Duo Balkans: Sofia and Bucharest

• Arrival in Sofia international airport and transfer to hotel.  Sofia is a dynamic Eastern European capital, distinguished by its unique combination of European and Communist-style architecture as well as many beautiful orthodox churches. Furthermore, it claims to be one of the few European capitals with beautiful scenery and a developed ski-resort so close to it – the Vitosha Mountain. Accommodation at hotel.

Overnight: Sofia | Meals: B  – –

• After breakfast a sightseeing tour of the city centre of Sofia, including visits to one of the biggest cathedrals from the Balkans: Alexander Nevski Cathedral, the oldest surviving Christian church in Sofia – St. Sofia Church, the Rotunda of Saint George with medieval paintings, National Archeological Museum, 16th century Banya Bashi Mosque, St. Nedelya – old metropolitan church, National Theatre, former Royal Palace (now housing National Revival Art Gallery and Ethnographic Museum), National Assembly Square, where in the middle of the square sits the impressive Tsar Osvoboditel (King Liberator) monument erected in 1907 by the Italian sculptor Arnoldo Zocchi, Holy Synod, St. Sofia Church, Bulgarian National Gallery for Foreign Art. 

Recommendation: In the afternoon you can join to an optional trip to Rila Monastery (UNESCO site).

Overnight: Sofia | Meals: B  – –

• Breakfast at hotel, meet your guide and departure to your next destination: Romania. On the way stop in Veliko Tarnovo, the medieval capital of Bulgaria. The town flourished between the 12th and 14th century, when the territory of Bulgaria spanned over most of the Balkans. During the 5 centuries of Ottoman oppression, the town developed as a merchant and craftsmen town with “distribution channels” extending into North Africa and Central Europe.

• See Tsaravets Fortress, the Byzantine Citadel, first built in the 5th century, one of Bulgaria’s most famous monuments. You can wander through Tarnovo’s medieval old town, stopping for a drink at one of the quaint sidewalk cafes.

• In the afternoon continue to Bucharest, the capital city of Romania, a vibrant city with a stunning night life. Accommodation to your hotel.

Recommendation: In the evening you can join to a special dinner with folk show in a local restaurant.

Overnight: Bucharest | Meals: B – –

•  After breakfast, enjoy visiting the Romanian capital city. First dated in official documents in the year of 1459, Bucharest became the capital in 1862. Across the years the capital city draw attention to the public with its architecture mix combining the neo-classical, interbellum, communist-era and modern styles.

•  The tour starts with Victoria street, the oldest boulevard in Bucharest, Triumph Arch, the place where Romanian army was marching after the ending of the two world wars; continue with Revolution Square where the Ceausescu, the Dictator, kept his last public appearance in December 1989 and where the Romanian Revolution started.

•  Walk thru the Old Centre with the narrow streets full of coffee shops, restaurants, pubs and in the evening the best clubbing area in the South – Eastern Europe; see Romanian Athenaeum, the former Royal Palace and the People’s Palace (exterior) – the second largest building in the world after the Pentagon, with its original purpose to be Ceausescu’s residence. Accommodation at hotel. 

Recommendation: In the afternoon you can join to an optional trip to Snagov Monastery and the biggest thermal complex in Europe.

Overnight: Bucharest | Meals: B – –

Transfer to airport according your departure flight schedule or join an additional day in Bucharest for an exquisite trip to Peles and Dracula’s Castles.