St. Alexander Nevski Cathedral

Arrival in Sofia. Meet your guide and transfer to the hotel. Panoramic city tour with highlights: Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Boyana Church (UNESCO), Roman ruins of Serdica, and Vitosha Boulevard. Evening free to relax. Overnight in Sofia.

Rila Monastery

Day trip to the UNESCO-listed Rila Monastery, Bulgaria’s most iconic monastery. Admire its frescoes, wood carvings, and dramatic mountain setting. Continue to Plovdiv, one of Europe’s oldest cities. Evening guided walk through the Old Town with its Roman Theatre and colorful Revival mansions. Overnight in Plovdiv.

Bachkovo Monastery

Morning visit to Bachkovo Monastery, Bulgaria’s second largest and another spiritual gem. Drive into the Valley of Roses and visit the Thracian Tomb of Kazanlak (UNESCO). Scenic drive via the Shipka Pass into the Balkans, then arrive in Veliko Tarnovo, the medieval capital. Overnight in Veliko Tarnovo.

Explore Tsarevets Fortress, with its mighty walls and towers overlooking the Yantra River. Visit Arbanassi village, known for richly decorated churches like the Nativity Church. Afternoon free in Veliko Tarnovo to enjoy the artisan quarter, riverside cafes, or optional wine tasting. Overnight in Veliko Tarnovo.

Bucharest

Depart Bulgaria, cross the Danube River, and enter Romania. Arrive in Bucharest for a panoramic city tour: the grand Parliament Palace, Revolution Square, and Old Town’s Lipscani area. Overnight in Bucharest.

Bucharest

Enjoy a relaxing day to explore Bucharest at your own pace – stroll the boulevards, visit art museums, or relax in Herăstrău Park. Optional excursion: Mogosoaia Palace and Snagov Monastery, where the tomb of Vlad the Impaler is located. Overnight in Bucharest.

Sibiu

Travel north to Curtea de Argeș Monastery, linked with the legend of Master Manole. Stop at Cozia Monastery, a jewel of Wallachian architecture. Arrive in Sibiu, a Saxon town full of charm, with its Bridge of Lies, Gothic churches, and atmospheric squares. Overnight in Sibiu.

Alba Iulia

Visit Corvin Castle (Hunedoara), one of Europe’s most spectacular Gothic castles. Continue to Alba Iulia, site of Romania’s Great Union. Afternoon drive to Cluj-Napoca, a lively Transylvanian city blending history with modern energy. Overnight in Cluj.

Wooden Churches of Maramures

Head into Maramureș, a region of traditions, wooden gates, and UNESCO-listed wooden churches. Visit Barsana Monastery and enjoy encounters with locals preserving age-old customs. Evening in a traditional guesthouse with authentic cuisine. Overnight in Maramureș.

Bucovina Village Museum

Cross into Bucovina, where Romania’s most famous UNESCO heritage lies: Painted Monasteries. Explore Voronet, Humor, and Moldovita Monasteries, known for their stunning exterior frescoes. Overnight in Gura Humorului.

Bicaz

Drive through the dramatic Bicaz Gorge, with towering limestone cliffs, and stop at the Red Lake. Continue to Brașov, where cobblestone streets, medieval towers, and Gothic churches await. Guided evening tour including the Black Church and Council Square. Overnight in Brașov.

Sinaia

End your journey in style: visit the legendary Bran Castle, linked to Dracula, followed by the fairytale Peleș Castle, former royal residence in Sinaia. Continue to Bucharest for departure transfer.