Turkey, Romania, Bulgaria, HungaryBudapest to Istanbul
Arrive at any time. There are no planned activities until an evening welcome meeting. We recommend booking pre-accommodation to fully explore this breathtaking city.
Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group
Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Opt to join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.
Accommodation
Below is an example of the hotel we may use in this city. For the actual hotel your specific departure will be using, please check your voucher.
Ibis Styles Budapest Center
Enjoy a morning free to explore Budapest to get a feel for this charming city. After check out we visit a G Adventures-supported social enterprise café and enjoy a drink and optionally order a bite to eat before we leave Budapest to travel to the Balla Géza Winery for a wine tasting and traditional Romanian dinner. Tonight’s accommodation will be at the winery’s guesthouse on the property.
Free Time
Enjoy a free time this morning to explore Budapest.
Your G for Good Moment: Nem Adom Fel Café and Bar
Stop for a refreshment at Nem Adom Fel Café and Bar, whose proceeds help fund a non-profit by the same name, which means "Never Give Up." Most of the employees at this social enterprise café are living with a disability, and the charity advocates for rights for the disabled all over Hungary. Your meal helps this café to invest in the charity's efforts, which also includes supporting rural Roma communities through much-needed social programs.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Balla Géza Winery Visit
Balla Géza Winery is located in at the foothills of Arad, which was a region known for its wine growing. Since 1999 Balla Géza has been working to bring back the legendary wines from this lost region. Visit the Minis vineyard famous for red wines throughout history. Enjoy a wine tasting with the group and then sit down to a traditional Romanian dinner featuring three different courses. If time allows explore the grounds and then head to the winery's guesthouse where we'll be spending the night. In the morning breakfast is included.
Optional Activities - Day 2Show
Accommodation
Balla Geza Winery
Enjoy breakfast at the Balla Géza Winery before traveling to the enchanting town of Sighișoara. Use your free time here to explore the cobblestone streets and medieval architecture. Explore the medieval walled citadel with its cultural attractions and great restaurants and bars. Sample some Romanian cuisine—the Casa Dracula (original home of Vlad, the model for Count Dracula) is now a restaurant specializing in hearty meat and game dishes of the region.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Free Time
Take some time to explore medieval Sighișoara.
Optional Activities - Day 3Show
Accommodation
Hotel Sighisoara
With a local guide, venture into the Romanian countryside to visit traditional villages. Get a true sense of life in this less-visited region. Visit charming Brasov. Enjoy a guided tour of the nearby countryside. Take in the beautiful rolling scenery and visit medieval villages and fortified churches. In the early evening, transfer to the city of Brasov, the best preserved medieval city in Romania.
Sighișoara Region Guided Tour
Coast over rolling hills and into rural villages, learning about the life and folklore of olden times from our expert local guide.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Accommodation
Central Residence Annapolis Brasov
Visit the picturesque Bran Castle and learn the history (and rumours) of this fascinating place. Impressively situated on a rock outcrop and dominating the valley, this 14th century castle is steeped in history and folklore. Soak in the gorgeous countryside as you learn about the creepier side of Romania.
Bran Castle Visit
Visit the picturesque Bran Castle, impressively situated on a rock outcrop and dominating the valley. This 14th century castle is steeped in history and folklore and is an unmissable highlight. Sometimes called "Dracula's Castle", it served as a defense point to protect the border between Transylvania and Wallachia. Rumours abound regarding Dracula's interaction with the castle. You'll have to visit to find out the truth.
Optional Activities - Day 5Show
Accommodation
Central Residence Annapolis Brasov
Travel to Bucharest and enjoy an orientation walk. Take time to explore the Soviet-esque architecture, the beautiful cathedral, or indulge in Bucharest's international cuisine.
Train
Climb aboard, take a seat, and enjoy the ride.
Orientation With CEO
Enjoy a brief walk with your CEO. He/she will give you some tips on finding things like supermarkets, main squares, and ATMs. For more specific or in-depth information, an official guided tour is recommended.
