On the Both Sides of the Danube

 9 days / 8 nights

Day 1:

Sofia (40 km)

Arrival in Sofia.  Breakfast. Walking city tour of Sofia. In the afternoon – panoramic city tour  including: The National Archaeological Museum, the National Theatre, the Russian Church St. Nikola, the Parliament Square, the St. Alexander Nevski Memorial Cathedral with the most valuable collection of Bulgarian Icons (13-19th century), St. Sofia Church (6th century), St. George Rotunda (4th century) and the National Palace of Culture.  

Accommodation in a 3* hotel.

Day 2:

Sofia – Plovdiv –Kazanlak (240 km)

Breakfast. Departure for Plovdiv. City tour of the Old Town of Plovdiv - imposing open-air museum situated on the three hills of the ancient Trimontium. Visit to the Ancient Theatre (a well-preserved Roman amphitheatre), the Ethnographic Museum, and other interesting sites. Drive for Kazanlak and accomodation there.

Day 3:

Kazanlak-Shipka-Etara-Veliko Tarnovo (75 km)

Departure for the Valley of Roses. Visit to the Thracian Tomb (UNESCO) in Kazanlak. Continue through Shipka mountain pass, which provides some admirable mountain views. Visit to the Memorial Church of Shipka town, erected after Bulgaria’s liberation from Ottoman rule as a gesture of gratitude to both Russian and Bulgarian soldiers that died in the fierce battles there. On the way: stop to feel the unique atmosphere of the Etara open air museum of authentic traditional crafts, created to preserve the appearance and the spirit of the old time Bulgarian mountain villages and the manufacturing traditions of the region for the future generations. Continue to Veliko Tarnovo. Accomodation in a 3* hotel.

Day 4:

Veliko Tarnovo- Tsarevets-Arbanasi – Bucharest (180 km)

In the morning tour of the city including the medieval fortress of Tsarevets; the old marketplace Samovodska Tcharshia; and other landmarks. Tour of the museum village of Arbanassi visiting  the Konstancelieva House and the Holy Nativity Church.

Drive to Bucharest, accommodation and dinner at a 4* hotel.

Day 5:

Bucharest – Sinaia – Predeal – Bran –Poiana Brasov (190 km)

Breakfast. Departure for Poiana Brasov. On the way visit the Peles Castle and Sinaia Monastery in Sinaia, Bran Castle. Arrival in Poiana Brasov, accommodation and dinner at a 3* hotel.

The Peles Castle (built between 1875-1883) former summer residence of King Carol I of Romania, is one of the objectives that deserve to be visited by any tourist. It houses a remarkable museum containing collections of paintings, sculptures, armours and furniture pieces of an inestimable value.

Sinaia Monastery (built in 1695) houses a rich and valuable collection of religious objects: icons, old precious books, china and ceramics from the XVI – XIX centuries.  

The Bran Castle built in 13th century as a fortress between Transylvania and Wallachia is a reference point for the Romanian tourism, due to its beauty, as well as to the Count Dracula’s legend, whose ghost still haunts these old places.

Poiana Brasov is one of the most representative mountain resorts in Romania. Placed in fairy-tale scenery, at 1030 meters altitude, in a region full of traditions, the resort offers particular facilities both for winter and summer holidays.

Day 6:

Breakfast. Morning city tour of Brasov. The tour of Brasov city (Kronstadt) includes visits to The Black Church  (the largest construction in Gothic style in Romania, built between 1384-1477, with 89 m length and 38 m wide; its name (Black Church) comes from the great fire in 1689 that caused serious damages and turned its walls black; it is remarkable for its Renaissance and Baroque elements, a great number of statues and one of the oldest organ (with 4000 tubes on 75 registers) in our country) and the Old Town Hall Square. Departure to Sighisoara.. On the way visit to Biertan, Biertan – the fortified church, was built in the first quarter of the 16th century (1522-1523), and underwent certain transformations and additions over the next centuries (the north and south doors in the Baroque style, the organ tribune and the pulpit baldaquin).

Accommodation and dinner at a 3 * hotel in Sighisoara.

Sighisoara is the best preserved medieval citadel (German style) in Europe and the only one still inhabited. First mentioned in 1280, under the name of Castrum Sex. Detailed tour of the citadel, including the Tower Museum with 64 m height, representing the oldest monument in Austrian Baroque style in Transylvania, the Cover Stairs (a 175 step-stair with a wooden cover, built in 1656 to make the access to the school and church easier), the Church on the Hill - one of the oldest churches in Romania (1345), the Medieval Weapons Collection.

Day 7:

Breakfast. Departure to Sibiu. Sightseeing tour of Sibiu by foot, including: the Bruckental Art Museum, the Stairs Passage, the Liar’s Bridge, the Main Square and the Little Square, the mediaeval fortress’ walls.

The Brukenthal Palace is one of the most remarkable monuments in late baroque style in Romania. It was erected between 1778-1788 as an official residence for Samuel von Brukenthal. Nowadays, it shelters one of the most important Art collections in Romania.

Accommodation and dinner at a 4* hotel.

Option 1 

Day 8.1:

Sibiu – Curtea de Arges – Bucharest (265 km)

Breakfast. Departure to Bucharest, crossing the Carpathians through the Olt narrow pass. On the way, visit to Cozia Monastery, historical monument from 14th century, erected by the grandfather of Vlad the Impaler (Mircea cel Batran) in 1388 (boasting his tomb), is one of the most valuable monuments of national medieval art and architecture. Curtea de Arges – the monastery and the fountain, famous due to the legend of the master – builder Manole.

Arrival at Bucharest, sightseeing tour of the city. Accommodation at a 4* hotel. Farewell dinner at a restaurant in Bucharest.

Day 9.1:

Bucharest (30 km)

Breakfast, time at leisure.

Transfer to the Henry Coanda airport and flight back home.

Option 2

Day 8.2:

Sibiu

Breakfast. Transfer to the Airport from Sibiu and flight back home.

Tariffs include:

- 8 nights accommodation in 3 - 4* Hotels, in twin, double or single rooms;

- Meals in half-board basis

- Festive Romanian dinner in the last day in Bucharest;

- Transport by deluxe air-conditioned car, mini-bus or coach;

- Transfers and tourist assistance to the airport;

- Professional guidance throughout (English speaking guide);

- All entrance fees to the mentioned objectives