Romania, Bulgaria & Turkey Discovery

Explore from Eastern Europe's Romania and Bulgaria to Turkey

Embark on a spectacular journey from Romania and through Bulgaria to Turkey, discovering the architectural grandeur and quaint cultural enclaves that make this such an intriguing part of the world. Absorb Bucharest’s austere atmosphere on a guided walking tour, compare age-old places of worship in Sofia, breathe in crisp alpine air on a hike in the Pirin Mountains, bask in the glory of transcontinental Istanbul and soak up sun and history with a visit to the ancient city of Ephesus. Catch the overnight train to Central Anatolia and the fairytale landscape of Cappadocia, where hot air balloons dot the skyline and dwellings are cut into the cliffs - this 16-day trip is a fascinating study in just how much regions can change as you cross national borders.

Trip code: WMSIC

Start: Bucharest, Romania

End: Istanbul, Turkey


Duration
16 days
Group size
1 to 12
Minimum age
15 years old
Style

Basix: Simple accommodation, local transport and lots of free time

Original: Tourist-class hotels, some meals included and a great mix of included activities and free time

Comfort: Comfortable accommodation, with a relaxed pace of travel and many included meals and activities

Premium: Our best accommodation, exclusive inclusions and our most experienced leaders

Original
Theme

Our themes categorise trips based on a common interest or activity, while showcasing the highlights of a destination.

Explorer
Physical rating

Indicates how physically exerting a trip is, and how fit you will need to be to enjoy it. More info on physical ratings


From
CAD $4,865

Why you'll love this trip

  • Immerse yourself in the communist past and vibrant present of Bucharest, a city often underrated by travellers
  • Travel through the scenic Rila Mountains in Bulgaria, mingling with monks at the 10th-century Rila Monastery
  • Breathe the crisp air on a hike and take in stunning view in the Pirin Mountain.
  • Discover the incredible ancient and modern history of Turkey as you explore thousands of years of history hidden within the remarkable ruins of Ephesus and discover Gallipoli on a guided tour that will teach you about the significant events that took place in this area.
  • Taste local fruit wines in one of the best-preserved Greek Ottoman villages in the country. Get to know the friendly locals with a home-made lunch at a local family in Cappadocia.

Itinerary

Map of Romania, Bulgaria & Turkey Discovery including Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey

Inclusions and activities

Destinations
Romania, Turkey, Bulgaria
Meals

11 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 1 dinner

Transport

Train, Public Bus, Private vehicle, Metro, Taxi, Chairlift, Overnight Train, Plane

Accommodation

Hotel (14 nights), Overnight Train (1 night)

Included activities
  • Veliko Tarnovo- Orientation Walk
  • Veliko Tarnovo- Local Cheese and Wine Workshop
  • Veliko Tarnovo - Tsarevets Fortress
  • Rila - Monastery Visit
  • Pirin Mountains - Hike
  • Rhodope Narrow-Gauge Railway
  • Plovdiv-Private Transfer from Plovdiv Train Station to Plovdiv Hotel
  • Plovdiv - Walking Tour with Local Guide
  • Istanbul- Private Transfer from Istanbul Bus Station to Istanbul Hotel
  • Plovdiv- Private Transfer from Plovdiv Hotel to Plovdiv Bus Station
  • Istanbul - Old City Walking Tour (Half Day)
  • Gallipoli - Fully guided Gallipoli tour & visit to the Commonwealth graveyards
  • Sirince - Village visit and fruit wine tasting
  • Troy - Archaeological site visit
  • Selcuk - Leader-led orientation walk
  • Ephesus - Archaeological site visit
  • Selcuk - Artemis Temple Visit
  • Selcuk - Gozleme making demonstration and lunch
  • Cappadocia - Kaymakli Underground City
  • Konya - Mevlana Museum
  • Cappadocia - Valley walk
  • Cappadocia - Dinner at Local Family Home

Optional activities
  • Bucharest - Palace of Parliament Tour - RON60
  • Bucharest - Village Museum - RON40
  • Bucharest - Bike Tour - EUR30
  • Bucharest - Former Ceausescu Residence - RON75
  • Bucharest - Romanian Athenaeum - RON15
  • Bucharest - Urban Adventures Bohemian Bucharest - EUR75
  • Veliko Tarnovo - Archeological Museum - BGN6
  • Sofia - National Art Gallery - BGN10
  • Sofia - Aleksander Nevski Church - Free
  • Sofia - National History Museum - BGN15
  • Sofia - The Red Flat - BGN18
  • Sofia - Walking Tour with Local Guide from - BGN17
  • Bansko - Spa Visit - BGN40
  • Plovdiv - Bachkovo Monastery - BGN16
  • Plovdiv - Hisarya Hot Springs - BGN50
  • Istanbul - Bosphorus Boat Cruise (Public Boat) - TRY200
  • Istanbul - Topkapi Palace Combined Ticket (Topkapi Palace + Hagia Irene + Harem) - TRY2000
  • Istanbul - Galata Tower - EUR30
  • Istanbul - Hagia Sophia - EUR25
  • Istanbul - Archaeology Museum - EUR15
  • Istanbul - Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts - EUR17
  • Selcuk - Basilica of St John - EUR6
  • Selcuk - Ephesus Archaeological Museum - EUR10
  • Ephesus - Terrace Houses entry - EUR15
  • Goreme - Whirling dervish performance - EUR30
  • Goreme - Turkish Night with Dinner - EUR50
  • Nevsehir - Whirling Dervish Tour - EUR40
  • Cappadocia - Hot Air Balloon Regular Flight - EUR200
  • Cappadocia - Hot Air Balloon Deluxe Flight - EUR230
  • Goreme - Valley Tour - EUR20
  • Goreme - Open Air Museum (including entrance & transport) (min. 4 participants) - EUR30
  • Istanbul - Water Marbling - EUR35
  • Istanbul - Private Bosphorus Cruise Sunset with Soft Drinks - EUR560
  • Istanbul - Beyoglu Night Tasting Trail - EUR85
  • Istanbul - Coffee Workshop - EUR32
  • Istanbul - Mosaic Lamp Workshop - EUR50

This trip generates 37 kg of CO2-e per person per day

Learn more about our climate commitment.

When you travel with us, The Intrepid Foundation gives you more opportunities to support important causes in destinations you visit.

Before you book you should know

Dates and prices

Loading trip dates and availabilities...

Important notes

1. A single supplement is bookable for this trip, excluding Day 12, subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
2. You don't have a lot of time in Bucharest, so if you're keen to explore it in depth, we recommend you arrive a day or two before the start of the trip.
3. As this is a combination trip, your tour leader and group composition may change on Day 9 in Istanbul.

Essential Trip Information

Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.

Reviews

5 . 2 reviews
Reviews are from travellers who have completed their trip and want to share their experience. We show all reviews, but may remove any that include profanity or inappropriate content, are unrelated to the trip or reveal personal details.

Filter by rating

2
0
0
0
0
Sheranne
Traveled April 2025
Elaine
Traveled October 2023
Romania, Bulgaria & Turkey Discovery
From
CAD $4,865