21 Day Romania, Bulgaria & North Macedonia Premium Small Group Tour

Welcome to Romania. On arrival in Bucharest you are met by a private transfer to your hotel. There is no sightseeing planned today, so you have the day to rest after your flights. Bucharest, Romania's capital and largest city, is a lively mix of grand 19th century architecture, leafy parks and wide boulevards, and you will see more of it later in the tour. For now, take the time to settle into your room, freshen up and recover from your journey at your own pace.This evening, meet your tour leader and the rest of the group for a welcome meeting, where you receive an overview of the journey ahead. A welcome dinner together follows, a relaxed first chance to get to know your fellow travellers over a meal (meeting and dinner time to be advised).Special InformationArrival airport transfers are included as part of your package. You will be met upon arrival at the airport and transferred to your hotel.If Inspiring Vacations has not provided your international airfares, please ensure you provide your flight details via your Traveller Hub portal no later than 90 days prior to travel so that your transfers can be confirmed.If you are arriving early and have made your own arrangements prior to your tour commencing, airport transfers will not be included. However, if you are purchasing pre-nights accommodation as part of your Inspiring Vacations package, airport transfers will still be provided to the starting hotel.You may receive a welcome letter when checking in to the starting hotel that will include the time of the welcome meeting with your tour leader tonight. If you do not receive this, please speak to hotel staff or feel free to reach out to us directly.

After breakfast, leave Bucharest and set out on a scenic drive northwest through the Olt Valley and across the Carpathian Mountains to Sibiu. The road follows the Olt River as it winds through a dramatic gorge between forested mountain slopes, crossing from the plains of Wallachia into the historic region of Transylvania.On arrival, take a guided walking tour of Sibiu, one of Transylvania's best preserved medieval towns, founded by Saxon settlers in the 12th century. You begin in Piata Mare, the Large Square, a broad plaza ringed by pastel-coloured baroque houses, before passing into the more intimate Piata Mica, the Small Square. Nearby, cross the Bridge of Lies, whose name is the subject of many local legends, and visit the Lutheran Cathedral, a landmark Gothic church whose tall tower rises above the rooftops of the old town. Look out for the distinctive attic windows that have earned Sibiu the nickname the 'City with Eyes'.The evening is at leisure. For an easy stroll, you can wander the lanes of the Lower Town or follow the old fortification walls and towers on the edge of the historic centre.Inspiring HighlightsOlt Valley drive through the Carpathian MountainsSibiu guided walking tourSpecial InformationYour travel time today will be approximately 6 hours.

After breakfast, visit the ASTRA open air museum in Sibiu, set in woodland on the edge of the city. Buildings from rural communities across Romania have been carefully moved here and preserved, among them traditional farmhouses, wooden churches, windmills and workshops, giving a fascinating insight into village life and craftsmanship through the centuries.This afternoon, travel to Corvin Castle in Hunedoara. Also known as Hunyadi Castle, this is one of the most impressive castles in Europe, a Gothic fortress of towers, turrets and steep roofs reached by a long wooden bridge. Built in the 15th century for the military leader John Hunyadi, it is a wonderful place to wander and imagine its medieval past.You will have some time to relax at the hotel this evening. Have a restful night ahead of another sightseeing day tomorrow.Inspiring HighlightsASTRA open air museum, SibiuCorvin Castle, HunedoaraSpecial InformationYour travel time today will be approximately 4 hours.

After breakfast, leave Sibiu and head north to Cluj-Napoca, with two sightseeing stops along the way. The route crosses the heart of Transylvania, passing through rolling hills and farmland.Your first stop is the citadel at Alba Iulia, where you have time to look around. This impressive star-shaped fortress was built in the 18th century and is one of the best preserved of its kind in Romania, with massive bastions, gates and ramparts. It also holds an important place in the nation’s story, as the city where Transylvania united with Romania in 1918. If you would like to learn more about this chapter of Romanian history, you can add the optional Museum of Unification entry to your booking. Set within the citadel, the museum is visited during your free time here, while the rest of the group continues exploring the fortress grounds.You then visit the Turda Salt Mine. Salt has been extracted here for centuries, and the former mine has been transformed into a remarkable underground world of vast, cathedral-like chambers carved from solid salt, with a cool and peaceful atmosphere far below the surface.You reach Cluj-Napoca later today, with the evening at leisure. For a relaxed stroll, Central Park is an easy walk through the city and needs no planning.Inspiring HighlightsAlba Iulia citadelTurda Salt MineSpecial InformationYour travel time today will be approximately 5 hours.

