Treasures of the Balkans & Transylvania
Treasures of the Balkans & Transylvania
Treasures of the Balkans & Transylvania
13 Days Starting and ending in Budapest, Hungary
Visiting: Arrive In Budapest, Hungary, Budapest, Novi Sad, Serbia, Belgrade, Sofia, Bulgaria, Sofia. Excursion To Rila Monastery, Plovdiv, Veliko Târnovo, Bucharest, Romania, Sinaia, Brasov, Sighisoara, Cluj-Napoca
Tour operator:
Tour code:
6710-2025
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Cultural, Gardens & Nature Tours, History, Ruins-Archaeology
Activities:
Tour Overview
Discover the treasures of the Balkans on this vacation through Hungary, Serbia, Bulgaria, and Romania. Visit the capitals—Budapest, Belgrade, Sofia, Bucharest—as well as some of the fascinating towns and cities along the way. Discover Novi Sad, famous for its citadel; Plovdiv, with its picturesque old town centre; Veliko Târnovo, Bulgaria’s capital during the Middle Ages; and Sinaia, a lovely ski resort town. Explore Brasov, a charming Transylvanian town featuring Saxon walls and bastions and an expansive square. Sighisoara is one of Romania’s prettiest towns with 11 medieval towers within the city walls, cobblestone streets, ancient houses, and churches. Visit Sofia’s Boyana Church, a medieval Bulgarian Orthodox church listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site; Plovdiv’s Roman Amphitheatre, one of the world’s best-preserved ancient theatres, and Arbanassi’s Church of the Nativity, built in 1637 and housing an outstanding collection of frescoes. Rila Monastery is a UNESCO World Heritage site, with a history dating back 10 centuries. Marvel at Peles Castle, a masterpiece of German neo-renaissance architecture built in the 1880s and nestled at the foot of the mountains. It is considered one of the most stunning and romantic European castles. In Bucharest, visit the open-air Village Museum, showcasing traditional village life with a collection of traditional farmhouses, cottages, wind and watermills, and artisans’ workshops from all parts of the country. Last, but not least, visit Bran Castle, built in 1377 with imposing towers and turrets, and once inhabited by Vlad the Impaler—the Count who gave Bran Stoker the inspiration for his novel’s character, the vampire known as Dracula. This Balkans and Transylvania tour is designed for value-minded, savvy travel lovers. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime vacation!
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive In Budapest,Hungary
Location: Arrive In Budapest, Hungary
Check into your hotel. Take advantage of the CosmosGO app to visit Budapest at leisure. In the early evening, meet your Tour Director and travel companions.
Day 2: Budapest
Location: Budapest
Meals Included: Breakfast
Budapest is a treasure trove of architectural wonders, from Gothic to Baroque and Neoclassical to Art Nouveau, but also full of history and other surprises, such as delicious food and wines, as well as a multitude of spa establishments built on top of natural hot springs. The Danube River divides the old city in two, making it even more spectacular. Discover all of this and more during the guided city tour. See the best of both Buda and Pest with an optional cruise on the Danube River, with refreshments and refreshing views of the magnificent Parliament, Fishermen’s Bastion, and Castle Hill.
