16 Days | Explore from Eastern Europe's Romania and Bulgaria to Turkey
![Man gazing at the Glazne River, Pirin Mountain, Bulgeria](/v3/assets/blt0de87ff52d9c34a8/blt2733e284035380fe/63c8b7210a2c173bb528ac74/WMSI_Bulgeria_Pirin_mountain_man_Glazne-river-SS564343033.jpg?branch=prd&width=75&quality=35&blur=1&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
![Interior of Rila Monastery, Bulgaria](/v3/assets/blt0de87ff52d9c34a8/blt276b8e1ca15d12d3/63c8b7361efc3a3397387c41/WMSI_bulgaria_rila_monastery-interior-fresco.jpg?branch=prd&width=75&quality=35&blur=1&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
![Tsarevets Fortress, Veliko, Bulgeria](/v3/assets/blt0de87ff52d9c34a8/blt0f7f870468149f13/63c8b73bca58307736dba126/WMSI_Bulgeria_Veliko_Tarnovo_Tsarevets_Fortress-SS528561343.jpg?branch=prd&width=75&quality=35&blur=1&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
![](/v3/assets/blt0de87ff52d9c34a8/bltd07dc2c1ff67c6d0/63c8b74094c0cd7433df5475/Intrepid_Travel-bulgaria_sofia_mineral-bath-house.jpg?branch=prd&width=75&quality=35&blur=1&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
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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 overview
![Map of Romania, Bulgaria & Turkey Discovery including Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey](/v3/assets/blt0de87ff52d9c34a8/blt5df639332080a611/6539b870be49fc968d398517/WMSIC_2024_v2.gif?branch=prd&width=75&quality=35&blur=1&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
- Start
- Bucharest, Romania
- Finish
- Istanbul, Turkey
- Theme
- Explorer
- Destinations
- Turkey, Romania, Bulgaria
- 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
- Style
- Original
- Ages
- Min 15
- Group size
- Min 1 - Max 12
- Trip code
- WMSIC
- 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.
- Summer temperatures can be extreme in many of the regions visited (over 40°C), which can be uncomfortable. It’s important to use sun protection, wear layers to combat the heat and drink plenty of water. Please carefully consider the time of the year you wish to travel and your suitability to that season.
- Hotels in Europe often don't have double beds, but rather two single beds that can be pushed together/apart.
- As you will have the opportunity to visit several orthodox churches on this trip, please ensure you cover your legs, shoulders and chest and show the appropriate respect. It's a good idea to bring a light scarf to cover your skin as needed.
- If you have more time to explore the region you can extend your trip by starting your travels in Budapest, taking in the best of Romania before continuing into Bulgaria. Or start in Vienna to see the best of Central Europe before heading to Romania and then Bulgaria. Check out our trips 'Eastern Europe Explorer' (trip code WMSEC) and 'Journey through Central Europe & Romania' (trip code AMSCC). Most departure dates are designed to create these perfect combination trips.
- On this trip you must pack as lightly as possible because you will be expected to carry your own bag and although you won't be required to walk long distances with your luggage (max 30 minutes), we strongly recommend keeping the weight under 15kg / 33lb. Most travellers carry their luggage in a backpack, although an overnight bag with a shoulder strap would suffice if you travel lightly. Smaller bags or backpacks with wheels are convenient although we recommend your bag has carry straps to accommodate the cobbled streets, uneven surfaces, stairs and steps you are likely to encounter while carrying your luggage. You'll also need a day pack/bag to carry water and a camera etc for day trips.
Itinerary
Inclusions
12 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 1 dinner
Train, Public Bus, Private vehicle, Metro, Taxi, Chairlift, Overnight Train, Plane
Hotel (14 nights), Overnight Train (1 night)
- 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
- Bucharest - Palace of Parliament Tour - RON60
- Bucharest - Village Museum - RON30
- Bucharest - Bike Tour - EUR25
- Bucharest - Former Ceausescu Residence - RON65
- Bucharest - Romanian Athenaeum - RON10
- 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 - BGN12
- Sofia - The Red Flat - BGN18
- Sofia - Walking Tour with Local Guide - 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) - TRY1700
- 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
- Cappadocia - Hot Air Balloon Regular Flight - EUR260
- Cappadocia - Hot Air Balloon Deluxe Flight - EUR310
- Goreme - Open Air Museum - EUR20
Dates and availability
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.
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.
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