Bulgaria Tour and Romania Tour Combined Small Group Guided Tour

Timeless Charms of Bulgaria Tour
Myths and Magic of Romania Tour
Moldova Post-tour

Join the Bulgaria and Romania tour with Original World Travel for a unique immersive experience of the history and culture of these beautiful Eastern European cities.

After a pleasant time visiting Sofia’s historic area, the Bulgaria tour continues to small towns and charming mountain villages, through the Valley of the Roses and along the Balkan Range.

We visit many UNESCO World Heritage Sites, see amazing 13-14th century monastery murals, sample fine local cuisine. Most importantly, we immerse ourselves in Bulgarian culture as we engage with the local people living their traditional ways.

On the last day of the Bulgaria tour, we drive from Veliko Turnovo to Bucharest, with sightseeing along the way.

The Romania tour begins with an exploration of Bucharest’s historic and architectural sites. We cross the Carpathian Mountains to Sibiu, one of the oldest Saxon towns in Transylvania. Enjoy the medieval town’s quaint cobblestone streets, pastel houses, 15-16th century town square, Evangelical Church, Podul Mincinosilor (the Liars’ Bridge), and old city walls.  Another highlight is a horse and carriage ride thru the open air museum of Astra.

Onward to Maramures, known for its Wooden Churches, carved wooden gates, and unique folk attire and traditions such as the whimsical “Merry Cemetery.” We admire the famous painted monasteries of northern Moldova. The Voronet Monastery (UNESCO), built in 1488, is one of the most beautiful and is dubbed the “Sistine Chapel of the East.”

BULGARIA AND ROMANIA TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
  • Bulgaria’s colorfully-painted 10th c. Rila Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
  • The charming Old Town of Plodiv, including a 2nd Century Roman theater, churches and a synagogue
  • The ruins of 17 medieval churches and a marketplace of exquisite crafts in Veliko Turnovo
  • Villages with fortified churches of Transylvania
  • The Wooden Churches of Maramures
  • The Painted Monasteries of Bucovina, UNESCO World Heritage Sites
  • The whimsical Merry Cemetery in Sapanta Village

View A Detailed Itinerary:

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Girls in Maramures, Romania

  • 1
    Bulgaria
    Day 1: Arrival in Sofia

    You will be met on arrival and transferred to our hotel. The flights generally arrive in mid afternoon giving you a chance to rest the remainder of this day and evening. The hotel is centrally located near restaurants and shops.

  • 2
    Day 2: Full day tour of Sofia

    A city tour of Sofia in the morning to include St. Nedelya Square, St. George Rotunda and the Alexander Nevsky Memorial Cathedral as well as the Spanish-Moresque style Synagogue and Jewish Museum.

    In the afternoon a visit to Boyana Church, UNESCO World Heritage site, and the National History Museum.

  • 3
    Day 3: Rila and Rozhen Monasteries - Melnik

    Enjoy the 10th century colorfully-painted Rila Monastery, where a few monks still reside, and see its rich museum collection, ethnographic exhibition and library containing more than 16,000 books. Next, 12-13th century Rozhen Monastery with its Blessed Virgin Church, decorated with over 150 biblical scenes.

    Our Bulgarian tour then travels onward to the charming museum town of Melnik. Relish tastings at Manolev's wine cellar, dug into sandstone rocks on top of a hill above town.

  • 4
    Day 4-5: Bansko - Plodiv

    In Melnik, visit Kordopulova House, a historical museum built in 1758. Our small group will enjoy a delightful time in Plodiv's famous Old Town, with distinctive revival architecture popular among 18th-19th century merchants.

    The region is also well known for the beautiful Rose festival (held once annually in late May, please view detailed itinerary for included dates). On tours that coincide with the Bulgarian Rose festival tour members will be able to participate in rose picking, the "Horo" dance and see the Rose queen parade among other folkloric customs.

  • 5
    Day 6: Koprivshtitsa - Valley of Roses - Veliko Turnovo

    We stop first in the village of Koprivshtitsa, known for its international folklore festival which occurs once every five years. We continue through the Valley of the Roses, along the Balkan Range to Banya and Kazanlak.

