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Eastern Europe Explorer
Trip Valid:
01/01/2008 to 31/12/2008
Duration:
22 days (Budapest to Istanbul)
Highlights:
Sample local wine in beautiful Eger, Experience traditional peasant life in a Maramures village, Spook yourself at Dracula's Castle, Check out Bulgarian nightlife in Sofia, Explore Byzantine ruins in Plovdiv, Admire Istanbul's majestic skyline
Trip Code:
WRY
Guarantee:
Departure is guaranteed
Group Size:
Minimum 1, Maximum 14
Price:
USD $1400
*(plus local payment EUR €450)
pricing for United States: change country
Extras:
view 2008 airport transfers and pre- & post-trip accommodation prices
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, across the stunning Carpathian mountains to Bulgaria and beyond, you'll be enchanted by medieval monasteries, old-world towns and the warm hospitality of this little-travelled region.
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passenger feedback rating: 4.91 out of 5 how does this work?
meals included: No meals included
transport: Overnight train, train, coach, minibus, local bus, metro, taxi, walking
accommodation: Basic hotels and pensions (19 nts), traditional Romanian homestay (1 nt), overnight train (1 nt). Please note some accommodation is on a multishare basis and has shared facilities.
budget: Allow EUR €550 for meals not included.
departs: Departs selected Sun
we also recommend:
For an alternative overland journey check out our 14 day trip from Budapest through the Balkans to Dubrovnik (WSK)
Day 1 Budapest
Be greeted by elegant palaces, beautiful bridges and a vibrant nightlife in Hungary's capital, which straddles a gentle curve in the Danube River.
Day 2 Eger
Check out the 13th century Eger Castle or sample excellent local wines in this pretty Baroque town. Be sure to try the famed 'bull's blood' wine.
Days 3-4 Maramures
Explore Deri Square in Debrecen, with its fountains and colourful buildings. Then experience the wooden churches and ancient traditions of Romanian peasant culture in the villages of Maramures.
Days 5-6 Sighisoara
Be spooked by the blood-curdling myths that surround the land of Transylvania - and keep an eye out for Count Dracula.
Day 7 Transylvania Village Homestay
Enjoy a home-cooked dinner with a local family - they're far friendlier than the Wallachian prince that once terrorized these lands. Pop into the Sock Project to learn about the odd initiative that supports this Roma community.
Days 8-9 Sibiu
Take a walk through the impressive main square and up 192 steps for a fantastic view of the red-tiled rooftops below.
Day 10 Brasov
An array of ornate churches dot Brasov, including the Gothic Black Church, and there are plenty of funky restaurants.
Days 11-12 Sinaia
Wander the turrets of Dracula's Castle or imagine life inside a fortress at Rasnov. Enjoy alpine life in Sinaia and take an optional visit to the country's most magnificent buliding, the Peles Castle.
Day 13 Bucharest
Check out the Centru Civic, an embodiment of Communist state power, or one of Europe's largest squares, the huge Piata Unirii.
Days 14-15 Veliko Tarnovo
Cross the friendship bridge into Bulgaria and wander through the romantic Renaissance streets of Veliko Tarnovo.
Day 16 Sofia
Take a walk along the tree-lined boulevards of cosmopolitan Sofia, taking in sights such as the impressive gold-domed Alexander Nevski Church.
Days 17-18 Bansko
Unwind in historic 'mehanes', charming stone taverns, and indulge in the delicious local cuisine.
Days 19-20 Plovdiv
Wander among the Byzantine ruins of picturesque Plovdiv, before checking out the magnificent Roman amphitheatre dating from the 2nd century BC.
Days 21-22 Istanbul
Whether you get lost in the Grand Bazaar or in awesome Aya Sofya, Istanbul promises adventure.
| start date | finish date | places available | bookings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sun 10 Aug 08 | Sun 31 Aug 08 | bookings closed | |
| Sun 24 Aug 08 | Sun 14 Sep 08 | 6 | book now |
| Sun 31 Aug 08 | Sun 21 Sep 08 | 7+ |
book now
20% off! |
| Sun 14 Sep 08 | Sun 05 Oct 08 | 7+ | book now |
| Sun 21 Sep 08 | Sun 12 Oct 08 | 7+ | book now |
| Sun 12 Oct 08 | Sun 02 Nov 08 | 7 | book now |
| Sun 26 Apr 09 | Sun 17 May 09 | 7+ | book now |
| Sun 17 May 09 | Sun 07 Jun 09 | 7+ | book now |
| Sun 31 May 09 | Sun 21 Jun 09 | 7+ | book now |
| Sun 07 Jun 09 | Sun 28 Jun 09 | 7+ | book now |
| Sun 28 Jun 09 | Sun 19 Jul 09 | 7+ | book now |
The Trip Notes provide you with detailed information about your trip.
This is where you will find everything you need to know... from what's included to suggestions about what to take. This is also where you will find the most up-to-date itinerary and any late changes.
The Trip Notes provide you with a detailed outline of your trip itinerary, and important information like where to meet your group, what to pack, what's included, estimates of spending money requirements and much more. They make great reading.
- Country Information - Hungary
- Country Information - Romania
- Country Information - Bulgaria
- Country Information - Turkey
These documents have been prepared by Intrepid staff to give you a brief introduction to the places you are visiting. We think it's important to understand the culture you are visiting, and the expectations of their society.
Intrepid is committed to a style of travel that is environmentally, culturally and socially responsible - we call this 'Responsible Travel'. Download this document and visit the About Intrepid section of this site for more information about how to be a Responsible Traveller.
Please also read our safety guidelines for further information on the operational safety standards you can expect on every Intrepid trip.
On 07 June the Australian Government issued an updated travel warning for East Timor strongly advising against travel to East Timor because of the extremely dangerous security situation. Australians in the country are advised to leave. The Travel Warning remains at Category 5 - Do Not Travel.
On Tuesday 07 June we have taken the decision to cancel the remainder of our East Timor trips scheduled to depart in 2006. All travellers will be notified and given the opportunity to transfer to another trip or obtain a full refund (land content only). We very much regret having to take this action and our thoughts and sympathies are with the people of East Timor during this troubled time.
We are confident of being able to resume our normal schedule of trips to East Timor in 2007 and hope that those travellers who have had to cancel their plans this year will travel with us to East Timor in 2007.
For other safety updates, please see our general safety updates page.
Every day, hundreds of happy people return from Intrepid trips, and their comments are here for you to read. We do not screen the feedback on this site, all comments are posted here as they were written (unless they used inappropriate language).
Loved the trip. Wanted to go to Romania and Bulgaria for years.
Irene O'brien
Fabulous trip, great mix of rural and cities. Loved the small rural villages
Jenny Phillipson
very good tour.
Christiane Bouton
Sorry, only passengers from Australia, New Zealand or the United Kingdom are able to request flight quotes online at this stage.
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