TREASURES OF THE BALKANS & TRANSYLVANIA (6710) 14 days or 13 days from Budapest to Budapest Starting at: $1,999.00*
Vacation Overview
Discover the treasures of the Balkan region on this vacation adventure that starts and ends in Budapest, the lively city along the Danube. A guided sightseeing tour introduces you to the highlights of Budapest, including the Royal Castle, Parliament, and Fishermen’s Bastion. Next, travel south through ever-changing landscapes to Novi Sad, famous for its citadel, then Serbia’s capital of Belgrade and the breathtaking gorges leading into Bulgaria. Explore Sofia, Bulgaria’s capital, with its ornate orthodox churches; a sightseeing tour shows you the city’s highlights. Visit Rila Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, founded in 927. Explore Plovdiv, Bulgaria’s second-largest city, with its charming Old Town and Roman Amphitheater. Continue to medieval Veliko Tarnovo and Arbanassi before arriving in beautiful Bucharest, Romania, for two overnights. The highlight of your Bucharest sightseeing tour is a visit to the open-air Village Museum, a unique collection of traditional farmhouses, cottages, wind and watermills, and artisans’ workshops. Then, it’s on to the picturesque mountains, fortified villages, and castles of Transylvania. Visit Sinaia Monastery and Bran Castle, the medieval dwelling of legendary Count Dracula. Enjoy additional stops in enchanting Sighisoara, one of Romania’s prettiest towns with 11 towers¬—standing within the city walls—which surround cobblestone streets, ancient houses, and churches. Go to the heart of Transylvania to Cluj Napoca before returning to Budapest for the finale of this outstanding vacation. If you want to see Transylvania, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, and Serbia, you don’t want miss this vacation.
Itinerary Day 1Mon. BOARD YOUR OVERNIGHT TRANSATLANTIC FLIGHT Day 2Tue. ARRIVAL IN BUDAPEST, HUNGARY Check into your hotel. The rest of the day is free. Tonight, meet your Tour Director and fellow travelers.
Day 3Wed. BUDAPEST Included sightseeing with a Local Guide features Buda Castle, which dominates the twin cities of Buda and Pest, separated by the broad ribbon of the Danube. Also see Heroes’ Square, which typifies the modern capital, as well as the old inns and wine cellars along the riverbank, the Royal Castle, Parliament, Margaret Island, Fishermen’s Bastion, and Matthias Coronation Church. In the evening, enjoy an optional Danube dinner cruise. (B)
Day 4Thu. BUDAPEST-NOVI SAD, SERBIA-BELGRADE This morning, travel southwards at first along the motorway to the border town of Szeged to cross into the province of Vojvodina in Serbia. Stop in Novi Sad, the capital of the province, situated on the River Danube and famous for its Petrovaradin Citadel, known in the west as the “Gibraltar of the Danube.” Drive along the motorway into Belgrade, the capital of Serbia. (B)
Day 5Fri. BELGRADE-SOFIA, BULGARIA A comfortable drive this morning southeast by way of Nis; then across the border into Bulgaria. Arrive in Sofia, its capital, for sightseeing with a Local Guide, which will include such highlights as the Parliament building, Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, the Boyana Church, the National Theater, and St. Sofia Church. The locals will tell you that Sofia is growing all the time, yet never aging. (B,D)
Day 6Sat. SOFIA. EXCURSION TO RILA MONASTERY This morning, drive to Rila to visit its Monastery (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), the most famous in the country. It has a checkered history that goes way back to Ivan Rilski, a hermit who founded it in 927. During the very long Turkish rule over the country, the monastery became a beacon of Bulgarian culture. Return to Sofia. Tonight, maybe join an optional folklore dinner. (B) Day 7Sun. SOFIA-PLOVDIV-VELIKO TARNOVO This morning, head eastwards to Plovdiv, Bulgaria’s second-largest city, located along the banks of the River Maritsa. Stop here to visit the charming Old Town and the Roman Amphitheater. Journey northwards through fine scenery over the Stara Planina Mountains to Veliko Tarnovo. (B,D)
Day 8Mon. VELIKO TARNOVO-BUCHAREST, ROMANIA Today, time to see some of the highlights of Veliko Tarnovo, located on the Yantra River. During the Middle Ages, it was Bulgaria’s capital and, although now a modern town, it still retains some of its most attractive medieval features. Later, drive to nearby Arbanassi, world famous for its type of house, which is 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 the Nativity, built in 1637. In the afternoon, journey north to Rousse and cross the Danube to reach Bucharest. (B,D)
Day 9Tue. BUCHAREST Flower-festooned parks, gardens, and wide boulevards shaded by century-old trees contribute to Bucharest’s beauty. The highlight of your sightseeing tour is a visit to the open-air Village Museum, a unique collection of traditional farmhouses, cottages, wind and watermills, and artisans’ workshops from all parts of the country. The Local Guide will also show you other places of interest, including the Government Victoria Palace, the Royal Palace, and the Savings Palace. There is also an afternoon optional visit to the Romanian Parliament, known as the House of the People. (B)
Day 10Wed. BUCHAREST-SINAIA-BRASOV Leave this morning for a stop in 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 in the world. Only a few more miles and you reach Brasov, a lovely medieval town and famous for its town square filled with baroque architecture and outdoor cafés. This evening, enjoy an optional folklore dinner in a typical Transylvanian restaurant. (B)
Day 11Thu. BRASOV This morning a walking orientation of the Old Town of Brasov will include a visit to the Black Church and leisure time. In the afternoon, leave for Bran and visit its castle, built in 1377 and inhabited by Vlad the Impaler—better known as Dracula. (B)
Day 12Fri. BRASOV-SIGHISOARA-CLUJ NAPOCA Head northwards for a stop in Sighisoara, a medieval town with 11 towers—standing within the city walls—which surround cobblestone streets, ancient houses, and churches—it is one of Romania’s prettiest towns. Legend has it that it is also the birthplace of the notorious Vlad (Dracula). Continue the journey north by way of Tirgu Mures on to Cluj Napoca in the heart of Transylvania. (B,D)
Day 13Sat. CLUJ NAPOCA-BUDAPEST, HUNGARY Travel westwards today by way of Oradea into Hungary and return to Budapest. (B)
Day 14Sun. YOUR HOMEBOUND FLIGHT ARRIVES THE SAME DAY (B)
Optional Excursions
Here's a list of optional excursions you can enjoy during your vacation. Whether it's a special dinner, a local show or a special behind-the-scenes glimpse into an historical site, optional excursions are a wonderful way to enrich your vacation even further. Plus, they give you flexibility. We include the must-see sites and experiences, and we also understand that people take interest in different activities and may want to craft a more personal vacation by hand- picking optional excursions that appeal to them.
