
Hotel CH Bucharest (or similar)
- Bucharest
See the best of Transylvania & the Balkans with a group of like-minded Chasers. Journey from Romania to Hungary, Serbia, North Macedonia, and Bulgaria on this 13-day group tour.
See the best of Transylvania & the Balkans with a group of like-minded Chasers. Journey from Romania to Hungary, Serbia, North Macedonia, and Bulgaria on this 13-day group tour.

This tour gives you the best of Transylvania & the Balkans. Explore Bucharest and its famous castles, including Bran Castle, long associated with the Dracula legend. Try traditional Romanian cuisine in Sibiu. Get to know Budapest, where the Danube River separates the city’s Buda and Pest sides. Discover Belgrade on a guided tour and see the Church of Saint Sava, one of the largest Orthodox church buildings in the world. Visit North Macedonia’s capital, Skopje, a city with nearly 2,000 years of history, and tour Bulgaria’s UNESCO-listed Rila Monastery. Walk through Etar, an open-air ethnographic village that preserves traditional 18th-century Bulgarian life, and taste local food and wine in Ruse.
20+ YEARS ON TOUR
“THE BEST PART OF A GROUP TOUR? THE GROUP.”
JAKES MARITZ, CO-FOUNDER
All the flexibility to book on your terms.
Your tour is going ahead. Every single one, guaranteed.
10% secures your seat. Pay the rest with interest-free instalments or all at once.
Plans change? We've got you. Get in touch and we'll help you work through your options.
Changed your mind? We'll refund every penny.
Need us? We're there. Day or night, on the road or off it.
Not sure how to spend your free day? Explore the city on your own, or choose from these handpicked optional experiences designed to show you the best of the region.
Unless marked as "Pre-Book", all optional experiences can be booked directly with your tour leader on tour, payable in cash or by card in the stated currency. Prices and availability are subject to change.
13 days itinerary trip from Bucharest to Bucharest visiting 5 countries
We partner with a range of hand-picked hotels in each destination. The hotels listed below are those we stay at most frequently. However, you may stay at different hotels of a similar standard.
All rooms are twin share with private, en suite bathrooms. Solo travellers will be paired with another traveller of the same gender. Single supplements are available upon request at checkout. A confirmed list of hotels is emailed to all travellers prior to their tour departure. To extend your stay in Bucharest, click here to book pre and post-tour accommodation through our partner Booking.com.





















Start your journey in Bucharest, the "Paris of the East". Meet your Tour Leader and fellow travellers at the start hotel for a short overview of what’s to come. Then, head out for your orientation walk and join the optional experience later to explore the different sides of Bucharest. Tonight, tuck into a Welcome Dinner with the group.

Join your Tour Leader for a walk through the town’s historic centre, seeing the Parliament’s exterior, Revolution Square and the Old Town.

See two sides of Romania in Bucharest, from the vast Palace of Parliament to traditional village life at the open-air Village Museum.

Tuck into local cuisine and get to know the people who will soon become friends

Today is classic Transylvania. Drive from Bucharest through the mountains to visit two of Romania’s most famous castles: Peleș Castle, overlooking the Carpathian Mountains, and Bran Castle – where Dracula lives. In the afternoon, you’ll do an orientation walk in medieval Brasov, with one of Europe’s narrowest streets, at only 1.3 metres wide.

Oozing craftsmanship, this castle features elaborate wood carvings, stained glass, and of course, a hidden passage behind a bookshelf.

Will you meet Dracula today? It was built as a Saxon fortress before being converted into a royal residence and is now one of Romania’s most popular landmarks.

Stroll through the Old Town, home to the Black Church – the largest Gothic church in Romania – and see its one remaining medieval city gate.

Today, head to the medieval town of Sighișoara for a guided tour, including its UNESCO-listed fortress, one of the best-preserved citadels in Europe. Then, continue to Sibiu for an orientation walk to explore the legacy of 12th-century Saxon settlers, and see the “Bridge of Lies,” the oldest cast-iron bridge in Romania. Tonight, enjoy an included dinner of traditional Romanian cuisine.

