14 days Balkans Tour from Budapest with Transylvania

Day 1: Budapest - Timisoara (320km) HUNGARY+ROMANIA

1. Budapest
   Pass by
   Departure in the morning at 9 a.m. from Budapest.
2. Timisoara Historical Center
   3h · Admission ticket not included
   Timisoara, a very charming city for its architectural features for many Turkish, Serbian, Austrian and German elements, which will become the European Capital of Culture in 2021

Day 2: Timisoara – The Corvini Castle – Sibiu (320 km)

1. Castelul Corvinilor
   2h · Admission ticket not included
   In the morning we will visit the most fascinating gothic castle in Eastern Europe and one of the most beautiful and greatest of our continent, the famous Corvin Castle
2. Sibiu
   3h
   Visit Sibiu, a beautiful medieval city where Romanians and Saxons have been living peacefully for centuries and where the various religious monuments (Catholics, Orthodox and Protestants) demonstrate this peaceful coexistence. Sibiu was named European Capital of Culture in 2007 and hosts an extraordinary theater festival every year. The city fascinates thanks to its three squares (Big Square, Small and Huet Square ) that transport tourists in a real medieval atmosphere. Its towers and its 15th century bastions, but also its beautiful museums and the famous “houses with the eyes” give the visitor lovely moments. Also in Sibiu you will see one of the largest gothic evangelical churches in Transylvania.

Day 3: Sibiu – Sighisoara – Brasov (210 km)

1. Centrul Istoric Sighisoara
   2h · Admission ticket not included
   Visit Sighisoara, with its imposing Clock Tower. This citadel is the best preserved in Europe and, extraordinary, it is still inhabited. Since 1999 the historic center of Sighisoara is a UNESCO heritage site. Here we will admire the church on the hill, reachable after a wooden staircase called the schoolchildren’s ladder. We will also see the statue of the famous Hungarian national poet Petofi Sandor, testifying to the fact that in Sighisoara the Magyar community was in the past numerically important. Next to the statue is the beautiful Catholic church, reserved for the Hungarian community, and the tower of the shoemakers. You can have lunch at the house where Vlad the Impaler was born (not included)
2. Brasov
   2h
   Next we will visit Brasov, a wonderful Transylvanian town, once entirely fortified, an important cultural, tourist and commercial center. Brasov impresses with its typically German architecture, where the Gothic, the Baroque and the Renaissance intersect to give life to an interesting and culturally very lively city.

Day 4: Brasov – Bran– Sinaia - Bucharest (180 km)

1. Bran Castle
   2h · Admission ticket not included
   Later we proceed to Bran where we will visit the famous Bran Castle, better known as Dracula’s Castle. In the Middle Ages, Bran was exactly on the border between Wallachia and Transylvania, so it was essential for the inhabitants of Brasov to build and preserve a defensive stronghold
2. Peles Castle
   Pass by
   Visit to the fabulous Peles Castle, the summer residence of the first king of Romania, the King Charles 1 of Hohenzollern, of German origins. The castle was beautifully designed by a Czech architect, and is famous for being one of the most modern castles in Europe at the time of its construction, between the 19th and 20th centuries. Each room is characterized by a unique style, different from the styles of the other rooms. We will also admire the Florentine room, where we will breathe a typically Italian and Renaissance atmosphere.
3. Bucharest
   Pass by
   We continue towards Bucharest and enjoy a panoramic tour of Bucharest with its Triumph Arch, Atheneum, Revolution Square.

Day 5: Bucharest - Devetashka - Lovech (230 km) ROMANIA + BULGARIA

1. Devetashka Cave
   1h · Admission ticket not included
   We will leave Bucharest in the morning and head to Bulgaria. After crossing the bridge over the Danube River we will enter in Bulgaria and our first visit will be at Devetàshka cave is a picturesque karst cave near the waterfalls. Unlike other caves Devetàshka is very well lit and its floor is covered by lush greenery, especially in spring and summer, so sometimes it is hard to believe that one is actually underground.
2. Krushunskiye Waterfalls
   1h · Admission ticket not included
   The Krushùna Falls are the biggest travertine cascade in Bulgaria, unique with its picturesque scenery, lush vegetation, numerous round-shaped terraces and small natural pools with mineral water. The main waterfall is about 20 m high and it splits into several smaller ones along its way down the soft limestone rocks.

Day 6: Lovech - Sofia (150 km) ROMANIA + BULGARIA

1. Lovech
   1h
   Visit Lovech with the Covered Bridge over the Osam River is another must-see attraction in Lovech. The bridge unites the two halves of the town and it’s a distinctive piece of construction and a significant representation of Lovech.
2. Sofia
   2h
   In the evening we will arrive in Sofia . The walking tour of city center will include the gold-domed
   Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Saint (Sveta) Sofia Church , Banya Bashi Mosque, the Sofia Synagogue and the main shopping street Vitosha .

