Between Nature and History – Bulgaria & Romania

Meeting at the airport for check-in formalities and flight to Sofia, the Bulgarian capital. Upon arrival, welcome by your French-speaking local guide. Visit Sofia, one of the oldest capitals in Europe. A thousand-year-old city, it has gone through the ages: Roman, Byzantine, Ottoman... Today, Sofia is a fascinating blend of styles, between Orthodox heritage and modernity. You will discover the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, the Saint George Rotunda, and the elegant avenues of the city center. Dinner and overnight in Sofia.

Breakfast at the hotel then continue the visit of Sofia (depending on arrival time on day 1). Late morning, departure for Rila Monastery, a spiritual and architectural jewel nestled in the mountains of southwestern Bulgaria. Founded in the 10th century by Saint John of Rila, this UNESCO World Heritage site is the largest and most famous monastery in the country. Guided tour of the monastery complex: discover its magnificent colorful frescoes, ornate arcades, picturesque inner courtyards, and the impressive Church of the Nativity of the Virgin. Lunch in the monastery surroundings. In the afternoon, drive to Bansko, a charming alpine resort at the foot of the Pirin massif, renowned for its traditional architecture and mountain atmosphere. Dinner and overnight in Bansko.

After breakfast, you board the traditional narrow-gauge train connecting Bansko to Velingrad. This picturesque little train, a remnant from the era of King Boris III, slowly winds through the Bulgarian mountains, crossing viaducts, forests, and narrow valleys. You enjoy an authentic journey at an old-fashioned pace, in the heart of the wild landscapes of Pirin and the Rhodopes. Arrival in Velingrad and lunch in this charming spa town. Cross the rolling landscapes of the Thracian Valley, considered one of the oldest and most prestigious wine regions in Europe. Stop at a winery for a tasting of Bulgarian wines. Continue your journey to Plovdiv, the country's second-largest city. Dinner and overnight in Plovdiv.

Breakfast at the hotel then start the guided tour of Plovdiv's old town, famous for its cobbled streets, colorful-fronted houses, and superb 19th-century mansions typical of the Bulgarian national revival. Discover the ancient theater, one of the best preserved in the world, the regional ethnographic museum housed in a splendid Renaissance house, and the Saints Constantine and Helena Church. Leave for Etara, a true open-air ethnographic museum recreating an 18th-century artisan village. You will observe artisans perpetuating the crafts of yesteryear. Continue to Veliko Tarnovo, the medieval capital of the Bulgarian kingdom. Dinner and overnight in Veliko Tarnovo.

Breakfast at the hotel. Visit Veliko Tarnovo, capital of the second Bulgarian kingdom: discovery of the Tsarevets fortress, perched on the hill of the same name. Head to Arbanassi, a charming traditional village, for a visit to the Church of the Nativity and typical fortified houses. Then take the road to Rousse, you will discover the "Little Vienna" of Bulgaria, famous for its elegant neo-baroque buildings and refined atmosphere. Strolling along the Danube and through its lively streets, you will appreciate its unique charm. Dinner and overnight in Rousse.

After breakfast, take the road towards Romania. You cross the Friendship Bridge, majestically spanning the Danube, the natural border between Bulgaria and Romania. For lunch, you will reach a winery in Murfatlar or Rasova, renowned for its wines from the sunny terroir of the region. Lunch and wine tasting. In the afternoon, continue to Constanța, the great port city on the Black Sea. Founded by the Greeks under the name Tomis, it is one of the oldest still-inhabited cities in Europe. Visit the famous Art Nouveau Casino, the Carol I Mosque and its minaret offering a splendid view of the port, as well as Ovidiu Square. Stroll along the seafront promenade. Dinner and overnight in Constanța.

After breakfast, you will leave the Black Sea coast to head north towards Tulcea, gateway to the legendary Danube Delta. On the way, you will stop at the archaeological site of Histria, an ancient Greek colony founded in the 7th century BC on the shores of the Black Sea. You will then continue to the Enisala fortress, perched on a hill overlooking Lakes Razim and Babadag. Arrival in Tulcea, a unique ecosystem listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site, and board a local boat for a cruise through the channels, lagoons, and flooded forests of the delta. You may have the chance to observe pelicans, herons, cormorants, and other species. Dinner and overnight in Tulcea.

After breakfast, departure through the Dobrogea countryside to Sat Traian, a charming agricultural village in Tulcea county. You will visit a farm-factory renowned for its aged cheeses from local production. Discover the cheese-making process and savor it accompanied by artisan bread. Continue towards Brăila, an ancient port city on the Danube. Lunch in a local restaurant. After the meal, short visit of the historic center: the elegant 19th-century facades, the port promenade, the old Greek and Armenian houses. Early afternoon, drive to Bucharest through the vast plains of Wallachia. Dinner and overnight in Bucharest.

After breakfast, start visiting the Romanian Capital, Bucharest. Visit the Palace of Parliament, one of the most imposing buildings in the world. Then pass by Revolution Square, a major site in contemporary Romanian history. Reach the Cotroceni district, elegant and green, with its presidential palace. Discover the Romanian Athenaeum, a neoclassical jewel and symbol of Romanian culture. Free time in late afternoon. Dinner and overnight in Bucharest.

After breakfast, departure to Bucharest airport for your return flight.