Day 3: Budapest,Novi Sad,Serbia,Belgrade
Location: Budapest, Novi Sad, Serbia, Belgrade
Meals Included: Breakfast
Travel to Serbia. Stop in Novi Sad, capital of the province, built on the banks of the Danube River and famous for its Petrovaradin Citadel, and stretch your legs in the town center. Continue to Belgrade and discover the capital of Serbia on a guided city sightseeing tour. Today’s Distance: 267 mi/ 430 km
Day 4: Belgrade,Sofia,Bulgaria
Location: Belgrade, Sofia, Bulgaria
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Cross the border into Bulgaria to arrive in the capital city of Sofia. Join a Local Guide for a city tour that includes the Parliament building, Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, the National Theater, and St. Sofia Church and Boyana Church, a medieval Bulgarian orthodox church listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.Today’s Distance: 273 mi/ 440 km
Day 5: Sofia. Excursion To Rila Monastery
Location: Sofia. Excursion To Rila Monastery
Meals Included: Breakfast
This morning, discover Rila Monastery, located inside a nature park and featuring vibrant frescoes. Its checkered history goes back to Ivan Rilski, the hermit who founded it in 927. During the long Turkish rule over the country, the monastery became a beacon of Bulgarian culture, and it is now one of the most important sights in the country. Tonight, savor an optional Bulgarian dinner, featuring hearty regional cuisine served with a side of lively folklore music and dance. Today’s Distance: 130 mi/ 210 km
Day 6: Sofia,Plovdiv,Veliko Târnovo
Location: Sofia, Plovdiv, Veliko Târnovo
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Head eastwards to Plovdiv, Bulgaria’s second-largest city, located along the banks of the Maritsa River. Stop here to visit the charming Old Town and the Roman Amphitheatre. Journey northwards through fine scenery over the Stara Planina Mountains to Veliko Târnovo. Today’s Distance: 190 mi/ 305 km
Day 7: Veliko Târnovo,Bucharest,Romania
Location: Veliko Târnovo, Bucharest, Romania
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Today, time to see some of the highlights of Veliko Târnovo, located on the Yantra River. During the Middle Ages, it was Bulgaria’s capital, and still retains some of its most attractive medieval features. Visit nearby Arbanassi, world famous for its house design, 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 Nativity, built in 1637. Carry on north to Rousse and cross the Danube to reach Bucharest. Today’s Distance: 130 mi/ 210 km
Day 8: Bucharest
Location: Bucharest
Meals Included: Breakfast
Flower-festooned parks, gardens, and wide boulevards shaded by century-old trees contribute to Bucharest’s beauty. The highlight of the included sightseeing tour is a visit to the open-air Village Museum, a unique collection of traditional farmhouses, cottages, windmills, watermills, and artisans’ workshops from all parts of the country. Your Local Guide will show you other places of interest, including the Government Victoria Palace, the Royal Palace, and the Savings Palace. Take your experience today higher with an optional afternoon visit to the massive site of the Romanian Parliament, known today as “The Peoples' Palace,” once the the most extravagant symbol of Romania’s communist era under Ceausescu's dictatorship.
Day 9: Bucharest,Sinaia,Brasov
Location: Bucharest, Sinaia, Brasov
Meals Included: Breakfast
Travel to 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 castles in the world. Only a few more miles to Brasov, a lovely medieval town famous for its town square filled with Baroque architecture and outdoor cafés.Today’s Distance: 106 mi/ 170 km
Day 10: Brasov
Location: Brasov
Meals Included: Breakfast
Transylvania is commonly associated with vampires due to the influence of Bram Stoker’s 1897 novel Dracula, and all the subsequent books and many films the tale has inspired. This morning, depart for Bran and visit the legendary Dracula castle. It was built in 1377 and inhabited by the Wallachian prince, Vlad the Impaler, also known as Dracula. In the afternoon, a walking orientation of the Old Town of Brasov includes a visit to the Black Church, followed by leisure time. Today’s Distance: 39 mi / 62 km
Day 11: Brasov,Sighisoara,Cluj-Napoca
Location: Brasov, Sighisoara, Cluj-Napoca
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Stop in Sighisoara, a medieval town with 11 towers within the city walls surrounding cobblestone streets, ancient houses, and churches—one of Romania’s prettiest towns. Legend has it that it is also the birthplace of the notorious Vlad (Dracula). Continue to Cluj-Napoca, the film capital of Romania. Today’s Distance: 174 mi/ 280 km
Day 12: Cluj-Napoca,Budapest,Hungary
Location: Cluj-Napoca, Budapest, Hungary
Meals Included: Breakfast
Cross the border at Oradea into Hungary and return to Budapest. Today’s Distance: 292mi/ 470 km
Day 13: Budapest
Location: Budapest
Meals Included: Breakfast
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.
What's Included
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Accommodation
Stay at various hotels including Intercity Hotel Budapest, Kopernikus Hotel Prag, Ramada by Wyndham Sofia City Centre, Yantra Grand Hotel, Pullman Bucharest, Capitol, Aro Palace, and Golden Tulip Ana Dome.
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Meals
Buffet breakfasts daily and 4 dinners are included.
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Guided Tours
Guided city tours in Budapest, Belgrade, Sofia, and Bucharest.
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UNESCO Sites
Visits to UNESCO World Heritage Sites including Boyana Church, Budapest (including the Banks of the Danube, the Buda Castle Quarter, and Andrássy Avenue), Historic Centre of Sighisoara, and Rila Monastery.
