Tour overview

This 13-day tour of four Balkan countries is designed for solo travellers, with return flights from London, a tour director, a group of fifteen to twenty-seven and your own room in 4-star hotels at no extra cost. Breakfast is included daily, with several lunches and dinners.

From Bucharest you head into Bulgaria for medieval Veliko Tarnovo and Sofia, with a folklore dinner show and a visit to Rila Monastery. In North Macedonia you tour Skopje, then continue to Belgrade, Serbia's capital, and pretty Novi Sad.

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Back in Romania you explore Timișoara, the Gothic Corvin Castle and Sibiu, then visit the Libearty Bear Sanctuary, Bran Castle and the fairytale Peleș Castle from your base in Brașov.

The physical rating is low. This tour suits solo travellers who want a wide sweep of the Balkans with everything arranged.

Trip highlights

  • Veliko Tarnovo (Day 3)
  • A folklore dinner show in Sofia (Day 4)
  • Rila Monastery (Day 5)
  • Belgrade (Day 8)
  • Corvin Castle (Day 10)
  • Bran and Peleș castles (Days 11–12)

Your route

15 stops from Bucharest to Peles Castle

13-day route: Bucharest – Veliko Tarnovo – Sofia – Skopje – Belgrade – Timișoara – Brașov – Bucharest
  1. Bucharest Days 1 & 12–13
  2. Veliko Tarnovo Day 2
  3. Sofia Days 3–4
  4. Rila Monastery Day 5
  5. Skopje Days 5–6
  6. Niš Day 7
  7. Belgrade Days 7–8
  8. Novi Sad Day 9
  9. Timisoara Day 9
  10. Corvinilor Castle Day 10
  11. Sibiu Day 10
  12. Brasov Days 10–11
  13. Zarnesti Day 11
  14. Bran Castle Day 11
  15. Peles Castle Day 12

Why choose this tour

Designed for solo travellers, with no single supplement. Return flights and 20 meals included.

Best suited to

  • Solo travellers
  • History lovers
  • First-time visitors to the Balkans
  • Travellers who want everything arranged
The Alexander Nevsky Cathedral in Sofia

Day-by-day itinerary

13 days from Bucharest, Romania to Bucharest, Romania

  1. Day 1 · Bucharest Bucharest

    Fly to Bucharest.

    Hotel
    Hotel CH Bucharest or similar
    Meals
    Dinner
  2. Day 2 · Bucharest, Veliko Tarnovo Veliko Tarnovo

    Into Bulgaria.

    Hotel
    Yantra Grand Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  3. Day 3 · Veliko Tarnovo, Sofia Sofia

    Veliko Tarnovo to Sofia.

    Hotel
    Ramada by Wyndham Sofia City Center
    Meals
    Breakfast
  4. Day 4 · Sofia Sofia

    Sofia and a folklore show.

    Hotel
    Ramada by Wyndham Sofia City Center
    Meals
    Breakfast, Dinner
  5. Day 5 · Rila Monastery, Skopje Skopje

    Rila Monastery.

    Hotel
    Solun Hotel Skopje
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch
  6. Day 6 · Skopje Skopje

    Skopje.

    Hotel
    Solun Hotel Skopje
    Meals
    Breakfast, Dinner
  7. Day 7 · Niš, Belgrade Belgrade

    Into Serbia.

    Hotel
    Belgrade City Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch
  8. Day 8 · Belgrade Belgrade

    Belgrade.

    Hotel
    Belgrade City Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast, Dinner
  9. Day 9 · Novi Sad, Timișoara Timișoara

    Novi Sad and Timișoara.

    Hotel
    Hotel Timișoara
    Meals
    Breakfast
  10. Day 10 · Corvin Castle, Sibiu, Brașov Brașov

    Corvin Castle and Sibiu.

    Hotel
    Alpin Resort Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  11. Day 11 · Libearty Bear Sanctuary, Bran Castle, Brașov Brașov

    Bears and Bran.

    Hotel
    Alpin Resort Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast, Dinner
  12. Day 12 · Peleș Castle, Bucharest Bucharest

    Peleș Castle.

    Hotel
    Hotel CH Bucharest or similar
    Meals
    Breakfast, Dinner
  13. Day 13 · Bucharest Fly home

    Fly home.

    Meals
    Breakfast
Peleș Castle from the air

Where you stay

  • Bucharest (1 night) Hotel CH Bucharest or similar
  • Veliko Tarnovo (1 night) Yantra Grand Hotel
  • Sofia (2 nights) Ramada by Wyndham Sofia City Center
  • Skopje (2 nights) Solun Hotel Skopje
  • Belgrade (2 nights) Belgrade City Hotel
  • Timișoara (1 night) Hotel Timișoara
  • Brașov (2 nights) Alpin Resort Hotel
  • Bucharest (1 night) Hotel CH Bucharest or similar

Hotel names are indicative and may be replaced with a property of similar standard and location.

What's included

Included

  • Return flights from London
  • Accommodation 12 nights in 4-star hotels, single rooms
  • Meals 12 breakfasts, 2 lunches and 6 dinners
  • Transfers and coach travel
  • Guided tours in nine cities
  • Rila Monastery, Corvin Castle, Bran and Peleș castles
  • Tour director throughout

Not included

  • Meals not included 9 lunches and 6 dinners
  • Optional excursion to Prishtina
  • Tips
  • Travel insurance and personal spending
Belgrade Fortress and the Victor monument above the river

This trip might not be for you if…

Honest disclaimer — please read

  • You are travelling as a couple
  • You want a small group
  • You want an active holiday
  • You want a slower pace

Good to know

Meals by day Breakfast: Days 2–13 · Lunch: Days 5 and 7 · Dinner: Days 1, 4, 6, 8 and 11–12
Houses climbing the hills of Veliko Tarnovo

In pictures

Departures & prices

From £2,889 per person, including flights. 4 upcoming departures.

Flights from UK airports.

18 Apr 2027 Twin share Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£2,889pp
Flights from UK airports
Single from £2,889
16 May 2027 Twin share Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£2,889pp
Flights from UK airports
Single from £2,889
05 Sept 2027 Twin share Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£2,889pp
Flights from UK airports
Single from £2,889
03 Oct 2027 Twin share Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£2,889pp
Flights from UK airports
Single from £2,889

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.

Do I need a visa for this Balkan tour?

No, UK citizens can visit Romania, Bulgaria, North Macedonia and Serbia visa-free for up to 90 days.

Will I have my own room?

Yes, every traveller has a private room with no single supplement.

Are flights included?

Yes, return flights from London and transfers are included.

Which meals are included?

12 breakfasts, 2 lunches and 6 dinners.

How many people travel together?

Between fifteen and twenty-seven solo travellers, with a tour director.

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.

ATOL protected 100% financially protected in a Trust bank account PTS 6035 4.7 on Trustpilot
Tailor-made option

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
From, incl. flights £2,889
See dates & prices