Discover Serbia, Romania & Bulgaria

Experience the history, landscapes, and traditions of the Balkans: Dynamic Belgrade in Serbia; enigmatic Romania, “The Land of Dracula”; and Bulgaria, “The Jewel of the Balkans”

University Library, Bucharest
Victory Square and the Metropolitan Cathedral, Timișoara, Romania
Old Town, Plovdiv
Panoramic view of Damascena Complex, Bulgaria
Veliko Tarnovo
Roman theatre of Philippopolis, Plovdiv
Piata Mare, Sibiu
Palace of Parliament, Bucharest
City Hall in Freedom Square, Novi Sad
Ethnographic Museum in Plovdiv, Bulgaria
Fruška Gora National Park
Kalemegdan Fortess, Belgrade
Peleș Castle
Old Town, Bucharest
Novi Sad, Serbia
Petrovaradin Fortress, Novi Sad
Sunset on the streets of Sibiu
Dracula's Castle, Bran
Pobednik (The Victror), Kalemegdan Fortress, Belgrade
Sremski Karlovci panorama
Aerial view of Sibiu
Brasov cityscape
The Temple of Saint Sava, Belgrade
Cable car over the Transfăgărășan Scenic Road
Damascena Complex
Open Air Ethnographic Museum Etar
Panoramic view of St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Sofia
Skadarlija, Belgrade, Serbia
The Largo, Sofia
Transfăgărășan Scenic Road, Romania
Union Square in Timișoara
University Library, Bucharest
from$3999Tour + Flightsfrom$2999Tour ONLY13days
price per person, double occupancy,* based on Oct 16, 2025 departure from NYC
$500 Instant Savings. Expires May 30, 2025.*   All prices reflect savings.
Piggy bank
$199 deposit.Lock in your spot for less.††
Style
Value Vacation
Tour escorts & guides for some segments
DeparturesAugust 2025 – October 2026Group Size24 travelers max
ThemesHistory & Culture, Bucket List
Activity Level
What to Expect<p>This fast-paced, escorted tour includes a reasonable amount of walking on uneven terrain and cobblestones, or hiking and requires an average level of physical fitness.</p>Travel safely and confidently with our new health & safety protocols.
Already booked?Find everything you need to know before you go, including information about passport & visa requirements, flights, luggage, and more.

Journey through the heart of the Balkans on an unforgettable adventure across Serbia, Romania, and Bulgaria. Begin in Belgrade, Serbia’s vibrant capital, before crossing into Romania to explore the elegant streets of Timișoara and the medieval charm of Sibiu. Travel through the towering Carpathian Mountains, stopping in Sinaia to visit the fairy-tale Peleș Castle and the legendary Bran Castle, forever linked to Dracula’s myth. Discover the lively capital of Bucharest before crossing into Bulgaria to explore the historic streets of Veliko Tarnovo, the picturesque village of Arbanasi, and the timeless beauty of Plovdiv. Conclude your adventure in Sofia, where ancient history and modern energy blend seamlessly, rounding out a journey filled with storied pasts, spectacular vistas, and exceptional flavors.

Package includes

  • Flights
  • Coach
  • Transfers
  • Hotel
  • Meals
  • Guides
  • Round-trip flights from NYC (JFK or EWR) including taxes & fees
  • All ground transportation and transfers
  • 11 nights' accommodations in superior hotels
  • 12 meals: 11 breakfasts, 1 dinner
  • Professional English-speaking tour manager
  • Comprehensive touring program and entrance fees

Optional add-ons

  • Flights from other cities are available. Request pricing when making your reservation.

Why you'll love it

  • Explore the highlights of three iconic countries: Serbia, Romania, and Bulgaria.
  • Sip coffee and fruit brandy as you learn about the UNESCO-protected craft of šljivovica, Serbia's national drink.
  • Set sail on a sunset cruise along the Sava and Danube rivers.
  • Savor local wines during a tasting in Fruška Gora.
  • Ride a cable car to Bâlea Lake, nestled amid the Făgăraș Mountains.
  • Wander through the halls of Peleș Castle, a fairy-tale Neo-Renaissance masterpiece.
  • Explore Bran Castle, famously known as Dracula's Castle.
  • Stroll through one of the five historic churches in Arbanasi.
  • Witness a showcase of traditional Bulgarian life at the Open Air Ethnographic Museum Etar, a living museum home to traditional crafts and architecture.
  • Discover the centuries-old tradition of rose oil production in the Valley of Roses.
  • Admire Sofia's iconic landmarks on a guided city tour.