After breakfast, take a guided walking tour of Cluj-Napoca. A lively university city and the unofficial capital of Transylvania, Cluj is centred on Unirii Square, where you visit St Michael's Cathedral, one of the finest Gothic churches in the region, with a soaring spire. Next, wander through the old town, with its streets lined with handsome baroque and Habsburg-era buildings.You then drive north into the Maramures region, a remote and beautiful corner of northern Romania where rural traditions have changed little over generations. On the way you stop at the Church of the Holy Paraskeva in Desesti. This UNESCO-listed wooden church dates from the 18th century and is renowned for the painted scenes that cover its interior walls.You arrive in Sighetu Marmatiei, where you stay for two nights. Tonight, enjoy an included dinner and a first taste of Maramures hospitalityInspiring HighlightsCluj-Napoca guided walking tourChurch of the Holy Paraskeva, DesestiSpecial InformationYour travel time today will be approximately 5 hours.

After breakfast you will spend the day exploring Maramures, a region famed for its wooden architecture, craftsmanship and living traditions. Begin at the Merry Cemetery at Sapanta, where brightly painted wooden crosses are decorated with colourful scenes from the lives of those they remember, accompanied by short, often humorous verses. The tradition began in the 1930s and has made the cemetery one of Romania's most unusual and best loved sights.You then visit the UNESCO-listed wooden church at Barsana and the village church at Breb. Built entirely of timber, with tall, slender spires and richly decorated interiors, these churches are a hallmark of the region and reflect the skill of its carpenters. The village of Breb, set among hay meadows, also offers a glimpse of rural life that has changed little over generations.At Vadu Izei you meet a wood carver to see the craft of gate carving first hand. The monumental carved wooden gates of Maramures are a symbol of each household's pride and status, decorated with traditional motifs such as the sun, twisted rope and the tree of life, and it is a rare privilege to see how they are made.This evening you have a traditional dinner with a folk ensemble and a palinca tasting. Enjoy local flavours in lively surroundings as musicians perform traditional songs, and sample palinca, the strong fruit brandy, usually distilled from plums, that is an important part of Maramures hospitality.Inspiring HighlightsMerry Cemetery, SapantaWooden churches at Breb and Barsana (UNESCO)Gate carving encounter with Mihai Bledea, Vadu IzeiSpecial InformationYour travel time today will be approximately 2.5 hours.The gate carving encounter is subject to availability.

After breakfast you leave Maramures and drive to Bucovina via Borsa and the Prislop Pass. The road climbs out of the Maramures valleys to the Prislop Pass, at around 1,400 metres, before descending into Bucovina.Along the way you pass through ever-changing scenery of forested slopes and high mountain pastures, with time to stop for photographs as you cross from one historic region into another.You arrive in Gura Humorului later today, with the evening at leisure. This small town in the heart of Bucovina is a convenient base for visiting the region's famous painted monasteries tomorrow.Inspiring HighlightsPrislop Pass scenic driveSpecial InformationYour travel time today will be approximately 6 hours.

After breakfast, visit two of the Bucovina painted monasteries, Voronet and Sucevita, where the outer walls are covered in painted scenes. These remarkable 15th and 16th century churches are UNESCO-listed and found only in this corner of Romania. Voronet, often called the Sistine Chapel of the East, is famous for its vivid blue pigment and the dramatic Last Judgement painted across its western wall. Sucevita is encircled by thick fortified walls and towers, and is known for its richly detailed frescoes, including the Ladder of Virtue, painted predominantly in deep green.This afternoon you will board the Hutulca narrow gauge railway at Moldovita station for a return journey of approximately 1 hour 40 minutes. The little train winds slowly along the Moldovita valley through forest and villages, a nostalgic way to enjoy the Bucovina countryside. During the break at the end of the valley you visit Moldovita Monastery, another of the painted monasteries, with its fortified walls and colourful exterior frescoes. At the end of the day, return to the hotel and share a traditional Bucovinian dinner, an opportunity to sample the hearty dishes of the region.Inspiring HighlightsVoronet MonasterySucevita MonasteryHutulca narrow gauge railwayMoldovita MonasterySpecial InformationYour travel time today will be approximately 1.5 hours.NOTE: The Hutulca narrow gauge railway operates subject to seasonal timetables, operating days and weather conditions. If the train is not running on the day of travel, a scenic drive through the Moldovita valley will be substituted, followed by the visit to Moldovita Monastery as planned.

