2025 TREASURES OF ROMANIA & BULGARIA TOUR

TWELVE DAYS FROM 1,554 EURO PP. EARLY BOOKING RATES 2025

INCLUDES THE TRANSYLVANIAN CASTLES, OFF THE BEATEN TRACK SITES, AUTHENTIC LOCAL INTERACTION, BOTH CAPITALS, OLD VILLAGES, A GYPSY ENCOUNTER AND MUCH MORE...

COMPASS TRAVEL ROMANIA TOUR FEATURES.

•  enjoy the exceptional expertise of national tour guides, all with excellent reviews;
•  benefit of the complete flexibility of having the tour further tailored to your requirements, both in terms of the route and features;
•  make the most of your tour experience through our exclusively designed tours and cultural connections, with no less than 12 UNESCO Sites included;
•  enhance your experience though our choices of tours to match your particular interests and traveling style;
•  discover the daily life in the more remote villages of Transylvania. Meet & interact with locals in both home hosted experiences and local markets;
•  dine on varied local specialities, such the home-cooked dinner in Maramures;
  
•  take the unique chance of meeting Gypsies in their own community in Transylvania and discover their particular culture and traditional skills;
•  learn first hand about arts & crafts and meet local artists in their workshops;
•  benefit of the best value for money offered by Compass Travel Romania.

Day 3: 

Sibiu Walking Tour & Fresh Market Visit - Choice of Visits: Huniady Castle OR Turda Salt Mines - Cluj Napoca

Hot and cold buffet breakfast at hotel. Start your day with a leisurely walking tour of Sibiu, the chief city of the Transylvanian Germans. Walk in the famous Great and Lesser Squares and view the old surrounding defense walls and the remaining guild towers. Stand on the famous Liars' Bridge and hear its story. One of the landmarks of Sibiu is the Barque Bruckenthal Palace, built by Baron Bruckenthal, the Governor of Transylvania at the beginning of the 19th century. Next is the Evangelical Cathedral completed in its actual shape in 1520. Visit the colorful open air fresh fruit and vegetable farmers' market before leaving Sibiu.

 

CHOICE OF AFTERNOON TOURS:

 

1. drive to Hunedoara for a guided tour of the impressive, 15th century Gothic Huniady Castle OR 

2. tour of the recently reopened Turda Salt Mines, tokened as the "most beautiful undergraound place on Earth".

Late afternoon arrival to Cluj Napoca, the former capital of Transylvania and one of Romania's largest cities. Short orientation tour on the way to your hotel. The evening is at leisure in the city.

Breakfast, Accommodation in Cluj Napoca

at Hotel Pami *** (or similar) 

 

Day 4:  

Cluj Napoca - Baia Mare - Maramures - Sapinta & The Merry Cemetery - Home Hosted Dinner & Folklore Music

Hot and cold buffet breakfast at hotel.  In the morning take a panoramic city tour of Cluj Napoca with the main highlgihts such as the 1906 Helmer & Fellner Opera House, the City Hall,  the Banffy Palace and St. Michael's. Head North to Baia Mare from where you reach the splendid region of Maramures (northern Transylvania). Due to the relative isolation of their land, the people of Maramures developed a particularly strong community, with a unique personality, traditions, culture, fashion and lifestyle unspoiled for centuries.

 

Stop in the villages of Giulesti for the dowry tradition and Mara for the wonderfully carved wooden gates. Continue west along Tisa River and reach the village of Sapinta, world famous for its "Merry Cemetery".  Each wooden cross carries a funny epitaph about the person's life. In the same village you will have the opportunity to witness the construction of the tallest wooden structure in the wolrd: Sapinta - Peri. Accommodation in a private house in the village of Iza. Meet a Romanian family in their home (not a B&B) for a home-hosted dinner, this being a first-hand cultural interchange.

 

OPTIONAL (based on availability):  exclusively organized Maramures Folklore Show & Dances.
Breakfast and Dinner, Home stay accommodation (modern villa) OR Hotel Casa Iurca *** in Sighet (surcharge may apply)

Family home, with one section renovated into a modern villa with all modern, private facilities. The location is excellent, in a small village, quiet neighborhood, far away from the main street. The terraces offer a beautiful view on the village. Excellent home cooking including cooking classes on request.

