Eastern Europe Express

9 Days | Find your new favourite spot on an express adventure through Eastern Europe’s ancient sites

4.9 out of 5 based on 30 reviews submitted.
Explorer
From
USD $1,437
View dates and book

Embark on a spectacular journey from Romania to Bulgaria, ending it all in Istanbul. Absorb Bucharest’s 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 and meander back in time in the Old Town of Plovdiv. End it all in transcontinental Istanbul, where you can choose to extend your adventure through Turkey. This nine-day trip is a fascinating insight into just how much regions can change as you cross national borders!

Trip overview

Map of Eastern Europe Express including Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey
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
WMSI
This trip generates 31 kg of CO2-e per person per day.
We offset these emissions on your behalf. But we know that is not enough, so we also have a carbon reduction target.

Why you'll love this trip
  • Learn about the communist past and vibrant present of Bucharest – the capital of Romania that’s often underrated by travellers!
  • Travel through the scenic Rila Mountains in Bulgaria, mingling with monks at the 10th-century Rila Monastery.
  • Indulge in local Bulgarian cheese and wines with a local chef in Veliko Tarnovo, at their family-owned spot in the Old Town.
  • Take a trip on the last operational narrow-gauge line in Bulgaria, from Bansko to Plovdiv. Grab a window seat if you can, the scenery is worth it!
  • Breathe the crisp mountain air on a short hike in the Pirin Mountains in Bulgaria, stopping at a small blue lake surrounded by towering peaks.

Is this trip right for you?
  • 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, check out 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 15 kg (33 lb). Most travellers carry their luggage in a backpack, although an overnight bag with a shoulder strap would suffice. We recommend your bag has carry straps to accommodate the cobbled streets, uneven surfaces, stairs and steps. 

Itinerary

This itinerary is valid for departures from 01 January 2025 to 31 December 2025.

View the itinerary for departures between 01 January 2024 - 31 December 2024

Map of Eastern Europe Express including Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey

Inclusions

Meals

6 breakfasts

Transport

Private Mini-bus, Public Bus, Private vehicle, Metro, Taxi

Accommodation

Hotel (8 nights)

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
Add on activities
  • 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 - Hagia Sophia - EUR25
  • Istanbul - Archaeology Museum - TRY340
  • Istanbul - Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts - TRY390
  • Istanbul - Galata Tower - TRY650
  • Istanbul - Bosphorus Boat Cruise (Public Boat) - TRY200

Dates and availability

Loading trip dates and availabilities...

Important notes

1. A single supplement is bookable for this trip, subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
2. You don't have a lot of time in Bucharest and Istanbul at the start and the end of the trip respectively, so if you're keen to explore these underrated cities in depth, we recommend you arrive a day or two before the start of the trip and/or extend your stay at the end.

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.

Read Essential Trip Information

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 based on 30 reviews submitted.
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

Axel · Traveled August 2024
Great tour guide, learned a lot about the countries covered, very well organised trip, nice group
Review submitted 08 Sep 2024

Chris · Traveled August 2024
Review submitted 01 Sep 2024

Tallis · Traveled June 2024
If you have ever wanted to visit this region of the world I would heartily recommend this trip. This is a fantastic introduction to Romania, Bulgaria and Türkiye, and I enjoyed every minute of it. Our guide was Barni, if you travel with him you know you are in good hands. Five stars.
Review submitted 05 Jul 2024

Steven · Traveled June 2024
I can personally recommend Intrepid Tours! I travelled to Eastern Europe for the first time and I used Intrepid for 3 countries. Their tours have small group numbers, provide a rich and varied experiences as well during the tours clients needs met in a respectful and personalised manner! If you're planning to go another country use Intrepid as their guides generally live in those countries and have specific training to be able to provide you a trip based on sound historical and local information!
Review submitted 06 Jul 2024

Thomas · Traveled May 2024
Tour guide Gabriella exceeded all expectations. I learned a lot of history and ate a lot of excellent good.
Review submitted 28 May 2024
Eastern Europe Express
From
USD $1,437