After breakfast you will leave Bucovina for Sighisoara. It is a long day on the road, with approximately 6 hours of driving including stops, as you cross the Carpathian Mountains from Bucovina into the heart of Transylvania.Your first stop is the Popa Museum in Tarpesti, a private museum dedicated to the folk art and traditions of the region, with a rich collection of traditional objects from village life. This is followed by a home-prepared traditional lunch in the village, a chance to taste authentic local cooking.You arrive in Sighisoara later today, with the evening at leisure. After a long drive, you may wish to rest and prepare for tomorrow's exploration of the medieval citadel.Inspiring HighlightsPopa Museum, TarpestiSpecial InformationYour travel time today will be approximately 6 hours.

After breakfast, take a guided tour of the Sighisoara citadel, including the Clock Tower. Perched on a hill and ringed by walls and towers, this UNESCO-listed citadel was founded by Transylvanian Saxons in the 12th century and is one of the best preserved inhabited medieval fortified towns in Europe. Its cobbled lanes, colourful houses and watchtowers make it feel like a step back in time. The Clock Tower, the town's symbol, rises above the main gate and offers a panorama over the rooftops. The citadel is also traditionally known as the birthplace of Vlad the Impaler, the figure linked to the Dracula legend.Next, drive to the Saxon village of Viscri, where you visit the UNESCO-listed fortified church and have free time for lunch. Viscri is among the best known of Transylvania's fortified villages, where Saxon communities built strong defensive walls around their churches to protect villagers in times of danger. The church dates back to the 13th century, and the village's simple, brightly coloured houses line a quiet main street.This afternoon you will visit Bran Castle before continuing to Brasov. Standing on a rocky outcrop, this 14th century fortress is widely associated with the Dracula legend and was later a favourite residence of Queen Marie of Romania. Inside, you wander through the castle's winding passages and narrow staircases.The evening is at leisure in Brasov.Inspiring HighlightsSighisoara citadel and Clock TowerViscri fortified church (UNESCO)Bran CastleSpecial InformationYour travel time today will be approximately 4 hours.

This morning, begin with an early morning walk through the old town of Brasov, taking in the Black Church, Council Square and the city walls. Set at the foot of Mount Tampa and surrounded by the Carpathians, Brasov is one of Transylvania's most picturesque cities. The Black Church, the largest Gothic church in Romania, takes its name from the blackened walls left by a fire in the 17th century, while Council Square is the lively historic heart of the town, ringed with pastel-coloured buildings. You will also see sections of the medieval walls and bastions that once protected the city. Next, drive to Sinaia to visit Peles Castle before continuing to Bucharest. Nestled in the Carpathian Mountains, Peles was built as a royal summer residence for King Carol and is considered one of the finest castles in Europe. Its Neo-Renaissance exterior of turrets and timber details is matched by ornate interiors of carved wood, stained glass and fine art, spread across more than 160 rooms.The evening is at leisure in Bucharest. For a quiet walk, Cismigiu Gardens are a short distance from the old town.Inspiring HighlightsBrasov old town: Black Church, Council Square and city wallsPeles Castle, SinaiaSpecial InformationYour travel time today will be approximately 5 hours.

After breakfast, spend the day sightseeing in Bucharest, once known as the 'Little Paris of the East' for its tree-lined boulevards and elegant architecture.Start at the Palace of Parliament. Commissioned by Nicolae Ceausescu in the 1980s, it is one of the largest and heaviest buildings in the world, a monumental symbol of the communist era with vast marble halls and grand chandeliers.You will then explore the Lipscani old town, the historic heart of the city, a maze of cobbled streets once home to merchants and craftsmen and now lined with cafes and restaurants. See the Romanian Atheneum, the city's grand domed concert hall, built in the late 19th century and a symbol of Romanian culture, and drive along the communist-era boulevards, a striking contrast to the elegance of old Bucharest.This evening you gather for a farewell Romania dinner together, a chance to reflect on the highlights of your time in Romania before you continue into Bulgaria.Inspiring HighlightsPalace of ParliamentLipscani old townRomanian Atheneum

