The Best of Istanbul - Bucharest - Sofia
❮The Best of Istanbul - Bucharest - Sofia
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This 12 night sample itinerary includes:
- Hotel for 4 nights in Istanbul
- Flight from Istanbul to Bucharest
- Hotel for 4 nights in Bucharest
- Transfer to Bucharest to Sofia
- Hotel for 4 nights in Sofia
Sample of Included Tours: - Istanbul city Highlights with Blue Mosque and Topapki Palace
- Dolmabahce Palace Cruise from Istanbul
- Turkish Food Tour around Istanbul
- Guided City Tour in Bucharest
- Visit to Bran (Dracula`s) Castle from Bucharest
- Food Tour around Bucharest
- Guided City Tour around Sofia
- Day Trip to UWHS Rila Monastery and Boyana Church from Sofia
- Wine Tour around Sofia
Your price will only include confirmed available tours; if an included tour becomes unavailable there may be alternate options available at an additional cost. - Ramadan is a month of spirituality and purification during which participants abstain from eating, drinking, and smoking. Ramadan is typically celebrated in late winter or early spring.
Please verify dates before booking travel because food and entertainment services in hotels and other public places may be affected.
Explore the rich history, vibrant culture, and exquisite gastronomy of Turkey, Romania and Bulgaria. Combine Istanbul (this marvelous city, across the sprawling Bosphorus Strait is world-famous for its rich history and culture, stunning scenery, magnificent structures), then head into Bucharest (known in the past as "The Little Paris,"). Finally, enjoy Sofia (Bulgaria’s capital and its largest city. Founded thousands of years ago, with its Ottoman mosques and stubborn Red Army monuments that lend an eclectic and exotic feel). While you are visiting these cities, we encourage you to partake in the local culinary scene, visit famous Palaces and Castles as well as The UNESCO World Heritage of Rila Monastery and Boyana Church. Combine these cities with intercity flights and private transfer. This is a flexible vacation package. Select your number of nights in each city, desired hotel and activities.
Flexible Itinerary
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Istanbul
Day 1Arrive to Istanbul
Overnight in IstanbulDay 2Overnight in IstanbulDay 3Overnight in IstanbulDay 4Overnight in IstanbulDay 5Departing from Istanbul
Transportation to next city by: Regional Air -
Bucharest
Day 5Arrive to Bucharest
Overnight in BucharestDay 6Overnight in BucharestDay 7Overnight in BucharestDay 8Overnight in BucharestDay 9Departing from Bucharest
Transportation to next city by: Regional Air -
Sofia
Day 9Arrive to Sofia
Overnight in SofiaDay 10Overnight in SofiaDay 11Overnight in SofiaDay 12Overnight in SofiaDay 13Departing from Sofia
Turkey
Apart from Russia, no other country can stake such a proud claim to bridging `the East and the West` like Turkey, which sits astride two continents. It is called the `Cradle of Civilization`, where there are more Roman archaeological sites than in all of Italy, and more ancient Greek ruins available for viewing by the public than in Greece. The history from the Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Ottomans, and finally the modern Turkish nation are all on display here, and the Turkish vacation experience can encompass everything from being in the hustle and bustle of a metropolis, to attending a whirling dervish dance ceremony, to sunning yourself on the country`s beautiful shores, to climbing mountains and skiing at top resorts, to enjoying an iconic hot-air balloon ride over the Fairy Chimneys of Cappadocia.
Romania
Romania is well-known for its rich history, dating back before the time of the Greeks and Romans. Ruins from days gone by, ranging from Roman structures in Alba Iulia to remnants of Communism in Bucharest, are vivid illustrations of life in Romania through the years. Whether the museums are open-air or in exhibition halls, these are fun ways to learn more about Romanian history and folk culture.
Bulgaria
Bulgaria is known for its rich history, which stretches back over 6,000 years and is on display everywhere you look, ranging from sacred religious buildings with beautiful architectural styles and colorful art to the hundreds of fortresses and historic ruins, from which some famous legends and myths were born. Bulgaria is one of the most popular beach destinations in Europe, with hundreds of miles of glittering coastline. It's also known for its winter sporting opportunities in some of the most glamorous and affordable ski resorts east of Switzerland.
