Tsarevets Fortress , Veliko Tarnovo , Bulgaria
New ! Eastern Balkan Discovery : Bulgaria & Romania
Bulgaria : Sofia , Veliko Tarnovo | Romania : Brasov , Sighisoara , Sibiu , Bucharest For departure dates , available single space , and pricing , visit www . oattravel . com / rbgpricing
19 days from $ 3495 including international airfare Single Supplement : FREE Save a FULL 10 %, up to $ 420 , with our Good Buy Plan — reserve by 3 / 31 / 23 Valid for June 2023-December 2024 departures
Discover the lands that lay in the shadows of the Balkan and Carpathian Mountains when you journey through Bulgaria and Romania . These two southeastern European nations , steeped in history and legend , have tales to tell from the past and sights to show in the present . From the medieval mystery and allure of sites like Bran ( or “ Dracula ’ s ”) Castle in Transylvania to the current culture of this European crossroads , there are endless discoveries to be made .
WHAT TO EXPECT
View all physical requirements at www . oattravel . com / rbg
ITINERARY
DAY 1 • Depart U . S . Depart the U . S . on your flight to Sofia , Bulgaria .
DAY 2 • Sofia , Bulgaria After an overnight flight , transfer to the hotel and join your fellow travelers — including those who have arrived from our pre-trip extension Serbia Revealed : Along the Banks of the Danube — for a Welcome Drink .
Central Park Hotel or similar
DAY 3 • Sofia Get to know the Bulgarian capital city during a walking tour today and witness such sites as the ancient Roman city of Serdica and impressive Alexander Nevsky Cathedral . Then tonight , enjoy a Welcome Dinner featuring a traditional Bulgarian dance performance .
B , D — Central Park Hotel or similar
DAY 4 • Sofia • Optional Rila Monastery tour Today , enjoy a full day of independent discoveries in Sofia . Or , you may wish to join our optional tour of Rila Monastery which includes lunch at a local restaurant .
B — Central Park Hotel or similar
DAY 5 • Plovdiv • Veliko Tarnovo We ’ ll drive to Veliko Tarnovo today , with a stop to visit the ancient city of Plovdiv . Here , we ’ ll tour one of the city ’ s most well-preserved Ottoman-style homes , walk the cobblestone streets , and stroll past an ancient Roman amphitheater .
B , D — Gurko Hotel or similar
DAY 6 • Tsarevets Fortress • Arbanassi • Home-Hosted Dinner Explore Veliko Tarnovo ’ s most famous site this morning : Tsarevets Fortress . The original fortress was built here between the fifth and seventh centuries and went on to become the palace of medieval tsars . Then we ’ ll visit Arbanassi , a historical village known for its unique , fortress-like architectural style . Tonight , we ’ ll enjoy a Home- Hosted Dinner with a local Bulgarian family .
B , D — Gurko Hotel or similar
DAY 7 • Brasov , Romania • Cross Danube River into Sinaia • Peles Castle We ’ ll cross the Danube River into Romania today , arriving first in Sinaia , “ the Pearl of the Carpathians .” Then we ’ ll visit Peles Castle , completed in 1914 for the first Hohenzollern king of Romania , Carol I and set dramatically in the hills above Sinaia . Late this afternoon , we ’ ll arrive in Brasov .
B , L , D — Hotel in Brasov
DAY 8 • Brasov • Bran Castle Enjoy a guided tour of Brasov , walking through Council Square and visit the Black Church . We ’ ll also meet Nora , a member of the local Jewish community and an expert on how the events of World War II impacted Jewish Romanians , at Brasov ’ s Beth Israel Synagogue . Later , we ’ ll visit Bran Castle , often referred to as Dracula ’ s Castle .
B , D — Hotel in Brasov
DAY 9 • A Day in the Life of a Romanian dairy farm Today , experience A Day in the Life of a Romanian dairy farm . We ’ ll drive out to the small village of Bod and connect with farm owner and community
52 Eastern Balkan Discovery : Bulgaria & Romania