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Transport
Travel between cities and countries by coach.
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CosmosGO App
Access to the CosmosGO app for self-guided exploration.
What's Not Included
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Optional Activities
Optional afternoon visit to the Romanian Parliament, known as the 'Peoples' Palace.
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Personal Expenses
Any personal expenses such as souvenirs, additional meals, and drinks.
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Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is not included and should be purchased separately.
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Flights
International and domestic flights to and from the starting and ending points of the tour are not included.
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Visa Fees
Visa fees and any related travel documentation are not included.
Meals
Buffet breakfasts daily; 4 dinners
UNESCO Sites
Boyana Church|Budapest (including the Banks of the Danube, the Buda Castle Quarter and Andr?ssy Avenue)|Historic Centre of Sighisoara|Rila Monastery
Accommodation
Budapest:Intercity Hotel BudapestBelgrade:Kopernikus Hotel PragSofia:Ramada by Wyndham Sofia City CentreVeliko Tarnovo:Yantra Grand HotelBucharest:CapitolBrasov:Aro PalaceCluj Napoca:Golden Tulip Ana Dome
Notes
The Bran Castle visit requires guests to navigate many steps which may pose a challenge for those with physical limitations or reliant on mobility devices such as wheelchairs.
Check out our Q&As
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What kind of accommodations can I expect during the tour?
The tour includes stays at various hotels such as Intercity Hotel Budapest, Kopernikus Hotel Prag in Belgrade, Ramada by Wyndham Sofia City Centre, Yantra Grand Hotel in Veliko Tarnovo, Pullman Bucharest, Capitol in Bucharest, Aro Palace in Brasov, and Golden Tulip Ana Dome in Cluj-Napoca. These hotels offer modern amenities including free Wi-Fi, air conditioning, and on-site restaurants.
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What are some of the key historical sites included in the tour?
The tour includes visits to several UNESCO World Heritage Sites such as Boyana Church, the Historic Centre of Sighisoara, and Rila Monastery. Other historical sites include the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, the Parliament building in Sofia, and the legendary Dracula Castle in Bran.
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Will there be guided tours during the trip?
Yes, the tour includes guided city tours in Budapest, Belgrade, Sofia, and Bucharest. Local guides will provide insights into the history and culture of these cities.
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Are there any special excursions included in the tour?
Yes, the tour includes a special excursion to Rila Monastery, located inside a nature park and known for its vibrant frescoes. Another highlight is the visit to the Sinaia Monastery and Peles Castle in Sinaia.
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What kind of meals are provided during the tour?
The tour includes buffet breakfasts daily and four dinners. Specific meals are provided on certain days, such as breakfast and dinner on Day 4 in Sofia and Day 6 in Veliko Tarnovo.
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What kind of activities are available in Bucharest?
In Bucharest, the tour includes a visit to the open-air Village Museum, showcasing traditional farmhouses, cottages, windmills, and watermills from various parts of Romania. There is also an optional visit to the massive Romanian Parliament, known as the 'People's Palace.'
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What can I expect to see in Brasov?
In Brasov, you will visit the legendary Dracula Castle in Bran and take a walking orientation of the Old Town, including a visit to the Black Church. The town is known for its Baroque architecture and outdoor cafés.
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Is there any leisure time during the tour?
Yes, there is leisure time included in the itinerary, such as in Brasov after the walking orientation of the Old Town and in Budapest on the first day to explore the city at your own pace using the CosmosGO app.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Since 1961
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Cosmos is committed to minimizing our impact on the environment and to reducing dependence on non-renewable resources. In this endeavor, we have implemented policies to support this mission and are working carefully to enhance our products with this mission and our values combined. We are committed to complying with all relevant legislation and/or regulations.
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Travel documents, including any air tickets, itineraries, and other information, are available approximately two to three weeks prior to departure provided full payment has been received.
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
All guests are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 for travel through February, 2023. Beginning March 1, 2023, while we highly recommend vaccination, we will no longer require it. We ask all guests to comply with airline and destination requirements, which still may apply. To check your destination requirements for your travel dates, view the Latest Travel & Health Restrictions for Travel.
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Cosmos requires a minimum deposit of 200 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of cosmos charges.
Up to 91 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 90 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 29 days before tour starts: Forfeit 80% of booking price.
At 1 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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