Bucharest – The Balkan diamond
Bus tour to Bucharest, 4 & 5 Days from 175€/person!
Programme:
Day 1: Thessaloniki – Bucharest.
Gathering at the departure point, early in the morning, meeting with our escort and departure for Promachonas. Crossing the border and making the necessary stops we arrive in Rousse. We continue and crossing the Friendship Bridge over the Danube we arrive in Bucharest. On our way back to the hotel you will quickly see why the city tops the lists of up-and-coming destinations, with its rich history and impressive buildings, huge parks and plains stretching between the foothills of the Carpathians and the Danube. Check-in at the hotel. Then free time for a first introduction to the city.
Day 2: City tour – Palace of Parliament – Village Museum.
Breakfast and we start our tour of the city called the Paris of the Balkans. We will start our tour with the open-air village museum, which is one of a kind, hosting samples of architecture from every part of Romania and depicting the traditional Romanian way of life. It is the largest park in the country, which since 1936 has been a vast expanse of greenery, where on our walk we will enjoy a leisurely stroll and for those who wish, cycling. We continue with the Palace of Parliament, built by Ceausescu. The palace is the second largest public building in the world after the Pentagon. During our tour, we will also admire the Adeneum, the country’s most famous music palace, the palace of the royal family, the Arch of Triumph inspired by the one in Paris and dedicated to the Romanian soldiers who fought in the First World War. All military parades start from it. We will also see the Orthodox Patriarchate, the Greek church reminiscent of the Parthenon, the Fireman’s Museum and the Military Academy. Return to the hotel and time for rest. In the evening we suggest a walk in the old town, where you will be charmed by the cobbled streets and historic buildings. Try the traditional specialties at the famous Caru Cu Bere restaurant, which will also impress you for its aesthetics.
Day 3: Sinai – Bran – Dracula Tower.
Early breakfast and departure for the legendary Carpathians. After crossing the valley of the Prachova River we arrive in Sinai, the pearl of the Carpathians, where we will visit the Pelles Palace, summer residence of King Charles, 1st King of Romania. Then we will see on the way the Sinai Monastery, the 1st building built after the official name of the city, and then we depart for Bran. We will visit Bran Tower, known as Dracula’s Tower, built in the 14th century as a defensive fortress against Ottoman attacks. It is the castle described in his book ”Count Dracula” by the Irish writer Bram Stoker.The character of Dracula was based on Prince Vlad Tepes, the man who became famous for the brutal way he killed his Ottoman opponents. We continue with a short tour of Brasov, where we will see the old town, the Town Hall Square and the Gothic Black Church, the largest in Southeastern Europe. It was built in 1477. It is so called because in the 17th century it was burnt down and became black up to the roof. It was originally built by Catholics in honour of the Virgin Mary, but now belongs to the Protestant cult. Then free time. In the evening return to Bucharest, flooded with beautiful images. Overnight.
Day 4: Bucharest – Sofia – Tour.
Breakfast, free time for our last purchases and departure for the largest city of Bulgaria, Sofia. “Growing older but never getting older” is the motto of the city, which has been the capital since 1879. Arrival and we will take our first walk around the city, which is an eclectic mix of architectural styles represented by historical and cultural monuments left in their wake by the Thracians, Romans, Byzantines, Slavs and Turks. On our tour we will see the Parliament, the Presidential Palace, the Church symbol of the city by Alexander Nevsky, which has bronze and gold domes on top. It was built in honor of the Russian soldiers who were killed when the Russian army liberated Bulgaria from Ottoman rule in 1878 and is considered the heart of the city. The church was named after Alexander Nevsky, who is believed to have saved Russia in 1240 from the Swedish troops and at the time was considered the patron saint of the Tsar’s family. Its size will impress you and especially when you consider that the temple holds up to 10,000 people! You will also see the campus, the monument of the Unknown Soldier located at the entrance of the church of Agia Sophia, the Banya Bashi mosque, and the church of Agia Kyriaki, with its majestic dome. Finally, we will have time at leisure in the city’s rich market, where you can visit one of the many shops or have a coffee in the pedestrian street in the centre. Transfer and check in to our hotel. In the evening optionally have fun in the city centre and sample local specialties.
Day 5: Sofia – Thessaloniki.
Breakfast, free time for your last purchases. We recommend you to walk along Vitosha Avenue, where you will see modern buildings, shopping malls with well-known chain stores and expensive boutiques. Going down Sofia, you will be able to see in the background of the avenue Mount Vitosha, which most months of the year its peaks are white with snow. Finally, departure for Thessaloniki. Arrival in our city, flooded with magical images and with the best impressions.
What is included:
- Accommodation in a hotel of your choice
- Meals according to the catalogue
- Tours according to the programme
- Insurance
Not included:
- Entrance fees to museums & theatres and anything optional or suggested
- Municipal residence taxes
Notes:
- In Sofia the overnight stay is at the COOP 4* hotel with the corresponding board
- The 4-day tour does not include overnight stay/tour in Sofia.
HOTELS:
