10 Days Sofia to Bucharest.
Highlights Include: Sofia, Belgrade, Timisoara, Brasov, and Bucharest.
Make a fascinating journey through the Balkan countries of Bulgaria, Serbia, and Romania. Begin with two nights in the Bulgarian capital, Sofia. See all the highlights, then travel via Nis to Belgrade for a two-night stay. Visit imposing Kalemegdan Fortress; take a walking tour of Novi Sad, Serbia’s second largest city; and overnight in Timisoara. On through Hunedoara to Sibiu, dating from the 12th century. Stop in UNESCO-listed Sighisoara and Brasov. Walk in the footsteps of the sinister Count Dracula on a visit to Bran Castle, then on to Bucharest for a two-night stay.
Discovering the Balkans
DAY 1 ARRIVE IN SOFIA, BULGARIA: Welcome to Sofia. You will be met and transferred to your hotel. There’s time to relax before meeting your fellow travelers and Travel Director for a Welcome Dinner. (D)
DAY 2 SOFIA SIGHTSEEING & FREE TIME: See the highlights of Sofia on a morning tour with a Local Guide. Visit the National History Museum where gold and silver Thracian treasures are displayed, and see the Alexander Nevski Cathedral and Crypt. The rest of the day is free. (B)
DAY 3 SOFIA / NIS, SERBIA / BELGRADE: Cross into Serbia and head to Nis, one of Europe’s oldest cities. Stop for a short tour and lunch. In the late afternoon, arrive in Belgrade. Enjoy dinner with live music in a typical restaurant in the old Bohemian quarter of Skadarlija. (B/D)
DAY 4 BELGRADE SIGHTSEEING & FREE TIME: A morning sightseeing tour with a Local Guide includes a visit to Kalemegdan Fortress, Belgrade’s most beautiful park. Then on to view Republic Square, Saint Sava Temple and Tito’s Memorial. The rest of the day is free to explore on your own, shop or relax in a cafe over a slice of baklava. (B)
DAY 5 BELGRADE / TIMISOARA, ROMANIA: Head to Novi Sad, dating back to 1694 and now Serbia’s second largest city. A walking tour shows you the major attractions, including the Petrovaradin Fortress. Continue to Timisoara. View the ruins of Timisoara Fortress, Huniady Castle and more. (B/D)
DAY 6 TIMISOARA / SIBIU: Leaving Timisoara, stop and visit the Fortress of Hunedoara. Then, on to the charming town of Sibiu, originally built in the 12th century. (B/D)
DAY 7 SIBIU / SIGHISOARA / BRASOV: Take a sightseeing tour of Sibiu, once the richest town in Transylvania. See Huet Square and the Evangelical Cathedral, the Great Square, the Bridge of Lies and more. On to Sighisoara, the best-preserved medieval city in southeastern Europe and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. On a city tour, visit the famous Clock Tower. Continue to Brasov, where a walking tour includes a visit to the First Romanian School Museum with an impressive collection of rare books, documents and art. (B/D)
DAY 8 BRASOV / BUCHAREST: Following breakfast, head to Bran. Visit Bran Castle, made famous by Bram Stoker’s novel as the residence of the sinister vampire, Count Dracula. Continue toward Bucharest, stopping in Sinaia to visit Peles Castle, built as the royal summer residence between 1873 and 1883 by King Carol I. Afterward, visit the beautiful 17th-century Sinaia Monastery, then on to Bucharest and your hotel. (B/D)
DAY 9 BUCHAREST SIGHTSEEING & FREE TIME: See the highlights of the Romanian capital, once nicknamed “Little Paris,” on a tour with a Local Guide. Visit the Parliament Palace and hear how the Romanian people succeeded in toppling the last communist dictator in Eastern Europe. See the Romanian Athenaeum, the Military Academy, Triumphal Arch and visit the Village Museum. Your afternoon is free for last minute shopping and more exploration. Tonight, relish a Farewell Dinner and a folklore show with your new-found friends. (B/D)
DAY 10 DEPART BUCHAREST: You will be transferred to the airport where your vacation ends. (B)
Customize to Suit
The above suggested itinerary can be customized to suit; more or less meals, different cities and/or sightseeing based on your clients’ interests. You name it, our expert group specialist professionals will put it together for you. Please call 1-800-818-8455, or simply complete the group request form, and we’ll get back to you with your proposal.
Inclusions
- Airport transfers in Sofia on Day 1 and Bucharest on Day 10
- Twin-bedded rooms in 4- or 5-Star hotels; hotel taxes, service charges and tips for baggage handling
- 9 hot breakfasts; 1 Lunch; 7 dinners including a Welcome Dinner with wine, a Highlight Dinner with wine and a Farewell Dinner with wine
- Services of a professional Travel Director
- Luxury motorcoach with reclining seats, air conditioning and onboard restroom
- Sightseeing with a Local Guide: Sofia, Belgrade, Bucharest Headsets for sightseeing so you can easily hear your guide’s commentary
- Special features and scenic highlights as indicated in the itinerary, including admission charges
- Portfolio of travel documents
- 24-hour emergency customer service while in Europe
Private Departures
Please Call 1-800-818-8455 for Group Rates on this Custom Group Journey
This suggested itinerary can be customized to suit; more or less meals, different cities and/or sightseeing based on your clients’ interests. You name it, our expert group specialist professionals will put it together for you. Please call 1-800-818-8455, or simply complete the group request form, and we’ll get back to you with your proposal.
Group Discounts
On custom journeys, discounts vary depending on group requirements. Typically, travel with a group of 20 and the 21st traveler receives a 100% discount* off the land portion of the vacation price. A second traveler receives a 100% discount* off the land on a group of 40 paying passengers.
*Per person prices are land only and based on two people sharing a room. Above dates represent “land start” date. Air: Please note that airfares are not included in the prices above. Journeys Connect can quote you the lowest possible GROUP airfare available on the day that you book. Minimum of 10 seats from same gateway. Less than 10 air seats will require full payment at time of booking. Single Room Supplement: On Request. Triple Room Reduction: On Request. Group discounts cannot be combined with our Triple Room discounts. Not valid on Specialty, Customized Vacations or River Cruises, optional extensions, extra nights, airfares, taxes and fees, flight supplements, or airport transfers. Other restrictions may apply. All passengers’ names must be advised before the discount is applied. *Group discount is on a twin-share basis only.
Contact Journeys Connect
Journeys Connect group and specialty services are available exclusively on a Business-to-Business basis, to travel industry professionals. If you are an individual interested in a Group Journey for 8 or more passengers, please do browse our collection and then contact your preferred Travel Agent and ask them to book through Journeys Connect.
Travel professionals, please call and speak with one of our Group Specialty Professionals:
1-800-818-8455