Description

Travel across romantic Eastern Europe from Hungary to Turkey and experience the diverse range of cultures and landscapes in between. From beautiful Budapest to the haunted castles of Transylvania, and through stunning mountain scenery to Bulgaria and beyond - be enchanted by medieval monasteries, old-world towns and the warm hospitality of this little-travelled region of Europe.

Highlights

• Unwind in beautiful Budapest.
• Sample Hungarian wine in Eger.
• Experience traditional peasant life in a Maramures village.
• Learn spooky stories while travelling through Transylvania.
• Get spooked at Dracula's Castle near Brasov.
• Delve into a communist past in Bucharest.
• Travel through the scenic Rila Mountains.
• Explore Byzantine ruins in Plovdiv.
• Admire Istanbul's majestic Aya Sofia.

Itinerary

Day 1 Budapest

Budapest's grand architecture and boulevards evoke a time gone by, while glamorous stores and glitzy restaurants make this one of Europe's truly great cities.

Day 2 Eger

Home to some of the most famous vineyards in Eastern Europe, the beautifully preserved Baroque town of Eger is also famous for its impressive 13th-century castle.

Days 3-4 Maramures

Rich in tradition, folklore and ancient superstitions that have remained unchanged for hundreds of years, the region of Maramures is a land that seems frozen in time.

Day 5 Sighisoara

Set in the mystical and enchanting region of Transylvania, the medieval masterpiece of Sighisoara effortlessly conjures images of haunted castles, gothic churches and vampires.

Day 6 Viscri

Best known for its heavily fortified medieval church, the charming village of Viscri offers a great opportunity to get in touch with the local Roma community.

Days 7-8 Brasov

The city of Brasov was once a major medieval trading centre and today its gothic Black Church and ornate building are still protected by massive city walls.

Day 9 Bucharest

Bucharest, Romania's beautiful capital city, likes big things. It's home to one of Europe's biggest squares and its enormous Palace of Parliament is the second largest building in the world.

Days 10-11 Veliko Tarnovo

Tracing its incredible history all the way back to 4500 BC, Veliko Tarnovo's imposing Tsarevets Fortress and picturesque Old Quarter are a delight to explore.

Day 12 Sofia

Bulgaria's cosmopolitan capital, Sofia is loaded with wide tree-lined boulevards, pleasant parks and striking buildings including the Aleksander Nevski Memorial Church.

Day 13 Gorno Draglishte

The small mountain village of Gorno Draglishte is home to a delightful community of warm and welcoming people, a rich cultural heritage and delicious home-cooked food.

Days 14-15 Bansko

Set at the foot of the majestic Pirin Mountains, many of Bansko's stone houses have been transformed into charming 'mehanes' (taverns) where visitors can indulge in some local cuisine.

Days 16-17 Plovdiv

Once the meeting point of two ancient transportation routes, Plovdiv is a picturesque city with a fascinating collection of traditional workshops, baroque houses and ancient Roman ruins.

Day 18 Istanbul

Adorned with treasure from all periods of human history, Istanbul is not only one of the world's most fascinating places, it's also one of its most mesmerising.

Group Size

Maximum of 12 travellers per group

Accommodation

Guesthouse, Homestay, Hotel, Overnight sleeper train, Pension

Transport

Bus, Metro, Overnight sleeper train, Private minibus, Private vehicle, Taxi, Train

Important notes

1. A Single Supplement is available on this trip. See under the Single Traveller section of your Trip Notes for more information.2. This trip finishes in Istanbul on day 18 at 12pm midday.