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Uncover three culturally rich countries in the heart of Eastern Europe.
Eclectic architecture, fascinating history, breathtaking landscapes—Bulgaria, Serbia, and Romania have it all. Set off on an immersive journey to discover these unique destinations, where Old World appeal meshes with the excitement of present-day. Admire Ottoman mosques in Sofia before soaking in Belgrade’s storied past. Continue on to the wine region of Novi Sad, the museums of Sibiu, and “Dracula's Castle” in Transylvania. Round out your journey in Bucharest, a dynamic capital that still sings an ode to past empires.
Your tour package includes
10 nights in handpicked hotels
10 breakfasts
5 dinners with beer or wine
8 sightseeing tours
Expert Tour Director & local guides
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Included highlights
St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral
Niš Skull Tower
Belgrade Fortress
Fruška Gora National Park
Živanović Wine Cellar
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Start planning today
An expert specializing in tours of this region is here to help.
Welcome to Bulgaria! Meet your Tour Director and fellow travelers at tonight’s welcome dinner.
Day 3: Sightseeing tour of Sofia
Included meal: Breakfast
Discover Sofia, one of the European Union’s newest and most walkable capitals.
Pass the parliament building, Viennese-style royal palace, and national theater
Admire the golden Ottoman domes that distinguish Sofia’s skyline
Pass by the city’s oldest structure, the St. George Rotunda
See religious icons at the St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, a massive Eastern Orthodox cathedral
Continue to the Hagia Sophia, a Byzantine cathedral
Enjoy a free afternoon in Sofia or add an excursion.
Rila Monastery
From $109 per person
Belgrade2 nights
Day 4: Belgrade via Niš
Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Make your way to Belgrade, Serbia, stopping to tour the historic city of Niš with a local guide.
Visit the chilling Skull Tower, which was built in 1809 from the skulls of defeated Serbian rebels
Enjoy free time for lunch in the city center
After, continue of to Belgrade and sit down for an included dinner.
Day 5: Sightseeing tour of Belgrade
Included meal: Breakfast
Experience the sights of Belgrade, from the panorama of Republic Square to the shops of Knez Mihailova Street, on a guided tour.
View Tito’s Memorial, the final resting place of iconic Yugoslavian liberator Josip Broz Tito
Step inside the Cathedral of Saint Sava, the largest Orthodox church in the city
Enter the Belgrade Fortress, which has protected the capital for centuries
Enjoy a free evening in Belgrade or add an excursion.
River Cruise & Serbian Dinner
From $119 per person
Timișoara1 night
Day 6: Transfer to Timișoara
Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Continue on to Timișoara, Romania, making several stops in Serbia along the way.
Visit Sremski Karlovci, a small baroque town located on the Danube and surrounded by vineyards
Walk through the town center with a local guide to see the Karlovci Gymnasium, which opened in 1791 and is the oldest secondary school in Serbia, as well as orthodox and Catholic churches
Visit the Živanović Wine Cellar in the wine region of Sremski Karlovci, where you’ll sample honey and six types of wine produced by the Živanović family
Make a photo stop at Petrovaradin Fortress
Head to Novi Sad, Serbia’s second-largest city and the country’s cultural hub, and enjoy a walk through the riverside city’s Old Town
Continue on to Timișoara and sit down for an included dinner.
Sibiu2 nights
Day 7: Sightseeing tour of Timișoara & Sibiu
Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Join your Tour Director to see Timișoara’s Victory Square, orthodox cathedral, and the National Opera House.
Then, travel into the heart of Romania’s Transylvania region to Sibiu, where an impressive art scene thrives.
Tour the Old Town, taking in the gates and walls that partially enclose the city
Cross the cast-iron Liar’s Bridge and see Piata Huet
Admire the Lutheran Cathedral, a soaring Gothic church
Sit down for an included dinner this evening.
Day 8: Free day in Sibiu
Included meal: Breakfast
Enjoy a free day in Sibiu or add an excursion.
Medieval Transylvania
From $105 per person
Brașov1 night
Day 9: Brașov via Bran Castle
Included meal: Breakfast
Take in the stunning scenery of Transylvania as you make your way to Brașov. Stop en route to explore Bran Castle, also known as “Dracula’s Castle,” before continuing on for a guided tour of Brașov.
Enter the Black Church, one of Romania’s most imposing Gothic churches
Stroll through Brașov’s historic center past the Central Square and City Council Square
Enjoy free time to explore the area at your own pace
Bucharest2 nights
Day 10: Bucharest via Sinaia
Included meal: Breakfast
Admire views of the Carpathian Mountains as you make your way to Bucharest, stopping en route in the town of Sinaia to explore the well-preserved Peles Castle.
Explore the first and second floors of the Neo-Renaissance castle with a local guide
Enjoy free time to walk through the manicured gardens, lawns, and pathways
Please note: Due to ongoing renovations, the second floor of Peles Castle is closed to visitors.
