Original
Explorer
Romania, Bulgaria & Turkey Discovery
16 days • 5
5
Excellent
circle2 reviews
location_on 16 days
location_on
Start
Bucharest, Romania
location_on
Finish
Istanbul, Turkey
tour
Trip Code
WMSIC
how_to_reg
Min Age
15
diversity_3
Trip Size
1 - 12
trending_up
Physical Rating
restaurant_menu
Meals
11 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 1 dinner
airport_shuttle
Transport
Train, Public Bus, Private vehicle, Metro, Taxi, Chairlift, Overnight Train, Plane
bed
Accommodation
Hotel (14 nights), Overnight Train (1 night)
From £2,328(16 days)
Trip Informations
Why you’ll love this trip
verified
Immerse yourself in the communist past and vibrant present of Bucharest, a city often underrated by travellers
verified
Travel through the scenic Rila Mountains in Bulgaria, mingling with monks at the 10th-century Rila Monastery
verified
Breathe the crisp air on a hike and take in stunning view in the Pirin Mountain.
verified
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.
verified
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.
Is this trip right for you?
verified
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.
verified
Hotels in Europe often don't have double beds, but rather two single beds that can be pushed together/apart.
verified
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.
verified
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.
verified
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
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.
- DAY 1Day 1 • Bucharest
- DAY 2Day 2 • Veliko Tarnovo
- DAY 3Day 3 • Veliko Tarnovo
- DAY 4Day 4 • Sofia
- DAY 5Day 5 • Bansko
- DAY 6Day 6 • Plovdiv
- DAY 7Day 7 • Plovdiv
- DAY 8Day 8 • Istanbul
- DAY 9Day 9 • Istanbul
- DAY 10Day 10 • Canakkale
- DAY 11Day 11 • Selcuk
- DAY 12Day 12 • Ephesus/Overnight Train
- DAY 13Day 13 • Konya / Cappadocia
- DAY 14Day 14 • Cappadocia
- DAY 15Day 15 • Cappadocia to Istanbul
- DAY 16Day 16 • Istanbul
Inclusions
restaurant_menu Meals
11 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 1 dinner
airport_shuttle Transport
Train, Public Bus, Private vehicle, Metro, Taxi, Chairlift, Overnight Train, Plane
bed Accommodation
Hotel (14 nights), Overnight Train (1 night)
festival Included activities
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
circleIstanbul - Old City Walking Tour (Half Day)
circleGallipoli - Fully guided Gallipoli tour & visit to the Commonwealth graveyards
circleSirince - Village visit and fruit wine tasting
circleTroy - Archaeological site visit
circleSelcuk - Leader-led orientation walk
circleEphesus - Archaeological site visit
circleSelcuk - Artemis Temple Visit
circleSelcuk - Gozleme making demonstration and lunch
circleCappadocia - Kaymakli Underground City
circleKonya - Mevlana Museum
circleCappadocia - Valley walk
circleCappadocia - Dinner at Local Family Home
museum Optional 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 - 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 - Bosphorus Boat Cruise (Public Boat) - TRY200
circleIstanbul - Topkapi Palace Combined Ticket (Topkapi Palace + Hagia Irene + Harem) - TRY2000
circleIstanbul - Galata Tower - EUR30
circleIstanbul - Hagia Sophia - EUR25
circleIstanbul - Archaeology Museum - EUR15
circleIstanbul - Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts - EUR17
circleSelcuk - Basilica of St John - EUR6
circleSelcuk - Ephesus Archaeological Museum - EUR10
circleEphesus - Terrace Houses entry - EUR15
circleGoreme - Whirling dervish performance - EUR30
circleCappadocia - Hot Air Balloon Regular Flight - EUR200
circleCappadocia - Hot Air Balloon Deluxe Flight - EUR230
circleGoreme - Open Air Museum - EUR20
Dates and availability
Starting
Ending
Remaining
Prices From
Monday Jun 02, 2025
Tuesday Jun 17, 2025
Trip size max: 12 - Sold Out
Monday Jun 09, 2025
Tuesday Jun 24, 2025
Trip size max: 12 - 1 space left
£2,937£2,790
expand_more
Monday Jun 16, 2025
Tuesday Jul 01, 2025
Trip size max: 12 - 1 space left
£2,937£2,790
expand_more
Monday Jun 23, 2025
Tuesday Jul 08, 2025
Trip size max: 12 - 1 space left
£2,910£2,764
expand_more
Monday Jun 30, 2025
Tuesday Jul 15, 2025
Trip size max: 12 - Sold Out
Monday Jul 07, 2025
Tuesday Jul 22, 2025
Trip size max: 12 - 1 space left
£2,910£2,328
expand_more
Monday Jul 14, 2025
Tuesday Jul 29, 2025
Trip size max: 12 - Sold Out
Monday Jul 21, 2025
Tuesday Aug 05, 2025
Trip size max: 12 - Sold Out
Monday Aug 04, 2025
Tuesday Aug 19, 2025
Trip size max: 12 - 9 spaces left
£3,025
expand_more
Monday Aug 11, 2025
Tuesday Aug 26, 2025
Trip size max: 12 - 4 spaces left
£3,025£2,571
expand_more
Friday Aug 15, 2025
Saturday Aug 30, 2025
Trip size max: 12 - 1 space left
£3,025£2,571
expand_more
Monday Aug 18, 2025
Tuesday Sep 02, 2025
Trip size max: 12 - Sold Out
Monday Aug 25, 2025
Tuesday Sep 09, 2025
Trip size max: 12 - Sold Out
Monday Sep 01, 2025
Tuesday Sep 16, 2025
Trip size max: 12 - 4 spaces left
£3,141£2,669
expand_more
Friday Sep 05, 2025
Saturday Sep 20, 2025
Trip size max: 12 - 2 spaces left
£3,141£2,669
expand_more
Important notes
verified
1. A single supplement is bookable for this trip, excluding Day 12, subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
verified
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.
verified
3. As this is a combination trip, your tour leader and group composition may change on Day 9 in Istanbul.
Reviews (2)
5 stars
2
account_circle
Sheranne
Apr 22, 2025
Thoroughly enjoyed this trip ,exceeded expectations, our leader was a legend, made life long memories of the eastern European countries
account_circle
Elaine
Nov 04, 2023
The itinerary is intense but we saw so much in our 16 day trip and the experiences were so unforgettable, it was well worth the effort - plus we met people from different parts of the planet and made some new friends.