Step into the heart of Transylvania, a fortified city with colorful pastel houses and steep cobblestone alleys.

Enjoy dinner with your fellow Chasers in the "City with Eyes", so called because of the many distinctive, slit-like attic windows.

Today, take in Corvin Castle with a local guide. This is one of Europe's most dramatic Gothic castles, and also one of its most photogenic. Then, see the nearby star-shaped Alba Carolina Citadel, featuring over 12 kilometers of defensive walls. Next, head to Cluj-Napoca, home for tonight. You’ll do a short orientation walk, then the evening is yours to explore.

Get lost in this striking castle with its mix of Gothic and Renaissance styles, sitting directly above the Zlaşti River.

Admire this ancient fortress with seven bastions and six main decorative gates, dating back as far as the 1700s.

This morning, travel from Romania into Hungary, taking in Oradea's Art Nouveau square en route. Later, you’ll see Budapest light up as we arrive in the early evening for a guided tour. Then, enjoy an included Hungarian dinner with your fellow Chasers.

Experience a city sitting on more than 100 thermal springs and see attractions like Heroes' Square and the Parliament Building.

Today is yours to explore. Opt for an excursion to the thermal baths to relax, choose an optional city sightseeing tour showcasing two distinct parts of the city, or see the Parliament light up from the water on a Danube dinner cruise. Alternatively, wander through medieval attractions like the alleys of Castle Hill on your own, or shop for souvenirs.

Discover Buda and Pest on this locally guided tour. Explore Fisherman’s Bastion and St. Stephen’s Basilica and taste mouthwatering cuisine!

Escape to the rejuvenating Szechenyi Baths in Budapest! Experience the healing, mineral-rich thermal pools and enjoy skip-the-line access.

Indulge in a traditional Hungarian feast as you admire Budapest’s top sights from the water with a nighttime cruise along the Danube River.

Today we cross the border into Serbia, stopping in the historic centre of Novi Sad and exploring Liberty Square in the Old Town. Later, move on to Belgrade for a guided tour including an impressive fortress at the confluence of the Danube and the Sava rivers. This evening, indulge in an included dinner for a taste of Serbian culture.

Experience this vibrant area’s Austro-Hungarian architecture, historic facades, pedestrian-friendly streets and laid-back atmosphere.

See the famous Belgrade Fortress with a local guide, and the Church of Saint Sava – one of the largest Orthodox church buildings in the world.

Today, you’ll drive through the south of Serbia with vineyards, plum orchards, and dense forests as the backdrop. En route to North Macedonia, you’ll stop in Niš and explore Tinker's Alley before crossing into Skopje. Here, let a local guide show you the city’s eclectic, statue-filled centre before settling in for an included dinner.

Discover this pocket of authentic 18th-century, Ottoman-era charm lined with cafes and shops.

Enjoy the capital city’s mixture of Ottoman history and modern architecture, with its 12th-century cobblestone streets.

Today, Skopje is your playground. Get to know the city at your leisure, or opt for one of the excursions. Choose between a guided day trip into Kosovo and see Pristina, Gracanica Monastery and more, including lunch, or take the trip to Matka Canyon, featuring caves of up to 176 meters deep, and the striking blue Lake Ohrid, including boat rides.

Explore Kosovo’s history, from Gračanica Monastery and Prishtina’s landmarks to Prizren’s Ottoman streets, mosque and hilltop fortress.

Explore Matka Canyon and Vrelo Cave, then visit UNESCO-listed Lake Ohrid, with a guided walk through Ohrid’s old town and a boat trip.

Cross into Bulgaria today to see the UNESCO-listed Rila Monastery. This centre of Bulgarian religion and culture houses sacred relics, some dating back to the medieval period. Later, head to Sofia for a guided walking tour of the capital's landmark sights, including the famous Neo-Byzantine St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral. End the day with an included Bulgarian dinner.