Availability is subject to sufficient participation, weather conditions, seasonal suitability, days of operation, group interests, and general feasibility for your vacation. The approximate value listed gives you a good, general idea of what you can expect to pay but may vary once you are on your vacation. Some information provided might be in a foreign currency; you can use our online currency converter for exchange rate information.
CITY: Brasov
Medieval Evening The "Hirscher House" located in the Merchants House - built in 1545 is our venue for this evening. This restaurant, one of the most famous in Romania, is situated in Council Square, in the historical centre of Brasov. Your wine tasting and appetizer are served in the wine cellar followed by dinner, in the main restaurant hall, during which you will be entertained by a folklore show. Approximate value: EUR €42 per person
CITY: Bucharest
People's Palace Your guided tour of the People's Palace, as it was known in the communist period, or the Parliament Palace as it is known today, will take you inside one of the largest buildings in Europe to visit some of the monumental and richly decorated halls. Approximate value: EUR €20 per person
A Romanian Evening Enjoy dinner out at a typical beerhouse restaurant. Your dinner consists of a three-course meal with local specialties - a soft drink, a 1/4 bottle of wine or a beer are included. Approximate value: EUR €40 per person
CITY: Budapest
Artist Village Szentendre Drive to the picturesque village of Szentendre, the home of many famous Hungarian artists at the turn of the century. Proceed with a visit to a museum (Kovacs or Marzipan Museum - entrance included) and the pretty Greek Orthodox church. Finally enjoy coffee and cake at a typical inn. Approximate value: EUR €30 per person
Evening On A Boat Cruise along the River Danube admiring the beauty of the twin cities Buda and Pest. See the Satle District, Gellert Hill and the House of Parliament sampling Hungarian and international dishes, champagne and wine during your dinner. Approximate value: EUR €55 per person
Hungarian Night A typical Hungarian evening. Start with an aperitif and dinner, which includes some fine local specialties. Enjoy a folklore programme of Hungarian and Gypsy dancers in colorful costumes. Approximate value: EUR €47 per person
CITY: Sofia
Folklore Dinner A night out Bulgarian style - your dinner comprises local cuisine which introduces you to Bulgarian specialties. At the same time you will be entertained by folklore music and dances. Approximate value: EUR €32 per person
Vacation Highlights
INCLUDED FEATURES Visits to Novi Sad, Belgrade, Rila Monastery*, Plovdiv, Veliko Tarnovo, Arbanassi village, Sinaia Monastery*, Brasov, Bran Castle*, Sighisoara
*entrance fee included
SCENIC HIGHLIGHTS Stara Planina Mountains, Southern Carpathia, Transylvania INSIDE VISITS Inside visits and special features are shown in the description, including admission charges when applicable.
GUIDES Local Guides for city sightseeing in Budapest, Sofia, Bucharest*, Peles Castle*; services of a professional Tour Director while touring
*entrance fee included
Accommodations
MEALS - (B) Breakfast (L) Lunch (D) Dinner 12 buffet breakfasts (B); 4 dinners (D)
HOTELS - (F) First-Class (ST) Superior Tourist-Class (T) Tourist Class Budapest Millenium (ST), Belgrade Best Western Hotel M (F), Sofia Princess (F), Veliko Tarnovo Yantra Grand (F), Bucharest Sofitel (F), Brasov Aro Palace (F), Cluj Napoca Best Western Topaz (ST), Budapest Ramada (F)
Dates and Prices
Departure Departure Tour Return Land/Cruise Status Details Date Start Date Date Price Only 7/20/2009 7/21/2009 8/2/2009 $2,039.00 Please Call Now
8/3/2009 8/4/2009 8/16/2009 $2,039.00 Please Call Now
Popular Departure 8/17/2009 8/18/2009 8/30/2009 $2,039.00 Please Call Now Popular Departure 8/31/2009 9/1/2009 9/13/2009 $2,039.00 Please Call Now 9/7/2009 9/8/2009 9/20/2009 $2,039.00 Not Available
Popular Departure 9/14/2009 9/15/2009 9/27/2009 $2,019.00 Please Call Now Popular Departure 9/21/2009 9/22/2009 10/4/2009 $2,019.00 Please Call Now Popular Departure 10/5/2009 10/6/2009 10/18/2009 $1,999.00 Please Call Now