Eastern Europe Express

  • Best price guaranteed
  • No booking fees
  • Booking Type Instant booking
  • duration 9 days
  • tour type Small group Request as private
  • age requirement 15-99 yrs
  • max group size 12
  • guiding method Fully guided
  • Tour Code BM-3670
  • Footprint Carbonneutral CO2 emissions resulting from all trips on Bookmundi will be offset via investments in carbon reduction projects.
  • Operated in English
map
  • Starts Bucharest, Romania
  • Ends Istanbul, Turkey
  • +4
HIGHLIGHTS Download trip notes
  • Immerse yourself in the communist past and vibrant present of Bucharest, a city often underrated by travellers
  • Travel through the scenic Rila Mountains in Bulgaria, mingling with monks at the 10th-century Rila Monastery
  • Experience the romantic "time travel" back to the 20-th century by taking a trip on the last operational narrow gauge line in Bulgaria on route from Bansko to Plovdiv.
  • Explore the amphitheatre and Plovdiv's other significant sights on a guided walking tour.
  • Breathe the crisp air on a hike and take in stunning view in the Pirin Mountain.
  • Stand in awe of the exquisite architectual design of Selimiye Mosque and celebrate the end of your journey in the transcontinental Istanbul.
  • Show more
The "Eastern Europe Express" trip starts from Bucharest and ends in Istanbul. The "Eastern Europe Express" trip is a sightseeing trip that takes 9 days. You will travel through Turkey, Bulgaria and Romania and visit Veliko Tarnovo, Sofia, Plovdiv and 3 other destinations. This is a guided small group trip that includes accommodation in hotels, transport, meals and others.

Embark on a spectacular journey from Romania and through Bulgaria to Istanbul, discovering the architectural grandeur and quaint cultural enclaves that make this such an intriguing part of the world. Absorb Bucharest’s austere atmosphere on a guided walking tour, compare age-old places of worship in Sofia, breathe in crisp alpine air on a hike in the Pirin Mountains, and meander back in time in the Old Town of Plovdiv. and bask in the glory of transcontinental Istanbul. Relatively short in terms of distance travelled, this nine-day trip is a fascinating study in just how much regions can change as you cross national borders.
ITINERARY Expand All
  • Day 1: Bucharest
  • Day 2: Veliko Tarnovo
  • Day 3: Veliko Tarnovo
  • Day 4: Sofia
  • Day 5: Bansko
  • Day 6: Plovdiv
  • Day 7: Plovdiv
  • Day 8: Istanbul
  • Day 9: Istanbul
WHAT'S INCLUDED
Accommodation
  • Hotel (8 nights)
Meals
  • 6 Breakfasts
Transport
  • Train , Public Bus , Private vehicle , Metro , Taxi
Guide
  • An expert tour leader
Included Activities
  • Veliko Tarnovo - Tsarevets Fortress
  • Rila - Monastery Visit
  • Pirin Mountains - Hike
  • Rhodope Narrow-Gauge Railway
  • Plovdiv-Private Transfer from Plovdiv Train Station to Plovdiv Hotel
  • Plovdiv - Walking Tour with Local Guide
  • Istanbul- Private Transfer from Istanbul Bus Station to Istanbul Hotel
  • Plovdiv- Private Transfer from Plovdiv Hotel to Plovdiv Bus Station
WHAT'S EXCLUDED
  • Any international flights to Bucharest and from Istanbul are not included in this price. We always recommend that you arrive 1 day prior to your tour starting date.
  • Travel insurance is not included in this Eastern Europe Express tour. Travel insurance is mandatory to buy. World Nomads' travel insurance has been designed by travelers for travelers.
CUSTOMER REVIEWS
This tour has not received any customer reviews yet. However, you can expect a Premier This travel specialist is consistently delivering tours which receive customer ratings above 4.5 on average. tour and service level as the travel specialist who runs it has received 190 reviews for other tours with an average 4.6 rating.
REQUEST A PRIVATE, CUSTOMIZABLE DEPARTURE By design, this is a group tour. You can however request a private, customized version of this tour for yourself or your private group of people. Private departures are usually more expensive, but come with these benefits:
  • Personal Itinerary can be tweaked and customized.
  • Protected Travel within your own bubble.
  • Professional Access our Travel Specialists' insider knowledge.
  • Privacy Enjoy a tour focused solely on you or your travel group.
Request a private and/or personalized departure To design a private tour, we'll ask you some more information in the following steps.
Why Book with Bookmundi
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GOOD TO KNOW Download trip notes
CANCELLATION

