Original
Explorer
Eastern Europe Express
9 Days | Explore from Eastern Europe's Romania and Bulgaria to Turkey
4.9
Excellent
circle30 reviews
location_on 9 days
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Start
Bucharest, Romania
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Finish
Istanbul, Turkey
tour
Trip Code
WMSI
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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
6 breakfasts
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Transport
Train, Public Bus, Private vehicle, Metro, Taxi
bed
Accommodation
Hotel (8 nights)
From £1,529(9 days)
Trip Informations
Embark on a spectacular journey from Romania and through Bulgaria to Istanbul, 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, and meander back in time in the Old Town of Plovdiv. and bask in the glory of transcontinental Istanbul. Relatively short in terms of distance travelled, this nine-day trip is a fascinating study in just how much regions can change as you cross national borders.
Why you’ll love this trip
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Immerse yourself in the communist past and vibrant present of Bucharest, a city often underrated by travellers
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Travel through the scenic Rila Mountains in Bulgaria, mingling with monks at the 10th-century Rila Monastery
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Experience the romantic "time travel" back to the 20-th century by taking a trip on the last operational narrow gauge line in Bulgaria on route from Bansko to Plovdiv.
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Explore the amphitheatre and Plovdiv's other significant sights on a guided walking tour.
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Breathe the crisp air on a hike and take in stunning view in the Pirin Mountain.
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Stand in awe of the exquisite architectual design of Selimiye Mosque and celebrate the end of your journey in the transcontinental Istanbul.
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/apart.
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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 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.
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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
- DAY 1Bucharest
- DAY 2Veliko Tarnovo
- DAY 3Veliko Tarnovo
- DAY 4Sofia
- DAY 5Bansko
- DAY 6Plovdiv
- DAY 7Plovdiv
- DAY 8Istanbul
- DAY 9Istanbul
Inclusions
restaurant_menu Meals
6 breakfasts
airport_shuttle Transport
Train, Public Bus, Private vehicle, Metro, Taxi
bed Accommodation
Hotel (8 nights)
festival Activities
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 Add on activities
circleBucharest - Palace of Parliament Tour - RON60
circleBucharest - Village Museum - RON30
circleBucharest - Bike Tour - EUR25
circleBucharest - Former Ceausescu Residence - RON65
circleBucharest - Romanian Athenaeum - RON10
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 - BGN12
circleSofia - The Red Flat - BGN18
circleSofia - Walking Tour with Local Guide - 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
Monday Jun 02, 2025
Tuesday Jun 10, 2025
Trip size max: 12 - Sold Out
Monday Jun 09, 2025
Tuesday Jun 17, 2025
Trip size max: 12 - 9 spaces left
£1,529
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Monday Jun 16, 2025
Tuesday Jun 24, 2025
Trip size max: 12 - 11 spaces left
£1,529
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Monday Jun 23, 2025
Tuesday Jul 01, 2025
Trip size max: 12 - 12 spaces left
£1,529
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Monday Jun 30, 2025
Tuesday Jul 08, 2025
Trip size max: 12 - 12 spaces left
£1,529
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Monday Jul 07, 2025
Tuesday Jul 15, 2025
Trip size max: 12 - 11 spaces left
£1,529
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Monday Jul 14, 2025
Tuesday Jul 22, 2025
Trip size max: 12 - 12 spaces left
£1,529
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Monday Jul 21, 2025
Tuesday Jul 29, 2025
Trip size max: 12 - 11 spaces left
£1,529
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Monday Aug 04, 2025
Tuesday Aug 12, 2025
Trip size max: 12 - 11 spaces left
£1,529
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Monday Aug 11, 2025
Tuesday Aug 19, 2025
Trip size max: 12 - 10 spaces left
£1,529
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Friday Aug 15, 2025
Saturday Aug 23, 2025
Trip size max: 12 - 12 spaces left
£1,529
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Monday Aug 18, 2025
Tuesday Aug 26, 2025
Trip size max: 12 - 11 spaces left
£1,529
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Monday Aug 25, 2025
Tuesday Sep 02, 2025
Trip size max: 12 - 12 spaces left
£1,590
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Monday Sep 01, 2025
Tuesday Sep 09, 2025
Trip size max: 12 - 11 spaces left
£1,650
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Friday Sep 05, 2025
Saturday Sep 13, 2025
Trip size max: 12 - 8 spaces left
£1,650
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Important notes
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1. A single supplement is bookable for this trip, subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
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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.
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