New Destinations: The Balkans
Greece, Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary

Check-in at Los Angeles Airport. Depart for Athens, Greece.

Late afternoon arrival in Athens. Meet your assistant and transfer to your hotel for dinner and check-in. (D)

Today we explore the capital of Greece – Athens, symbol of freedom, art and democracy. In the centre of town are two hills, on one is the Acropolis, with its monuments from the Age of Pericles, and on the other, the Licavittos hill, is the little white church of Agios Georgios. A city tour takes us through the vibrant city of modern Athens: visiting also the famous Acropolis. Enjoy hereafter the Greek flair walking through the picturesque old town of Plaka with its many taverns and souvenir shops. This evening we will have a traditional dinner including local folklore entertainment. (B/D)

Drive to Thessaloniki: the second largest city of Greece and the most important centre of the area. Built near the sea, at the back of the Thermaïkos Gulf. This city has a special beauty and charm. Enjoy sightseeing with a local guide. Late afternoon check-in at your hotel. (B/D)

We will leave Greece and start our next adventure in Bulgaria. We will reach Sofia where we can have some free time to explore the city on our own. (B/D)

The day will be dedicated to a guided tour of Sofia. Sofia is Bulgaria’s capital and largest city. Situated in the very heart of the Balkan peninsula, it is one of Europe’s oldest cities. The guided tour will also include entrance to the Boyana Church: a tiny 13th-century church which is included on UNESCO’s World Heritage list and its 90 murals are among the very finest examples of Bulgarian medieval artwork. (B/D)

We leave the big city to explore Plovdiv: it was nominated for the European Capital of Culture 2019. Spend some time exploring the old town and the Roman Forum. Tonight, enjoy a traditional dinner. (B/D)

We drive to Bucharest today and we will appreciate some scenery on the way including crossing the Danube river. Upon arrival we will enjoy a traditional dinner accompanied by traditional music and popular dances. (B/D)

Full day tour of Bucharest. Our guide will pick us up at the hotel and will show us all the beauty of this city. This will include the view of the Arch of Triumph, Victoriei Avenue and the Revolution Square, the entrance to the House of People and finally also a visit to the Village Museum. (B/D)

Today will be one of the highlights of our tour. The famous Bran Castle. In the center of Romania in the Transylvania region is a medieval castle believed to have once held Vlad the Impaler prisoner. The infamous Romanian ruler was immortalized as the inspiration for Bram Stoker’s 1897 novel, “Dracula,” and thanks to this loose link to the famous vampire, Bran Castle is popularly known in the region and beyond as “Dracula’s Castle.”
On the way to the Castle, we will stop also to visit the Sinaia Monastery and the Peles Castle. Tonight, we will sleep in Brasov. (B/D)

Day excursion in the surrounding villages of Sibiel and Sibiu: those are both Saxon and Romanian villages, which have lived in harmony to these days. Exploring the surroundings of Sibiu is a unique way to have authentic experiences, spend a full day away from the bustle of the touristy city, and immerse ourselves in the countryside life. In Sibiel we can experience the rustic lifestyle and hospitality of the locals with their food, culture and traditions. We will have a traditional carriage ride through the village including also a Transylvanian lunch. (B/L/D)

Drive to Turda in the morning. Turda have a secret underworld: a salt mine so impressive, that will take away your breath. Walking along 900m of cave corridors, zebra-striped with salt and dirt, we will discover a chapel with a salt-encrusted Jesus and Mary; salt miners used to pray here before their shift. Later on, we continue to Cluj-Napoca, not as well-known as Bucharest, it is a box-of-treasures in Romania that has gained its place as an economic, cultural and innovation centre on a national and international level. Today, Cluj is one of the most effervescent European cities. (B/D)

We leave Rumania and continue to Hungary. Before leaving the country, we will stop in Oradea for a visit of the Fortress, some free time for shopping and lunch. Late in the afternoon, we will reach Budapest. (B/D)

Today you have a full day to explore Budapest. We’ll visit Fisherman’s Bastion, Buda Castle, St. Stephen’s Basilica. With cobblestone streets, charming castles, and historic churches, Hungary is all class. But what might surprise you is that Hungary is also a burgeoning wine-producing region. During our trip, we’ll also visit Journalist Hoang Linh, who has lived in Budapest for almost 30 years. He will tell you stories of the history of Hungary and Budapest, just for you to fall in love more with what is called a “Paris of Eastern Europe.” (B/D)

Transfer to Budapest Airport and fly back to the United States.