Eastern Europe Explorer: from Budapest to Istanbul
Travel across romantic Eastern Europe from Hungary to Turkey. From the haunted castles of Transylvania, across the stunning Carpathian Mountains to Bulgaria and beyond, be enchanted by medieval monasteries, old-world towns and warm hospitality.
£1700 (Maximum group size 14)
Greentraveller's Top Tip: Minimize the environmental impact of your holiday by adding scenic rail journeys to reach the meeting/end points of this wonderful Eastern European overland adventure. From London St Pancras, relax on the train to Budapest whilst gazing out at the pictureque landscapes of France and Germany. To return home, the rail journey from Istanbul via Bucharest, Munich and Paris allows time to enjoy more breathtaking views of Western European countryside.
>> For full details, see: Train from London to Budapest and Train from Istanbul to London
Details of Eastern Europe Explorer
A region little-travelled, this wonderfully varied itinerary samples local wine in beautiful Eger, experiences traditional peasant life in a Maramures village, explores Dracula's Castle, checks out Bulgarian nightlife in Sofia, explores Byzantine ruins in Plovdiv and admires Istanbul's majestic skyline.
Summary Itinerary
Day 1 Budapest: Be greeted by elegant palaces and a vibrant nightlife.
Day 2 Eger: Explore the 13th century Eger Castle or sample some excellent local wines in this beautifully preserved Baroque town.
Days 3-4 Maramures: Enjoy the colourful buildings in Debrecen's Deri Square before travelling to Maramures, a region of tradition, customs, rich folklore and ancient superstitions. It's World Heritage wooden churches and striking landscapes are Romania's heart and soul.
Day 5 Sighisoara: Be spooked by the blood-curdling myths that surround the land of Transylvania. Sighisoara itself is a medieval masterpiece and one of Romania's gems.
Day 6 Viscri: Enjoy a home-cooked dinner and homestay with a local family in this Saxon/Roman Transylvanian village.
Days 7-8 Sibiu: Walk through the impressive main square and up 192 steps for a fantastic view over the red-tiled rooftops.
Day 9 Brasov: Flanked by mountains and city walls, this medieval town boasts a bevy of ornate buildings including the Biserica Neagra, or Black Church.
Days 10-11 Sinaia: Look out from the turrets of Dracula’s Castle or imagine life inside a fortress at Rasnov.
Day 12 Bucharest: Check out the Centru Civic, an embodiment of Communist state power, or visit one of Europe’s largest squares.
Days 13-14 Veliko Tarnovo: Cross the friendship bridge to Bulgaria to a town founded 4,500 years ago!
Day 15 Sofia: Walk along tree-lined boulevards and see the gold-domed Aleksander Nevski Church.
Day 16 Gorno Draglishte: Journey into the Rila Mountains and join a family as guests for the night.
Days 17-18 Bansko: Unwind in charming historic stone taverns, known as mehanes, and indulge in the delicious local cuisine.
Days 19-20 Plovdiv: Wander among Byzantine ruins and see the ancient Roman amphitheatre.
Days 21-22 Istanbul: Whether happily lost in the Grand Bazaar or in the awesome Aya Sofya, Istanbul promises adventure
What price includes
- Trip accompanied by a group leader
- Travel by train, bus and by foot
- Simple hotels and pensions (18 nights)
- Traditional Romanian homestay (1 night)
- Bulgarian village stay (1 night)
- Carbon emissions offset: 717 kgs per person
Location
Plan your journey by train
Meeting point:
Budapest
Budapest Nyugati (Western)
Transfer to meeting point:
Guests make their own way to meeting point
How to get there:
Train from London to Budapest (via Vienna)
Plan your journey by train
Finish point:
We are currently contracting a great new hotel in Istanbul. Please visit full itinerary for latest details.
Istanbul Sirkeci
Transfer to finish point:
Guests make their own way to station
How to get back:
Train from Istanbul to London
