AEGEAN DANUBE & BLACK SEA EXPL

Your itinerary

13 Days ~ Turkey ~ Bulgaria ~ Romania ~ Greece

Tour Pace

This tour is well-balanced with mainly two and three night stays. Some driving days are longer than usual, due to the terrain covered and smaller roads. However, this is off-set by the frequent stops for refreshments and photo opportunities as well as the days at leisure.

DAY 1 – SUN – UK - ISTANBUL

Welcome to Istanbul - a fascinating city spanning the continents of Europe and Asia! On arrival at Istanbul Airport, there are complimentary transfers to the tour hotel. Settle in and relax, or start exploring the wonders of this glorious city. Later, meet your Tour Director and fellow passengers for a Welcome Drink. Hotel: Point.

DAY 2 – MON – ISTANBUL SIGHTSEEING

A sightseeing day reveals the glory of the city, both ancient and modern. Visit the Cathedral of St Sophia, before moving on to the nearby Blue Mosque to see its six soaring minarets and vibrant blue and green tiled interior. Continue to Topkapi Palace, where the private palaces of the Sultans have been transformed into a series of glorious museums. Conclude the tour at the Grand Bazaar, a bustling trading centre since the 15th century where there are more than 4,000 shops, cafés and tea houses. Sip mint tea as you bargain with the stallowner in time-honoured ritual! Enjoy a Highlight Dinner with traditional entertainment. (BB,HD)

DAY 3 – TUE – ISTANBUL AT LEISURE

A free day in the Turkish Capital! Perhaps cross the Bosphorus Bridge to visit Beylerbeyi Palace? (BB)

DAY 4 – WED – ISTANBUL – SUNNY BEACH

Head west towards Bulgaria, travelling through rich farmland, where the horse and cart is still widely used. Follow the shores of the Black Sea through the resort towns of Burgas and delightful Nesebar, with wooden fishing cottages and old churches, separated from the mainland by a narrow isthmus. Stay in the nearby modern resort of Sunny Beach for the next two nights. Hotel: Meridian. (BB,D)

DAY 5 – THU – BLACK SEA AT LEISURE

A day to relax on the beach and enjoy lunch in one of the many seafront restaurants or take an excursion to visit the summer palace of Queen Marie of Romania in pretty Balchik. (BB)

DAY 6 – FRI – SUNNY BEACH – BUCHAREST

Cross the Danube and head towards the Romanian capital, Bucharest. On arrival, a sightseeing tour takes in the immense Parliament Palace, University Square and former Communist headquarters. Hotel: Grand Plaza. (BB,D)

DAY 7 – SAT – BRAN CASTLE EXCURSION

Head north from Bucharest and follow the Prahova Valley to the elegant alpine resort of Sinaia, nestling beneath the Transylvanian Alps. Imagine a horse and carriage careering up a wet mountainous road – thunder and lightning illuminating the imposing medieval castle guarding the Transylvanian border. Discover if this popular image of Dracula’s castle is true or, like the vampire story itself, only a myth, as you visit Bran Castle – said to be the inspiration for Bram Stoker’s book. (BB,D)

DAY 8 – SUN – BUCHAREST – SOFIA

Cross the Danube at Ruse and continue to the one-time capital of Bulgaria, Velika Turnovo, whose houses cling to the cliffs of the river Yantra. Cross the Balkan Mountains and drive over the plains to the capital of Bulgaria, Sofia, for the next two nights. Hotel: Hilton. (BB,D)

DAY 9 – MON – SOFIA

Sightseeing takes in the St Sofia Church across the square from the golden domed St Alexander Nevsky Cathedral and the archeological complex, dominated by St George’s Church. The afternoon is at leisure. Why not visit the magnificent Rila Monastery, the most important symbol of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church. (BB)

DAY 10 – TUE – SOFIA – KALAMBAKA

Following the valley of the River Struma, head south into Greece. Cross the plains of Thessaly to Kalambaka. Hotel: Divani Meteora. (BB,D)

DAY 11 – WED – KALAMBAKA – ATHENS

Visit the centuries-old monasteries of Metéora, with their precarious cliff-top settings, where early Christians worshipped. Drive through the centre of classical Greek civilisation with its ancient ruins and intricate mythology towards Delphi. See the dominating Temple of Apollo, site of the legendary Oracle of Antiquity, with Mount Parnassus rearing high above. Continue to Athens, ‘the City of the Gods’. Hotel: Metropolitan. (BB)

DAY 12 – THU – ATHENS SIGHTSEEING

A sightseeing tour delves deep into the glorious history of Athens. The main highlight is the visit to the Acropolis to admire the Parthenon, built in honour of the goddess Athena; then see the Temple of Zeus and Hadrian’s Arch. The afternoon is free to explore this ancient but lively city. (BB)

DAY 13 – FRI – ATHENS

The tour ends with transfers to the airport. (BB)

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