Eastern Europe Express: Bucharest to Istanbul via Bulgaria – 10 Days
Bulgaria’s old capital, Rose Valley, Rila Monastery and Plovdiv between Bucharest and Istanbul.
Tour overview
This 10-day small-group trip crosses Bulgaria from the Danube to the Turkish border, linking Bucharest and Istanbul with some of the Balkans’ finest towns, monasteries and mountains. A local leader travels with the group, which numbers no more than twelve. You stay nine nights in hotels, with breakfast on most days.
From Bucharest you cross the Friendship Bridge into Bulgaria to Veliko Tarnovo, the old capital, where you explore the hilltop Tsarevets Fortress and join a local cheese and wine workshop. On the way to Sofia you visit the Kazanlak Valley, the Valley of the Roses, with its Thracian tombs, a family rose distillery and an ethnographic village. Sofia, with its golden-domed cathedral and Roman ruins, has a free day to explore.
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In the Rila Mountains you visit Rila Monastery, the largest and holiest in Bulgaria, and the next day hike to Okoto Lake in the Pirin Mountains, weather permitting. A ride on the Rhodope narrow-gauge railway brings you to Plovdiv, one of Europe’s oldest cities, where a local guide shows you its Roman theatre and old town before you travel on to Istanbul.
The physical rating is low. This trip suits travellers who want to see the best of Bulgaria on the way between two great cities.
Trip highlights
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Tsarevets Fortress (Day 3)
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A cheese and wine workshop (Day 3)
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The Valley of the Roses (Day 4)
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Rila Monastery (Day 6)
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A Pirin Mountains hike (Day 7)
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Plovdiv’s Roman theatre (Day 8)
Your route
8 stops from Bucharest to Istanbul
- Bucharest Day 1
- Veliko Tarnovo Days 2–3
- Valley of Roses Day 4
- Sofia Days 4–5
- Rila Monastery Day 6
- Bansko Day 6
- Plovdiv Days 7–8
- Istanbul Days 9–10
Why choose this tour
Bulgaria’s highlights between Bucharest and Istanbul. A small group of no more than twelve.
Best suited to
- Travellers on a budget
- History and culture lovers
- Solo travellers and couples
- Travellers combining cities
Day-by-day itinerary
10 days from Bucharest, Romania to Istanbul, Turkey
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Day 1 · Bucharest Bucharest
A 6pm welcome meeting.
- Hotel
- Hotel
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Day 2 · Friendship Bridge, Veliko Tarnovo Veliko Tarnovo
Into Bulgaria.
- Hotel
- Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 3 · Tsarevets Fortress Veliko Tarnovo
A fortress and a wine workshop.
- Hotel
- Hotel
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Day 4 · Kazanlak Valley, Sofia Sofia
The Valley of the Roses.
- Hotel
- Hotel
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Day 5 · Sofia Sofia
A free day.
- Hotel
- Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 6 · Rila Monastery, Bansko Bansko
Bulgaria’s holiest monastery.
- Hotel
- Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 7 · Pirin Mountains, Rhodope Railway, Plovdiv Plovdiv
A hike and a narrow-gauge train.
- Hotel
- Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 8 · Plovdiv Plovdiv
A Roman theatre.
- Hotel
- Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 9 · Istanbul Istanbul
From Europe to the Bosphorus.
- Hotel
- Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 10 · Istanbul Istanbul
The trip ends.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Where you stay
- Bucharest (1 night) Hotel
- Veliko Tarnovo (2 nights) Hotel
- Sofia (2 nights) Hotel
- Bansko (1 night) Hotel
- Plovdiv (2 nights) Hotel
- Istanbul (1 night) Hotel
Hotel names are indicative and may be replaced with a property of similar standard and location.
What's included
Included
- Accommodation 9 nights in hotels
- Meals 7 breakfasts
- Transport throughout
- Tsarevets Fortress and a cheese and wine workshop
- Kazanlak Thracian tombs and rose distillery
- Rila Monastery, Pirin hike and the Rhodope railway
- Local leader throughout
Not included
- Flights
- Meals not included 2 breakfasts, 8 lunches and 9 dinners
- Optional activities
- Travel insurance and personal spending
This trip might not be for you if…
Honest disclaimer — please read
- You want luxury hotels
- You want most meals included
- You want a beach holiday
- You want flights included — they are not
Good to know
In pictures
Departures & prices
From £1,138 per person, twin share, tour only. 62 upcoming departures.
Frequently asked questions
How do I book this tour?
Tap any "Enquire" button on the page and one of our travel specialists will be in touch within 24 hours (often same day). We'll confirm availability on your preferred date, run through anything you need to know, and only ask for the deposit once you've decided.
What financial protection do I get?
Every Travelisto booking is 100% financially protected. Your money is held in a ring-fenced Trust account until you return from your trip, and we are members of the Protected Trust Services scheme (PTS 6035). Most tours also include ATOL protection where flights are part of the package.
Where does the trip start and end?
It starts in Bucharest and ends in Istanbul.
How hard is the Pirin hike?
A moderate walk to Okoto Lake, weather permitting.
Do I need a visa?
UK citizens don’t need a visa for Romania or Bulgaria. Turkey is visa-free for UK tourists.
Is there free time?
Yes, a full free day in Sofia.
Can I have my own room?
A single supplement is available on request.
How many people travel together?
No more than twelve travellers, with a local leader.
Can you tailor the trip?
Yes — every escorted tour can be modified into a private tailor-made version with your own dates, adjusted pace, upgraded hotels and add-on extensions. Tell us what you'd like changed when you enquire and we'll quote it both ways so you can compare.
What if my flight is delayed or cancelled?
If your international flight is part of your booking through us, we re-book at no cost. If you've booked flights separately, the tour's local team holds your transfer slot until you arrive. We strongly recommend a comprehensive travel insurance policy that includes delay and cancellation cover.
Not quite the right fit? Make it tailor-made.
If this group tour doesn't match your ideal trip, our specialists will turn it into a private tailor-made journey — your own dates, your own pace, upgraded hotels where you want them, and the parts you don't love swapped out. Same destinations, just rebuilt around you.
Contact us for a tailor-made version of this itinerary