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The highlights of Romania and Bulgaria

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The highlights of Romania and Bulgaria

14 day tour

Zelanos Tours gives you the opportunity to visit all the main tourist attractions of both Romania and Bulgaria in one amazing two – week tour.

Itinerary

Day-1. Arriving.

Arriving in Bucharest. Transfer to the hotel. Overnight in Bucharest.

Day-2. Bucharest.

Breakfast in the hotel. Walking tour of the city of Bucharest.

The town is known as the “Small Paris” because of its architecture. Arc de Triomphe – a copy of the Parisian Triumph Ark; Temple of Music “Athena” – concert and festival center, one of the symbols of Bucharest, which is distinguished by it’s dome with a height of 30 m; National Theatre – theatrical symbol of the Bohems; Parliament – the second largest administrative building in the world after the Pentagon was built on an area of 45 acres of some 20,000 workers in the management of Nicolae Ceausescu; Patriarchal Cathedral and Palace – spiritual center of the city in an impressive classical style with Baroque elements; The University – the young heart of the capital; Square of the Revolution; Victory Square; Royal Palace. Dinner upon request. Free time. Overnight in Bucharest.

Day-3. Bucharest – Brasov. (Driving duration 2.40 hours; 185 km.)

Breakfast in the hotel. Transfer from Bucharest to the city of Brashov and walking tour.

Fringed by the peaks of the Southern Carpathian Mountains and resplendent with gothic, baroque and renaissance architecture, as well as a wealth of historical attractions, Brasov is one of the most visited places in Romania. The city was founded by the Teutonic Knights in 1211 on an ancient Dacian site and settled by the Saxons as one of their seven walled citadels. The tour includes visit to the old Town Hall Square (Piata Sfatului) where you can admire colorfully painted and ornately trimmed baroque structures; the Black Church (Biserica Neagra), the largest gothic church in Romania; the renaissance-style Merchant’s House; the beautiful archway of the Orthodox Cathedral and the memorial museum of the Mureseanu family.

Dinner upon request. Free time. Overnight in a hotel in Brasov.

Day-4. Brasov – Sibiu. (Driving duration 2 hours; 145 km.)

Breakfast in the hotel. Transfer from Brasov to the town of Sibiu.

Sibiu was built in the 12th century by German settlers known as Transylvanian Saxons. Sibiu’s Old Town retains the grandeur of its earlier days when rich and powerful guilds dominated regional trade. Sections of the medieval wall still guard the historic area, where narrow streets pass steep-roofed 17th century buildings. Sibiu is a pedestrian-friendly city – a walking tour is in our program. The Upper town is home to most of Sibiu’s historic sites, and the Lower town, lined with colourful houses on cobblestone streets and bounded by imposing city walls and defence towers overlooking the river Cibin. Visit to the Great Square and Little Square, the Huet Square, the beautiful Passage of Steps connecting the upper town to the lower town, the well-known Bridge of Lies, Goldsmiths’ Square, the Harquebusiers’ Tower (Turnul Archebuzierilor), Carpenters’ Tower (Turnul Dulgherilor) and Potters’ Tower (Turnul Olarilor).

Dinner upon request. Free time. Overnight in a hotel in Sibiu.

Day-5. Sibiu – Vidin. (Driving duration 5.15 hours; 325 km.)

Breakfast in the hotel. Transfer from Sibiu to the city of Vidin in Bulgaria.

Short visit to the medieval fortress of “Baba Vida”, situated on the bank of the river Danube and raised upon the remains of the ancient town of Bononia. The first excavations in the fortress from uncovered remains of the Roman, Byzantine, early Bulgarian, late Bulgarian and Ottoman age. The medieval castle was declared a monument of culture, having national significance. Baba Vida is among the most preserved medieval fortification constructions in Bulgaria.

Dinner upon request. Free time. Overnight in a hotel in Vidin.

Day-6. Vidin – Belogradchik – Sofia. (Driving duration 4 hours; 250 km.)

Breakfast in the hotel. Transfer from Vidin to the capital city of Bulgaria – Sofia. On the way we will be able to visit the amazing Magurata cave and the stunning scenery of Belogradchik.

The Belogradchik massif is a group of strange shaped sandstone and conglomerate rock formations. The rocks vary in color from primarily red to yellow; some of the rocks reach up to 200 m. in height. Many of the rocks represent fantastic shapes and are associated with interesting legends. The Belogradchik Rocks have been declared a Nature Landmark and are a major tourist attraction. Belogradchik Fortress is situated at a distance of 1.5 km from the town of Belogradchik among the renowned rocks. It is a fortress that existed since the Roman times.

