Small Group Discoveries

  • For this exclusive journey to an overlooked corner of Europe, you can begin in Istanbul or Sofia. Explore Bukovina’s marvelous Painted Monasteries and the exotic culture of Istanbul.
  • With our expert guide and no more than 16 guests, you’ll experience more of Istanbul’s rich history and exotic 21st-century vibrancy
  • Tour the Painted Monasteries of Bukovina, widely hailed as one of Europe’s greatest artistic treasures.
  • Delve into Romania’s rich cultural traditions at a glass icon workshop and during a hands-on pastry making class on a private countryside estate.
  • Step into the medieval ages as you explore some of Europe’s best preserved fortified towns, including Veliko Tarnovo, Brasov and Sighisoara.
  • Discover 8 UNESCO World Heritage Sites c

  • Day 1 – Welcome to Istanbul

    Check in to the stylish Innova Sultanhamet Hotel, wonderfully situated in the historic heart of this friendly and exotic city.

  • Day 2 – Historic highlights of Istanbul c

    This morning’s sightseeing includes the Blue Mosque, Roman Hippodrome, the 6th-century Hagia Sophia and the bustling Grand Bazaar.  Meals B

  • Day 3 – More of Istanbul

    Continue your guided touring this morning at the colorful Spice Market and magnificent Topkapi Palace, erstwhile residence of Ottoman Sultans.  Meals B

  • Day 4 – Fly to Sofia, Bulgaria

    Upon arrival, Istanbul guests enjoy early check-in at the 5-star Grand Hotel Sofia. After lunch, visit the 1,000-year-old Boyana Church c. All of our guests will gather this evening for dinner at the enchanting Hadji Draganov Cellars features fine Bulgarian cuisine.  Meals B,L,D

  • Day 5 – Sofia city tour and excursion to Rila Monastery

    Tour Sofia’s highlights including the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral and visit the Rila Monastery c,  distinguished by its 10th-century Ottoman style.  Meals B,L

  • Day 6 – To Plovdiv and Veliko Tarnovo

    Tour the Old Town of Plovdiv and the Rose Museum & Distillery. Admire the Hellenistic frescoes of the Thracian Tomb c, at Kazanlak and drive to the Grand Yantra Hotel. Enjoy a traditional dinner at Hashove Tavern.  Meals B,D

  • Day 7 – Discover Veliko Tarnovo and Arbanassi

    Explore the medieval quarter of Bulgaria’s ancient capital and visit the Nativity Church in Arbanassi, richly decorated with 17th-century frescoes.  Meals B

  • Day 8 – Onward to Brasov, Romania

    Visit the rock-hewn churches of Ivanovo c, and enjoy afternoon tea and a wine tasting in Azuga. Drive to the Casa Wagner Hotel.  Meals B

  • Day 9 – Out and about in Transylvania

    Tour the fairytale town of Brasov, home to the historic Black Church. Enjoy an excursion to historic Sinaia and visit Bran Castle. Meals B

  • Day 10 – Travel to Piatra Neamt

    Visit the Prejmer Fortified Church c, built by Teutonic Knights in the 13th century. Enjoy a pastry making class on a country estate and visit the amazing salt mines of Targu Ocna. Continue on to the comfortable Central Plaza Hotel in Piatra Neamt.  Meals B,L

  • Day 11 – Painted Monasteries of Bukovina

    Your tour of Bukovina’s most important painted monasteries c, includes Moldovita Church and Voronet Monastery. Learn about traditional Romanian crafts like egg painting and return to your hotel.  Meals B

  • Day 12 – Journey to Sibiu

    Journey through the spectacular Bicaz Gorges and tour the fortified town of Sighisoara c, once the wealthiest town in Transylvania. Continue on to the Ramada Hotel in historic Sibiu.  Meals B,L

  • Day 13 – Onward to Bucharest

    Your tour of Sibiu includes the National Brukenthal Museum, housed in a 15th-century palace. Continue to the Hilton Athenee Palace.  Meals B

  • Day 14 – Bucharest sightseeing

    Your city tour includes Parliament Palace and the fascinating Village Museum. Then visit the lovely Mogosoaia Palace & Gardens.  Meals B,D

  • Day 15 – Depart Bucharest

    Meals B

Similar Trips

Check In!

  • Innova Sultanahmet Hotel

    Innova Sultanahmet Istanbul has a sauna and a fitness facility.Complimentary wireless and wired high-speed Internet access is available in public areas and an Internet point is located on site. Rooms feature balconies with city, garden, or water views. The 74 guestrooms at Innova Sultanahmet Istanbul include laptop-compatible safes and minibars. Beds have memory foam mattresses and premium bedding. Pillow menus are available. Complimentary wireless and wired high-speed Internet access is provided. 32-inch LCD televisions are equipped with satellite channels.

  • Grand Hotel Sofia

    Settled in the heart of the city Grand Hotel Sofia is a deluxe hotel that has been the natural home for many international travellers. Its imposing facade of marble, glass and granite hides one of the most luxuriously appointed hotels in Sofia. The hotel is located in the very city centre, overlooking the City garden, on the doorstep of the National Theatre and the City Art Gallery, within walking distance from Bulgaria Concert Hall, the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral and the Vasil Levski National Stadium.

  • Grand Yantra Hotel

    Complete with 70 double rooms and 4 luxury suites, the Yantra Hotel is situated at the center of Veliko Tarnovo. The hotel offers dining facilities, a bar, massage, satellite TV, sports facilities, an indoor swimming pool and a jacuzzi.