After breakfast you will depart Bucharest and cross the border from Romania into Bulgaria on your way to Veliko Tarnovo. The landscape gradually rises into green hills as you approach this historic city.This afternoon, you will visit Tsarevets Fortress. Veliko Tarnovo was the capital of the Second Bulgarian Empire from the 12th to the 14th century, and this hilltop fortress, rising above a loop of the Yantra River, was the seat of its rulers. You explore the remains of the walls, towers and royal palace, and the Patriarchal Cathedral at the summit, with sweeping views over the city and the river valley below.Next, a walk to Samovodska Charshia craft street and the old town. This lively cobbled lane is lined with workshops where artisans such as potters, weavers and woodcarvers continue traditional trades, and the surrounding old town, with its houses stacked up the steep hillside, is a delight to wander.The evening is at leisure, with an optional Tsarevets sound and light show available on seasonal dates, when the fortress is illuminated after dark.Inspiring HighlightsTsarevets FortressSamovodska Charshia craft streetSpecial InformationYour travel time today will be approximately 4 hours.Please keep your passport with you today for the border crossing.

After breakfast you will leave Veliko Tarnovo and drive south through the Shipka Pass to the Damascena Centre in the Rose Valley. The road crosses the Balkan Mountains through the Shipka Pass, a historic route that was the scene of key battles in 1877 and 1878, during the war that led to Bulgaria's liberation from Ottoman rule.At the Damascena Centre, you will learn about Bulgaria's famous rose oil industry. For centuries the valley's climate and soil have been ideal for growing Damascena roses, whose petals are distilled into rose oil, one of Bulgaria's best known products and a prized ingredient in perfumes around the world.You will then continue to Plovdiv, where the evening is yours to spend in the old town. One of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in Europe, Plovdiv is built across seven hills and layered with Thracian, Roman and Ottoman history. Its old town, with cobbled streets and 19th century mansions, is a pleasure to explore at your own pace.Inspiring HighlightsShipka PassDamascena Centre, Rose ValleySpecial InformationYour travel time today will be approximately 5 hours.

After breakfast, take a guided walking tour of the old town, a charming hillside quarter of cobbled lanes, historic houses and ancient remains.You will visit the Roman amphitheatre, built in the 2nd century AD. Beautifully preserved, it is still used for concerts and performances today, and its position on the hillside offers views across the city.Next, explore the Kapana district, whose name means 'The Trap', a creative quarter of narrow pedestrian streets, craft workshops, galleries and cafes. You also stroll through the quarter of old wooden houses, where colourful 19th century mansions with ornate facades and overhanging upper floors reflect the prosperity of Plovdiv's merchants during the Bulgarian National Revival. After some free time for lunch, you will drive to Sofia with the evening at leisure.Inspiring HighlightsPlovdiv old town: Roman amphitheatre, Kapana district and old wooden-house quarterSpecial InformationYour travel time today will be approximately 3 hours.

After breakfast, take a guided city tour of Sofia, one of Europe's oldest capitals, where Roman ruins, Orthodox churches and communist-era architecture stand side by side. Begin at Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, the city's emblem, with its gleaming gold domes and neo-Byzantine style. Built in the early 20th century in memory of the Russian soldiers who died in Bulgaria's liberation, it is one of the largest Orthodox cathedrals in the Balkans.Continue along Vitosha Boulevard, Sofia's main pedestrian shopping street, lined with cafes and boutiques and framed by views of Vitosha Mountain. You also see the Serdica ruins, the remains of the ancient Roman city of Serdica, uncovered in the heart of the modern city and a reminder of Sofia's long history.The tour ends at the Central Market Hall food hall, an elegant early 20th century building with a choice of food stalls. A good opportunity to find some lunch.The afternoon is at leisure to explore at your own pace. A stroll through the City Garden near the Ivan Vazov National Theatre is an easy option, or take a walk to Borisova Gradina park for some quiet time among the trees.This evening, gather for a farewell Bulgaria dinner, a chance to celebrate your time in Bulgaria together.Inspiring HighlightsAlexander Nevsky CathedralSerdica ruins

