Capitals of Eastern Europe: Hungary, Romania and Bulgaria in 12 days

Arrive at Budapest International Airport.

Our guide will meet you in the arrivals hall with your name on the signboard. He will do the following: help you with your money exchange, give you essential information about Budapest, help you with your check-in, explain to you the location of your accommodation and advise you how to reach the main sights, and give you an overview of current happenings in the city.

In case your flight is delayed, there is no reason to worry. We will monitor your flight, and our guide will meet you accordingly. There are no additional charges for flight delays. After a short ride of 20 minutes, you’ll be in the city’s center. Check-in at the hotel, and take the rest of the day to get more familiar with Budapest, walk around, or follow your guide’s recommendation for dinner. 

IMPORTANT NOTE: If you are arriving in Budapest a few days before the tour departure, you can book additional nights with us, at the same hotel, for a surcharge of 55€ (Classic package) or 95€ (Upgraded package. Prices are per person and night in a double or twin room.

Overnight: Budapest

After breakfast, set off on a comprehensive 3-hour city tour of Budapest, starting with the view from Gellert Hill.

Enjoy an unbeatable panorama of the city and the Danube River as your guide fills you in on the city’s two halves: Buda, the ancient seat of the Hungarian Kings, and Pest, the heart of the modern city. Start your explorations in Buda with a tour of the medieval castle and follow your guide around Trinity Square, Fisherman’s Bastion, and Matyas church. After snapping photos of the grand Buda Castle from the 13th century, cross the iconic Chain Bridge into Pest to admire the magnificent Hungarian Parliament Building on the waterfront.

Browse the shops along lively Vaci Street, then take a peek inside the opulent St. Stephen’s Basilica, where the star attraction is, somewhat bizarrely, the right hand of its namesake, King Stephen. Next, stroll down the elegant Andrassy Avenue, home to the lavish Hungarian State Opera House, and marvel over the monuments of Heroes Square.

For lunch follow your guide’s recommendations and tuck into some traditional Hungarian cuisine at a local restaurant. Gulyas stew is always a good choice.

Use your free afternoon to soak in one of Budapest’s many famous thermal baths or walk around this magnificent city. In the evening, don’t miss a spectacular Danube cruise under Budapest’s bridges. You will hear many stories and legends while sipping champagne and listening to some famous Ferenc (Franz) Liszt’s pieces. (not included).

Overnight: Budapest

Breakfast. Today, we’re leaving Hungary behind and proceeding to neighbouring Romania, but only after visiting the third-largest city in Hungary, Szeged.

On our one-hour walk around the city center, we will check out the most important sights, starting with the famous Széchenyi Square.

We will take a lunch break before we proceed to Romania. Since January 2025, Romania has joined the Schengen Agreement, meaning there are no more border controls between Hungary and Romania. Thus, we will arrive in Timisoara, Romania’s fourth-largest city and the capital of the Romanian Banat, after only one and a half hours of driving.

Check-in at the hotel, and use this afternoon to find out why Timosara is nicknamed “The Little Vienna,” walk around gorgeously renovated public squares and try delicious traditional Romanian food.

Overnight: Timisoara

Breakfast and check-out. On our guided tour around the historical center, we’ll make sure that you don’t miss any of the most important sights: the Orthodox Catedral, Victory Square, Liberty Square with the City Hall, Union Square with the Roman Catholic Cathedral, and the Serbian Orthodox Cathedral with the Bishop’s Palace. We will take a lunch break in one of Timisoara’s cozy restaurants.

After the break, we’ll continue towards the east, and our first stop will be The Corvin Castle, also known as Hunyadi Castle. This Gothic treasure of Transylvania is an important cultural landmark of Romania.

After the visit, we will proceed, and after around an hour and a half of the pleasant ride, we’ll arrive in Sibiu, built by German settlers back in the 12th century. Maybe you’ve heard of it as “The City of Eyes” due to its unique architectural features on the roofs of houses. We’ll check in at our hotel, take a short break to refresh, and then proceed to the walking tour. We will visit the Large Square with Brukenthal National Museum, the Small Square, the Council Tower, the Bridge of Lies, the Stairs Passage, and the Orthodox Cathedral of the Holy Trinity, modeled on the magnificent Agia Sofia. Use your free afternoon to explore the town independently.

Overnight: Sibiu

Today, we’ll continue exploring “The Transylvanian Triangle.” Our next stop will be Sighisoara, a UNESCO World Heritage Sight. This town was also established in the 12th century, again by German craftsmen, the so-called Transylvanian Saxons.   Today, the city is known for its well-preserved historical center, colorful houses, and watch towers, but maybe more than anything else, as the birthplace of Vlad Cepes, aka Vlad The Impaler. We’ll check the Church of the Dominican Monastery, the Clock Tower, Saint Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church, the Tailors’ Tower, the Covered Stairway, and other significant sights.

