Compare Budapest to Istanbul by G Adventures vs 14 Day Majestic Balkans by Gate 1 Travel
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Trip |
5 | Excellent
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3.5 | Average
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Duration | 13 days | 14 days |
Price From | $ 1,999 | $ 3,699 |
Price Per Day | $ 176 | $ 264 |
Highlights |
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Trip Style | Small group tour | Small group tour |
Lodging Level | Standard | Standard |
Physical Level |
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Travel Themes |
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Countries Visited | ||
Cities and Attractions |
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Flights & Transport | Ground transport included | Ground transport included |
Activities |
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N/A |
Meals Included | 11 breakfasts, 1 dinner | N/A |
Description |
From pastoral countryside to forbidding forests and fairytale villages, this tour from Budapest to Istanbul is definitely the road less travelled, but absolutely a worthy adventure to take. Over 13 days, you’ll explore the weathered architecture of Budapest, grand Ottoman palaces, “Dracula’s Castle” in Transylvania, and much more. With an intriguing combination of cultural colour and exploration, you'll come away with a real feel for this lesser-explored corner of Europe. |
3 Bucharest, 1 Plovdiv, 2 Sofia, 2 Skopje, 2 Ohrid, 2 Tirana |
Day 1 Budapest
Arrive at any time.
There are no planned activities until an evening welcome meeting. We recommend booking pre-accommodation to fully explore this breathtaking city.
Day 2 Budapest to Balla Géza Winery
Enjoy a morning free to explore Budapest to get a feel for this charming city. After check out we visit a G Adventures-supported social enterprise café and enjoy a drink and optionally order a bite to eat before we leave Budapest to travel to the Balla Géza Winery for a wine tasting and traditional Romanian dinner. Tonight’s accommodation will be at the winery’s guesthouse on the property.
Day 3 Balla Géza Winery to Sighișoara
Enjoy breakfast at the Balla Géza Winery before traveling to the enchanting town of Sighișoara. Use your free time here to explore the cobblestone streets and medieval architecture.
Explore the medieval walled citadel with its cultural attractions and great restaurants and bars. Sample some Romanian cuisine—the Casa Dracula (original home of Vlad, the model for Count Dracula) is now a restaurant specializing in hearty meat and game dishes of the region.
Day 4 Sighișoara/Braşov
With a local guide, venture into the Romanian countryside to visit traditional villages. Get a true sense of life in this less-visited region. Visit charming Brasov.
Enjoy a half-day guided tour of Sighisoara and nearby countryside. Take in the beautiful rolling scenery and visit medieval villages and fortified churches. In the early evening, transfer to the city of Brasov, the best preserved medieval city in Romania.
Day 5 Braşov
Visit the picturesque Bran Castle and learn the history (and rumours) of this fascinating place.
Impressively situated on a rock outcrop and dominating the valley, this 14th century castle is steeped in history and folklore. Soak in the gorgeous countryside as you learn about the creepier side of Romania.
Day 6 Braşov/Bucharest
Travel to Bucharest and enjoy an orientation walk. Take time to explore the Soviet-esque architecture, the beautiful cathedral, or indulge in Bucharest's international cuisine.
Day 7 Bucharest/Veliko Tarnovo
Enjoy some free time to explore more of Bucharest in the morning before travelling to Bulgaria and one of the oldest cities in the world, Veliko Tarnovo. Wander the medieval town, visit the museums, or sample your first taste of Bulgarian cuisine.
Enjoy this charming town and opt to visit the Tsarevets Fortress just outside the city.
Day 8 Veliko Tarnovo
Enjoy the morning in the medieval town of Veliko Tarnovo. In the afternoon, visit the hilltop village of Arbanasi. Soak in the views over Veliko Tarnovo.
Day 9 Veliko Tarnovo/Sofia
Travel to Sofia and take an orientation walk of the capital city. Later, wander down the pedestrian street or visit the eclectic Ladies' Market.
A mix of western grandeur and Soviet bulk, Sofia boasts a gold-domed church and delicious international dining. Sample modern takes on Bulgarian and international food, with some great trendy dining opportunities.
Day 10 Sofia/Plovdiv
Travel to Plovdiv, Bulgaria's second-largest city. Visit the hilly old town, museums, or the Theatre of Ancient Philippopolis, one of the many Roman ruins found here.
Opt to relax over coffee and a Bulgarian baklava, a specialty of the area.
Day 11 Plovdiv/Istanbul
Spend time in the morning exploring more of Plovdiv before boarding an afternoon bus to Istanbul.
Day 12 Istanbul
Enjoy a city tour with a local Turkish guide. Opt to visit the Blue Mosque, the Grand Bazaar, the Hagia Sophia (or Aya Sofya), and the Topkapı Palace.
After getting the lay of the land with a local guide, spend some free time visiting all you can in this eclectic city straddling two continents. In the evening, there are plenty of cool little bars and restaurants to celebrate the end of an amazing journey over a raki or two.
Day 13 Istanbul
Depart at any time.
We highly recommend you book post-accommodation to fully enjoy this vibrant city. Your tour might be finished, but the adventure’s far from over. Pre-book the following activity to experience after your tour ends: Istanbul Walking Tour and Bosphorus Cruise. If you do, we recommend booking accommodation for an extra night in Istanbul. And don’t worry if you can’t decide now. This activity is available for pre-booking any time before your tour starts, or it can be booked upon arrival in Istanbul.
DAY 1, Friday - Depart for Romania
DAY 2, Saturday - Arrive in Bucharest
DAY 3, Sunday - Prahova Valley, Sinaia Monastery, Peles Castle
DAY 4, Monday - Discover Bucharest, Palace of Parliament, Patriarchal Cathedral, Special Dinner & Guest Lecturer
DAY 5, Tuesday - Veliko Tarnovo, Tsarevets Hill, Arbanassi, Choir Concert, Plovdiv (Bulgaria)
DAY 6, Wednesday - Plovdiv's Old Town, Sofia
DAY 7, Thursday - National History Museum, Alexander Nevsky Church
DAY 8, Friday - Rila Monastery & Museum, Skopje (Republic of North Macedonia)
DAY 9, Saturday - Discover Skopje's Old Town
DAY 10, Sunday - Ancient Stobi, Wine Tasting & Vineyard Lunch, Lakeside Ohrid
DAY 11, Monday - St Naum Monastery, Boat Cruise on Ohrid Lake
DAY 12, Tuesday - Elbasan, Tirana (Albania), Skanderbeg Square, Mosque of Et'hem Bey
DAY 13, Wednesday - Kruje's Skanderbeg Museum, Ottoman Style Bazaar
DAY 14, Thursday - Depart Albania |