The Magura Cave is situated at a distance of about 20 km from the town. Multiple rock drawings dating back to various periods have been found in the cave. A unique solar calendar with 366 days was found in the cave. The Magura is one of the largest caves in Bulgaria. This is also one of the most visited caves in the country.

Arriving in Sofia. Dinner upon request. Free time. Overnight in a hotel in the capital city.

Day-7. Sofia.

Breakfast in the hotel. Next is a Full day walking and transport tour of Sofia.

It starts with a visit to Boyana church (UNESCO listed site), the National Historical Museum – holding many collections of artefacts of Balkan history. Next is a visit to the Museum of Communism and proceed to the historical center, across the National Palace of Culture and through the ancient St. George Rotunda, the Administration of the President, the National Archeological Museum, the 16th century Banya Bashi mosque, St. Nedelya – old metropolitan cathedral, the National Theater, the former Royal Palace, the Russian church St. Nikolay, the National Assembly square, where in the middle of the square sits the impressive King Liberator monument, the Holy Synod, St. Sofia church, the Bulgarian National Gallery for Foreign Art, the Alexander Nevski cathedral – the biggest in Bulgaria and according to many – the most spectacular building in Sofia.

Dinner upon request. Free time. Return to the hotel in Sofia. Overnight.

Day-8. Sofia – Bachkovo monastery – Plovdiv. (Driving duration 2.45 hours; 210 km.)

Breakfast in the hotel. Transfer from Sofia to the city of Plovdiv. Full day tour of Plovdiv, Bachkovo monastery and Asenova fortress.

Plovidv is considered as one of the oldest cities in Europe. Here you will see remains of the Thracian fortress (5th century BC) and well preserved remains from Roman times to our days.

The Old Town is a marvelous site, with picturesque churches, the mosque and many houses with architecture, specific atmosphere and the spirit of Bulgarian Revival period.

Your guide will show you the fabulous remains from Ancient Roman Times – Roman Stadium, Roman Forum, Amphitheater.

Bachkovo monastery – the second largest monastery in Bulgaria, dates from the middle ages. The monastery was founded in 1083 by the Georgian Gregoriy Bakuriani, who donated the land. For a long time the monastery was Georgian.

Asenova Fortress is located 3 km. from the city, on the top of a cliff, on the left bank of the Asenitsa river. The first written reference to the fortress dates from the founding of the nearby Bachkovo monastery.

Dinner upon request. Free time. Overnight in a hotel in Plovdiv.

Day-9. Plovdiv – Kazanlak – Sozopol – Burgas. (Driving duration 4.45 hours; 390 km.)

Breakfast in the hotel. Transfer from Plovdiv to the city of Burgas. On the way we will visit the Thracian tomb in Kazanlak, the Valley of the Kings and Sozopol, which is one of the ancient towns and harbors on Bulgaria’s coast and one of the famous Black sea resorts.

The Kazanlak Tomb, UNESCO world heritage site, based on its architectural outlook, belongs to the dome tombs, typical for the Thracian funeral architecture from the end of the 5th and the beginning of the 3rd century BC. The tomb is one of the best preserved pieces of art from the antiquity in the world.

The Valley of the Kings is full of remains. There you will see different tomb of different kings ruled the Thracian territories during the ages – here is the tomb of the mighty Thracian king Seuthes III.

Sozopol’s Old Town was declared a museum-reserve. It includes more than 180 old style houses, constructed from the middle of the 18th century to the beginning of the 19th century. In 2010, during archeological excavations at the nearby Saint Ivan (Saint John’s) Island, researchers unearthed the holy relics of Saint John the Baptist.

Arriving in Burgas. Dinner upon request. Free time. Overnight in a hotel in Burgas.

Day-10. Burgas – Nesebar – Kaliakra – Balchik – Varna. (Driving duration 4.30 hours; 280 km.)

Breakfast in the hotel. Transfer to the city of Varna. On the way, Full day tour: Nesebar – the town (part of the UNESCO’s World Treasures); Aladzha Monastery, Cape Kaliakra, Balchik.

Nesebar is one of the most ancient towns in Europe, founded 3200 years ago. During Antiquity the town was called Mesembria. Ever since it was founded, it has always been surrounded by fortified walls, some remains of which have survived to this day.

Aladzha Monastery (10th – 12th c.) is a cave monastery in Bulgaria, where the different premises and their functions are clearly distinguishable. The monastery premises are carved and arranged on two levels in a limestone rock, almost 40 m high.

Cape Kaliakra and the architectural reserve on its territory are situated on an oblong, narrow rocky peninsula that juts out about 2 km into the sea. The rich history, the well-preserved landscape, and the beautiful panoramic views make it one of the attractive tourist spots on the Black Sea Coast.

The Palace in Balchik is a designated archaeological and constructional monument of culture and a monument of the gardening and landscape art.

