Bulgaria and Romania Explorer Tour - 9 Days

Sofia Arrival. Pick up from the Sofia airport and transfer to your hotel
Sightseeing tour of Sofia: Visit The Saint Nedelya Church, The Statue of St Sofia – the symbol of the city, the Parliament square, the Presidency, the National Theater, the Ruins of Serdica and the Rotunda St George 4th c. AC, the Synagogue, the Russian Church, the St. Sophia early Christian basilica, which has given the city its name, the St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral – the biggest and the most beautiful on the Balkan Peninsula, the Monument of Alexander II – Tzar Liberator, the Parliament.
Accommodation in Sofia at Rosslyn Thracia Hotel **** (centrally located)

Sofia – Rila Monastery – Plovdiv
Hot and cold buffet breakfast at hotel. You’ll enjoy a scenic ride to Rila Monastery, Bulgaria’s most famous tourist site and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Founded in the 10th century by St. Ivan Rilski, the monastery was at the center of Bulgarian culture and Orthodox belief for centuries and today the most visited cultural site of Bulgaria. Continue to Plovdiv – the country’s second largest city.
Evening at leisure in the lovely pedestrian area of the Old Town.
Accommodation in Plovdiv at family hotel “Renaissance” – a 19th century house with 5 rooms or in Villa Antica

Plovdiv – Kazanlak – Veliko Tarnovo – Arbanassi
Breakfast at hotel. Morning tour of the Old Town including the large Roman Amphitheatre and the Roman stadium. Departure to Kazanlak. As we wind through picturesque Rose Valley, we make a stop at the world famous Thracian Tomb, you get an up-close view of the wonderfully preserved Hellenistic frescoes dating back to the 4th century BC. Another must-see is The Rose Museum. Continue to Veliko Tarnovo, the ancient capital of Bulgaria. The tour will include the picturesque Samovodene Street with its many artisans shops and a view of the mighty Tsarevets Fortress. Continue to the picturesque village of Arbanassi, near Veliko Tarnovo. Your afternoon highlight is a visit to the Church of Nativity, the most richly decorated church in all of Bulgaria
Accommodation in Veliko Tarnovo at Hotel Gurko *** (located in the Old Town)

Veliko Tarnovo – Roman Ruins at Nicopolis ad Istrum – Ivanovo Rock Churches – Ruse – ROMANIA Sinaia
Departure to the North where your first visit is the complex of Roman ruins of Nicopolis ad Istrum, built in the 2nd century AD by Emperor Trajan. Continue to the cavernous Ivanovo Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Take an orientation tour of the center of Ruse, the largest Bulgarian town on the Danube with its classical architecture before you cross the Danube River where you will enter Romania and will change tour guides and vehicles. Drive to Sinaia. The evening is at leisure in the resort.
Accommodation in Sinaia at Hotel Palace ****

Sinaia – Dracula Castle – Brasov
Hot & cold buffet breakfast at hotel. Named after St. Catherine Monastery on Mount Sinai, Sinaia became the unofficial capital of the Kingdom of Romania towards the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century when the Orient Express Train used to call here. Take a guided tour of Peles Castle and Gardens – the breathtaking former summer residence of the Romanian royal family. Drive to the village of Bran. Tour Bran Castle also known as Dracula Castle. The castle was built in 1377 to safeguard the trading route between Transylvania and Wallachia, enlarged and restored a few times to finally become a royal residence under Queen Marie of Romania. After the visit enjoy a cheese tasting as this area is known for its high quality cheeses.
Hotel check in with the remainder of the Day at leisure so you enjoy the lovely atmosphere of the Old Town Brasov.
Accommodation in Brasov at Hotel Bella Muzica *** 

Brasov – Sighisoara –- Optional Gypsy Family Private Visit
Hot & cold buffet breakfast at hotel. Enjoy a tour of “The Crown City” of Transylvania. You’ll marvel at unique local landmarks including the Gothic style 14th century Black Church featuring a unique collection of Anatolian rugs, the St Nicholas Orthodox Church and the First Scholl in Romanian language in Schei Quarter, the Old Town Hall and the Council Square right in the heart of the Old Town. Departure for Sighisoara.
Before starting your walking tour of old Sighisoara attend an informal talk on Vlad the Impaler – Dracula, what is truth and what is fiction. Sighisoara is one of a kind. It was developed by the German settlers as of late 12th century. It stands on a network of tunnels and catacombs and, according to one version of the myth; this is where the Pied Piper brought the children of Hamelin after their ungrateful parents refused to pay him his due. Walking tour includes the two squares of the Citadel (Upper Town), the Scholars’ Staircase, the House with Antler, the Tower with Clock (climb up for a great view), the Torture Chamber and the Weapon Museum. Sighisoara is the place where the Vlad the Impaler Dracula was born in 1431. The Birthplace is one of the main tourist attractions. Optional (based on your interest – 10 euro pp): meet a Gypsy family in their own home, a unique cultural interchange. Today’s final stop is Sighisoara – a World Heritage Site and the only still inhabited medieval citadel in Europe.
Accommodation in the Upper Town.
Suggested dinner at the Birthplace of Vlad Dracula.
Accommodation in Sighisoara at The House with Antler *** (Upper Town) 

Sighisoara – Biertan – Sibiel  Home Hosted Lunch – Sibiu
Hot & cold buffet breakfast at hotel. Departure to the Biertan for a tour of to the impressive fortified Saxon church, an UNESCO World Heritage site and formerly the Seat of the Luteran Bishop of Transylvania for over three centuries. We’ll then take a short drive to Sibiel village to tour the Glass Painted Icons Museum. After enjoying a traditional home hosted lunch at a local farmhouse, we will head to Sibiu. Continue your day with a leisurely walking tour of Sibiu, the chief city of the Transylvanian Germans including the hustling and bustling Sibiu Open Air Market (opportunity to sample fresh produce). View the old surrounding defense walls and the remaining guild towers. One of the landmarks of Sibiu is the Bruckenthal Museum assembled by Baron Bruckenthal, governor of Transylvania at the beginning of the 19th century. The Evangelical Cathedral was completed in its actual shape in 1520, but inside, there is an exquisite fresco of the Crucifixion on the north wall of the choir dating from 1445.
End you tour with the original Pharmacy Museum. 
Dinner on own. Suggested is Crama Sibiul Vechi.
Accommodation in Sibiu at Imparatul Romanilor Hotel ****

Sibiu, Transylvania – Olt River Gorge – Bucharest Morning pick up at your hotel. Depart for Bucharest driving along the picturesque Olt River Canyon. Brief stop at Cozia Monastery built at the end of the 14th century.
Reach Bucharest. City tour of Bucharest with the main sites such as the Revolution Square, the Palace of the Parliament – the second largest building in the world, Kretzulescu Church, as well as the Village Museum, one of the world’s most interesting open air museum featuring vernacular household from all over Romania.
Accommodation in Bucharest at hotel Berthelot ****

Transfer to the Bucharest airport for your departure flight. End of service.