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Istanbul
Istanbul is one of the truly great romantic cities. Istanbul is home to a layering of civilization on civilization, of empire built on empire. A stroll through this historic city will reveal ancient Roman hippodromes, peristyles, and aqueducts, the greatest excesses of the Byzantine Empire and the mystique and power of the Ottoman Empire. In this sprawling, continent-spanning city you can tramp the streets where crusaders and janissaries once marched; admire mosques that are the most sublime architectural expressions of Islamic piety; peer into the sultan's harem; and hunt for bargains in the Kapali Carsi.
Visit and explore the Ayasofya,Topkapi Palace, Dolmabahce Palace, the Blue Mosque, the Grand Bazaar and the Egyptian Spice Bazaar, Suleymaniye Camii, St. Savior in Chora, the New Mosque, Galata Tower, Taksim Square, the Hippodrome and so much more! -
Bucharest
Once known as the 'Little Paris', Bucharest, Romania's capital, is known for its wide, tree-lined boulevards, and glorious Belle Epoque buildings. There is even an Arc de Triomphe on a boulevard longer than the Champs Elysees, with a variety of trees that flower beautifully in the spring. You will be intrigued by the city's eclectic mixture of architecture, from old monasteries and Orthodox Churches, to Second Empire mansions, the stolid Stalinist architecture of the communist years, and the colossal Parliament House, the second largest building in the world after the Pentagon.
Visit and explore the amazing Palace of Parliament, Romanian Athenaeum, Dimitrie Gusti National Village Museum, King Michael I Park, Cismigiu Gardens, National Museum of Art of Romania, Stavropoleos Monastery, Arcul de Triumf, Revolution Square, National Museum of Romanian History, Cotroceni Palace, Mogosoaia Palace, University Square, Pasajul Macca-Vilacrosse, and so much more. -
Sofia
One of the oldest capital cities in Europe, Sofia dates back to the 8th century BCE. Its landmarks reflect more than 2,000 years of history, including Greek, Roman, Ottoman and Soviet occupations. Sofia houses numerous museums, notably the National Historical Museum which has a vast collection of more than 650,000 historical items. Sofia is one of the hippest cities in Bulgaria, boasting a lively nightlife scene with many different nightclubs, live venues, pubs, mehani (Bulgarian traditional taverns), and restaurants. The city also offers large green spaces and manicured gardens, and the ski slopes and hiking trails of mighty Mount Vitosha are just a short bus ride away.
Visit and discover the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Boyana Church, National Historical Museum, Banya Bashi Mosque, Church of St. George, Vitosha Boulevard, Mount Vitosha, National Palace of Culture, St. Sophia Church, St. Nedelya Church, National Art Gallery, Central Sofia Market Hall, Cherni Vrah, Sofia Synagogue, Church of St. Petka of the Saddlers, Museum of Socialist Art, and so much more.
Visit and explore the Ayasofya,Topkapi Palace, Dolmabahce Palace, the Blue Mosque, the Grand Bazaar and the Egyptian Spice Bazaar, Suleymaniye Camii, St. Savior in Chora, the New Mosque, Galata Tower, Taksim Square, the Hippodrome and so much more!
Visit and explore the amazing Palace of Parliament, Romanian Athenaeum, Dimitrie Gusti National Village Museum, King Michael I Park, Cismigiu Gardens, National Museum of Art of Romania, Stavropoleos Monastery, Arcul de Triumf, Revolution Square, National Museum of Romanian History, Cotroceni Palace, Mogosoaia Palace, University Square, Pasajul Macca-Vilacrosse, and so much more.
Visit and discover the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Boyana Church, National Historical Museum, Banya Bashi Mosque, Church of St. George, Vitosha Boulevard, Mount Vitosha, National Palace of Culture, St. Sophia Church, St. Nedelya Church, National Art Gallery, Central Sofia Market Hall, Cherni Vrah, Sofia Synagogue, Church of St. Petka of the Saddlers, Museum of Socialist Art, and so much more.