Original
Explorer
Eastern Europe Explorer
18 days • 4.7
4.5
Excellent
circle24 reviews
location_on 18 days
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Start
Budapest, Hungary
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Finish
Istanbul, Turkey
tour
Trip Code
WMSEC
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Min Age
15
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Trip Size
1 - 12
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Physical Rating
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Meals
14 breakfasts, 3 dinners
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Transport
Train, Public bus, Private vehicle, Metro, Tram, Taxi, Chairlift
bed
Accommodation
Hotel (14 nights), Pension (2 night), Homestay with shared facilities (1 night)
From £2,785(18 days)
Trip Informations
Why you’ll love this trip
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Rich in history, art, architecture, cuisine and nightlife, Budapest is a hot European destination. The Museum of Fine Arts offers free English tours that reveal the famous artwork of Monet, Manet and Goya, just to name a few
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A homestay with a family in the Saxon village of Viscri in Romania offers insight into local life and the chance to sample some delicious home-cooked food
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This trip takes you to a mix of exciting capital cities and quaint mountain villages through Eastern Europe all the way to the transcontinental Istanbul.
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Transylvania is drenched in history and myth. Discover the medieval city of Sighisoara, the birthplace of one of Romania's most infamous figures, Vlad the Impaler - better known as the inspiration for Count Dracula
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Journey deep into the forested valley of Rila to find the Monastery of Saint Ivan. Over 1,000 years old, this spectacular building is one of Bulgaria's most important cultural, historical and architectural monuments
Is this trip right for you?
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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.
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Hotels in Europe often don't have double beds, but rather two single beds that can be pushed together. This trip is a great opportunity to get to know other travellers, so embrace it while you can. Please also note that some accommodation used on this trip offer shared bathrooms rather than en-suite facilities.
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This trip involves some travel by public bus or train, including a few long journeys of up to seven hours. Although this can be a bit tiresome, it's a great way to meet locals and relax while enjoying the passing scenery.
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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.
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If you have more time to explore the region you can extend your trip by starting your travels in Vienna to see the best of Central Europe before heading to Romania and then Bulgaria. Check out our trip 'Journey through Central Europe & Romania' (trip code AMSCC). Most departure dates are designed to create these perfect combination trips.
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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
Tour from bustling Budapest to Istanbul through enchanting Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria.
Be mesmerised on this explorer tour through the best and most beautiful regions from Eastern Europe to Turkey. Explore the captivating cities of Budapest, Bucharest and Sofia and Istanbul. Sample culinary delights with local folk in Viscri, be inspired by the traditional craft workshops in Plovdiv, hear enthralling myths from Transylvania and visit the quaint town of Bansko, snug at the foot of the Pirin Mountains and bask in the transcontinental glory of Istanbul. This is a journey full of culture and history, of monuments, markets and museums, tantalising towns and charming cities.
- DAY 1Day 1 • Budapest
- DAY 2Day 2 • Eger
- DAY 3Day 3 • Maramures
- DAY 4Day 4 • Maramures
- DAY 5Day 5 • Sighisoara
- DAY 6Day 6 • Viscri
- DAY 7Day 7 • Brasov
- DAY 8Day 8 • Brasov
- DAY 9Day 9 • Bucharest
- DAY 10Day 10 • Bucharest
- DAY 11Day 11 • Veliko Tarnovo
- DAY 12Day 12 • Veliko Tarnovo
- DAY 13Day 13 • Sofia
- DAY 14Day 14 • Bansko
- DAY 15Day 15 • Plovdiv
- DAY 16Day 16 • Plovdiv
- DAY 17Day 17 • Istanbul
- DAY 18Day 18 • Istanbul
Inclusions
restaurant_menu Meals
14 breakfasts, 3 dinners
airport_shuttle Transport
Train, Public bus, Private vehicle, Metro, Tram, Taxi, Chairlift
bed Accommodation
Hotel (14 nights), Pension (2 night), Homestay with shared facilities (1 night)
festival Included activities
circleEger - Wine Sampling
circleMaramures - Day Tour with Local Guide
circleMaramures - Sapanta Merry Cemetery
circleMaramures - Barsana Monastery
circleViscri - Local Home Cooked Dinner
circleViscri - Fortified Church
circleBran Castle - Tour
circleBucharest - Walking Tour with Local Guide
circleVeliko Tarnovo- Orientation Walk
circleVeliko Tarnovo- Local Cheese and Wine Workshop
circleVeliko Tarnovo - Tsarevets Fortress
circleRila - Monastery Visit
circlePirin Mountains - Hike
circleRhodope Narrow-Gauge Railway
circlePlovdiv-Private Transfer from Plovdiv Train Station to Plovdiv Hotel
circlePlovdiv - Walking Tour with Local Guide
circleIstanbul- Private Transfer from Istanbul Bus Station to Istanbul Hotel
circlePlovdiv- Private Transfer from Plovdiv Hotel to Plovdiv Bus Station
museum Optional activities
circleEger - Castle - HUF4000
circleEger - Minaret - HUF800
circleEger - Astronomy Museum, Camera Obscura, Panoramic terrace in the Lyceum building - HUF2600
circleEger - Town Under The Town - HUF4500
circleSighisoara - Church of the Dominican Monastery - RON10
circleSighisoara - Covered Stairway - Free
circleSighisoara - Church on the Hill - RON5
circleSighisoara - The Clock Tower - RON16
circleViscri - Prince Charles House - RON15
circleViscri - Blacksmith demonstration - RON80
circleRasnov - Fortress - RON20
circleBrasov - Walking Tour with Local Guide - RON200
circleBrasov - The Black Church - RON20
circleBucharest - Bike Tour - EUR25
circleBucharest - Urban Adventures Bohemian Bucharest Markets and Mahallas Tour - EUR75
