Grand Tour of Transylvania, Bulgaria & the Balkans
19 days from £1929pp.
Visit: Brasov, Romania
Visit: Mostar, Bosnia And Herzegovina
Visit: Plovdiv, Bulgaria
Visit: Peles Castle, Romania
Visit: Sighisoara, Romania
Visit: Fisherman’s Bastion, Hungary
Your Itinerary
Discover the traditions, culture and folklore of the Balkans, plus the legend of Count Dracula and his home, Bran Castle in Transylvania, on this fascinating Grand Explorer coach holiday. This carefully planned itinerary covers the charming towns and cities of Mostar, Sarajevo, Belgrade and Plovdiv. What’s more, you’ll also have the opportunity to see the best of Sofia in Bulgaria, Sinaia and Bucharest in Romania, and the capital of Hungary, Budapest, on our optional guided sightseeing tours. This holiday is part of our GRAND EXPLORER range.
Day 1
Local departure by coach or Door-to-Door service, then to northern France for an overnight stay.
Day 2
Continue to the northern Italy area for an overnight stay.
- Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 3
To Ancona for the overnight ferry to Split in Croatia.
- Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 4
Mostar
Arrive in Split this morning and head south to Mostar, whose bridge became a symbol of the city during the Croatia-Bosnia conflict in the early 1990s. We continue to Sarajevo, capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina, where we stay overnight.
- Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 5
Sarajevo
Sarajevo
Enjoy an included, guided tour of Sarajevo before we head north into Serbia, to Belgrade for a two-night stay.
- Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 6
Belgrade
Belgrade
Join our included sightseeing tour of Belgrade’s main attractions: the imposing Kalemegdan Fortress, dramatically situated at the confluence of the Sava and Danube Rivers; Republic Square and Saint Sava Temple; and of course, Tito’s Memorial.
- Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 7
Our journey today takes us through Serbia into Bulgaria to Sofia, the capital, where we stay for two nights.
- Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 8
Sofia
Sofia
Join our local guide for our optional sightseeing tour, which will show you the main highlights, such as the Parliament Building, Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Boyana Church and St. Sofia Church.
- Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 9
Plovdiv
Plovdiv
We head east to Plovdiv, which enjoys a pleasant setting on the banks of the Maritsa River. Visit the charming Old Town and the Roman amphitheatre. We continue north through beautiful scenery and across the Stara Planina Mountains, via Gabrovo to Veliko Tarnovo for an overnight stay.
- Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 10
Veliko Tarnovo & Arbanassi
Veliko-Tarnovo
This morning you will have time to explore Veliko Tarnovo, located on the Yantra River. This was Bulgaria's capital during the Middle Ages and retains many of its medieval features. Our journey continues north to Arbanassi, once a favourite summer residence of the Bulgarian kings, and home to the Church of the Nativity, built in 1637. Then we cross the Danube, which forms the border with Romania and travel to Bucharest, for a two-night stay.
- Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 11
Bucharest
Bucharest
The Romanian capital has a long and turbulent history, but in recent years has transformed itself to former glories. Once known as ‘Little Paris’, tranquil parks and gardens sit alongside wide, tree-lined boulevards, which all help to contribute to its beauty. Join our optional city tour to get an insight into the history of this fine capital, seeing city highlights such as Unity Square and the famous Royal and Government Palaces.
- Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 12
Sinaia & Bran Castle
Sinaia Monastery
We leave Bucharest and head to Sinaia in the Prahova Valley, where we include a visit to the Sinaia Monastery and Peles Castle, considered to be one of the most romantic in the world. Then we head to the little village of Bran for a visit to ‘spine-chilling’ Bran Castle, which, according to legend, was once home to Count Dracula. We continue to Brasov in the heart of Transylvania, where we stay for two nights.
- Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 13
Brasov
Brasov
Enjoy a walking orientation tour of Brasov Old Town, including the Black Church. Enjoy time at leisure to explore this pretty medieval town, famed for its town square and Baroque architecture.
- Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 14
Sighisoara
Sighisoara
We visit the pretty medieval town of Sighisoara. Stroll the cobblestone streets to admire the ancient houses and churches. Behind its charming exterior, Sighisoara holds a dark secret – according to legend, it was the birthplace of the notorious Vlad the Impaler (Dracula). Later, continue by way of Tirgu Mures to Cluj Napoca, historic capital of Transylvania, for one night.
- Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 15
We cross into Hungary to Budapest for a two-night stay.
- Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 16
Budapest
St. Stephen’S Basilica
A full day to discover the Hungarian capital at leisure. Our optional sightseeing tour captures many sights including the Royal Palace, Parliament Building and St. Stephen’s Basilica.
- Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 17
Vienna
Vienna
We head into Austria, to Vienna for a short visit, then continue to the Salzburg area for an overnight stay.
- Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 18
Travel north to Belgium and our overnight hotel.
- Included meals: Breakfast
Day 19
Return home.
- Included meals: Breakfast
At a Glance
Tour Includes
- 17 nights hotel with continental breakfast
- 15 evening meals
- Overnight ferry crossings from Ancona to Split in two-berth, en suite cabins with breakfast and evening meal
- Convenient local joining points
- Travel by Silver Service coach
Included Excursions & Visits
- Mostar - See Stari Most bridge
- Sarajevo & Sightseeing - Witness the rebirth of a city
- Belgrade & Sightseeing - See Tito’s Memorial
- Plovdiv - Charming old town and Roman amphitheatre
- Veliko Turnovo & Arbanassi - Former Bulgarian capital
- Sofia - Bulgaria’s fine capital
- Bucharest - Romanian capital
- Sinaia Monastery - Charming scenery
- Bran Castle - Home to Dracula
- Brasov & Sightseeing - Picturesque heart of Transylvania
- Sighisoara - Birthplace of Vlad The Impaler
- Budapest - Grand imperial capital
- Vienna - Stylish architecture
Optional Excursions & Visits
- Guided Sightseeing Tours in Sofia, Sinaia, Bucharest & Budapest - See the best of these great cities
Notes
Single Room Supplement from £349.00 (19 days).
