Serbia, Romania & Bulgaria Discovered - 12 days

Welcome to Serbia! Upon arrival in Belgrade, our driver will greet you at the Nikola Tesla airport and take you to the hotel. After checking in at your hotel, you will have free time to rest and prepare for the tour.

On our first full day in Serbia, we’ll explore Belgrade on a guided tour, beginning at the lively Knez Mihailova Street, with its mix of shops, cafes, and historic buildings. We begin at the city’s oldest tavern, “?” (Question Mark), enjoying traditional coffee and rakija as our guide shares insights into Serbian customs and the art of making šljivovica, Serbia's famous plum brandy.

Next, we’ll visit the Belgrade Fortress and Kalemegdan Park, where sweeping views over the Sava and Danube rivers capture Belgrade’s contrasts. Crossing into New Belgrade, we’ll see Brutalist architecture, the new Waterfront, and landmarks like the Ada Bridge, Dedinje district, and the Temple of Saint Sava with its stunning mosaics.

The tour ends at Republic Square, but there’s more - wrap up the day with a scenic sundown cruise along the Sava and Danube, taking in Belgrade’s skyline and iconic landmarks from the water.

Belgrade - Sremski Karlovci - Novi Sad - Belgrade. Today, we’ll explore the highlights of Vojvodina, a picturesque province in northern Serbia. Our journey takes us through scenic landscapes and Serbia’s famed wine region to Fruska Gora National Park, known as the "Serbian Holy Land" for its 17 active Orthodox monasteries. We’ll visit the well-preserved Krusedol Monastery.

Next, we’ll head to Sremski Karlovci, a historic town with a Baroque centre. Highlights include the Patriarchal Court, Saint Nicholas Cathedral, and Serbia’s first secondary school. At a local winery, we’ll enjoy a selection of fine wines, including Bermet, a celebrated Serbian wine that once graced the Titanic’s tables.

Our next stop is Novi Sad, the vibrant capital of Vojvodina and a 2021 European Capital of Culture. We’ll wander through the lively pedestrian zone, admiring historic landmarks such as City Hall and the old city centre, alongside cultural sites including the former home of Mileva, Albert Einstein's wife, and the historic synagogue. We’ll explore the impressive Petrovaradin Fortress, known as "Danube's Gibraltar," which offers stunning views of the Danube River and cityscape. After a short drive, we’ll return to Belgrade for the evening.

Belgrade - Timisoara (Romania) - Sibiu. Departing Serbia, we cross into Romania and drive to Timisoara, the largest city in western Romania. Known as ‘Little Vienna’, the city boasts distinctive architecture and a vibrant cultural scene. Timisoara was the first European city to have electric street lighting, highlighting its historical significance.

Our guided tour will start from the main Unirii Square, surrounded by beautiful medieval buildings, including the Catholic Cathedral of Saint George. We take in highlights including Liberty Square, Victory Square, home to the Romanian National Opera and National Theatre, and Huniade Castle, a 15th century Gothic architectural gem.

We then drive to Sibiu and embark on a sightseeing tour. Sibiu was once the largest and wealthiest of seven fortified towns established by German settlers in the 12th century. Our tour will take in the Large Square with the Brukenthal National Museum, the Small Square, the Council Tower, the Bridge of Lies, Stairs Passage, and the Orthodox Cathedral of the Holy Trinity. The evening is at leisure in Sibiu.

Sibiu - Sinaia. Enjoy a leisurely morning on the charming cobbled streets of Sibiu before we continue our journey through the heart of Transylvania. We’ll explore traditional villages at the Astra National Museum Complex, one of Europe's largest open-air museums.

Next, we’ll wind through the heart of the Carpathian Mountains along the Transfagarasan, often described as "the road to the sky." This legendary 90 km route offers breathtaking views and an exhilarating drive with its winding turns and panoramic vistas. We stop for a ride on the cable car towards the stunning Balea Lake, a glacial gem nestled amidst the peaks.

Arriving in Sinaia, known as the "Pearl of the Carpathians," we’ll check in to our hotel for the next two nights.

Sinaia - Brasov - Bran - Sinaia. Today we take in two of Romania's majestic castles. Our day begins with a visit to Peles Castle, where King Carol I of Romania was captivated by the Carpathian Mountain scenery. This magnificent Neo-Renaissance masterpiece served as the royal family's summer residence, and features fairytale turrets and hand-painted stained glass windows.