The University Botanical Garden in Balchik was established in 1955 on the territory of the park of the former summer residence of Queen Marie of Romania. Today the Botanical Garden accommodates collections with over 3500 plant species.

Varna was established in the 6th century BC under the name of Odessos by emigrants from the town of Milet. Because of its history and its economical and cultural significance, it is often called the Sea Capital of Bulgaria.

Dinner upon request. Free time. Overnight in a hotel in Varna.

Day-11. Varna – Pliska – Madara rider – Preslav – Veliko Tarnovo. (Driving duration 3.30 hours; 245 km.)

Breakfast in the hotel. Transfer to the city of Veliko Tarnovo. On the way, tour of Pliska, The Madara Rider and Preslav.

Pliska, with its incredible excavations is the oldest capital of Bulgaria and dates from the time of the Bulgarian Khans (7^th century). Here the visitors can see the palace of the first Bulgarian kings (hans).

The most notable monument at the Madara reserve is the unique stone relief known as the Madara Rider. It depicts a horseman in a natural pose with a sword in his hand. At the feet of the horse is a lion, and behind the rider is depicted his hunting dog. It is a unique monument of culture in Europe and part of UNESCO list.

Preslav was known as a spiritual and literature center, where the development of the Slavic written language and Golden Age of Bulgaria during the rule of King Simeon I (893 – 927 AD) took place.

Dinner upon request. Free time. Overnight in a hotel in Veliko Tarnovo.

Day-12. Veliko Tarnovo – Etara – Arbanasi.(Driving duration 2.15 hours; 110 km.)

Breakfast in the hotel. Visit to the ethnographic complex Etara. Half day tour of Arbanasi and Veliko Tarnovo.

The Architectural and Ethnographic Complex Etara is situated on the outskirts of the town of Gabrovo. It is an open air museum. The Complex was declared an architectural and ethnographic monument of national significance. The museum contains a total of 50 sites – houses with handcraft workshops, water installations and other buildings. On the handcrafts street the visitors can observe in real time the work of the craftsmen.

Veliko Tarnovo is one of the oldest towns in the country, as it’s history dates back to more than five thousand years ago. The upsurge of Veliko Tarnovo is related to the period of the Second Bulgarian Empire (1185 – 1421). After it’s selection for a capital in 1185, the town developed fast, as a cultural and intellectual center of Bulgaria and the Balkan peninsula.

The village of Arbanasi is located on a high plateau 5 km from the city of Veliko Tarnovo. It is known that the village existed during the time of the Second Bulgarian State (1185 – 1421). At that time the Bolyari (nobles), living in the capital Tarnovo, used it as a summer residence. According to the legend, the King of Tarnovo minted coins here.

Dinner upon request. Free time. Overnight in the same hotel in Veliko Tarnovo.

Day-13. Veliko Tarnovo – Ivanovo – Bucharest. (Driving duration 3 hours; 190 km.)

Breakfast in the hotel. Transfer to Bucharest, back in Romania. On the way, visit to the Ivanovo rock monasteries.

The Ivanovo rock monastery “St. Archangel Michael” was founded in the year 1220 by the monk Yoakim, who later became a Bulgarian patriarch. The Bulgarian Kings Yoan Asen ІІ (1218-1241), Yoan Alexander (1331-1371) and other representatives of the royal court, were among the monastery donators, and their donor’s portrait are preserved to the present day.

Dinner upon request. Free time. Overnight in a hotel in Bucharest.

Day-14.Departure

Breakfast in the hotel. Departure from Bucharest airport.

Summary:

A tour, which includes the highlights of Romania and Bulgaria – a true experience in the heart of the Balkan Peninsula.

The tour duration is 14 days and 13 nights.

* Price: Upon request

Included in the prices:

One overnight on BB in high quality 4* centrally located hotels in Brasov, Sibiu, Vidin, Plovdiv, Burgas and Varna
Two overnights on BB in high quality 4* centrally located hotels in Sofia and Veliko Tarnovo
Three overnights on BB in high quality 4* centrally located hotel in Bucharest
Urban Adventures tour in Sofia with visiting of all main sights in the capital city.
Tours of Bucharest, Brasov, Sibiu, Vidin, Sofia, Plovdiv, Bachkovo Monastery, Asenova fortress, Kazanlak tomb, Valley of the Kings, Sozopol, Nesebar, Aladzha monastery, cape Kaliakra, Balchik Palace, Univercity Bothanical Garden, Preslav, Madara Rider, Pliska, Etara ethnographic museum, Arbanasi, Veliko Tarnovo and Ivanovo rock monasteries.
English speaking guide
All entrances in the sites visited during the tour
Arrival and departure transfer
Seat in modern vehicle – car, mini-van or mini-bus