Then we will proceed to Brasov, perhaps the most picturesque town on our trip. You’ll be charmed by its historical buildings, restored bastions, and fortified guard towers. The best way to explore this cute place is on foot, so that’s exactly what we will do.

You’ll see the narrowest street in the world, The Black Church, Catherine’s Gate, Beth Israel Synagogue, and many other interesting sights.

After a day filled with excitement, take the evening to relax and prepare yourself for the adventures that are awaiting us tomorrow.

Overnight: Brasov

Today we’ll spend a day immersing ourselves in the landscapes and landmarks of Transylvania. This unique region is packed with historic castles, rich scenery, and an evocative atmosphere.

Our first stop will be the famous Bran Castle, the former residence of the Romanian Royal family, widely-known as Dracula’s Castle. Here we will walk inside its majestic towers and down its winding narrow staircases and passages and learn about the infamous Vlad the Impaler.

Our next stop, Peles Castle, is the most impressive castle in Romania and a must-see attraction. King Carol the I-st built this Neo-Renaissance castle as a summer residence for the Royal family. This fairy-tale-like edifice is considered one of the most beautiful castles in Europe. The castle is surrounded by splendid parklands – the work of several landscape architects, each of whom left his mark on the park and gardens of Peleş. In addition to the magnificent exterior with hand-painted stained glass windows and numerous sculptures surrounding the castle, the interior of over 160 rooms was decorated by more than 400 artisans and artists.

After this exceptional experience, we’ll continue toward Romania’s capital. Check-in at the hotel. Free time.

Overnight: Bucharest

Today, we’ll show you why Bucharest is nicknamed “Little Paris.”, known for its wide, tree-lined boulevards, glorious Belle Époque buildings, and a reputation for the high life.

While exploring this magnificent city filled with parks, we will see a very interesting blend of French, Byzantine, and communist architecture in the many stylish building. We will visit all the major sights in the city: Piața Unirii with Parliament (the second largest building in the world after the Pentagon), Roman Square, The Arch of Triumph, Romanian Athenaeum, Lipscani Street, the Calea Victoriei Avenue, and finally, the Revolution Square.

Time this afternoon on your own, explore the city, enjoy the bars and terraces, and in the evening, enjoy the vibrant atmosphere that Bucharest is famous for.

Overnight: Bucharest

Breakfast and check-out.

As soon as we enter the territory of Bulgaria close to the village of Ivanovo, we will visit the UNESCO World Heritage site, a complex of rock-hewn churches, chapels, monasteries, and cells,  where the first hermits dug out their cells and churches in the rock during the 12th century.

Continuing our tour, we’ll make a short photo stop in the small village of Arbanasi, a picturesque open-air museum of cultural heritage that includes 80 houses. Arbanasi is a quiet and picturesque village which, even today, keeps the medieval touch through the old architecture.

Our last stop will be in Veliko Tarnovo, one of the most beautiful cities in Bulgaria, located on the banks of the Yantra River. Also known as the City of Tsars, Veliko Tarnovo boasts an impressive fortress with the ruins of the former Tsarevets Palace and the patriarchal church, nowadays with modern and intriguing paintings. The medieval atmosphere is well kept in the city thanks to the old architecture and the narrow streets where you can admire local artisans and their work.

Check in to the hotel and enjoy the evening in this charming town.

Overnight: Veliko Tarnovo

Breakfast and check-out from the hotel.

We’ll drive to the Open-Air Ethnographic Museum Etar, which contains a collection of 50 objects, including water-powered installations and houses with artisans’ workshops.

The complex exhibits central Bulgaria’s architecture, way of life, and economy during the Bulgarian National Revival. Using original instruments and following old traditions, it presents the Bulgarian customs, culture, and characteristics of 20 regional crafts.

The next stop on our tour will be the town of Kazanlak, with a tour through the rose fields, where you’ll have an excellent opportunity for some great photos. Then, we continue east to the Ethnographic Complex Damascena, located in the heart of the Valley of Roses, where you will learn why Bulgaria is famous for rose oil production, followed by some free time for lunch. The next stop is visiting the famous Thracian tomb from the 4th century BC – a UNESCO World Heritage sight.

We’ll end the day in the beautiful and ancient city of Plovdiv, one of the oldest cities in Europe. Located on the banks of the Marica River and built around seven hills, the city has a cultural mix of different civilizations and a unique blend of architectural elements. It is a museum under the open sky.
Check in and enjoy your free evening.