  • Central Plaza Hotel

    This Piatra Neamt hotel offers a restaurant and a bar/lounge. Complimentary wireless Internet access is available in public areas and an Internet point is located on site. This hotel features business amenities including a 24-hour business center, small meeting rooms, and audio-visual equipment. The staff can arrange tour/ticket assistance, wedding services, and event catering.

  • Ramada Hotel

    Relax and refresh in style at the Ramada Sibiu hotel. Conveniently located minutes from downtown, this hotel near the Brukenthal National Museum puts one of the cultural centers of Europe at your fingertips. Each morning, start your day with a free breakfast buffet or stay active with a workout in our fitness center. Rejuvenate your senses in our sauna and lounge in one of the spacious suites.

  • Hilton Athenee Palace

    Set in the heart of the city, the historic Athenee Palace is ideally situated within minutes of the Royal Palace, shops, and attractions of downtown Bucharest. Meals can be enjoyed at any of 5 restaurants, or in the comfort of one’s room via 24-hour room service. For guests wishing to relax on hotel premises, a pool, fitness center, beauty salon, casino, newsstand, convenience store, gift shop, and recreation desk are all available. Every one of the 272 spacious rooms offers a balcony with views of Victoria Avenue, Revolution Square, or the hotel’s courtyard garden, as well as amenities such as wireless internet access, AC, premium cable TV, video games, mini-bar, safe, hairdryer, and marble bathroom.

Our Small Group Sampler Value

  • Extensive escorted sightseeing including all entry fees
  • 21 meals: 14 breakfasts, 4 lunches and 3 dinners
  • 14 nights in our handpicked first class and deluxe hotels
  • All on-tour transportation including the flight from Istanbul to Sofia, luggage handling, and all hotel taxes & service charges
  • GeneralAssist, our toll-free 24/7 emergency on-tour assistance

Trip Pricing

  • Year of Travel

  • Traveling as a single?

Arrive Istanbul - Per Person Double

Dates   Standard Accommodations
Departure Return   Regular Deal
5/27/2013 6/10/2013 $4599 $4299
Sold Out
7/8/2013
Guaranteed
 7/22/2013 $4599 $4299
 
8/5/2013 8/19/2013 $4599 $4299
Sold Out
9/16/2013
Guaranteed
 9/30/2013 $4599 $4299
 

Select all Deals that apply for best available price.

  • Save $600 or more per couple ($300 per person) on any of our 2013 Small Group, Private Tours or Small Ship journeys when you pay-in-full at time of booking by August 30, 2013.

    Act today to lock-in our remarkable prices and get set for one of the most amazing trips you’ll ever have… Extraordinary Travel with Never More than 16 Guests. Guaranteed.
  • Travel is one life's most rewarding experiences, perhaps even more so when it's shared with those you love! Combine our limited-time pay-in-full discount with our Family & Friends offers and save even more:
    • Save $50 more per person when 3 guests go
    • Save $100 more per person with 4 people
    • Save $150 more per person with 5 people
    • Save $200 more per person with 6 or more people!
     For Groups of 10 or more please call 800.221.2216

Prices are per person, land only. We offer air on Lufthansa. Add extra nights.

FreeStyle Travel Add-Ons

  • Vienna

    4 Day FreeStyle Travel

    Our 4-day FreeStyle Touring with a choice of fine city-center hotels, breakfast daily, in-depth private car seeing with our own resident staff, and chauffeured airport transfers

  • Prague

    4 Day FreeSTyle Travel

    Our 4-day FreeStyle Travel package with a choice of fine hotels, daily breakfast, chauffeured airport transfers, and in-depth private car sightseeing with our experienced resident guide at your side.

  • Kiev

    4 Day FreeStyle Travel

    Our 4-day FreeStyle Travel package with a choice of fine city-center hotels, breakfast daily, chauffeured airport transfers, and in-depth sightseeing with your own personal car, driver and guide

Trip Reviews

Average Traveler Rating:  Review This Trip »

(3 Traveler Reviews)

  • Daniel from NA gives this tour 

    Our guide, Silviu was fantastic. Spoke excellent English, cut through red tape and was always available to go to banks for currency exchange. Dealt professionally with hotels and restaurants. Extremely knowledgeable of the history and background of both nations. He is a keeper! Read More »

  • Milagros from ON gives this tour 

    Hilton accommodations were excellent, Siebel in was quaint - would have been a worthwhile stay if we had a little time to wander around the surroundings - there was a museum there, but we left after breakfast! we were supposed to "enjoy the hospitality of a village family" - our meals were laid out, but not much interaction with the people. Our tour guide was very knowledgeable, but sometimes it was information overload - i understand its hard to balance that among multiple... Read More »

  • Deirdre from AR gives this tour 

    overall a good program Read More »

2013 Savings
 Save $600 per couple

Save on all 2013 Small Group, Private Tours & Small Ship Journeys when you when you book and pay in full by August 30.

   

Combine our limited-time pay-in-full discount with our Family & Friends offer and save more!
Learn more

Travel Insurance  

Travel is an investment. Our valuable Travel Protection Plan, including "Cancel For Any Reason" Benefits, is available to help you protect it!  Learn more now

Concierge Service  

Our Concierge, Melanie Delworth, is always available to assist our valued guests - and prospective guests too! Find out why travelers rave about her attentive, personalized service. 

Just dial 1-800-678-7942 and
press 2 at the menu prompt.

Available as a Private Tour - Travel Any Day

As a private tour just for your traveling party, you may begin any day of the year. From $4,599 per person. Please call for complete details.