'Tour of Romania, Bulgaria, and Castles'
IZMIR - EDIRNE - BURGAS - NESSEBAR - VARNA - RUSCHUK
1st NIGHT DEPARTURE: We will begin our journey with a tour of Bulgaria-Romania by picking up our esteemed guests from the designated departure points. Departure Times: are between 16.00 – 18.00, depending on the chosen departure point. Your exact departure time will be sent to you via SMS (short message) 1 day before your tour. Our journey continues towards Çanakkale with necessary breaks, via Ayvalık and Edremit. After crossing from Çanakkale to Eceabat by ferry, we continue our night journey and arrive in the Edirne region early in the morning.
After completing passport and customs procedures at the Dereköy Border Gate, we enter Bulgaria. After a short journey, we reach Burgas and start our panoramic city tour. After an extra breakfast break, we begin our Nessebar Tour. We visit the historic peninsula Nessebar, which is connected to the mainland by a narrow isthmus and is on the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage List. Accompanied by our guide's narration, we see historical churches from the Byzantine period, Bulgarian Renaissance houses built in the 18th and 19th centuries, charming streets, and seaside views. After our Nessebar tour, we continue towards Varna, known as the pearl of the Black Sea. After our arrival, we will conduct a panoramic city tour, including sites such as the Roman Baths, Archaeological Complex, Basilica, and Varna Cathedral. After the tour, we provide our guests with free time in Varna's famous promenade with its restaurants, cafes, and beachfront. After reuniting at the designated time, we head towards Ruschuk, one of the most important naval centers of the Ottoman Empire. After a panoramic tour of this historic city on the banks of the Danube River, we check in to our hotel for accommodation.
Accommodation: In our hotel in Ruschuk.
RUSE-BUCHAREST
After having our breakfast at the hotel, we set off towards Romania's capital, Bucharest. First, we reach the Bulgaria-Romania border crossing and complete our passport/customs procedures. After crossing the border, we pass over the famous Friendship Bridge, which connects the cities of Ruse and Giurgiu and was opened in 1954. During this journey, accompanied by the impressive views of the Danube River, our guide will provide information about the region's history. This bridge, strategically important for the Balkans, still maintains its role as a significant crossing point between Southern and Northern Europe today. After a short journey, we arrive at the center of Bucharest and begin our panoramic city tour. During our tour, the main structures to be seen from the outside include: Republic Square, the Great Library, the Arch of Triumph, Bucharest University, the National Theatre, the Royal Palace, the Kretzulescu Church, the Stavropoleos Church, and we take a photo break in front of the Romanian Palace of Parliament, which is the second largest administrative building in the world after the Pentagon, built during the Ceaușescu era. Afterwards, we visit the Dimitrie Gusti Village Museum, which beautifully reflects Romanian culture, traditional village life, and ethnographic heritage. This open-air museum offers the opportunity to get to know Romania's authentic rural architecture up close. After the free time we will have in the center of Bucharest, our guests can shop as they wish or continue to explore the pleasant atmosphere of the city. We regroup at the designated time and settle into our hotel. Guests who wish to join can meet in the lobby and participate in the extra Romanian Night. (40-50€ approximately)
Accommodation: At our hotel in Bucharest.
SINAIA-BRAN-DRACULA CASTLE-BRAȘOV-BUCHAREST
After having our breakfast at the hotel, we head towards the Transylvania region, one of the most interesting areas of Bucharest, also known as "Erdel," located at the foothills of the Carpathian Mountains. We start a pleasant day in this mystical geography, which has been the subject of films, novels, and legends. Following the route through Ploiești, we begin our full-day tour on the route of Sinaia – Bran – Dracula Castle – Brașov. Our first stop is Peleș Castle, which served as the summer residence of the Romanian royal family and stands out with its neo-classical architecture. During our visit with our guide, we get to know this magnificent building with 160 rooms, which carries the traces of different cultures such as Italian and English Renaissance, German Baroque and Rococo, as well as Moroccan and Turkish art motifs. Our next stop is Dracula Castle, which has inspired legends worldwide. We explore the castle's mysterious past through our guide's narratives, with its historical texture, towers, and narrow corridors attracting our attention. After the visit, we provide a brief free time. After the free time, we head to Brașov, one of the most visited cities in Romania, known for its magnificent nature, architecture, and hospitable people. The main structures we will see during our panoramic tour include: Black Church: the symbol of the city with its Gothic architecture and impressive façade, Casa Sfatului (Council Building), Trompet Tower. Then, we give our guests free time at Piata Sfatului Square, which is known for its resemblance to the German Market (Marktplatz). It also has an important place in history as the area where women accused of witchcraft were tried and executed during the Middle Ages. At the end of the day, we gather at the time set by our guide and return to our hotel in Bucharest.
Accommodation: at our hotel in Bucharest.
BUCHAREST-VELIKO TARNOVO-SOFIA After our breakfast, we check out of our rooms and start our journey back to Bulgaria. After completing our border crossing procedures, we continue our program via the route to Veliko Tarnovo. We arrive in Veliko Tarnovo, one of Bulgaria's most impressive cities, situated on hills around the Yantra River, and formerly the capital. During our panoramic tour, we explore the city’s historical texture and architectural richness. Notable sights include the National Museum (outside), the Museum of the Forty Martyrs (outside), and Tsarevets Fortress (a historic complex with a height of 206 m, including a fortress and churches). Accompanied by our guide's explanations, we take a walk inside the fortress and visit this significant landmark in Balkan history. Afterward, we proceed to the famous Samovodska Charshia, where in the past, the villagers of Samovodska sold fruits, vegetables, butter, and handicraft products in the city's streets. Here, we provide our guests with free time to explore the streets lined with historic inns, traditional handicraft workshops, blacksmiths, and souvenir shops. After the free time, we gather at a point determined by our guide and continue our journey back to Turkey. Upon arriving at Kapıkule Border Gate, we complete our passport and customs procedures and enter our country. After a dinner break at a suitable rest area, we continue our journey towards İzmir. We arrive in İzmir late at night and drop off our valued guests at the locations where they were picked up. We say goodbye, wishing to see you again on our next tour.