3 in 1 – Enjoy the best from Greece, Bulgaria and Romania

Have you ever dreamed about the sea, islands, wine, marvelous cuisine, unforgettable views, world cultural heritage, mysteries and riddles, castles, and wonderful stories? If yes, this program is designed for you. Greece, Bulgaria and Romania are very closed like entry requirements, the three countries are part of European Union and the travel policy is the same. 

Bulgaria is a country with a huge cultural and historical wealth, where everyone can find something special – modern life is connected with the past and you will see this in every city you pass. Bulgaria has mystical places, and to this day archaeologists continue to find evidence that the Bulgarian land was the cradle of civilization. Аrtifacts аre collected from all over the territory  and show that the Balkans are inhabited by representatives of a highly progressive civilization with a culture older than Mesopotamian. The oldest gold treasure in the world, dating from 4,600 BC to 4,200 BC, was discovered near Varna, Bulgaria. Тhe country has so many sites to visit that it is difficult to summarize. Visit оur section of Top attractions and Top destinations in Bulgaria to be more informed about main sights.

Greece is famous for its many sunny days, olive groves, delicious seafood and beautiful views of the islands. Some of the most expensive hotels and resorts are here – Santorini, Mykonos, Samothrace, Skiathos attract numerous tourists every year, and ancient Greek history still excites. Apart from being a huge city, Athens also hides the romance of past times and Thessaloniki is a top place for shopping. 

Have you heard of Count Dracula? Bram Stoker’s character, Dracula, is a Transylvanian Count with a castle located high above a valley perched on a rock with a flowing river below in the Principality of Transylvania. Bran Castle is the only castle in all of Transylvania that actually fits Bram Stoker’s description of Dracula’s Castle, it is known throughout the world as Dracula’s Castle. Romania is full of architectural treasures and in Romania, legends and customs are still alive too.

Overview of the tour

Day 1. Athens

Welcome to Athens! Transfer to your hotel and guided tour of  Greece’s capital. Welcome dinner and overnight.

Day 2. Athens- Deplhi-Meteora-Kalampaka

Breakfast. This day is designed for Greek mainland and visit of Delphi who was considered the navel of the earth, and the sacred place of Oracle. We will visit the Sanctuary of Apollo, the Treasury of the Athenians and museum of Delphi. Our trip continue to famous Meteora. The Greek word  means “suspended in the air” and this phrase aptly describes these remarkable Greek  monasteries. Overnight and dinner at Kalampaka town.

Day 3. Kalampaka-Vergina-Edessa-Thessaloniki

After breakfast we continue to Vergina for visiting the tomb – museum of Philip II – the father of Alexander the Great.In the 19th century, the ancient city of Edessa was discovered near Vergina, which was the first capital of the Macedonian kingdom. The most remarkable are the remains of a majestic palace, lavishly decorated with mosaics and murals, as well as a cemetery with over 300 burial mounds. We continue to the city of Edessa – one of the most beautiful cities in Northern Greece (Aegean Macedonia), located about 90 kilometers west of Thessaloniki. Its name is due to its richness of water, waterfalls and greenery, as the greatest glory of the city have brought the famous waterfalls. Unique in beauty stalactite and stalagmite caves hide behind 70-meter raging streams of sparkling water. Walking tour and photo break in the beautiful town with the Slavic name Voden. Arrival at Thessaloniki and overnight.

Day 4. Thessaloniki-Sandanski

After breakfast sightseeing tour to the city also known as Salonica. We will visit the White Tower, the main landmarks of the city, the Galerius Arch, the Rotunda monument, the Old Town (Ano Poli) and the City Walls, Agios Demetrius Byzantine church and we will have some free time for shopping and walking around. In the late afternoon we will continue to Bulgaria. Overnight in Sandanski.

Day 5. Sandanski-Melnik-Rozhen-Rupite

After breakfast our walk will show you the town of Melnik, the smallest town in Bulgaria, with the opportunity to visit the following sites, such as:

The Melnik History Museum – It is part of a hundred national tourist sites. The main livelihood in the area is winemaking, and the people there are extremely proud of the famous Melnik vine. Here, wine is a cult and a tradition that has been passed down for generations. Creating wine for the Melnik people is an art and a matter of honor. Nowadays, the picturesque town is inhabited by 240 people.

Visit to the village of Rozhen and the impressive Rozhen monastery. The Rozhen Monastery is located 6km from the town of Melnik. The monastery is a wonderful place, well maintained with great views of the Melnik Pyramids and dotted with lots of greenery and various kinds of flowers. 

Visit to Rupite locality.

