Grand Balkan Tour: Romania, Bulgaria & Greece (11 Days / 10 Nights)

Grand Balkan Tour: Romania, Bulgaria & Greece (11 Days / 10 Nights)

Transylvania Castles • UNESCO Heritage • Ancient Cities • Scenic Landscapes

Discover the cultural heart of the Balkans on an expertly guided 11-day Balkan tour through Romania, Bulgaria, and Greece. This immersive itinerary combines Dracula’s Transylvania, medieval Saxon towns, UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Orthodox monasteries, and vibrant cities such as Bucharest, Sofia, Thessaloniki, and Plovdiv.

Ideal for travelers seeking cultural tours in Eastern Europe, history lovers, and first-time visitors to the Balkans.

Tour Highlights

• Guided sightseeing in Bucharest, Sofia, Thessaloniki, and Plovdiv
• Visit Bran Castle and Peleș Castle in Transylvania
• UNESCO sites: Rila Monastery, Sighișoara, Biertan Fortified Church, Thracian Tomb of Kazanlak
• Medieval capitals: Brașov & Veliko Tarnovo
• Scenic drives through the Carpathian Mountains and Rhodope Mountains
• Optional wine tastings in Romania and Melnik, Bulgaria
   

Itinerary:

Day 1 – Bucharest | Romania’s “Little Paris”

Welcome to Bucharest, a lively capital where Belle Époque elegance meets modern urban life. Upon arrival, meet your Russian-speaking guide and enjoy a panoramic city tour featuring:

• Palace of Parliament – the world’s second-largest administrative building
• Royal Palace & Revolution Square
• University Square and City Hall

Admire grand boulevards, ornate facades, and the city’s refined atmosphere that earned it the nickname “Little Paris of the East.” Overnight in Bucharest.

Day 2 – Sinaia • Bran • Brașov | Castles & Medieval Legends

Travel into the Carpathian Mountains to Sinaia, the “Pearl of the Carpathians.” Visit the fairytale Peleș Castle, former summer residence of the Romanian Royal Family.

Continue to Bran to explore the legendary Bran Castle, famously linked to the Dracula myth.

Arrive in Brașov for a guided Old Town walk:

• Council Square Brașov
• Black Church
• Medieval streets and Saxon fortifications

Dinner and overnight in the Brașov area.

Day 3 – Brașov • Prejmer • Sighișoara • Biertan • Sibiu | UNESCO Saxon Heritage

Discover Transylvania’s UNESCO treasures:

• Prejmer Fortified Church
• Sighișoara, a living medieval citadel featuring the Clock Tower Sighișoara and Scholars’ Stairs
• Biertan Fortified Church

Arrive in Sibiu, European Capital of Culture 2007.

Dinner and overnight in central Sibiu.

Day 4 – Sibiu • Olt Valley • Craiova | Scenic Carpathian Crossing

Guided tour of Sibiu highlights:

• Piața Mare Sibiu & Piața Mică Sibiu
• Evangelical Church Sibiu
• Liar’s Bridge

Drive through the spectacular Olt Valley, with an optional local wine tasting.

Arrive in Craiova for a short tour.

Overnight in Craiova.

Day 5 – Craiova • Sofia | Crossing the Danube

Travel south, cross the Danube at Vidin, and enter Bulgaria. Arrive in Sofia, one of Europe’s oldest capitals. Guided tour includes:

• Roman ruins of Serdica
• St. George Rotunda
• Alexander Nevsky Cathedral

Dinner and overnight in Sofia.

Day 6 – Rila Monastery • Melnik • Thessaloniki

Visit the UNESCO-listed Rila Monastery, Bulgaria’s spiritual heart.

Continue to Melnik, famous for sandstone pyramids and local wines.

Cross into Greece and arrive in Thessaloniki.

Dinner and overnight in the Thessaloniki area.

Day 7 – Thessaloniki | Byzantine & Roman Legacy

Guided city tour featuring:

• White Tower
• Byzantine Walls of Ano Poli
• Arch of Galerius
• Church of St. Demetrius

Free afternoon or optional Mount Athos cruise.

Overnight in Thessaloniki area.

Day 8 – Rhodope Mountains • Plovdiv

Travel through the Rhodope Mountains, visit a traditional carpet workshop, and continue to Plovdiv. Highlights:

• Old Town Revival houses
• Roman Theatre Plovdiv
• Roman Stadium

Dinner and overnight in Plovdiv.

Day 9 – Kazanlak • Etara • Veliko Tarnovo

Explore Bulgaria’s Rose Valley:

• Kazanlak
• Thracian Tomb of Kazanlak
• Etara Open-Air Museum

Arrive in Veliko Tarnovo. Dinner and overnight.

Day 10 – Veliko Tarnovo • Ruse • Bucharest

Guided tour of Tsarevets Fortress, then cross the Danube at Ruse and return to Bucharest.

Farewell dinner and overnight.

Day 11 – Departure

Free time until airport transfer. Depart with unforgettable memories of Eastern Europe and the Balkans.

Tour prices include:

• 10 nights’ accommodation in carefully selected 3★ and 4★ hotels, according to the itinerary
• Daily buffet breakfast (10 breakfasts)
• 7 dinners in local or hotel restaurants, featuring a 3-course set menu with tap water, as per the program
• Comprehensive sightseeing program as outlined in the itinerary
• All entrance fees included for museums, historical sites, castles, monasteries, and churches mentioned in the program
• Professional English-speaking tour guide throughout the journey, plus licensed local guides when required
• Comfortable transportation by modern air-conditioned coach/bus for the entire tour
• Complimentary mineral water: 2 × 0.5 L bottles per person per day on the coach
• All parking fees, road tolls, and border taxes
   

Tour prices don’t include:

• Other meals than stated.
• Beverages.
• Flight tickets
• Visa fees
• Gratuities
• Personal costs (e.g. minibar, souvenirs, etc.)