SOFIA 30ºF - 39ºF

Welcome to Sofia! Upon arrival at the airport, you’ll be transferred to your hotel, where you’ll receive information about the start of your tour. At approximately 3:00 p.m., we’ll begin a city tour of Bulgaria’s capital and get to know famous sights such as the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, the Russian Church, the Mosque, and the city’s squares and avenues known for their Stalinist architecture. The rest of the day will be free for you to explore at your leisure.

SOFIA 30ºF - 39ºF - BACHKOVO 36ºF - 36ºF - PLOVDIV 39ºF - 41ºF

In the morning, we’ll head to Bachkovo Monastery, Bulgaria’s second most significant monastery, established in the eleventh century. With its three churches, this monastery offers a serene and peaceful atmosphere. We’ll then proceed to Plovdiv, where lunch is included before going on a tour of this city, one of the oldest in Europe. Our tour includes admission to the Roman Amphitheatre, the Old Pharmacy, and the Armenian House.

PLOVDIV 39ºF - 41ºF - KAZANLAK 54ºF - 54ºF - SHIPKA 50ºF - 50ºF - ETAR 88ºF - 88ºF - ARBANASI 36ºF - 36ºF - VELIKO TARNOVO 37ºF - 37ºF

Today’s journey will take us through the stunning landscapes of the Balkan Mountains. In the Rose Valley, we’ll visit Kazanlak, where admission is included to see the replica of the Thracian Tomb of Kazanlak, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We’ll also learn about the local production of rose-based products. Amidst the mountains, we’ll stop at the Shipka Memorial Church, a memorial to the Russo-Turkish War. We’ll then explore Etar, a charming village and ethnographic museum. After lunch (included), we’ll travel to Arbanasi, an ancient trading city known for its fortress-like houses, where we’ll visit the Nativity Church (admission included). Our day will end in Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria’s former capital, renowned for its picturesque medieval center beside its canyon.

Note: Occasionally, the visit to Arbanasi may take place on Sunday morning.

VELIKO TARNOVO 37ºF - 37ºF - BASARBOVO 43ºF - 43ºF - BUCHAREST 37ºF - 43ºF

We’ll travel to Romania, stopping along the way to visit the Basarbovski Monastery, a pilgrimage site carved into the rock. We’ll then cross the border and the Danube, arriving in Bucharest around 1:00 p.m. In the afternoon, we’ll take a panoramic tour of the city, exploring the historic center and the impressive Palace of Parliament. You’ll have free time afterward to explore on your own. Dinner will be included.

BUCHAREST 37ºF - 43ºF - SINAIA 45ºF - 45ºF - BRAN 34ºF - 34ºF - SIGHISOARA

Today’s journey offers stunning scenery as we travel to Transylvania, crossing the Carpathian Mountains and lush forests. In SINAIA, we’ll take a leisurely stroll through the gardens of the Peles and Pelisor Castles. Our next stop will be the 14th-century Bran Fortress, commonly known as Dracula’s Castle (tickets included). After some time for lunch, we’ll continue to SIGHISOARA, a picturesque walled medieval city and UNESCO World Heritage Site. In the evening, we’ll enjoy a special dinner at Count Dracula’s restaurant, located in the house where Vlad the Impaler was born.

SIGHISOARA - BIERTAN 43ºF - 43ºF - SIBIU 34ºF - 34ºF - HUNEDOARA 37ºF - 37ºF - TIMISOARA 39ºF - 39ºF

In TRANSYLVANIA, there are many fortified churches in areas that were historically inhabited by people of German origin. Some of these churches are UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and we’ll visit one in BIERTAN (tickets included). Afterward, we’ll head to SIBIU,, an important economic and cultural center that once served as the capital of Transylvania. Here, we’ll have time to stroll through the lively narrow streets and squares and enjoy lunch. In the afternoon, we’ll visit the impressive HUNEDOARA Castle (tickets included), considered the most beautiful castle in Romania. We’ll then continue to TIMISOARA, where you’ll have time to explore the city´s elegant central squares.

TIMISOARA 39ºF - 39ºF - BELGRADE 36ºF - 37ºF

We’ll depart for Serbia, crossing the border and traveling for about 3 hours before reaching Belgrade. In this lively capital, situated at the confluence of the Danube and the Sava, we’ll enjoy a panoramic city tour and explore the bustling city center, see the parliament, and stroll through Kalemegdan Fortress. The tour also includes a visit to the Museum of Yugoslavia, where Tito´s Mausoleum is located. In the afternoon, you’ll have free time to explore the city at your leisure.

BELGRADE 36ºF - 37ºF - SREMSKA MITROVICA 36ºF - 36ºF - REPUBLIC OF SRPSKA - SARAJEVO 32ºF - 32ºF

We begin our beautiful journey traveling toward the region of Vojvodina. We stop in SREMSKA MITROVICA, a city with a charming historic center on the banks of the Sava River, once one of the most important cities of the Roman Empire and the capital of the province of Pannonia. Entrance to the Imperial Palace of Sirmium is included, giving us insight into this period. We then continue toward Bosnia, stopping en route for lunch. Our journey takes us across the Republic of Srpska—the Serbian Republic of Bosnia—through beautiful landscapes to SARAJEVO. Arrival in the late afternoon and time to explore the historic center, where you can stroll through the enchanting bazaar, the old Ottoman market famous for its architecture, oriental atmosphere, and traditional shops. Dinner included.

SARAJEVO 32ºF - 32ºF - MOSTAR 32ºF - 32ºF - HERZEGOVINA - DUBROVNIK 50ºF - 50ºF

In the morning, we include a guided tour of SARAJEVO, a fascinating city known as the “Jerusalem of Europe” for its coexistence of different religions. Mosques, churches, and synagogues reflect this rich diversity. We will notice the strong Ottoman influence in its old town, with its more than 500-year-old mosque and beautiful fountain.

After the visit, we continue our journey through an area of stunning natural beauty to MOSTAR, with its beautiful historic center and its iconic stone bridge that links the Orthodox, Muslim, and Catholic communities. Free time for lunch and to explore the city.

We then continue on to CROATIA. Border formalities (which may be lengthy). Arrival in DUBROVNIK at the end of the day. Dinner included

DUBROVNIK 50ºF - 50ºF

We’ll enjoy a panoramic tour of Dubrovnik with a local guide in the morning. We will undoubtedly be in one of the most beautiful cities in Europe, perched on a cliff, surrounded by walls and kissed by the Adriatic Sea. Its intact historic center is a jewel of world architectural heritage. We’ll have the opportunity to enjoy a stunning view of the city from a scenic viewpoint along the road. The tour includes tickets to the Franciscan Monastery, home to the oldest pharmacy in Europe, and the Assumption Cathedral. We’ll also take a boat trip to Lokrum, a small island just 15 minutes away that is home to the ruins of an eleventh-century Benedictine monastery, a popular setting for the series Game of Thrones. Afterward, you’ll have free time to explore at your leisure before returning to the hotel in the late afternoon. Dinner will be included.

Note: On some occasions, accommodation may be in Cavtat, a coastal town near Dubrovnik. From November to March, there is no boat service to Lokrum, so we will not visit the island during these months.

DUBROVNIK 50ºF - 50ºF

After breakfast, our journey will come to an end, leaving you with wonderful lasting memories.