 

Day 5:  

Maramures:  Iza Valley Walking Tour - Sighetul Marmatiei - The Wooden Churches (UNESCO) - The Carpathians  - Bucovina

After breakfast, take an exclusively designed walking tour of the village of Iza including an icon-on-glass workshop (and learn about the technique), the local ancient type plum brandy distillery and a typical wooden whirlpool still used by the local women to wash heavy woolenblankets. Then drive to the nearby town of Sighet to mingle with the locals at the colorful fruit and vegetable market where you will have the oportunity to sample various produce. Continue to the Anti Communist Memorial - a political prison in the Communist times. This is one of the main memorial sites of the continent, alongside Auschwitz Museum and the Peace Memorial in Normandy. The visit here provides a direct connection to Romania's most recent history.  Lunch on own.

 

Continue exploring Maramures along the picturesque Iza Valley – an excellent opportunity to witness daily life in this corner of Europe. Stop in the village of Rozavlea for the 1720 wooden church (UNESCO Site),  then visit a famous master wood carver in his own workshop. He represented Romania at the 1999 Smithsonian World Folk Festival in Washington, DC. Next is the exquisite Barsana Monastery, a great example of Maramures wooden architecture.

 

Cross the Carpathian Mountains through the picturesque Prislop Pass into the northern part of Moldavia called Bucovina with excellent opportunities for pictures. In the town of Campulung enjoy an exclusively organized interactive egg-painting demonstration by a local artist in her home, this being one of the local traditions of the area. You will also have the chance to admire painted eggs from all over the world in an unique private exhibition. After arriving in Gura Humorului, check into the hotel.

Breakfast,  Accommodation in Gura Humorului

at Hotel Best Western Bucovina ****  (two nights) 

 

Day 6:  

Bucovina Painted Monasteries Excursion (World Heritage Sites) & Traditional Bucovina Lunch

A la carte breakfast at hotel. The Bucovina monasteries are gems of medieval Moldavian architecture and artistry. Begin your day with Voronet , the most famous out of all, known as the Sistine Chapel of the East and featuring one the best Last Judgment Fresco in this part of the World. Next is Moldovita Monastery where the UNESCO Golden Apple Award given to the painted churches in 1975, is kept. As a cultural connection, enjoy a traditional Bucovina lunch in the picturesque village of Sucevita.

 

Later continue to the nearby Sucevita Monastery, which is the largest of all, looking more like a mighty fortress than a monastery. The Ladder of John of Sinai is considered one of the best of the frescoes of Sucevita, rarely present in medieval Romanian art. The monastery has a small old bibles museum. In the village of Marginea visit the black pottery workshop - they use a technique called "oxygen reduction", there is the same technique in Mexico only! End your day with the Monastery of Humor, the only one without a belfry tower.

Breakfst and Lunch,  Accommodation in Gura Humorului 

 

Day 7:   

Gura Humorului - Piatra Neamt - Bicaz Gorges & Red Lake -  Gypsy Experience - Sighisoara

A la carte breakfast at hotel.  Leave Gura Humorului in the morning and head South:  reach Bicaz Gorges where the surroundings are dramatic. Here you have an opportunity for a short hike. Optional lunch in the resort of the Red Lake  - Lacu Rosu (restaurants here specialize in naturally grown trout). Once passing the Red Lake you are back to Transylvania.

 

On an exclusive cultural connection, meet a local Gypsy family in their own home.  

 

Afternoon arrival to Sighisoara -  a World Heritage Site and the only still inhabited medieval citadel in Europe. . 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 House with Antler, 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 today one of the main tourist attractions. Accommodation in the Upper Town.

OPTIONAL:  Tasting of high quality, home-made fruit brandy in a 500-year old cellar in Sighisoara.

Breakfast, Accommodation in Sighisoara

at The House with Antler *** 

 

Day 8:   

Sighisoara – The Saxon Trail - Bran Castle - Tour of Brasov & Evening at Leisure

A la carte breakfast at hotel. Depart Sighisoara heading South through the picturesque Transylvanian Plateau for a guided tour Bran Castle also known as Dracula's Castle altough the connections to Vlad are still in debate. Today being one of the most popular attractions of the country, the castle was built in 1377 to safeguard the trading route between Transylvania and Wallachia, then enlarged and restored a few times to become a royal residence after the 1920s under Queen Marie of Romania. Take a guided tour followed by cheese sampling. 