Day 11: Sightseeing tour of Bucharest
Included meals: Breakfast, Farewell dinner
Explore Romania’s eclectic capital with a local guide to discover a range of architecture, from Art Deco to Bauhaus.
See classical buildings on Victory Avenue, the city’s oldest boulevard
Admire the ornate Triumphal Arch and Savings Bank
Step inside The People’s Palace, one of the world’s largest government buildings, which was built under the communist regime of Romanian leader Nicolae Ceausescu
Enter the Romanian Patriarchal Cathedral
Tonight, celebrate your trip with your fellow travelers at a farewell dinner.
Flight Home
Day 12: Departure
Included meal: Breakfast (excluding early morning departures)
First let my get my gripe over. The return flight scheduling was horrible and unacceptable. I’ve gone on two EF tours and the return flights have been a night mare. This last one left us in Vienna, Austria for three days!! Enough said on that.
As for the tour………..it’s was a dream come true. T...
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EF Go Ahead Tours replied on 4/25/23
Dear Linda,
Thank you for leaving a review! We ar...
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5.0 star rating
B, S, & R
10/6/22 by 3rd-time traveler Anonymous
Great scenery and time with new friends.
5.0 star rating
Romania is a beautiful country to visit.
10/6/22 by 3rd-time traveler Juo Lan
I loved to visit churches, castles, and art museum specially we had a chance to visit parliament building in Romania.
Wish we could spend more time at Bulgaria and Romania.
Thank you our tour director.
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Traveler photos
Hotels, flights & FAQ
Here's the nitty-gritty—where you’ll stay, how you’ll get there, and what to know about your destination before you go.
Hotels
We handpick every hotel to strike the balance of comfort, location, and local charm. Specific accommodations will vary based on your departure date, but these are frequently used hotels for this tour and we're confident you'll be satisfied.
Central Park Hotel
This elegant hotel is located in the heart of Sofia. Guests enjoy an on-site restaurant and bar. Nearby, you’ll find the National Palace of Culture, V...
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Crowne Plaza Belgrade
This sleek hotel is connected to the Sava Centar convention center in the New Belgrade business district. Guests enjoy a fitness center, large indoor ...
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NH Timisoara
This modern hotel is located in the Fabric district. Guests enjoy a restaurant, a gym, and a spa. Nearby you’ll find the Regina Maria Park, the Romani...
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Golden Tulip Ana Tower Sibiu
This comfortable hotel is located near the city center. Guests enjoy a restaurant, bar, and fitness center. Nearby, you’ll find the Brukenthal Nationa...
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Aro Palace Hotel
This contemporary hotel is located in Brasov. Guests enjoy free WiFi, a fitness center, and restaurant. Nearby, you'll find the Etnography Museum of B...
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Novotel Bucharest City Centre
This modern hotel is located in Bucharest’s city center. Guests enjoy a restaurant and bar, fitness center, and casino. Nearby, you’ll find the Old To...
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Flights
Round-trip flights are one more thing we handle to make your journey as smooth as possible. Our team of travel experts will find the best flight itinerary for you at a competitive rate, thanks to our partnerships with top airlines.
Add our airfare package and you'll get:
Round-trip flight for your tour
Airport transfers at your destination
A great price locked in today
24/7 support from our dedicated service team
Options for arriving early, staying longer, or requesting an upgrade
Flexible rebooking options if your tour itinerary changes
This tour visits Bulgaria, Serbia, and Romania. In order to enter these countries, U.S. and Canadian citizens need a valid passport with an expiration date extending at least six months beyond the date of reentry.
We recommend having at least two blank passport pages for entry stamps.
Beginning in 2024, U.S. and Canadian passport holders must register for an ETIAS travel authorization in order to enter many European countries.
Passport holders from over 60 visa-exempt countries (including the U.S. and Canada) will need to apply for an ETIAS travel authorization in order to visit 30 European countries. That means that even if you’ve previously traveled to any of these European countries without a visa, starting in 2024, you’ll need to get ETIAS authorization to visit them again. If you’re traveling to multiple countries with this requirement, you only need to complete the form once. All Go Ahead travelers are responsible for obtaining their own ETIAS travel authorization before departure. For more details, please visit our Help Center.
If you are not a U.S. or Canadian citizen, you must contact each country’s consulate for your specific entry requirements.
You can see the most up-to-date entry requirements for the destination(s) you’ll visit on tour by going to goaheadtours.com/entry-requirements and searching the code BSR.
You will walk for at least 2.5 hours daily across uneven terrain, including paved roads and cobblestone streets, with many hills and stairs.
Travelers should be healthy enough to participate in all included walks without assistance. Adding optional excursions may increase the total amount of walking on your tour.
You should feel comfortable managing your own baggage at times.