After breakfast, leave Sofia for Rila Monastery, set in a forested valley high in the Rila Mountains, where you visit the UNESCO-listed monastery and have free time for lunch. Founded in the 10th century by the hermit St John of Rila, it is Bulgaria's largest and most important Orthodox monastery and a symbol of national identity. Its striking courtyard, with striped arches, wooden balconies and richly painted frescoes, is a highlight of the day.Next, cross the border from Bulgaria into North Macedonia and continue to Skopje, with changing mountain scenery along the way.Later today, you will arrive in Skopje, the capital of North Macedonia, with the evening at leisure.Inspiring HighlightsRila Monastery (UNESCO)Special InformationYour travel time today will be approximately 7 hours.Please keep your passport with you today for the border crossing.

After breakfast, take a guided tour of Skopje, a city of contrasts where Ottoman, Byzantine and modern influences meet. Visit the Old Bazaar, one of the largest and best preserved Ottoman-era bazaars in the Balkans, with its winding lanes and traditional shops. You will then see the Stone Bridge, the 15th century bridge across the Vardar River and the symbol of the city, and Macedonia Square, the city's central plaza. You will also visit the Mother Teresa Memorial House, honouring the Nobel Peace Prize winner who was born in Skopje, and Skopje Fortress, the old hilltop citadel overlooking the city and the river.Next, drive to Ohrid, arriving at one of the most beautiful lakeside towns in the Balkans, set on the shores of Lake Ohrid.This afternoon, take a walking tour of the Ohrid old town, including Samuel's Fortress and St John at Kaneo. Samuel's Fortress, a medieval hilltop citadel, offers views over the old town rooftops and the lake, while the small 13th century church of St John at Kaneo perches on a cliff above the water, one of the most photographed sights in North Macedonia.The evening is at leisure in Ohrid.Inspiring HighlightsSkopje: Old Bazaar, Stone Bridge, Mother Teresa Memorial House and Skopje FortressOhrid old town, Samuel's Fortress and St John at KaneoSpecial InformationYour travel time today will be approximately 4 hours.

After breakfast, take a boat trip on Lake Ohrid to St Naum Monastery and the springs of the Black Drim. Lake Ohrid is one of the oldest and deepest lakes in Europe, known for its clear waters, and the boat journey offers lovely views of the shoreline and mountains. St Naum Monastery, founded in the early 10th century, sits in a peaceful setting above the water near the Albanian border. Nearby, crystal-clear springs bubble up from beneath the mountains, carrying water underground from neighbouring Lake Prespa. These springs feed Lake Ohrid and are considered the source of the Black Drim, which flows out of the lake at Struga and on into Albania. In the afternoon, return to Ohrid and gather this evening for a farewell dinner overlooking the lake, a fitting finale to your time in North Macedonia.Inspiring HighlightsBoat trip to St Naum Monastery and the springs of the Black Drim

After breakfast, depart Ohrid and cross the border from North Macedonia into Albania on your way to Tirana, with the scenery changing as you leave the lake behind.This afternoon, take a walking tour of Tirana, visiting Skanderbeg Square and the Blloku district. Skanderbeg Square, named after Albania's national hero, is the central plaza and heart of the capital. Blloku, once a restricted district reserved for the communist elite and closed to ordinary Albanians until the 1990s, is now one of Tirana's most fashionable neighbourhoods, filled with cafes, bars and restaurants.The evening is at leisure in Tirana.Inspiring HighlightsTirana walking tour: Skanderbeg Square and the Blloku districtSpecial InformationYour travel time today will be approximately 4 hours.Please keep your passport with you today for the border crossing.

Your tour concludes this morning after breakfast. A private transfer takes you to Mother Teresa International Airport for your onward journey. Thank you for travelling with Inspiring Vacations. We hope you had a memorable experience.Special InformationDeparture transfers are included as part of your package. You will be collected from your hotel at the appropriate time and transferred to the airport to meet your flight.If you choose to extend your stay (e.g., departing after the final tour date) and have booked your additional accommodation independently, this included service will be forfeited and no refund will be issued.If Inspiring Vacations has not provided your international airfares, please ensure you provide your flight details via your Traveller Hub portal no later than 90 days prior to travel so that your transfers can be confirmed.