    Our cultural tour of Bulgaria culminates with sightseeing in Veliko Turnovo, the capital of the second Bulgarian Kingdom, 12-14th century.

  • 6
    Romania
    Day 7-8: Bucharest

    The combined Bulgaria-Romania tour continues to Romania by car (3.5 hrs) with stops to visit Ivanovo Rock churches near Rouse and lunch.

    In Bucharest, we enjoy a comprehensive guided tour of historic Bucharest including a visit to the outdoor Village Museum, the Museum of the Romanian Peasant, the Palace of Parliament, Revolution Square, Patriarch's Cathedral and a walk in Bucharest's historic area with its well preserved medieval architecture.

  • 7
    Day 9-10: Sibiu

    Crossing the Carpathian Mountains, our small group tour of Romania will drive along the picturesque Olt Valley to Cozia Monastery, built in 1386.

    Arrive in Sibiu, one of the oldest Saxon towns in Transylvania. A guided walking tour of the medieval town with cobblestone streets and pastel houses.

    We visit the Bruckenthal Palace Museum, enjoy a horse-drawn carriage ride through the open air museum of Astra and visit traditional villages nearby for further cultural immersion.

  • 8
    Day 11: Sighisoara

    Our small group tour will explore Sighisoara, one of the best preserved and continuously inhabited medieval cities of Europe, with a walled citadel on the hilltop, secret gateways and passages, and a 14th century clock tower. Sighisoara is the birthplace of Prince Vlad Tepes (also know as Vlad the Impaler and the inspiration for the fictional character Dracula).

  • 9
    Day 12-13: Vadu Izei Village in Maramures

    Soak up the ambiance in Maramures, the land of wooden churches, unique folk costumes and timeless traditions, where ancient Romania co-exists with modern times. Become immersed in the local romanian culture as you experience the local peasant lifestyle with a delightful village family. See the whimsical Merry Cemetery in Sapanta Village with its brightly colored grave markers that include simple paintings and interesting epitaphs. Special treat, dinner with "ceterasi", the local violin players

  • 10
    Day 14-15: Bucovina

    Travel through the scenic Prislop Pass to the Bucovina region, renowned for the wondrously detailed exterior frescoes on the walls of its monasteries and churches. Visit four of the eight famous Painted Monasteries of northern Moldova in their construction and painting order: Humor, Voronet, Moldovita, Sucevita.

  • 11
    Day 16-17: Brasov - Bran - Sinaia

    Our small tour group will enjoy a guided walking tour in the historical center of Brasov including the Black Church, the largest gothic structure between Vienna and Istanbul. Visit “Dracula’s Castle” in Bran and the fabulous Peles Castle in Sinaia.

  • 12
    Day 18: Depart from Bucharest

    Transfer to airport. OR Continue on our Moldova tour.

  • Trip Length

    18-day trip begins in Sofia; ends in Bucharest

  • Dates

    2023: April 7-24, April 14-May 1, May 17-June 3, May 30-June 16, September 6-23,
    September 29-October 16

    April 7 tour includes Juni festival in Brasov, April 14 tour includes Orthodox Easter in Bulgaria; May 17 tour includes Whit Sunday in Romania, May 30 Rose Festival in Bulgaria; September 29 tour follows our Albania, Balkans Explorer & Comprehensive Balkans tours
    Optional Post Tour to Moldova.

  • Land Cost

    2023: $4115 per person based on minimum of 4 people. Single Room Supplement: $430

  • Accommodations

    5 nights 4-star hotel
    13 nights 3-star hotels (charming heritage, best available, family operated)

  • Group Size

    4-12 guests

  • Included Meals

    All breakfasts, 7 lunches, 4 dinners

  • Duration

    18 Days

  • Reading List

    Suggested Reading
    International Travel News Review:
    Romania Tour Review - ITN

  • Trip Preparations

    Entry Requirements and FAQs

  • Extend Your Trip

    Post Tour to Moldova
    Five Days LEARN MORE

Sofia, Bulgaria

Melnik, Bulgaria

Plovdiv, Bulgaria

Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria

Bucharest, Romania

Sibiu, Romania

Sighișoara, Mureș County, Romania

Maramureș County, Romania

Bucovina, Botoșani, Botoșani County, Romania

Sinaia, Prahova, Romania

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