Balkan Tour: from Bucharest to Sofia

Arrival in Bucharest

Arrival in Bucharest. Transfer to 4* hotel for 2 overnights.

Bucharest - Sinaia - Brashov - Bucharest

Whole day tour with lunch included visiting Peles Castle in Sinaia, Dracula Castle and the old town of Brashov.

Peleș Castle, nestled in the Carpathian Mountains near Sinaia, Romania, was commissioned by King Carol I and completed in 1883 as the royal family’s summer residence. A masterpiece of Neo-Renaissance architecture, the castle blends German and Italian influences with richly decorated interiors, featuring hand-carved wood, stained glass, and exquisite artwork. Beyond its beauty, Peleș holds historical significance as the first European castle fully powered by electricity. Today, it stands not only as a symbol of Romanian royalty but as one of the most visited and admired castles in Europe. Open Wed/Sun, Closed Mon/Tue

Bran Castle / Dracula Castle/ - Bran Castle, often referred to as Dracula’s Castle, is not only famous for its architectural beauty and historical significance but also for its eerie tales of ghostly apparitions. Vlad the Impaler, also known as Vlad III, Vlad Dracula, or simply Dracula, is one of the most infamous figures in history. The legend of Dracula has captivated the imaginations of people around the world for over a century. From Bram Stoker’s 1897 novel to countless film adaptations.

Brashov town - Brașov is a city in the Transylvania region of Romania, ringed by the Carpathian Mountains. It's known for its medieval Saxon walls and bastions, the towering Gothic-style Black Church and lively cafes. Piaţa Sfatului (Council Square) in the cobbled old town is surrounded by colorful baroque buildings and is home to the Casa Sfatului, a former town hall turned into local history museum.  

Bucharest - Ruse - Sveshtari - Sts Constanstine and Helena Resort

Transfer via River Danube bridge to Ruse/ Bulgaria/ and continue to Varna, the biggest Bulgarian town and port on the Black Sea Coast. On the way a visit to the Tomb of Sveshtari – an ancient Thracian tomb, dating from the 3^rd century BC, famous for its unique architectural decor, including painted murals and polychromed half-human, half-plant caryatids. Included lunch in a local restaurant and continue to Varna. Accommodation in 4* hotel at Sts. Constantine and Helena Resort, right on the Black Sea Coast.

The Tomb of Shvestari is Bulgaria’s second UNESCO-inscribed Thracian tomb / first one being the Kazanlak Tomb/ and it is claimed to be “the finest Thracian tomb in Bulgaria” but, surprisingly, wasn’t excavated and discovered until 1982.

Sts Constanstine and Helena Resort - Varna - Euxinograd - St Constanstine and Helena Resort

Whole day tour with lunch included, visiting Euxinograd Palace and Gardens and Varna town.

Sts Constantine & Helena Resort - Just a few kilometers away from the city of Varna, one of the most picturesque places on the Bulgarian Black Sea coast is located - Sts. Constantine and Helena - the resort with over 115 years of history! In search of a relaxing holiday and a beneficial combination of sea, thermal springs and sea climate, hundreds of thousands of tourists visit the resort Sts. Constantine and Helena, discovering its year-round sea, spa, and culinary destination.

Varna - is a large city on the Black Sea coast and a gateway to the wonderful seaside resorts on the northern part of the coast. With a population of nearly 350,000, Varna is the third-largest city in Bulgaria (after Sofia and Plovdiv) and it is often called "the sea capital" of Bulgaria. Dating back to ancient times, here the oldest Gold treasure in the world was found / 4 600 BC/.

Euxinograd Palace & Gardens - Euxinograd is a late 19th-century Bulgarian former royal summer palace and park on the Black Sea coast, 8 km north of downtown Varna. The palace is currently a governmental and presidential retreat, hosting cabinet meetings in the summer and offering access to tourists.

Sts Constanstine and Helena Resort - Nessebar - Sunny Beach

Transfer to the ancient coastal town of Nessebar /UNESCO/, sightseeing tour and lunch included. Accommodation in 4* hotel in  the biggest resort on the Black Sea Coast – Sunny Beach.

Nessebar Ancient Town/UNESCO/ - Situated on a rocky peninsula on the Black Sea, the more than 3,000-year-old site of Nessebar was originally a Thracian settlement (Mesembria). At the beginning of the 6th century BC, the city became a Greek colony. The city’s remains, which date mostly from the Hellenistic period, include the acropolis, a temple of Apollo, an agora and a wall from the Thracian fortifications. Among other monuments, the Stara Mitropolia Basilica and the fortress date from the Middle Ages, when this was one of the most important Byzantine towns on the west coast of the Black Sea.

Sunny Beach - Midalidare Estate - Plovdiv

Transfer to Plovdiv – one of the oldest towns in Europe. A visit on the way in one of the prominent Winery in Thracian Valley  - Midalidare Estate with wine tasting and lunch included. Accommodation in 4* hotel in Plovdiv.

Midalidare Estate - Midalidare is more than just an estate. It is a dream come true. A dream built on the philosophy of synergy between man and nature. Hard work, endurance, respect and great passion are at the heart of Midalidare. At present 160 hectares of vineyards are carefully managed on the estate. The red varieties in Midalidare are presented by Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Syrah and Merlot. The whites are Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Riesling.

Plovdiv

Sightseeing tour of Plovdiv Old Town with lunch included. Free time in the afternoon.

Plovdiv Old Town - The old town in Plovdiv is an architectural and historical marvel located on three of Plovdiv’s hills: Nebet Tepe, Dzhambaz Tepe and Taksim Tepe. The complex has been formed as a result of the long sequence of habitation from prehistoric times to present day and combines the culture and architecture from Antiquity - The Roman theatre of Plovdiv is one of the world's best-preserved ancient theatres. It was constructed during Roman Emperor Trajan (reigned 98–117 AD) and can host between 5000 and 7000 spectators and it is currently in use. The Ancient stadium of Plovdiv was built in the beginning of the II century A.D. during the reign of Emperor Hadrian and is another very interesting site in the centre of the city. The old town in Plovdiv has been included in UNESCO's World Heritage list since 2004.

Plovdiv - Sofia

Transfer to the capital of Bulgaria – Sofia and sightseeing of its most emblematic sites. Folklore dinner with live music and show included.

Sofia - Sofia is the capital of Bulgaria. The city’s landmarks reflect more than 2,000 years of history, including Greek, Roman and Ottoman periods. Sofia is the 14th largest city in the European union. It is surrounded by mountains such as Vitosha to the south/ 2 290 m/ and the Balkan Mountains to the north / 2 376 m/ and it is the 3rd highest European capital after Andorra and Madrid. The city has been described as the "triangle of religious tolerance", because three temples of three major world religions— Christianity, Islam and Judaism are situated close together.

Return home

Transfer to the airport for departure back home.