Frequently asked questions about our tours
Accommodation
Throughout the tour, you will stay in minimum 3-star hotels. All hotels will have a restaurant and bar and all bedrooms have en suite facilities and modern amenities.
On your overnight ferry sailing, accommodation will be in two-berth en suite cabins.
Mercure Budapest Buda
- English Speaking Staff
- Bureau de Change
- Bar
- Restaurant
- TV
- Hairdryer
- Bath and/or Shower
- Telephone
Ibis Bucuresti Palatul Parlamentului
- English Speaking Staff
- Guest Lounge
- Bar
- Restaurant
- TV
- Hairdryer
- Bath and/or Shower
- Telephone
Coroana Brasovului
- English Speaking Staff
- TV
- Bath and/or Shower
- Telephone
Ramada Sofia
- Swimming Pool
- English Speaking Staff
- Bureau de Change
- Guest Lounge
- Bar
- Restaurant
- Hairdryer
- Bath and/or Shower
- Telephone
Queen's Astoria Design Hotel
- English Speaking Staff
- Bureau de Change
- Guest Lounge
- Bar
- Restaurant
- TV
- Tea and Coffee Making Facilities
- Hairdryer
- Bath and/or Shower
- Telephone
Frequently asked questions about accommodation
If you prefer, then you can join the tour at the hotel. To do this, we will require a copy of your passport for identification purposes and you must advise us at the time of booking.
No reduction will be given if you should choose to do this.
We are unable to guarantee that the hotel will be able to meet your dietary requirements. We find that the majority of European countries do not generally cater for vegetarians and that the meal supplied may well be what everyone else is having minus the meat.
We will of course endeavour to arrange for a vegetarian meal at the hotel. We do however suggest that you advise us of your dietary requests at the time of booking and recommend that you speak to the receptionist on arrival with regard to your request.
Travel Information
- Travel Options
- Extra Services
Silver Service coach
Find out moreSilver Service
On most of our holidays you can upgrade to Silver Service, luxury coach travel, for comfort and style across Europe.
Relax and have a chat in the spacious rear lounge.
Servery on board offering a range of refreshments.
Enjoy the perfect temperature onboard with climate control.
Stay overnight near Dover
Find out moreWhy not go the night before your holiday for a relaxing start? You can park for FREE for up to nine days at the Holiday Inn Ashford North and enjoy an overnight stay with English breakfast from just £38 per person. This offer is subject to availability and based on two sharing a twin/double room on a B&B basis. We’ll then collect you from the hotel on the day of departure and return you there at the end of your holiday.
To book this package, please call the hotel on 01233 713333, quoting ‘Leger Holidays’ and your booking reference. If your holiday is longer than nine days you can pay for additional days’ parking. Ask one of our friendly reservations team for more details when you book your holiday.
Single supplements and terms and conditions apply.
Our Door-to-Door service
Find out moreOn Single Traveller holidays and coach holidays of 7 days’ duration or more, you don’t even have to think about getting to your local joining point. If you live within 20 miles of one of our free joining points we’ll pick you up from your home and take you to meet your transfer vehicle, then return you back home at the end of your holiday. The cost is just £30 per booking each way for up to four people per booking.
If you live a little further afield, you can also take advantage of this convenient option for an additional charge – please enquire at the time of booking.
Join coach at Interchange
Find out moreOn most holidays if you’d prefer to join your tour coach at Stop 24 services, you can park your car in the car park which is accredited by the Park Mark safer parking scheme and is monitored 24 hours a day by CCTV. Payment for the parking is made on arrival using the self-service machines.
Excludes holidays to Ireland and the U.K. and tours travelling via Brittany Ferries.
Looking for your local joining point? Enter your post code below
*Please note pickups are subject to availability.
Frequently asked questions about travel options
Front row seats can be reserved for £14pp (up to 6 days duration), £22pp (7 & 8 days duration) and £25pp (9 days duration and over) on all European tours. In addition to this seats on the second row can be reserved for £7pp (up to 6 days duration), £14pp (7 & 8 days duration) and £15pp (9 days duration and over). This offer is only available for bookings of two or four persons on the front row and is subject to availability. Guaranteed front/second row seats cannot be reserved on feeder journeys to/from the U.K. port. Children under 15 years cannot occupy a front row seat due to French Law.
Please note: On some coaches the legroom on front seats may be slightly less than that available on other seats due to the presence of a modesty board in front.
If your tour is cancelled for any reason and front/second row seats are not available on your new tour you will be refunded the supplement. No other compensation will be payable.
Alternatively, we can take seating requests on your booking. However, requests are not guaranteed. All seat numbers are confirmed on travel documents approximately 7-10 days prior to departure.
Transfer coaches are routed approximately 2-3 weeks before departure and will depend on where passengers are booked to travel from on any particular date as to which route is taken. If you require further detailed information regarding the route to the port you can contact our Customer Service Department on 01709 830333 two weeks before you are due to travel.
With regard to the route taken by the main tour coach, this is determined by the driver.
OR
Call our reservations team on:
01709 787 463
To book this tour, just give our friendly team a call on 01709 787 463 or book online at www.leger.co.uk