walking Tour - Veliko Tarnovo
Hot & cold buffet breakfast at hotel. This morning your English speaking tour guide will meet you at the hotel. Continue your private trip of Romania and Bulgaria with a visit to the cavernous Ivanovo Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Continue to the picturesque village of Arbanassi, near Veliko Tarnovo. Your afternoon highlight is a visit to the Church of Nativity, the most richly decorated church in all of Bulgaria as well as the 17th century Konstantsalieva House. Next is the picturesque town of Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria's ancient capital. he tour will include the picturesque Samovodene Street with its many artisans shops and a view of the mighty Tsarevets Fortress.
B Accommodation in Veliko Tarnovo at Hotel Gurko *** (Old Town)
Day 6:
Hot & cold buffet breakfast at hotel. This morning your English speaking tour guide will meet you at the hotel. Continue your private trip of Romania and Bulgaria with a visit to the cavernous Ivanovo Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Continue to the picturesque village of Arbanassi, near Veliko Tarnovo. Your afternoon highlight is a visit to the Church of Nativity, the most richly decorated church in all of Bulgaria as well as the 17th century Konstantsalieva House. Next is the picturesque town of Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria's ancient capital. he tour will include the picturesque Samovodene Street with its many artisans shops and a view of the mighty Tsarevets Fortress.B Accommodation in Veliko Tarnovo at Hotel Gurko *** (Old Town)
Day 6:
Veliko Tarnovo – The Rose Valley - Kazanlak – Plovdiv Tour
Breakfast at hotel. Morning walking tour 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. Evening at leisure in the lovely pedestrian area of the Old Town.
B Accommodation in Plovdiv at Villa Antica ***
Day 7:
B Accommodation in Plovdiv at Villa Antica ***
Day 7:
Plovdiv - Rila Monastery – Sofia Panoramic City Tour & Evening at Leisure
Hot and cold buffet breakfast at hotel. Take a scenic ride 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.
B Accommodation in Sofia at Hotel Niky *** (or similar)
Day 8:
Hot and cold buffet breakfast at hotel. Take a scenic ride 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.
B Accommodation in Sofia at Hotel Niky *** (or similar)
Day 8:
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:
- 7 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
- 8 meals: 7 breakfasts, 1 home-hosted lunch
- cheese sampling in Bran village
- services of experienced tour guides (driving, one for each country)
- border crossing fees
- guide's expenses
- Bucharest & Sofia city tours
- airport transfer on departure
- porterage at hotels.
Not Included:
- other meals than stated
- admissions
- credit card fee of 2.5%
- gratuities of any kind.