circleBucharest - Village Museum - RON30
circleBucharest - Palace of Parliament Tour - RON60
circleBucharest - Romanian Athenaeum - RON10
circleBucharest - Former Ceausescu Residence - RON65
circleBucharest - Urban Adventures Bohemian Bucharest - EUR75
circleVeliko Tarnovo - Archeological Museum - BGN6
circleSofia - National Art Gallery - BGN10
circleSofia - Aleksander Nevski Church - Free
circleSofia - National History Museum - BGN15
circleSofia - The Red Flat - BGN18
circleSofia - Walking Tour with Local Guide from - BGN17
circleBansko - Spa Visit - BGN40
circlePlovdiv - Bachkovo Monastery - BGN16
circlePlovdiv - Hisarya Hot Springs - BGN50
circleIstanbul - Hagia Sophia - EUR25
circleIstanbul - Archaeology Museum - TRY340
circleIstanbul - Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts - TRY390
circleIstanbul - Galata Tower - TRY650
circleIstanbul - Bosphorus Boat Cruise (Public Boat) - TRY200
Dates and availability
Starting
Ending
Remaining
Prices From
Saturday May 31, 2025
Tuesday Jun 17, 2025
Trip size max: 12 - Sold Out
Saturday Jun 07, 2025
Tuesday Jun 24, 2025
Trip size max: 12 - Sold Out
Saturday Jun 14, 2025
Tuesday Jul 01, 2025
Trip size max: 12 - 3 spaces left
£3,515£3,339
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Saturday Jun 21, 2025
Tuesday Jul 08, 2025
Trip size max: 12 - Sold Out
Saturday Jun 28, 2025
Tuesday Jul 15, 2025
Trip size max: 12 - 6 spaces left
£3,482£3,307
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Saturday Jul 05, 2025
Tuesday Jul 22, 2025
Trip size max: 12 - 6 spaces left
£3,482£2,785
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Saturday Jul 12, 2025
Tuesday Jul 29, 2025
Trip size max: 12 - 4 spaces left
£3,515£2,812
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Saturday Aug 02, 2025
Tuesday Aug 19, 2025
Trip size max: 12 - 7 spaces left
£3,482£2,959
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Wednesday Aug 06, 2025
Saturday Aug 23, 2025
Trip size max: 12 - 5 spaces left
£3,619£3,076
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Saturday Aug 09, 2025
Tuesday Aug 26, 2025
Trip size max: 12 - 8 spaces left
£3,619
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Saturday Aug 16, 2025
Tuesday Sep 02, 2025
Trip size max: 12 - 8 spaces left
£3,619£3,076
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Saturday Aug 23, 2025
Tuesday Sep 09, 2025
Trip size max: 12 - 8 spaces left
£3,762£3,198
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Wednesday Aug 27, 2025
Saturday Sep 13, 2025
Trip size max: 12 - 2 spaces left
£3,762£3,198
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Saturday Aug 30, 2025
Tuesday Sep 16, 2025
Trip size max: 12 - 4 spaces left
£3,839£3,263
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Wednesday Sep 03, 2025
Saturday Sep 20, 2025
Trip size max: 12 - 7 spaces left
£3,762£3,198
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Important notes
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1. A single supplement is bookable on this trip, excluding Day 6. Availability is limited due to small properties we use. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
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2. You don't have a lot of time in Istanbul at the end of the trip, so if you're keen to explore in depth we recommend you extend your stay at the end of the trip.
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3. As this is a combination of 2 trips, your leader and the composition of your group may change in Bucharest.
Reviews (24)
5 stars
19
4 stars
3
3 stars
1
2 stars
1
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Jamey
May 13, 2025
This was our first trip with Intrepid and my husband and I thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. We had 2 fabulous guides who were considerate, knowledgeable and fun to be around. They both catered to our needs and went above and beyond to make sure our trip was the best it could be.
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Marilyn
Nov 27, 2024
Our Eastern Europe Explorer tour was an intensive and eye-opening experience. We had such little knowledge about Romania and Bulgaria and this trip showed us the amazing histories, cultures, and cuisines of these beautiful places. Our guides Barni and Gabriela shared their love of their homelands with us with great enthusiasm.
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Judith
Oct 31, 2024
I’d never considered this part of the world, as I wanted to do Turkey where this tour ended. But it was an unforgettable tour that I’d highly recommend. Petar our guide was the best ever!
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Alex
Oct 26, 2024
Trip of a lifetime and it didn't disappoint! Romania feels like the better half of the tour as you get to spend more time in the nice places, but Bulgaria and Turkey were both fab in their own ways. Raluca and Sandu were great guides, and we had a fab core group. Would definitely recommend!
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Marlen
Oct 13, 2024
Enrich your mind and heart by exploring these beautiful countries.
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David
Oct 05, 2024
This is a great trip to some of the lesser known parts of Europe. The history, geography, cultures and food of this area are something to be experienced and savoured.
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Emily
Oct 05, 2024
This trip was a wonderful insight into Eastern Europe, with a well thought out itinerary and our fantastic tour leader Petar showing us a great time. Highly recommended.
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Linda
Jun 20, 2024
Great trip covered a lot of places a different types of cities villages had a great leader Petar which made it so good
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Ian
May 18, 2024
If you are unfamiliar with Eastern Europe and keen to expand your understanding and experience of its countries then this Intrepid trip is strongly recommended as it is a very efficient and effective way to travel and its management and guiding are excellent. You can feel safe and well cared for, while experiencing the interest and excitement of encounters with the cultures and traditions of these lands.
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Heather
Apr 27, 2024
Fantastic trip, covered a lot and provided a lot of history, geography and fun activities. Loved the use of public transport