No additional cancellation fees apply for this Eastern Europe Express tour. You can cancel the tour up to 58 days prior departure and avoid paying the full amount, but your deposit paid is non-refundable. No refund applies for cancellations within 57 days of departure.

Payment

For any tour departures within 21 June 2024, full payment is required. For tours that depart later than 21 June 2024, a deposit is required to confirm this tour, and the remaining balance will be charged 57 days before trip departure.

Travel Insurance

Eastern Europe Express tour requires that you have adequate and valid travel insurance covering medical and personal accidents, including repatriation costs and emergency evacuation. World Nomads offers travel insurance for independent travelers and intrepid families.

Visa

For this Eastern Europe Express tour getting the required visa(s) is the responsibility for each individual traveller, as visa requirements vary depending on your nationality. We recommend to check with your local embassies representing the countries that you are traveling to, as part of this itinerary.

Is this trip right for you
  • Summer temperatures can be extreme in many of the regions visited (over 40°C), which can be uncomfortable. It’s important to use sun protection, wear layers to combat the heat and drink plenty of water. Please carefully consider the time of the year you wish to travel and your suitability to that season.
  • Hotels in Europe often don't have double beds, but rather two single beds that can be pushed together/apart.
  • As you will have the opportunity to visit several orthodox churches on this trip, please ensure you cover your legs, shoulders and chest and show the appropriate respect. It's a good idea to bring a light scarf to cover your skin as needed.
  • If you have more time to explore the region you can extend your trip by starting your travels in Budapest, taking in the best of Romania before continuing into Bulgaria. Or start in Vienna to see the best of Central Europe before heading to Romania and then Bulgaria. Check out our trips 'Eastern Europe Explorer' (trip code WMSEC) and 'Journey through Central Europe & Romania' (trip code AMSCC). Most departure dates are designed to create these perfect combination trips.
  • On this trip you must pack as lightly as possible because you will be expected to carry your own bag and although you won't be required to walk long distances with your luggage (max 30 minutes), we strongly recommend keeping the weight under 15kg / 33lb. Most travellers carry their luggage in a backpack, although an overnight bag with a shoulder strap would suffice if you travel lightly. Smaller bags or backpacks with wheels are convenient although we recommend your bag has carry straps to accommodate the cobbled streets, uneven surfaces, stairs and steps you are likely to encounter while carrying your luggage. You'll also need a day pack/bag to carry water and a camera etc for day trips.
COVID VACCINATION POLICY
  • Proof of vaccination against COVID-19 is no longer mandatory on departures after 1st January 2023. Nonetheless, all travellers are strongly advised to be vaccinated as a safety measure to protect themselves and others on the tour. This policy excludes all Polar trips and select adventure cruises, where testing and vaccination are required.
  • Also, proof of vaccination may still be required at specific entry points or by the airlines. Therefore, please make sure to check all the travel requirements carefully before travelling.
COVID-19 Safety Measures

This trip incorporates the following COVID-19 measures:

  • This tour has received the World Travel and Tourism Council’s Safe Travels stamp, which provides travellers with assurance that COVID-19 health and hygiene global standardised protocols have been adopted.
  • Hygiene and safety guidelines will be followed to ensure your well being is looked after during travels.
NEED HELP OR HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT THIS TOUR?
If you have any question about this tour or need help with planning a trip, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us. We're ready to help.
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