Departures: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday

Bucharest, Transylvania, Sinaia,  VELIKO TARNOVO, VALLEY of the roses, PLOVDIV, RILA MONASTERY, SOFIA
 

Day 1 - Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday                   BUCHAREST
We’ll depart the hotel in Bucharest for a drive north into Transylvania. Our first stop will be in Targoviste, the former capital of The Walachian Principality.  You'll explore the ruins of Princely Court, The 16^th century Princely Church, and “The Twilight Tower", a watch tower that dates to the 15^th century, built by the famous ruler of Walachia, Vlad the Impaler.  The tour continues to Curtea de Arges, which served as the 14^th century Walachian Capital.  Behold the sad legend of the Manole Church as you take in its beauty.  We'll traverse the Carpathian Mountains along the scenic Olt River Valley to enter Transylvania, a wondrous land of legends and superstitions!

D Accommodation in Sibiu 

Day 2 - SIBIU - SIBIEL - SIGHISOARA
We'll begin the day with a city tour of Sibiu, formerly the richest town in Transylvania due to its numerous guilds and the intensive trade carried by its craftsmen.  You'll visit the Evangelical Cathedral, a baroque style Roman Catholic Church, and The Brukenthal Museum, considered to be the best art gallery in all of Romania.  We'll take a short drive to Sibiel village to tour the Glass Painted Icons Museum. After enjoying a traditional lunch at a local farmhouse, you'll head to the Village of Valea Viilor for a visit to the local fortified Saxon church, an UNESCO World Heritage site.  Today's final stop is Sighisoara, for a relaxing dinner and overnight accommodations.

B D Accommodation at Sighisoara Hotel*** in Sighisoara

Day 3 – SIGHISOARA - BIERTAN - SIGHISOARA
Following breakfast, you'll explore the fortress of Sighisoara. The birthplace of Prince Vlad Dracula, this is one of just a handful of fortified medieval towns that is still inhabited. We'll return to Sighisoara, stopping along the way to visit another UNESCO site, the fortified Saxon Church in Biertan.
B D Accommodation at Sighisoara Hotel***

                                                 
Day 4 – SIGHISOARA - BRASOV - DRACULA CASTLE - SINAIA
We'll ride to Brasov, for a tour of "The Crown City" of Transylvania.  You'll marvel at unique local landmarks including the gothic style Black Church, St Nicholas Orthodox Church, The Old Town Hall, and The Main Square. After lunch, a short ride takes you to Bran Village, where nestled high on a rock is the Bran Castle, better known as Dracula's Castle!

B D Accommodation in Sinaia

Day 5 – SINAIA - RUSE - VELIKO TARNOVO  
Your first stop is Peles Castle, the breathtaking former summer residence of the Romanian royal family.  A ride across the Danube River then brings you into Bulgaria.  We’ll visit the cavernous Ivanovo Monastery  (subject to weather conditions) before continuing on to the picturesque village of Arbanasi, near Veliko Tarnovo.  Your afternoon highlight is a visit to the Church of Nativity, the most richly decorated church in all of Bulgaria!

B Accommodation in Arbanasi (Izvora Hotel***)

Day 6 – VELIKO TARNOVO - KAZANLUK - PLOVDIV  
We’ll ride through the heart of Bulgaria today en route to Plovdiv.  As we wind through picturesque Rose Valley, we’ll make a stop in the town of Kazanluk.   At the world famous Thracian Tomb, you’ll get an up-close view of Hellenistic frescoes dating back to the 4^th century BC! Another must-see is The Rose Museum. Upon arrival in Plovdiv, the center of Bulgarian industry, we’ll make a visit to The Old town.

B Accommodation in Plovdiv

Day 7 – PLOVDIV - RILA - SOFIA
You’ll enjoy a scenic ride through beautiful Mesta Pass on the way to Rila Monastery, Bulgaria's most famous tourist site. Founded in the 10^th century by St. Ivan Rilsky, the monastery stood at the center of Bulgarian culture and religion for centuries!

B D Accommodation in Sofia

Day 8 - RILA - SOFIA

Your transfer to Sofia follows breakfast.

  * Price is based on exchange rate €uro vs. USD of 1.46; should exchange rate modify more than  4%, price adjustments will be made on the final day of payment

* Minimum 2 people per booking

DEPARTURES:  2008

28 April, 26 May, 9 June, 23 June,  16 July, 12 August, 2 September,

24 September, 6 October, 22 October

Price includes:

• 7 nights accommodation in centrally located hotels, all rooms with private facilities, as per itinerary

• Meals as per itinerary

• Land transportation with modern air conditioned vehicles

• Professional Guide English Speaking

• Basic entrance fees included to all mentioned sites

* Why not extend your stay in Sofia?

Sofia Packages
 

 * Itineraries and prices are subject to change without notice