We continue to Brasov, founded by the Teutonic Knights in the 13th century. During our tour, we’ll stroll down one of the narrowest streets in the world towards the Gothic-style Biserica Neagra, famously known as the Black Church.

Our adventure takes us to Bran Castle, commonly known as Dracula's Castle. This 13th-century gothic fortress is perched atop a 60-metre cliff. Bram Stoker was inspired by the dark mysteries of the Carpathian Mountains and the legend of Vlad the Impaler, who was imprisoned here, leading to its association with "Dracula's Castle". We return to Sinaia for the evening.

Sinaia - Bucharest. After check-out from our hotel in Sinaia, our Romanian adventure takes a delightful turn as we indulge in a wine-tasting experience at one of the prestigious wineries south of the Romanian Carpathians, travelling through the expansive Dealu Mare wine region to a charming estate surrounded by lush vineyards.

Our final stop is Bucharest, the capital and largest city in Romania. After checking into our hotel, you’ll have some free time to explore.

Famous for its wide, tree-lined boulevards and magnificent Belle Epoque architecture, Bucharest earned the nickname "The Little Paris" in the early 1900s due to its vibrant social scene. Our tour will cover Bucharest's best-known sights, including Piata Unirii for a view of the colossal Palace of the Parliament. From there, we’ll continue to the medieval Old Town, one of Bucharest's oldest settlements, where we’ll see the Old Princely Court and its church, the peaceful Stavropoleos Monastery, Lipscani Street, and the National Museum of Romanian History.

Arriving at Revolution Square, we’ll delve into the impact of communist rule in Romania and discover how this historic square earned its name.

The evening is at leisure, or you can join an optional Art Nouveau dinner. Experience the city’s enchanting 19th-century era at a carefully selected restaurant that captures the essence of Art Nouveau Bucharest.

Bucharest - Veliko Tarnovo (Bulgaria) - Arbanasi. Leaving Bucharest and Romania behind, we head to the Bulgarian city of Veliko Tarnovo, former capital of the Second Bulgarian Empire. We will stroll along its winding cobblestone streets, and discover how the resilient population thrived under Turkish rule.

Next, we’ll head to the nearby village of Arbanasi, renowned for its well-preserved traditional architecture and serene atmosphere. This picturesque open-air museum features 80 houses, some adorned with original Ottoman decor. We can also visit one of the village’s five churches, which collectively house over 3,600 frescoes.

We’ll conclude our day by checking into Arbanashki Han, nestled within an ethno complex. This accommodation offers a unique opportunity to experience a 17th-century han, a step back in time.

Arbanasi - Plovdiv. Departing Arbanasi, we’ll head to the Open Air Ethnographic Museum Etar to explore traditional Bulgarian life, featuring historic water-powered installations and artisans' workshops. We can create our own handmade soap or soothing calendula ointment in Etar Ethno Village, learning the art of herbal cosmetics with a hands-on demonstration.

Next, we’ll visit the Damascena Complex in the Valley of Roses, Bulgaria's first private rose factory. Here, we’ll discover why roses are a national symbol, visit the amphitheatre, and have the chance to purchase renowned rose oil directly from the distillery.

Finally, we’ll explore Plovdiv, one of Europe’s oldest cities, known for its Roman, Ottoman, and Bulgarian influences. We’ll marvel at the Ancient Theatre of Philippopolis, stroll through the charming Old Town, and conclude in Kapana, Plovdiv's creative hub. We are spending the night in Plovdiv.

Plovdiv - Sofia. Enjoy a leisurely morning with free time to explore Plovdiv at your own pace. Then, we’ll continue our journey to Sofia.

Sofia, a modern and vibrant capital, boasts a unique blend of onion-domed churches, communist-era architecture, and Ottoman influences. On our guided tour, we'll take in key landmarks, including the stunning Saint Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, the colourful Church of Saint Nicholas the Miracle-Maker, the Ivan Vazov National Theatre, the Church of Saint George, Banya Bashi Mosque, Sofia Synagogue, the National Palace of Culture, and Largo, a prime example of Socialist Classicism architecture. After our day of exploration, we’ll check in to our hotel in Sofia.

Our tour arrangements come to an end after breakfast and check out from the hotel.