How many travellers will be in my group?

Maximum 12 travellers — that's the cap on every Undiscovered Destinations small-group tour. Small enough to eat in a local family home; large enough to share the wonder with other like-minded travellers.

Yes — there's no compulsory single supplement on our small-group tours. You get your own room at no extra cost. About 60% of UD travellers come solo, so you'll be in good company.

How fit do I need to be?

Fitness requirements vary by itinerary, from gentle to demanding. The day-by-day tour dossier sets out walking distances, terrain and any altitude so you know what to expect. If you have specific concerns, speak to our team before booking — they can talk you through a typical day.

When are the next departures?

The next available departures are 8 September 2026; 27 April 2027; 7 September 2027. See the "Choose your departure" table further up the page for the full schedule and per-departure pricing.

What's included in the tour price?

Included items vary by tour — see the full list above. On this trip, expect: Arrival and departure transfers; Overland transport throughout with professional driver; Travel between Sofia and Bucharest – a choice of flight, standard class rail or road; and more. International flights and travel insurance are not included.

Where exactly does this trip go?

This tour visits Bulgaria and Romania. Each destination has its own page with practical information, climate, and the attractions our specialists recommend — linked from the itinerary above.

Bulgaria25 daysMax 12 travellersSolo-friendly

Best of Bulgaria and Romania

A 25-day journey from Sofia's monasteries through Transylvania's castles, Bucovina's painted churches, and the wildlife-rich Danube Delta

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About this journey

What to expect on this trip

Embark on an odyssey through the treasures of Bulgaria and Romania and discover a corner of Europe which remains largely undiscovered.

Our adventure starts in Bulgaria with a tour of the vibrant capital Sofia before leaving for the south of the country, with its rich cultural heritage and dramatic Pirin mountain scenery. We continue to the central region along the Rhodopes mountains, via picturesque villages and narrow gorges to Trigrad where unspoilt nature dominates. Then we spend time in the wonderful city of Plovdiv and continue to the north in the shadow of the Balkan Mountains with its fascinating mix of historical old towns and archaeological treasures, from the ancient Thracian Tomb in Kazanlak, via the world-famous rose valley and back to the capital.

From Sofia the next leg of our journey will take us to the Romanian capital, Bucharest. You will be offered the convenience of taking a flight or if you prefer why not take the ‘slow travel’ option and over the course of a day travel by train or private vehicle with some interesting stops along the way.

Our tour in Romania goes right to the heart of this captivating country – rather than simply skim over its highlights, we take you not only to important cultural gems such as the medieval towns of Sighisoara and Sibiu in Transylvania but spend time getting to grips with life in the villages, often staying in rural communities as guests of local families, where local culture is at its strongest. We traverse the spectacular Carpathian Mountains, home to bears and wolves, and visit the Danube Delta staying at an isolated settlement deep within its backwaters. Taking in the gorgeous painted monasteries of Bucovina and the Saxon village of Viscri, this trip encompasses the very best that Romania has to offer.

The journey

Best of Bulgaria and Romania

Key moments

What makes this trip special

Drawn from the full tour dossier — the standout days, encounters and views our specialists keep coming back to.

Your route

Rila Monastery and Melnik Wine Cellars
Visit Bulgaria's most iconic monastery in the Rila Mountains, then walk through sandstone formations to Rozhen Monastery and taste wine in historic cellars in Melnik.
Plovdiv Roman Amphitheatre and Old Town
Explore Plovdiv's UNESCO-influenced old town with its 19th-century merchant houses, marble Roman amphitheatre, and 14th-century mosque. Sunset views from Nebet Tepe and a farewell dinner in the heart of the old city
Kazanlak Rose Valley and Thracian Tomb
Walk through the Rose Park and visit the Rose Museum in Kazanlak, centre of Bulgaria's global rose oil industry. Tour the UNESCO Thracian royal tomb and sample rose liqueur and jam at the Ethnographic museum.
Peles Castle and Bran Castle, Transylvania
Stop at Romania's royal Peles Castle in the Prahova Valley before continuing to Brasov. Visit Bran Castle, linked to the Dracula legend, then observe wild European Brown Bears in a forest observatory with National Forestry Administration rangers.
Viscri Saxon Village
Drive to the UNESCO-listed Saxon village of Viscri, stopping at the fortified church of Prejmer. Explore on foot, visit the village's own fortified church, and ride by horse and carriage through the surrounding countryside.
Sighisoara Medieval Citadel
Explore Sighisoara's UNESCO-listed fortified old town, a mass of medieval merchants' houses, and visit the house where Vlad the Impaler was born. Continue to Sibiu, one of Romania's best-preserved medieval cities.

Full itinerary · 25 days

Free — no sign-up

Dates & prices

Choose your departure

Reserve your place with a £350 per-person deposit; the balance is due 70 days before departure. Prefer your own space? A single room is available on every departure.

