Discover Bulgaria and Romania

Bulgaria: Sofia, the capital city; historic Plovdiv; Veliko Tarnovo, the medieval capital. Then, Romania: Bucharest, the “Little Paris”; city of Sibiu; Sighisoara, home of Vlad Tepes

University Library, Bucharest
Old Town, Plovdiv
Rila Monastery
Colorful buildings of Sighisoara
Tsarevets Fortress, Veliko Tarnovo
Roman theatre of Philippopolis, Plovdiv
Sucevita Monastery
Bicaz Gorge
Piata Mare, Sibiu
Palace of Parliament, Bucharest
Rila Mountains
Gateway, Rila Monastery
Cozia Monastery, Curtea de Arges
Panoramic view of Sighisoara
Rila lakes
Peleș Castle
Old Town, Bucharest
Sunset on the streets of Sibiu
Dracula's Castle, Bran
Aerial view of Sibiu
Brasov cityscape
University Library, Bucharest
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Style
Value Vacation
Dedicated tour escorts & guides throughout
DeparturesGroup Size25 travelers max
ThemesHistory & Culture, Bucket List, City Stays
Activity Level
What to ExpectTravel safely and confidently with our new health & safety protocols.
Already booked?Find everything you need to know before you go, including information about passport & visa requirements, flights, luggage, and more.

From the complex history and rugged terrain to the diverse heritage and medieval atmosphere, Bulgaria and Romania are two emerging Eastern European destinations welcoming culture-minded, curious travelers. Explore the numerous churches, fortresses, monasteries and other landmarks that reflect over 2,000 years of history in Bulgaria's eclectic capital, Sofia. Stand in awe upon the Rila Monastery, admiring the radiant fresco paintings created by the most famous Bulgarian artists before discovering the 1st century Roman Amphitheater in Plovdiv, considered one of the world’s best-preserved ancient theaters. Then, dive into the legend of Dracula and explore the mysterious Transylvanian towns and ancient sites. Wander the tree-lined boulevards of Bucharest, Romania's capital city once known as the “Little Paris”. Visit the lovely medieval town of Sibiu, Vlad Tepes's hometown of Sighisoara, whose walled and well-preserved old town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the Painted Monasteries of the Bucovina region, where the beautiful walls depict bible stories and are masterpieces of Byzantine art, another UNESCO World Heritage Site. Wrap up your incredible trip at the infamous 14th century Bran Castle, also known as "Count Dracula's Castle".

Package includes

  • Flights
  • Coach
  • Transfers
  • Hotel
  • Meals
  • Guides
  • Round-trip flights from New York (JFK) or Newark (EWR) on scheduled carriers, including taxes & fees
  • All ground transportation and transfers
  • 11 nights accommodations in first class hotels
  • 16 Meals: 11 breakfasts, 5 dinners (including welcome and farewell dinner)
  • Comprehensive touring program including entrance fees
  • Professional, English-speaking Tour Director and local guides

Why you'll love it

  • Appreciate the highlights of Bulgaria's capital city, Sofia, including the Alexander Nevski Cathedral.
  • Visit the Rila Monastery, one of the most famous places in Bulgaria founded in the middle of the 10th century.
  • Surround yourself with millenary history found among the ruins of the Roman, Ottoman, and Bulgarian Renaissance at Plovdiv.
  • Witness Tsarevets fortress, once home to the kings of Bulgaria.
  • Walk along Samovodska Charshia, the oldest street in Veliko Tarnovo.
  • Embrace the rich history of the village of Arbanasi.
  • Explore Bucharest, known as the "Little Paris", and visit the Palace of Parliament and the Revolution Square.
  • Tour the Lutheran Cathedral of Saint Mary, where the son of Vlad the Impaler was assassinated.
  • Take in the medieval atmosphere in Sighisoara, home of the famous Wallachian prince, Vlad Tepes, who inspired the legend of Dracula.
  • See the Bucovina region's monasteries, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most important legacies of Byzantine art in the world.
  • Marvel at Dracula's Castle in Bran, its most famous castle.

Detailed Itinerary

To see full details, click the button to the right.

Day 1 Depart USA

  • Depart the United States on your overnight flight to Sofia, Bulgaria

Day 2 Arrive Sofia

  • Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel
  • Welcome dinner in a local restaurant

Hotel Anel, Sofia Palace Hotel or similarDinner

Day 3 Sofia

  • Tour of Sofia
  • Scenic drive to the Rila Mountains to visit the Rila Monastery

Hotel Anel, Sofia Palace Hotel or similarBreakfast

Day 4 Plovdiv and Veliko Tarnovo

  • Enjoy a walking tour of Plovdiv
  • Travel through the Balkan Mountains and scenic Shipka Pass

Yantra Grand Hotel, Meridian Hotel Bolyarski or similarBreakfast & dinner

Day 5 Veliko Tarnovo

  • Take a scenic panoramic tour of Veliko Tarnovo
  • Journey to the village of Arbanasi

Yantra Grand Hotel, Meridian Hotel Bolyarski or similarBreakfast

Day 6 Ruse and Bucharest

  • Visit the city of Ruse, the "Pearl of the Danube"
  • Travel to Romania

Athenee Palace Hilton Bucharest or similarBreakfast

Day 7 Bucharest

  • City tour of Bucharest
  • Guided tour of Palace of Parliament and the National Village Museum

Athenee Palace Hilton Bucharest or similarBreakfast

Day 8 Curtea de Arges and Sibiu

  • Visit the Cozia Monastery in Curtea de Arges
  • Cross Transylvanian Alps through the scenic Otl River Valley
  • Explore Sibiu on a walking tour

Golden Tulip Ana Tower Sibiu or similarBreakfast & dinner

Day 9 Sighisoara, Red Lake to Piatra Neamt

  • Travel across the Bicaz gorge
  • Explore the medieval town of Sighisoara, hometown of Vlad Tepes "the Impaler" who inspired the legend of Dracula
  • Visit the Clock Tower, home of the Musuem of History of the City

Central Plaza Hotel or similarBreakfast & dinner

Day 10 Bucovina region

  • Explore Sucevita Monastery, one of the Painted Monasteries of the Bucovina, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
  • Visit a traditional black pottery workshop in the town of Marginea
  • Tour the Voronet Monastery, one of the Painted Monasteries of the Bucovina, a UNESCO World Heritage Site

Central Plaza Hotel or similarBreakfast

Day 11 Brasov

  • Depart Piatra Neamt for Brasov

Hotel Aro Palace or similarBreakfast

Day 12 Bran and Sinaia

  • City tour of the medieval city of Brasov
  • Explore Bran Castle, often thought of as Dracula's Castle
  • Visit the city of Sinaia, known as “the Pearl of the Carpathians”
  • Farewell dinner in Sinaia

Hotel Palace or similarBreakfast & dinner

Day 13 Depart Sinaia/Arrive USA

  • Transfer to the airport in Bucharest for your return flight
  • Arrive in the USA later today

Breakfast

Hotels

In the unlikely event that a particular hotel is not available, a similar or better hotel may be substituted.

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Discover Bulgaria and Romania - Friendly Planet Travel