Eastern Europe Explorer

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Booking Type Instant booking
duration 18 days
tour type Small group Request as private
age requirement 15-99 yrs
max group size 12
guiding method Fully guided
Tour Code BM-3669
Footprint Carbonneutral CO₂ emissions resulting from all trips on Bookmundi will be offset via investments in carbon reduction projects.
Operated in English

Starts Budapest, Hungary
Ends Istanbul, Turkey

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HIGHLIGHTS Download trip notes

Rich in history, art, architecture, cuisine and nightlife, Budapest is a hot European destination. The Museum of Fine Arts offers free English tours that reveal the famous artwork of Monet, Manet and Goya, just to name a few
A homestay with a family in the Saxon village of Viscri in Romania offers insight into local life and the chance to sample some delicious home-cooked food
This trip takes you to a mix of exciting capital cities and quaint mountain villages through Eastern Europe all the way to the transcontinental Istanbul.
Transylvania is drenched in history and myth. Discover the medieval city of Sighisoara, the birthplace of one of Romania's most infamous figures, Vlad the Impaler - better known as the inspiration for Count Dracula
Journey deep into the forested valley of Rila to find the Monastery of Saint Ivan. Over 1,000 years old, this spectacular building is one of Bulgaria's most important cultural, historical and architectural monuments

Starting in Budapest and ending in Istanbul, the "Eastern Europe Explorer" tour is a guided sightseeing tour that takes 18 days. You will visit Plovdiv, Sofia, Bucharest and 9 other destinations in 4 different countries. "Eastern Europe Explorer" is a small group tour which will include accommodation, transport, meals and others. See below for further details.

Be mesmerised on this explorer tour through the best and most beautiful regions from Eastern Europe to Turkey. Explore the captivating cities of Budapest, Bucharest and Sofia and Istanbul. Sample culinary delights with local folk in Viscri, be inspired by the traditional craft workshops in Plovdiv, hear enthralling myths from Transylvania and visit the quaint town of Bansko, snug at the foot of the Pirin Mountains and bask in the transcontinental glory of Istanbul. This is a journey full of culture and history, of monuments, markets and museums, tantalising towns and charming cities.

ITINERARY Expand All

Day 1: Budapest
Day 2: Eger
Day 3: Maramures
Day 4: Maramures
Day 5: Sighisoara
Day 6: Viscri
Day 7: Brasov
Day 8: Brasov
Day 9: Bucharest
Day 10: Bucharest
Day 11: Veliko Tarnovo
Day 12: Veliko Tarnovo
Day 13: Sofia
Day 14: Bansko
Day 15: Plovdiv
Day 16: Plovdiv
Day 17: Istanbul
Day 18: Istanbul

WHAT'S INCLUDED

Accommodation

Hotel (14 nights), Pension (2 night), Homestay with shared facilities (1 night)

Meals

14 Breakfasts, 3 Dinners

Transport

Train , Public bus , Private vehicle , Metro , Tram , Taxi , Chairlift

Guide

An expert tour leader

Included Activities

Eger - Wine Sampling
Maramures - Day Tour with Local Guide
Maramures - Sapanta Merry Cemetery
Maramures - Barsana Monastery
Viscri - Local Home Cooked Dinner
Viscri - Sock Project
Viscri - Fortified Church
Bran Castle - Tour
Bucharest - Walking Tour with Local Guide
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 Budapest 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 Explorer 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 189 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.

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GOOD TO KNOW Download trip notes

CANCELLATION

No additional cancellation fees apply for this Eastern Europe Explorer 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 15 June 2024, full payment is required. For tours that depart later than 15 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 Explorer 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 Explorer 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. This trip is a great opportunity to get to know other travellers, so embrace it while you can. Please also note that some accommodation used on this trip offer shared bathrooms rather than en-suite facilities.
This trip involves some travel by public bus or train, including a few long journeys of up to seven hours. Although this can be a bit tiresome, it's a great way to meet locals and relax while enjoying the passing scenery.
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 Vienna to see the best of Central Europe before heading to Romania and then Bulgaria. Check out our trip '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?

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