Optional Activities - Day 6Show
Accommodation
MyContinental Bucharest
Enjoy some free time to explore more of Bucharest in the morning before travelling to Bulgaria and one of the oldest cities in the world, Veliko Tarnovo. Wander the medieval town, visit the museums, or sample your first taste of Bulgarian cuisine. Enjoy this charming town and opt to visit the Tsarevets Fortress just outside the city.
Free Time
Get out and explore.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Accommodation
Hotel Concorde
Enjoy the morning in the medieval town of Veliko Tarnovo. In the afternoon, visit the hilltop village of Arbanasi. Soak in the views over Veliko Tarnovo.
Arbanasi Village Visit
Enjoy a visit to Arbanasi. This hilltop village was the residence of choice for the wealthy Roman elite and is still a country haven for the high-flyers of modern Bulgaria. The views all around and down to Veliko Tarnovo are amazing.
Optional Activities - Day 8Show
Accommodation
Hotel Concorde
Travel to Sofia and take an orientation walk of the capital city. Later, wander down the pedestrian street or visit the eclectic Ladies' Market. A mix of western grandeur and Soviet bulk, Sofia boasts a gold-domed church and delicious international dining. Sample modern takes on Bulgarian and international food, with some great trendy dining opportunities.
Orientation With CEO
Enjoy a brief walk with your CEO. He/she will give you some tips on finding things like supermarkets, main squares, and ATMs. For more specific or in-depth information, an official guided tour is recommended.
Local Bus
Climb aboard, grab a seat, and enjoy the ride.
Optional Activities - Day 9Show
Accommodation
Hotel Budapest Sofia
Travel to Plovdiv, Bulgaria's second-largest city. Visit the hilly old town, museums, or the Theatre of Ancient Philippopolis, one of the many Roman ruins found here. Opt to relax over coffee and a Bulgarian baklava, a specialty of the area.
Train
Climb aboard, take a seat, and enjoy the ride.
Free Time
Get out and explore.
Optional Activities - Day 10Show
Accommodation
Clepsydra Residence
Spend time in the morning exploring more of Plovdiv before boarding an afternoon bus to Istanbul.
Free Time
Don't waste a minute, get out and explore.
Local Bus
Climb aboard, grab a seat, and enjoy the ride.
Optional Activities - Day 11Show
Accommodation
Hotel Centrum Istanbul
Enjoy a city tour with a local Turkish guide. Opt to visit the Blue Mosque, the Grand Bazaar, the Hagia Sophia (or Aya Sofya), and the Topkapı Palace. After getting the lay of the land with a local guide, spend some free time visiting all you can in this eclectic city straddling two continents. In the evening, there are plenty of cool little bars and restaurants to celebrate the end of an amazing journey over a raki or two.
Istanbul Guided Walking Tour
Begin the day in Istanbul with a walking tour in the old city, including a visit to the historic Hippodrome, the Blue Mosque, and the magnificent Hagia Sophia (or Aya Sofya). When you step inside, you'll see why the Hagia Sophia is one of the great churches of the Byzantine Empire; it was converted into a mosque after the Ottoman conquest. Be awed by the Blue Mosque's symmetry and internal tile work, and take the chance to learn more about the ceremony behind Islam, as it is a working mosque.
Free Time
With so much to see and do, don't waste a minute.
Optional Activities - Day 12Show
Accommodation
Hotel Centrum Istanbul
Depart at any time. We highly recommend you book post-accommodation to fully enjoy this vibrant city. Your tour might be finished, but the adventure’s far from over. Pre-book the following activity to experience after your tour ends: Istanbul Walking Tour and Bosphorus Cruise. If you do, we recommend booking accommodation for an extra night in Istanbul. And don’t worry if you can’t decide now. This activity is available for pre-booking any time before your tour starts, or it can be booked upon arrival in Istanbul.
Optional Activities - Day 13Show