Departs	Returns	Status	Price pp	Single supp.
8 Sept 2026	2 Oct 2026	Guaranteed	£6,315	+£905	Contact for availability
27 Apr 2027	21 May 2027	Guaranteed	£6,315	+£905	Book now
7 Sept 2027	1 Oct 2027	Guaranteed	£6,315	+£905	Book now

Departure
8 Sept 2026 → 2 Oct 2026
Guaranteed
From
£6,315 pp
Single supp. +£905
Contact for availability
Departure
27 Apr 2027 → 21 May 2027
Guaranteed
From
£6,315 pp
Single supp. +£905
Book now
Departure
7 Sept 2027 → 1 Oct 2027
Guaranteed
From
£6,315 pp
Single supp. +£905
Book now

Can’t find the right fit?

Every one of our Bulgaria journeys can be rebuilt around your dates, pace and interests — or we’ll design something entirely new.

Tailor my trip

What's included

What your tour price covers

Included in the price

Arrival and departure transfers
Overland transport throughout with professional driver
Travel between Sofia and Bucharest – a choice of flight, standard class rail or road
All accommodation
Services of English-speaking guide / tour leader
Meals as listed
Entrance fees for sites listed as part of the itinerary

Budget separately for

International flights (, contact , us, for expert advice and a quote)
Any airport taxes
Travel Insurance
Visa – when required
Drinks
Items of personal nature
Tips (Discretionary)

Before you go

Essential information

Shared across all tours that visit this destination. Read alongside your individual tour dossier for trip-specific details.

Foreign Office travel advice

We constantly monitor official travel advice, including the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) Bulgaria Travel Advice, and will always advise clients of any warnings before departure. At the time of writing, there are no specific warnings against travel to the parts of Bulgaria that we visit on our tours.

Please contact us if you have any specific concerns or would like to understand what measures are in place to ensure your trip remains safe and trouble-free.

Voices from the road

What travellers say about us

Independently verified reviews from travellers who joined Best of Bulgaria and Romania. Rated 4.9 Excellent on AITO by 250+ reviewers.

“Guides and drivers in both Bulgaria and Romania were very knowledgeable, professional, friendly and helpful. Excellent tour, obviously well researched. All the tours we've done with UD have been very good ”

Chris Fleckney

Essence of Bulgaria · UK

“Jason was very helpful and the booking process was quick and easy. UD offers itineraries that many competitors do not. I thoroughly enjoyed both trips I've taken with them. While they may not suit everyone, I have happily recommended the Senegal tour to fellow travellers.”

Bernice Hird

“Excellent customer service, reliable itineraries and ability to solve local issues when they arise”

Gustavo Musto

Uruguay

“I like the small size of groups, the range of destinations and excellent itineraries. This is my third holiday with your company and I have found your itineraries really good.”

Traveller from the UK

“London to Istanbul by train - great trip from concept to execution. Very glad to have participated. Mark was an excellent and empathetic leader. ”

Ken Nathanson

Hong Kong

“Excellent company to book with. Complex tour mostly delivered as per itinerary with professional and pleasant local representatives. ”

Adam Choonara

“Jason was outstanding, patiently answering my many questions about the Senegal trip, particularly regarding accessibility. He was professional, supportive, warm and friendly, giving me the confidence to book. I truly appreciate his exceptional service and support.”

Ramnit Bassi

“Undiscovered Destinations is able to find wonderful support staff and will go to the far corners of the earth.”

Patricia Taylor

“This is my third trip with UD and all have been first rate. ”

Judith Hoyle

“I am very satisfied with every trip that I have doe with you since you match my interests in culture and tribal peoples.”

Eric Ferkins

Want to customise this tour?

Make Best of Bulgaria and Romania your own — adjust the route, dates, pace or who travels, or start from a blank page with a specialist. We'll bring the details of this trip straight into your enquiry.

Customise this tour

More to explore

More tours in Bulgaria

Essence of Bulgaria

As we know it today, Bulgaria is an urbanized, skilled society, where modernity coexists with much that is traditional. Heritage plays a highly visible role in the society, with medieval churches, monasteries and numerous folk festivals being held in rural places. Nevertheless, such traditions provide a contrast with contemporary Bulgaria’s rapid transformation into a modern European society. Embark with us on an itinerary which has been designed to take in as many of Bulgaria’s highlights as possible, while keeping cross-country travel as manageable as possible. Our journey starts with a tour of the vibrant capital Sofia before leaving for Southern Bulgaria, with its rich cultural heritage and dramatic Pirin mountain scenery. We continue to the central region along the Rhodopes mountains, via picturesque villages and narrow gorges to Trigrad where unspoilt nature dominates.

From

£3,095

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