Treasures of the Balkans & Transylvania

Check into your hotel. Take advantage of the CosmosGO app to visit Budapest at leisure. In the early evening, meet your Tour Director and travel companions.

Budapest is a treasure trove of architectural wonders, from Gothic to Baroque and Neoclassical to Art Nouveau, but also full of history and other surprises, such as delicious food and wines, as well as a multitude of spa establishments built on top of natural hot springs. The Danube River divides the old city in two, making it even more spectacular. Discover all of this and more during the guided city tour. See the best of both Buda and Pest with an optional cruise on the Danube River, with refreshments and refreshing views of the magnificent Parliament, Fishermen’s Bastion, and Castle Hill.

Travel to Serbia. Stop in Novi Sad, capital of the province, built on the banks of the Danube River and famous for its Petrovaradin Citadel, and stretch your legs in the town center. Continue to Belgrade and discover the capital of Serbia on a guided city sightseeing tour. Today’s Distance: 267 mi/ 430 km

Cross the border into Bulgaria to arrive in the capital city of Sofia. Join a Local Guide for a city tour that includes the Parliament building, Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, the National Theater, and St. Sofia Church and Boyana Church, a medieval Bulgarian orthodox church listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.Today’s Distance: 273 mi/ 440 km

This morning, discover Rila Monastery, located inside a nature park and featuring vibrant frescoes. Its checkered history goes back to Ivan Rilski, the hermit who founded it in 927. During the long Turkish rule over the country, the monastery became a beacon of Bulgarian culture, and it is now one of the most important sights in the country. Tonight, savor an optional Bulgarian dinner, featuring hearty regional cuisine served with a side of lively folklore music and dance. Today’s Distance: 130 mi/ 210 km

Head eastwards to Plovdiv, Bulgaria’s second-largest city, located along the banks of the Maritsa River. Stop here to visit the charming Old Town and the Roman Amphitheatre. Journey northwards through fine scenery over the Stara Planina Mountains to Veliko Târnovo. Today’s Distance: 190 mi/ 305 km

Today, time to see some of the highlights of Veliko Târnovo, located on the Yantra River. During the Middle Ages, it was Bulgaria’s capital, and still retains some of its most attractive medieval features. Visit nearby Arbanassi, world famous for its house design, a cross between a dwelling and a fortress. The village is known as an architectural and historic reserve and was at one time the summer residence of Bulgarian kings. One of the highlights of the visit is the Church of Nativity, built in 1637. Carry on north to Rousse and cross the Danube to reach Bucharest. Today’s Distance: 130 mi/ 210 km

Flower-festooned parks, gardens, and wide boulevards shaded by century-old trees contribute to Bucharest’s beauty. The highlight of the included sightseeing tour is a visit to the open-air Village Museum, a unique collection of traditional farmhouses, cottages, windmills, watermills, and artisans’ workshops from all parts of the country. Your Local Guide will show you other places of interest, including the Government Victoria Palace, the Royal Palace, and the Savings Palace. Take your experience today higher with an optional afternoon visit to the massive site of the Romanian Parliament, known today as “The Peoples' Palace,” once the the most extravagant symbol of Romania’s communist era under Ceausescu's dictatorship.

Travel to Sinaia in the Prahova Valley. This is a lovely ski resort, almost 3,300 feet above sea level. While in Sinaia, there will be time to visit the Sinaia Monastery and Peles Castle, considered among the most romantic castles in the world. Only a few more miles to Brasov, a lovely medieval town famous for its town square filled with Baroque architecture and outdoor cafés.Today’s Distance: 106 mi/ 170 km

Transylvania is commonly associated with vampires due to the influence of Bram Stoker’s 1897 novel Dracula, and all the subsequent books and many films the tale has inspired. This morning, depart for Bran and visit the legendary Dracula castle. It was built in 1377 and inhabited by the Wallachian prince, Vlad the Impaler, also known as Dracula. In the afternoon, a walking orientation of the Old Town of Brasov includes a visit to the Black Church, followed by leisure time. Today’s Distance: 39 mi / 62 km

Stop in Sighisoara, a medieval town with 11 towers within the city walls surrounding cobblestone streets, ancient houses, and churches—one of Romania’s prettiest towns. Legend has it that it is also the birthplace of the notorious Vlad (Dracula). Continue to Cluj-Napoca, the film capital of Romania. Today’s Distance: 174 mi/ 280 km

Cross the border at Oradea into Hungary and return to Budapest. Today’s Distance: 292mi/ 470 km

Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.