Bulgaria - Romania Journey: Ancient Cities and Carpathian Mountains (12 Days)
Tour highlights
Witness the spiritual soul of the region at the Rila Monastery and the "Sistine Chapel of the East" at Voronet, where vivid exterior frescoes have survived for centuries. The tour moves from the Roman amphitheaters of Plovdiv and the medieval Bulgarian capital of Veliko Tarnovo to the imposing scale of Romania’s Palace of the Parliament, the second-largest building in the world. You will walk the cobbled streets of Sighisoara, the birthplace of Vlad the Impaler, and navigate the dramatic limestone walls of the Bicaz Gorge near the mysterious Red Lake. From the Gothic "Black Church" in Brasov to the fairy-tale elegance of Peles Palace in the Carpathians, this journey captures the transition from ancient empires to royal splendor and modern revolutionary history.
Itinerary Overview
This 12-day Balkan expedition offers a profound journey through the "Hidden Heart of Europe," spanning the legendary landscapes of Bulgaria and Romania. Starting in the fabled city of Sofia, the tour crosses the rugged Balkan and Carpathian Mountains to reveal a world of Byzantine monasteries, medieval citadels, and royal palaces. You will traverse the historic Shipka Pass, explore the "Little Paris" of Bucharest, and delve into the dark myths of Transylvania at Dracula’s Castle. Designed for those who crave deep cultural immersion, this itinerary blends architectural grandeur with the haunting beauty of the Romanian wilderness and the spiritual heritage of Orthodox Christianity.
Travel Period Up To: March 31, 2027
Booking Period: Until Slots Last
Travel Itinerary
Arrival in Sofia and transfer to the hotel. The rest of the day is to relax or perhaps begin your independent discovery of the fabled city. Tonight, a briefing by your Tour Director on the fascinating tour that awaits you, followed by a Welcome Dinner.
Today we will enjoy a complete tour of the city of Sofia and get to know the highlights of the capital. Among the most emblematic places are the Alexander Nevski Cathedral that dominates the city, the Church of St. George, considered the best-preserved Byzantine church, the Russian Church of St. Nicholas, the Banya Bashi Mosque and the ruins of ancient Serdica among others. In the afternoon we travel to Rila Mountains to visit one of the most famous places in Bulgaria, the Rila Monastery. Founded in the middle of the 10th century by Saint Ivan of Rila it played a key role in the preservation of the Bulgarian culture and language of the centuries. Visit the Monastery Church with its impressive fresco paintings, painted by the most famous Bulgarian Artists since the 19th century AD and the museum that houses a collection of exhibits related to the history of the monastery and the spread of Christianity in the Bulgarian lands. Return to Sofia.
Leaving Sofia behind, we head to the second largest city in Bulgaria, Plovdiv. This is a city of millenary history with ruins from the Roman, Ottoman, and Bulgarian Renaissance period having been preserved. During our tour of the city we will see the Roman Forum and the stadium, as well as the Roman amphitheater. We will walk through the cobbled streets of the small and old city surrounded by houses and beautiful churches. We will visit the church of St. Constantine and Helena, as well as the Ethnographic Museum, which is located in the home of a wealthy merchant from the 19th century BC. After the visit we will cross the Balkan Mountains through the historic Shipka Pass, which played a key role in the Russo-Turkish War. Arrival in Veliko Tarnovo, the medieval capital of Bulgaria. We finish the day with dinner included.
Terms of Service
Tour Schedule: Daily departures typically begin with a morning briefing; long-distance travel days (such as the crossing from Bulgaria to Romania) require early starts to accommodate border formalities and scenic mountain passes.
Pick-up: Available upon arrival at Sofia Airport (SOF) with private transfer to your hotel; the tour concludes with a scheduled transfer from Sinaia to Bucharest for departures.
Duration: This is a 12-day international circuit; any requested deviations from the group itinerary, such as private excursions in the Bucovina region or extended stays in Bucharest, will be charged accordingly.
Note: The itinerary is subject to change based on mountain weather conditions (particularly at Shipka Pass and the Transylvanian Alps), local traffic, and seasonal museum hours for religious sites.
Important: Please take note that access to specific Bucovina Monasteries and Peles Palace is subject to government-regulated maintenance schedules; photography at certain religious sites and the Parliament may require local permits or fees.
Price Includes
- Airport transfer from Sofia Airport to the hotel
- Centrally located first class hotels
- Sofia: Hotel Anel Palace or similar
- Veliko Tarnovo: Hotel Yantra/ Meridian Bolyarski or similar
- Bucharest: Hotel Athenee Palace Hilton/ Hilton Garden Inn/ Capitol or similar
- Sibiu: Hotel Golden Tulip/ Continental Forum or similar
- Piatra Neamt: Hotel Central Plaza or similar
- Brasov: Hotel Aro Palace / Ambient / Belvedere or similar
- Sinaia: Hotel Palace / Rina Sinaia or similar
- Breakfast daily
- Welcome dinner in Sofia (glass of wine, beer or soft drink)
- 4 dinners (coffee or tea included)
- Touring by modern air-conditioned motor coach
- Professional English-Speaking Tour Director throughout
- Licensed Local Guides
- Baggage handling at hotels
- Whisper technology enhanced touring
- Admission included where indicated in bold letters
- Hotel taxes and service taxes
- Departure transfer from hotel to Bucharest Airport
About the Operator
Ark Travel Express is one of the largest travel and tourism companies the Philippines. We have been in business for over 41 years and have multiple awards from international and domestic organizations under our belt. The company is headed by Maria Paz R. Alberto, a veteran in the travel and tourism industry with decades of valuable experience in management discipline. We are complete travel assistance center accredited by the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the Department of Tourism, the Department of Foreign Affairs, and the Bureau of Immigration. We are also a member of the Philippines IATA Agents Travel Association (PIATA) and Philippine Tour operators Association (PHILTOA). We intend to help our clients live out their passion for exploration by becoming their partner of choice in creating the most unforgettable trips suited for them. We make it our business to understand our clients and the world so that we could make good on our commitment to continued innovation of our travel and tourism services offered at the best possible prices and delivered to our clients with a personal touch. Our client’s experience is our greatest priority, and this drives us to strive for excellence and integrity in the way we work. We make sure that every aspect of our business – and this extends to our partners – come together to make travel planning easier, more secure, and more economical for you. We are Ark Travel Express, Inc. Let’s discover the world together.
Departures & Pricing
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