Thousands of Bulgarians still believe in the power of Vanga. They will flock to Rupite every week to pray to a prophetess. 20 years after the death of Grandma Vanga, her spirit is still alive. Many people are convinced of her talent not only to predict the future but also to heal.

Overnight at hotel in Sandanski.

Day 6. Sandanski SPA

– free Spa day in Sandanski, There are over 80 mineral water springs in the town. The mineral waters are perfect for outdoor swimming all year round and have a strong healing effect. The area is known for its low humidity and high average temperature. Local mineral water is clear, transparent, with pleasant taste; it is used for a treatment of disorders of gastrointestinal tract and kidneys. Mineral waters of Sandanski belong to acroterms (42-81°С). The waters are of bicarbonate and sulphate sodium type, with neutral to a slightly alkaline reaction, rich in flour and metasilicic acid – this defines their therapeutic value.

Day 7. Sandanski-Rila Monastery-Sofia

Аfter breakfast our amazing trip will continue to Rila Monastery . It is definitely a must-see if you are a tourist with a free day in Sofia. Rila Monastery was founded in the 10th century by St John of Rila, a hermit canonized by the Orthodox Church. His ascetic dwelling and tomb became a holy site and were transformed into a monastic complex which played an important role in the spiritual and social life of medieval Bulgaria. Destroyed by fire at the beginning of the 19th century, the complex was rebuilt between 1834 and 1862. A characteristic example of the Bulgarian Renaissance (18th–19th centuries), the monument symbolizes the awareness of a Slavic cultural identity following centuries of occupation. The arcaded balconies, the unique frescoes – a work of one of the most famous Bulgarian Revival Period painters, the gilded iconostasis, the fabulous mountain view  and the unique combination of them all makes the visit to the monastery extraordinary and memorable one. You will have at least two full hours of free time at the Rila Monastery to explore the most visited UNESCO site in Bulgaria, enter the main church and take photos of the narthex’s gallery, admire the exhibits in the History Museum of the Monastery, try the tasty “mekitsi” with delicious buffalo’s yogurt (local specialty) or even have a short walk in the area. Arrival in Sofia. Short walking tour in the city, free time for walking. Dinner and overnight.

Day 8.  Sofia-Ruse

 After breakfast we continue to Ruse. While modern Bulgaria is vibrant, there are still areas of the country containing relics of the past. Ruse is such a place. Located along the Danube River, in the northern part of the country, Ruse possesses a unique mix of European heritage buildings and national monuments that serve as reminders of its illustrious past. Guided tour , free time, dinner and overnight.

Day 9. Ruse-Bucharest-Sinaia

Breakfast and arrival in Bucharest. Tour of the city – the Triumphal Arch; The Temple of Music “Athena”; The National Theater; Parliament (entrance fee is not included in the price); The Patriarchal Cathedral; The university; Revolution Square; The Royal Palace. Departure for Sinaia. Hotel accommodation. Overnight.

Day 10 Sinaia-Bran-Brashov-Sinaia

 Breakfast and  visit to Bran and Brasov Castles. Visiting Bran Castle, also known as Dracula’s Castle – an impressive medieval fortress perched on a rocky hill above the Bran Gorge. Departure for Brasov. Visiting the city, the center of which is a true masterpiece of Baroque architecture on foot. – Shay Gate, Catherine’s Gate (left of the city walls), the synagogue (outside), Ropes Street, which has the reputation of being the narrowest street in Europe, the Black Church, the Holy Trinity Church, Council Square, the building of the Council, the Orthodox Cathedral of the Assumption, Republic Street. Departure for Sinaia and  folklore evening.

Day 11. Sinaia-Bucharest

 Breakfast. Visit to the Royal Castle Peles – a former summer residence of the Romanian royal family. Visit to the Sinai Monastery – an important religious center in Romania from the end of the 17th century. Departure for Bucharest. Free time, dinner and overnight.

Day 12 – Bucharest – transfer to the airport.

Shopping tour includes:

• 3 nights in Sofia at 4* and 5* hotels
• 2 nights at Hotel Arcadia Blue Istanbul 4* or similar
• Flights Sofia-Istanbul; Istanbul-Sofia
• All mentioned transfers
• Guided tour of Sofia
• Guided tour of Istanbul
• Lunch at typical Bulgarian restaurant “Moma” in Sofia or similar
• Dinner at restaurant “Shtastliveca” in Sofia or similar
• Dinner at a la carte restaurant Fine Dine ISTANBUL in Hotel Arcadia Blue Istanbul 4* or similar
• All the mentioned meals in hotels