Dates & Prices

Detailed Itinerary

To see full details, click the button to the right.

Day 1 Depart USA

  • Depart the USA on your overnight flight to Belgrade, Serbia

Day 2 Belgrade, Serbia

  • Upon arrival in Belgrade, following customs and immigration formalities, meet our representative and transfer to your hotel
  • Enjoy the evening at leisure

Envoy Hotel or similar

Day 3 Belgrade

  • Experience the highlights of Belgrade on a guided city tour
  • Admire the Temple of Saint Sava, one of the world’s largest Orthodox churches
  • Sip coffee and rakija as you learn about the UNESCO-protected craft of šljivovica
  • Drift along the Sava and Danube rivers on a sunset river cruise

Envoy Hotel or similarBreakfast

Day 4 Belgrade

  • Travel to Fruška Gora National Park and visit the well-preserved Krušedol Monastery
  • Stroll through Sremski Karlovci, Serbia's cultural and spiritual hub
  • Sip local, vintage wines during a tasting in Fruška Gora
  • Explore Novi Sad, the vibrant capital of Vojvodina

Envoy Hotel or similarBreakfast

Day 5 Belgrade & Sibiu, Romania

  • Travel to Timișoara, Romania, and explore the city that is commonly known as "Little Vienna"
  • Wander through the streets of Sibiu and admire the city's iconic landmarks

Art Hotel or similarBreakfast

Day 6 Sibiu & Sinaia

  • Step back in time at the "Astra" National Museum Complex
  • Travel along the Transfăgărășan Scenic Road through the Carpathian Mountains
  • Ride a cable car to Bâlea Lake, nestled amid the Făgăraș Mountains
  • Arrive in Sinaia, known as the “Pearl of the Carpathians"

Alexandrion Experience or similarBreakfast

Day 7 Sinaia

  • Visit Peleș Castle, a Neo-Renaissance castle in the Carpathian Mountains
  • Wander through the streets of medieval Brașov
  • Explore Bran Castle, famously known as Dracula's Castle

Alexandrion Experience or similarBreakfast

Day 8 Sinaia & Bucharest

  • Enjoy a tasting at a prestigious local winery in the Dealu Mare wine region
  • Travel to Bucharest, Romania’s capital, and enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure exploring the city

Grand Hotel Continental Bucharest Breakfast

Day 9 Bucharest

  • Admire Bucharest's highlights during a guided city tour, including Piața Unirii, the medieval Old Town, and Revolution Square
  • This evening, join your fellow travelers for a carefully curated dining experience

Grand Hotel Continental Bucharest Breakfast & dinner

Day 10 Bucharest, Veliko Tarnovo & Arbanasi, Bulgaria

  • Cross into Bulgaria and explore Veliko Tarnovo, the former capital of the Second Bulgarian Empire
  • Arrive in the village of Arbanasi and wander through one of its five historic churches

Yantra Grand Hotel or similarBreakfast

Day 11 Veliko Tarnovo, Arbanasi & Plovdiv

  • Travel south to Plovdiv, Bulgaria's oldest city
  • Visit the Open Air Ethnographic Museum Etar
  • Explore the captivating Damascena Complex in the scenic Valley of Roses
  • Discover the city's highlights on a guided tour, admiring the Old Town, Roman Amphitheater, and Kapana District

DoubleTree by Hilton Plovdiv Center Breakfast

Day 12 Plovdiv & Sofia

  • Enjoy the morning at leisure
  • Journey to Sofia, Bulgaria's capital city
  • Explore the city's iconic landmarks on a guided tour, including the Saint Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Ivan Vazov National Theatre, and the Church of Saint George

Grand Hotel Sofia or similarBreakfast

Day 13 Depart Sofia/Arrive USA

  • Transfer to the airport for your return flight to the USA

Breakfast

Hotels

In the unlikely event that a particular hotel is not available, a similar or better hotel may be substituted.

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Trip Details