Founded in the 10th century, the monastery was rebuilt after a fire in the 19th century, but it still features the Hrelyu Tower, its oldest surviving structure.

Walk inside the city’s ancient cathedral, whose 12 bells in the 53-metre-high bell tower weigh around 23 tons in total.

Get ready for a full day of Bulgarian heritage. First, explore Plovdiv on a short orientation walk, including the Roman theatre and old town. Next, head to the open-air ethnographic village of Etar that recreates a traditional 18th- and 19th-century Bulgarian village. Later, continue to the dramatic hilltop town of Veliko Tarnovo, home for the night.

See the oldest continuously inhabited city in Europe and its Roman theatre, which had an estimated original capacity for up to 7,000 spectators.

Wander this village featuring replicas of multi-story residential houses and stone bridges, with time to explore as you wish.

Start making your way back into Romania today. En route, stop in Ruse for a wine tasting with a local sommelier to discover how the region’s continental climate on the Danube River influences its wines. At the same winery, enjoy a celebratory Farewell Lunch with the group. Then, continue to Bucharest for the last evening on tour.

Raise a final toast to the places you’ve seen with a glass of locally produced wine, known for its robust reds and elegant whites.

Enjoy a Bulgarian lunch in the vineyards of Ruse with the new friends you’ve made on tour.

Your tour concludes this morning after a final breakfast together. Say your last goodbyes, exchange contact details and share photos. If you’re not ready to make your way home yet, take a few hours to head back into the city. Perhaps stroll through one of the scenic public gardens, grab a coffee, or shop for last-minute souvenirs.
Price is based on a sharing twin room.
Private Room Upgrade (optional) +$1,485 pp
Instalment option available for as little as $409 per month
Price is based on a sharing twin room.
Private Room Upgrade (optional) +$1,485 pp
Instalment option available for as little as $409 per month
Price is based on a sharing twin room.
Private Room Upgrade (optional) +$1,485 pp
Instalment option available for as little as $368 per month
When You Arrive
Everything you need to know about meeting your Tour Leader, when to arrive, where you’ll finish and who to contact if you need help along the way.
Every Travel Chasers tour departure is guaranteed to run. We'd only cancel in circumstances that prevent us from operating safely.
Once you've booked, we've already planned around you being there, so you can secure your flights and tell your friends. It’s confirmed.
See our Terms & Conditions for all the details.
Full days, zero filler. Most mornings start with breakfast before heading out to the main sights with your Tour Leader or a local guide. Afternoons often include free time to wander, find a coffee or join an Optional Experience. Expect a good amount of walking too. On some days, you could spend two to three hours on your feet. Comfortable shoes are your best friend.
People from all over the world. Different ages, different backgrounds, same instinct to see more. Classic groups have on average between 35-45 Chasers. By day three, you’ll already know everyone's name.
Your accommodation, transport, Tour Leader and driver, breakfast most mornings, select lunches and dinners, and the Included Experiences on the tour page. Everything else is yours to choose. Check the individual tour page before you book for the exact inclusions.
Clean, comfortable and well located. Mostly 3 to 4 star, with private en-suite bathrooms. They're chosen so you can sleep well and feel ready for the next day. They're not the centrepiece. The destinations are. But they're never an afterthought.
All travellers carry their own bags, including up hotel stairs where needed. Walking tours can last up to three hours, and some sites involve a fair number of steps. Read through the itinerary to decide if the pace is right for you.
Optional Experiences happen during your tour's free-time slots, and your Tour Leader will tell you about what's on offer during the tour. Most can be booked on the day, but some are pre-sold and must be purchased before your tour begins, so it's worth checking the tour page beforehand to see what's available and get in touch with our team to book anything in advance.
Maximum value, not minimum comfort. Twenty-one years of supplier relationships mean we know where to find the best for less, and we pass that directly to you. Comfortable hotels, included meals and local experiences, without paying for the premium tier.
Yes. Free time is built into Classic itineraries, giving you space to wander and explore at your own pace. Your Tour Leader can point you towards the places worth your time, so you're never left completely to figure it out yourself.
Absolutely. Many Chasers travel solo, and there’s no compulsory single supplement when you travel with us. For accommodation, solo travellers share a twin room with another solo traveller of the same gender. If you’d prefer your own room, you can choose to pay a single supplement instead. Check the individual tour page for pricing.
You might arrive alone. You won't feel that way for long.
Yes. You don't need any previous group travel experience. Your Tour Leader is with you throughout, and you'll have a whole group of people discovering the destination alongside you. If you're not sure which Classic tour is right for you, we can help.
No. Flights aren't included, giving you flexibility over how you get there and when you travel. Your tour information will tell you where and when to meet the group on day one.
Yes. Travel insurance is a condition of booking. Your policy should cover the full duration of your trip, including medical expenses, cancellation and repatriation. Find out more about our travel insurance requirements here.
Our 10-Day Money-Back Guarantee gives you 10 days to decide after booking. Change your mind? Full refund, no questions asked.
After this point, your deposit is non-refundable. However, you can always change your tour or departure date free of charge, as many times as you like, up to 60 days before departure on Classic tours. Changes within 60 days may incur fees, or be treated as a cancellation. The current website price applies to any new tour or date.
See our Terms & Conditions for all the details.
Your Tour Leader is there to look after you during your tour. They know the places most people walk straight past, they'll have a restaurant recommendation ready before you've asked, and they'll sort anything that comes up along the way. All transport and accommodation are arranged for you.
You'll also have a 24-hour emergency contact number and our head office team.
Travel Chasers is a member of ABTA (No. Y6593) and ABTOT (No. 5517). Both organisations have codes of conduct and standards that members are required to meet, giving you an extra layer of confidence when you travel with us.
Our Classic & Premium tours have a minimum age of 10 years old, while our Signature tours have a minimum age of 18 years old. We may consider younger children on certain tours on a case-by-case basis. Get in touch in writing and we'll let you know what's possible.
Before the tour starts, we'll email you to ask about any dietary requirements. A vegetarian option is available at all included meals. We can't guarantee vegan, gluten-free or lactose-free options, so if your requirements are strict, it's worth bringing snacks as backup.
For visa requirements, pre-departure information and everything else you need to know before you travel, visit our Help Centre.