Go Ahead Tours and the Tour Director who accompanies your group are unable to provide special, individual mobility assistance to travelers on tour. The responsibility of the Tour Director is to ensure the group as a whole enjoys a relaxing and informative journey, and he or she cannot be relied upon to provide ongoing, individualized assistance to any one traveler.
If you have mobility concerns or physical restrictions, please contact our Customer Experience Team.
Round-trip flights booked through Go Ahead Tours arrive in Sofia and depart from Bucharest. A representative from Go Ahead Tours will meet you at the airport and take you to your hotel. Please remain in the arrival lounge, as the representative might be escorting one of your fellow travelers to the bus at the time of your arrival.
Transfers to and from the airport at your destination are included for travelers who have purchased their flights through Go Ahead Tours. Travelers who purchase their own flights may request airport transfers with Go Ahead Tours for an additional cost.
All other included transportation on this tour is by private motor coach.
Please note that our travelers are limited to one checked bag and one carry-on bag per person due to storage limitations on motor coaches and other transfers, which may include train connections or flights.
Contact your airline(s) for baggage size and weight restrictions for your flights, which may include on-tour flights in addition to your round-trip flights to and from tour. Please note that your included on-tour flights may have more restrictive baggage limits.
Some airlines may impose additional charges if you choose to check any baggage or exceed baggage size and weight restrictions. Be advised that you are responsible for any baggage fees incurred on all flights.
Make sure you label your baggage and keep valuables, medication, and documents in your carry-on bag.
We recommend packing lightweight, loose-fitting clothing that can be easily layered to accommodate varying temperatures, as well as a light jacket or rainwear.
A sturdy pair of walking shoes or sneakers is recommended for sightseeing.
You may want to pack dressier attire if you plan to visit a high-end restaurant or attend a special performance.
It is preferable not to visit churches or other religious sites with bare legs and shoulders (and entrance may be denied on this basis).
At least 60 days prior to departure, check with your doctor or healthcare provider for the latest updates and entry requirements, or visit the Center for Disease Control and Prevention website at cdc.gov.
If you have medication that you take daily, be sure you have enough for each day of the tour as well as any possible delays encountered.
If you have dietary restrictions and/or food allergies please notify Go Ahead Tours at least 30 days prior to departure by logging in to your account and updating your traveler info. To update this information closer to your departure date, please call our Customer Experience Team.
You can see the most up-to-date entry requirements for the destination(s) you’ll visit on tour by going to goaheadtours.com/entry-requirements and searching the code BSR.
In Bulgaria, fresh vegetables are often readily available due to the area’s warm climate, and salads will be an integral part of most meals. Other mainstays are chorba, a bean soup, and tarator, a cold cucumber soup. Pork is the country’s meat of choice, and you’ll find it in countless combinations of soups, stews, and mains. When raising a glass with your fellow travelers, be sure to try some of the local spirits, such as rakia or menta.
Serbian food typically incorporates influences from central Europe as well as flavors borrowed from the East. Meals usually center around meats like pork, lamb, and goat. Serbians also love pastry, often in the form of varieties of pie.
Romanian food takes much of its influence from the Balkans, Hungary, and Turkey. Throughout the country, sour soups called ciorbă are available in endless varieties and are the perfect way to start any meal. Along the Black Sea coast, fresh fish is prevalent, but the area’s true culinary delight is salata de vinete, a salad made from grilled eggplant, onions, and sunflower oil.
All destinations on this tour operate on the European standard 220-240 volts and use Types C or F plugs with two small, round pins.
We recommend packing a universal adapter, as well as a voltage converter if you plan on using your own hairdryer or other device without a built-in converter.
The strength of the air conditioning in European hotels is often not as strong or as cool as what you might be used to in the U.S. or Canada. When air conditioning is available, it is usually regulated seasonally and controlled centrally by the hotel.
Your hotels may provide hairdryers, irons, and other small appliances. However, these amenities cannot be guaranteed.
You will use the Bulgarian lev in Bulgaria, the Serbian dinar in Serbia, and the Romanian leu in Romania.
Better rates of exchange are usually available overseas, although it’s worth ordering some currency from your local bank to use when you first arrive.
We strongly advise that you take debit/bank cards and credit cards, which can be used to withdraw cash at local banks as needed.
You can use most debit/credit cards at ATMs on the international networks Cirrus and Plus, but make sure to check with your home bank about withdrawal fees.
Inform your bank and credit card company of your travel plans so that they won’t confuse your international purchases for fraudulent charges.
International banks and businesses primarily accept debit and credit cards that work with the EMV chip system. If you do not already have at least one debit or credit card with a chip in it, we strongly recommend requesting one from your bank prior to your tour.
At the conclusion of your tour, it’s customary to offer your Tour Director and driver a gratuity in local currency or USD. Please keep current exchange rates in mind.
We recommend tipping the equivalent of $8USD to $10USD per person per day for your Tour Director and the equivalent of $3USD per person per day for your driver.
If applicable, we also recommend the equivalent of $2USD per local guide.
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