Day 7: Sofia – Rila – Skopje (350 km) BULGARIA +MACEDONIA

1. Rila Monastery
   1h · Admission ticket not included
   Departure to Rila Monastery , Bulgaria's most famous tourist site ( Unesco World Heritage Site ) and founded in the 10th century by Saint Ivan Rilsky (St John of Rila ) , a hermit canonized by the Orthodox Church . The monastery , one of the largest in the Balkans , was the center of Bulgarian culture and Orthodox belief for more than 1000 years . Our tour includes a visit to the Church, which is of particular artistic value, for it was adorned by the foremost 19-century masters of the Samokov, Bansko and Debar schools of painting and woodcarving
2. Skopje
   1h
   In the early evening we will arrive in Skopje , the capital of Macedonia . Orientation tour of Skopje before arriving to your centrally located hotel.

Day 8: Skopje – Ohrid (190 km) MACEDONIA

1. Skopje
   2h
   After breakfast enjoy a walking tour of Skopje (internationally famous for being the birthplace of Mother Teresa ) , with its most important landmarks : quay of the Macedonian river “Vardar”, the narrow streets in the Old Bazaar (is the biggest bazaar preserved in the Balkans today ), the Memorial house of Mother Teresa , the 1500 years old fortress Kale , Macedonia Square with the statue of Alexander The Great on horse
2. Ohrid
   2h
   Continue the tour to Ohrid ( Unesco World Heritage Site ) situated on the banks of the lake with the same name , perched on the border of Macedonia and Albania. Ohrid area has been the setting of thousands of years of human history and the old city center are testimony to its past. Lake Ohrid itself is Europe's oldest lake having formed over three millions years ago. The walking tour of the old city center will include the narrow streets and squares , the Anchient Theater , discover the famous old churches, monasteries and basilicas (Sveti Sofia Church ) , Tsar Samuil’s (Samuel’s) Fortress and pedestrian shopping street .

Day 9: Ohrid – Tirana – Shkoder (230 km) MACEDONIA + ALBANIA

1. Tirana
   2h
   After breakfast departure to the Macedonian – Albanian border heading to Tirana, capital of Albania . The walking tour of city center of Tirana will reveal the main tourist attractions : Tirana’s massive main square – Skanderbeg , National History Museum, Et’hem Bey Mosque and Skanderbeg’s statue . In the evening you will arrive in Shkoder, one of the most authentic cities in Albania.

Day 10: Shkoder – Kotor - Trebinje (190 km) MONTENEGRO

1. Kotor
   2h
   Departure to Kotor – Montenegro , crossing the Albanian – Montenegro border and discover the fortified old town – Stari Grad ( Unesco World Heritage Site ) .
   In the evening we will arrive in Trebinje (Bosnia&Herzegovina)

Day 11: Trebinje – Mostar – Sarajevo (240 km) BOSNIA&HERZEGOVINA

1. Mostar Old Bridge
   2h · Admission ticket not included
   After breakfast we will head to Bosnia – Herzegovina and after we will cross the border we will visit the beautiful city of Mostar with its Old Bridge Area and the old city, part of Unesco Heritage
2. Sarajevo
   2h
   After we leave Mostar, we shall take an amazingly scenic road passing by the Jablanica lake and via the Neretva river canyon, we’ll arrive in Sarajevo.
   Walking tour of the old part and city centre of Sarajevo. Our 2.5 hour tour will cover the stories of origins of Sarajevo and the medieval Bosnian Kingdom. We shall visit the Ottoman and Austria-Hungarian parts of Sarajevo, which both with its stunning markets, bazaars, mosques, churches and synagogues will reveal the true nature of the real European Jerusalem. We’ll make sure to visit the Latin Bridge and learn the story about how WWI was triggered right here, in the heart of Sarajevo. Sarajevo’s 1984 Winter Olympics and life during the Siege of Sarajevo will surely be part of our story today.

Day 12: Sarajevo – Belgrad (400 km) BOSNIA + SERBIA

1. Belgrade
   3h
   After breakfast we will head to Serbia and in the afternoon we will arrive to Belgrad, capital of Serbia. Visit the Republic Square, the National theater and the National museum, Bohemian Quarter (Skadarlija), the oldest part of Belgrade with Ottoman heritage, the only mosque in the city, Kalemegdan park, Belgrade fortress, „Victor“ the most famous symbol of Belgrade and the confluence of the Sava and the Danube rivers.

Day 13: Belgrad – Novi Sad – Budapest (400 km) SERBIA + HUNGARY

1. Novi Sad
   1h
   After breakfast , departure to Budapest with a stop in Novi Sad where we will visit Zmaj Jovina Street, the promenade of Novi Sad and obligatory sight for any tourists, not least for the ornamental Palace of the Orthodox Bishop. We will see also y – Dunavska, street with its long line of single-storied 19th century houses. The Danube embankment, the outside of Petrovaradin Fortress on the other bank.
2. Budapest
   3h
   In the evening we will arrive to Budapest ,`´ The Queen of Danube “ , capital of Hungary .

Day 14: Budapest HUNGARY

1. Budapest
   12h
   Free time in Budapest in wich you can discover by yourself this magical city and see the iconic statues of Heroes’ Square, the Andrássy Avenue, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Discover also St. Stephen’s Basilica, Dohány Street Synagogue and the beautiful Castle District in Buda.

• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
• Not recommended for pregnant travelers
• Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
• Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
• A current valid passport is required on the day of travel