Overnight: Plovdiv

After breakfast, we will start our Plovdiv sightseeing tour. On our walking tour, we will visit the Ancient Theatre of Philippopolis, the Roman Stadium, and the Church of Saint Constantine and Helena. We will finish in Kapana, a real art center and a district dedicated to creative industries, a pedestrian area full of shops, restaurants, and galleries.
Feel the atmosphere of this artistic and trade center and enjoy a lunch at the local restaurants.

The next stop on your way to Sofia is the charming town of Koprivshtitsa, with its fascinating history and authentic 19th-century architecture. We’ll walk around this small and picturesque city in central Bulgaria, spread amongst the slopes of the Sredna Gora Mountains, which carries a specific spirit of tranquility and eternity. Once a scene of battles for the liberation of Bulgaria, the city has now been turned into a museum of the Revival Period of Bulgaria. Here, you can visit the homes of some of the most eminent Bulgarians, writers, and rebels and admire the vast collections of ethnographic treasures, including ancient weapons, intricate national costumes, and stunning jewelry.

After this extraordinary experience, we’ll proceed to Sofia, where we will arrive in the evening. Check-in. Free time.

Overnight: Sofia

After breakfast, we will start with our Sofia sightseeing tour. On our walking tour, we will visit the ruins of Serdica-Roman fortress walls; St George Rotunda, the oldest building in Sofia; St Sofia Basilica, the oldest active church which gave the city its name; St Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, one of the largest Eastern Orthodox cathedrals in the world; National Theatre and many more historical sites from ancient times alongside the modern areas of cosmopolitan city life.

Use your free afternoon, or perhaps book an optional trip to Rila Monastery, one of the holiest places in the country and another UNESCO World Heritage sight. Rila Monastery is the most important spiritual and literary center of the Bulgarian national revival, with an uninterrupted history from the Middle Ages until now. PRICE = 40 EUR per person.

Overnight: Sofia

Breakfast. Transfer to the airport. End of services.

IMPORTANT NOTE: If you depart from Sofia a few days after the tour ends, you can book additional nights with us, at the same hotel, for a surcharge of 55€ (Classic package) or 75€ (Upgraded package. Prices are per person and night in a double or twin room.

• 2 nights in the chosen hotel category in Budapest
•  1 night in the chosen hotel category in Timisoara
• 1 night in the chosen hotel category in Sibiu
• 1 night in the chosen hotel category in Brasov 
• 2 nights in the chosen hotel category in Bucharest
• 1 night in the chosen hotel category in Veliko Tarnovo
• 1 night in the chosen hotel category in Plovdiv
• 2 nights in chosen hotel category in Sofia
• 11 meals: 11 breakfasts in the hotels (buffet style)
• Arrival & departure airport transfers
• Transfers according to the itinerary
• Sightseeing per itinerary
• English-speaking tour manager from day 2 to day 11
• All fuel costs, parking fees, and road tolls
• Entrance fees: Corvin Castle, Bran Castle, Peles Castle, Rock-Hewn Churches of Ivanovo, Etar Open Air Museum, Arbanasi Historical Village, Rila Monastery, Thracian Tomb of Kazanlak, Rose Museum Kazanlak
• City taxes
• VAT
• Tour organization and 24/7 assistance from a licensed incoming tour operator

• Arrival and departure flights
• Food & drinks
• Optional expenses
• entrance fees other than mentioned

• Child from 0 to 2 years old – FREE of charge.
• Child from 2 to 12 years old, sharing the bed – 50% discount on the price of a twin room
• Child from 2 to 12 years old, extra bed – 30% discount on the price of a twin room.

• Up to 60 days before the departure date = 100% refund
• 59 days to 46 days before the departure date = 90% refund
• 45 days to 31 days before the departure date = 80% refund
• 30 days to 16 days before the departure date = 70% refund
• 15 days to 8 days before the departure date = 50% refund
• 7 days or less before the departure date = 0% refund

• You MUST confirm and obtain any visa requirements prior to the booking. All visa requirements are the sole responsibility of the traveler. A current valid passport is required on the day of travel.
• Gratuities are not included in the price (not mandatory, but encouraged)
• The final choice of hotels will depend on the availability at the moment of your booking. We reserve the right to change the hotel due to availability, but we promise the same category, location, and level of quality
• Please note that VICTOR TOURS doesn’t guarantee the entrance of the church/cathedral due to sudden closure (mass, wedding, etc)
• Please note that VICTOR TOURS doesn’t guarantee the timing due to weather and traffic
• Please note that VICTOR TOURS doesn’t guarantee entrance to any sight due to late arrival
• The minimum number of guests required is one
• Tour duration = 12 days