Cultural tour Bulgaria & Romania

Day 1 - Arrival at the Sofia apt. Transfer to the hotel. Welcome dinner in a traditional folklore restaurant. Overnight in Sofia.
Day 2 - Breakfast. Sofia city tour - The "St. Alexander Nevski" Cathedral and the icon museum, the "St. Sofia" church, The Parliament. The "St. George" Rotonda church from early Christianity times, Mediaval City fortress walls, the National Theatre, the Former Royal Palace, The Russian church "St. Nikolay", the Banya Bashi mosque and the "St. Petka church", the President Palace and the change of guards, The Synagogue (third largest in Europe), The Boyana church, a small but precious building from the XI c., with frescoes, listed in the World Cultural Heritage list. Free time. Optional dinner in a folklore restaurant. Overnight in Sofia.
Day 3 - Breakfast. Full day tour to the Rila Monastery – the biggest in Bulgaria (120 km south of Sofia) and the smallest town in the country Melnik, famous for its sandy rocks, old houses and wine producing (110 km south of Rila Monastery). Dinner in the hotel’s restaurant. Overnight in Sofia.
Day 4 - Breakfast. Departure for the small town of Koprivshtica - an architectural and natural masterpiece, where the spirit of the Bulgarian Revival period (15 – 19 c.) is still preserved and vivid (130 km East from Sofia). In the afternoon – departure for Plovdiv (90 km South East). On the way visit of the Thracian tomb at Starosel. Accommodation in Plovdiv. Overnight in Plovdiv.
Day 5 - Breakfast. City tour in the Old town of Plovdiv, visiting the Roman theatre, the old houses and the church of "St. Constantine and Elena" - a romantic experience along the cobblestone narrow streets, the Roman hippodrome, the Djumaia mosque. In the afternoon visit of the Bachkovo Monastery (30 km South) and the Assenova Fortress. Dinner in a "Puldin" restaurant in the Old Town of Plovdiv. Overnight in Plovdiv.
Day 6 - Breakfast. Departure for Veliko Tarnovo (200 km North). On the way visit of the Thracian Tomb in Kazanlak (World Heritage site) in the Rise Valley, the etnographical and architectural reserve of Etara, presenting Bulgarian crafts and traditions. Accommodation in Veliko Tarnovo. Overnight in Veliko Tarnovo.
Day 7 - Breakfast. City tour of Veliko Tarnovo – The Tzarevetz hill, the fortress walls, the Memorial Church, the small churches in the foothill of The Trapezitsa, the Arbanasi village (4 km North), one of the most picturesque and well preserved in architecture and traditions, the Preobrazhensky Monastery. Dinner and Overnight in Veliko Tarnovo.
Day 8 - Breakfast. Departure for Varna (240 km to the East). Departure for Romania along the Black Sea coast. Border checkpoint & change of coaches. From the border Durankulak / Vama Veche (104 km North of Varna), departure to Mamaia (60 km North along the coast), the biggest resort on the Romanian section of the Black Sea coast. Accommodation in hotel Savoy (Best Western) 4* or similar in Mamaia. Optional: Dinner on premises. Overnight.
Day 9 - Breakfast. Departure to Histria and visit to the ruins of the former Greek colony (46 km). Departure for Tulcea (90 km) and further Southwards in the Danube Delta (50 km to South). Accommodation in Tulcea – hotel Delta 3*. Dinner. Optional: boat rides in the delta. Overnight.
Day 10 - Breakfast. Departure for Iasi via Braila (325 km to the North-West). Tour of the centre. Accommodation in Iasi, hotel ASTORIA / TRAIAN 3* (very centrally located). Overnight.
Day 11 - Breakfast. City tour of Iasi (the Monastery of Golia, the Three Hierarchs Church, Copou Park and the Palace of Culture). Departure for Gura Humorului (145 km to the North-West). Visit to Humor and Voronet Monasteries, built by King Stephen the Great. Accommodation in Gura Humorului or Voronet in a 4* hotel. Dinner and overnight.
Day 12 - Breakfast. Departure for Putna Monastery (48 km to the North), where Stephen the Great lies burried. Visit to the other two monasteries built under his rule, i.e. Sucevita and Moldovita (50 km to the South - West), then departure for Sighisoara (360 km to the South); the route goes along the scenic Izvorul Muntelui Lake and Bicaz Gorges. Accommodation in Albesti (3 km from Sighisoara) hotel Europa 3* or Sighisoara – hotel Sighisoara 3*. Optional: dinner in Vlad Dracul House (the house where Vlad the Impaler was born). Overnight.
Day 13 - Breakfast. Visit to the fortress, including the Clock Tower and the Church on the Hill. Departure for Sibiu (90 km to the South-West). Visit to the old city centre, including the central square, the Evangelic Church, the Liars’ Bridge. Departure for Brasov (147 km to the East). Brief visit of central Brasov (the Council Square and the neighbouring area). Departure for Sinaia (50 km to the South, across Predeal Pass). Accommodation in a 4* hotel PALACE 4*. Dinner and overnight.
Day 14 - Breakfast. Visit to Peles and Pelisor Castle, the summer residence of the Romanian kings; visit to Sinaia Monastery, the one around which the resort has developed. Optional: lunch in Taverna Sarbului, a typical Balkanic restaurant. Departure for Bucharest (120 km to the South). Farewell dinner in a traditional restaurant. Accommodation in hotel CONTINENTAL / MAJESTIC 4* (in the center).
Day 15 - Breakfast. Visit to Bucharest’s old center, including the Royal Palace, the oldest avenue (Victoria Avenue), the Old Court, the Village Museum, comprising traditional houses brought here from all over Romania. Optional: lunch. Departure from Bucharest Airport (16 km North of the city).