Visit Slovenia, Serbia, Montenegro, Albania, Bulgaria, North Macedonia, and Bosnia & Herzegovina on this exciting 16-day Balkan tour! Uncover Greek history in Athens, Delphi and Meteora. Explore Dubrovnik, discover Split and marvel at the Plitvice Lakes in Croatia. Explore Rila Monastery and behold Budapest. Beauty abounds on this Balkan adventure!

Explore five top countries in Central Europe, and uncover hidden gem cities, including Regensburg and Brno. Enjoy a relaxed pace and free time to immerse yourself in each destination. Spend two nights each in Budapest, Vienna and Prague. This 10-day Central Europe in Low Season tour is sure to captivate!

Discover ancient wonders and spiritual treasures across Turkey! Visit the ancient site of Pergamon and uncover the spiritual treasures of Mevlana Museum. Explore the Battlefields of Gallipoli and experience Cappadocia's otherworldly beauty. Marvel at Istanbul's iconic Blue Mosque and explore its buzzing bazaars. 10 days in Turkey will send you home with countless memories!

Awe-inspiring architecture, fascinating history and lively local culture - this Eastern European tour has it all! Taste traditional Bavarian and Czech cuisine. Tour Auschwitz concentration camp. Walk along the Danube River. Drink in Vienna’s historical splendour. Enjoy free days in Prague, Krakow, and Budapest. Start ticking off your bucket list!

This Taste of Eastern Europe tour explores vibrant capital cities, historic sights, hidden gems and awe-inspiring architecture. Embark on an unforgettable journey from Munich to Vienna, Budapest, Prague and beyond. Taste authentic German cuisine, be captivated by colourful Bratislava, admire Nuremberg’s architecture, discover the beautiful Melk Abbey and much more.