14-Day Balkan Discovery Tour – Romania, Bulgaria, North Macedonia & Albania

DAY 1 | Monday – Depart for Romania

Begin your Balkan adventure with a flight to Romania, a land of medieval castles, scenic mountains, and vibrant cities.

DAY 2 | Tuesday – Arrive in Bucharest

Arrive in Bucharest, Romania’s dynamic capital. Transfer to your hotel and enjoy leisure time. Meet your Tour Manager for an orientation session followed by welcome dinner.

Overnight: Bucharest | Meals: Dinner

DAY 3 | Wednesday – Prahova Valley, Sinaia Monastery & Peles Castle

Travel through the stunning Prahova Valley to Sinaia:

• Explore Sinaia Monastery, a 17th-century treasure with frescoes and religious artifacts

• Visit Peles Castle, a German Neo-Renaissance masterpiece and former royal summer residence

Return to Bucharest for dinner and overnight stay.

Overnight: Bucharest | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 4 | Thursday – Discover Bucharest

Tour highlights include:

• Arch of Triumph and Calea Victoriei, Bucharest’s historic avenue

• National Museum George Enescu in the elegant Cantacuzino Palace

• Palace of Parliament, the world’s second-largest building with over 3,000 rooms

• Village Museum, an open-air showcase of traditional Romanian village life

Tonight, enjoy a special dinner with a guest lecturer on Romania’s fascinating history.

Overnight: Bucharest | Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 5 | Friday – Veliko Tarnovo & Arbanassi (Bulgaria)

Cross into Bulgaria and explore Veliko Tarnovo, the “City of the Tsars”:

• Walk along Tsarevets Hill and admire medieval architecture

• Visit Arbanassi Village, including the Church of Holy Archangels Michael & Gabriel with frescoes

• Enjoy traditional Bulgarian lunch and a choir performance

• Arrive in Plovdiv for dinner and overnight

Overnight: Plovdiv | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 6 | Saturday – Plovdiv Old Town & Travel to Sofia

Discover Plovdiv’s Old Town, with cobbled streets, art galleries, and Bohemian cafés.

• Explore the Roman Amphitheater of Philippopolis (or Ethnographic Museum if closed)

• Continue to Sofia, Bulgaria’s lively capital, for dinner and overnight stay

Overnight: Sofia | Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 7 | Sunday – Sofia Highlights

Morning tour of Sofia:

• National History Museum – 8,000 years of Bulgarian heritage

• Alexander Nevsky Cathedral – golden-domed Eastern Orthodox marvel

• St. Sofia Church, Roman Rotunda of St. George, and St. Joseph’s Cathedral

Afternoon at leisure to explore cafes or stroll the streets. Dinner at a local restaurant.

Overnight: Sofia | Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 8 | Monday – Rila Monastery & Skopje (North Macedonia)

Ascend to Rila Monastery, UNESCO-listed and a cultural beacon of Bulgaria.

• Tour the church and museum, admire frescoes by famous Bulgarian artists

• Continue to Skopje, North Macedonia’s capital, perched beneath a historic fortress

• Dinner at a local restaurant

Overnight: Skopje | Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 9 | Tuesday – Skopje Old Town

Explore Skopje’s eclectic Old Town:

• Holocaust Museum, Macedonia Square, Porta Macedonia

• 15th-century Stone Bridge and 6th-century Byzantine Fortress

• Visit the House of Mother Teresa

• Optional shopping at the Old Turkish Bazaar
  Afternoon at leisure

Overnight: Skopje | Meals: Breakfast

DAY 10 | Wednesday – Ancient Stobi, Wine Tasting & Ohrid

Tour Ancient Stobi, an archaeological gem with mosaics and palace ruins.

• Wine tasting at a local vineyard with traditional Macedonian appetizers

• Travel to Ohrid, a UNESCO-listed lakeside town, and enjoy leisure time by the crystal-clear waters

• Dinner at a local restaurant

Overnight: Ohrid | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 11 | Thursday – Bay of Bones & Ohrid Lake Cruise

• Visit Bay of Bones, an ancient pile-dwelling settlement

• Tour St. Naum Monastery and the UNESCO Old Town of Ohrid

• Afternoon boat cruise on Lake Ohrid

• Home-hosted dinner at a local winery with Macedonian specialties

Overnight: Ohrid | Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 12 | Friday – Elbasan & Tirana (Albania)

Cross into Albania:

• Stop in Elbasan, central Albania

• Arrive in Tirana and visit Skanderbeg Square, Tirana Castle, Et’hem Bey Mosque, and Bunk’Art 2 Museum

• Dinner at a local restaurant

Overnight: Tirana | Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 13 | Saturday – Kruje & Albanian Folklore

Explore Kruje, Skanderbeg’s hometown:

• Skanderbeg Museum and Ottoman-style bazaar for souvenir shopping

• Witness traditional loom weaving of kilims (rugs)

• Lunch with lively folklore show featuring music and dancing

• Afternoon at leisure, then farewell dinner in Tirana

Overnight: Tirana | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 14 | Sunday – Depart Albania

Transfer to the airport for your departure flight, concluding your immersive Balkan journey.

Meals: Breakfast

Tour Highlights

• Explore Bucharest, Veliko Tarnovo, Plovdiv, Sofia, Skopje, Ohrid, and Tirana

• Visit Rila Monastery, Peles Castle, and Tsarevets Fortress

• Discover Ancient Stobi, Bay of Bones, and UNESCO Old Towns

• Hands-on cooking & wine experiences, and folklore performances

• Immerse in history, culture, and breathtaking landscapes across 4 countries

Package Includes

• Round-trip international flights (New York–Bucharest / Tirana–New York)

• 13 nights First-Class accommodations across Romania, Bulgaria, North Macedonia, and Albania

• 33 meals: 14 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 12 dinners

• English-speaking tour manager and local guides

• All sightseeing, entrance fees, and air-conditioned transport

• Small group size for personalized cultural experiences

Not Included

• Gratuities (unless specified)

• Optional excursions