 

In the afternoon enjoy a tour of Brasov (partly on foot) to admire the 14th century Gothic Black Church with its 4,000 pipe organ and over a hundred Anatolian prayer rugs given to the church as gifts by the rich Brasov merchants. Visit Schei Quarter with the First School in Romanian language (meet with professor Olteanu). The tour will also include the Council Square, Catherine's Gate, the Rope Street and a view of the 1901 synagogue. Hotel check in with the remainder of the day at lesiure in the lovely pedestrian area of the Old Town. 
Breakfast,  Accommodation in Brasov at Hotel Bella Muzica ***

(or similar)

Day 9: 

Peles Castle - Tour of Ruse  -  Village of Arbanassi & Veliko Tarnovo

Hot and cold buffet breakfast at hotel. Early morning scenic drive through the Oriental Carpathians to Sinaia mountain town, formerly the un-official capital of Romania at the end of the 19th century.  Take a guided tour of the Peles Castle and Gardens in Sinaia, the royal residence of King Charles I of Romania and known as one of the most beautiful summer l residences in Europe.

 

A ride south to Bucharest and then across the Danube River then brings you into Bulgaria. Meet your Bulgaria tour guide, then take a walking tour of the town of Ruse, the main Bulgarian port on the Danube. Drve south tothe 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! The remainder of the day in spent in Veliko Tarnovo.

Breakfast,  Accommodation in the Old Town Veliko Tarnovo

at Hotel Gurko *** (or similar)

Day 10: 

Veliko Tarnovo Walking Tour – Kazanlak Thracian Tomb & Rose Valley – Plovdiv

A la carte breakfast at hotel. The Romania and Bulgaria private tour includes morning take a tour of Veliko Tarnovo, the former capital of the Second Bulgarian Kingdom. The Tsarevets Fortress is one of the largest and most well preserved of the Northen Balkans. We will then journey south, 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.  Old Plovdiv on Trimonzium hill is the centre of Bulgarian national revival architecture at its height and is full of charm and artistic character. Enjoy a tour including a visit to the Old Town,  the Byzantine and medieval fortifications, the La Martine houses and a view of the 15th century mosque. Walk along the narrow cobbled streets and admire the silence and tranquility of this historic town, visit workshops of local artisans to learn about Bulgarian crafts, especially pottery. Hotel check in. Evening at leisure in the centre of Plovdiv.

Breakfast, Accommodation in Plovdiv at Villa Antica ***

(in the heart of the Old Town) 

 

Day 11: 

Plovdiv Tour & Roman Amphiteatre – Rila Monastery – Sofia

Hot and  cold buffet breakfast at hotel. Morning tour of the 2000-year old Roman Amphitheatre, the main highlight of Plovdiv.

 

Later enjoy a scenic ride through beautiful 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. The monastery is the largest in the Balkans and included in the List of World Cultural Heritage. Our tour includes a visit to the Church, which is of particular artistic value, for it was adorned by the foremost 19-century masters of the Samokov, Bansko and Debar schools of painting and woodcarving. Continue to Sofia with arrival in the late afternoon. Orientation tour of Sofia before arriving to your centrally located hotel. Check in with the evening at leisure.

Breakfast, Accommodation in Sofia at Hotel Niky *** (or similar)

 

Day 12:  

Sofia Half Day City Tour including Boyana & Afternoon Airport Transfer for Departure

Hot & cold buffet breakfast. In the morning take a comprehensive sightseeing tour of Sofia, a city with a seven thousand year long history. The Sofia highlights include the National History Museum, displaying the gold and silver Thracian Treasures, and the Boyana Church, listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, one of Bulgaria's most significant historical treasures dating back to the 13th century. Other points of interest during the tour will be the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, the Rotunda of St George and the Banya Bashi Mosque as well as a view of the Great Synagogue. 

 

Transfer to Sofia International Airport where your Romania and Bulgaria tour ends OR extend your trip to Hungary or Macedonia.

Breaskfast, Transfer

 

 

 

 

Included Features:

You'll Visit 11 UNESCO World Heritage Sites:

Romania:  Sibiu's Historic Center & Ensemble of Squares, Maramures Wooden Churches, Bucovina Exterior Frescoed Monasteries, Historic Center of Sighisoara, Southern Transylvania Fortified Chuches.

Bulgaria:  Ivanovo Rock Hewn Churches, Kazanlak Thracian Tomb, Ancient Town of Plovdiv, Rila Monastery, Boyana Church.

Not Included:

• other meals than stated
• admissions to sites and museums
• credit card fee of 2.5%
• gratuities of any kind.

                                       2025 Tour Price & Discounts: PLEASE CLICK HERE