Highlights of Eastern Europe & Turkey — G Adventures | TripFinder.ca
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GOperated by G Adventures
Highlights of Eastern Europe & Turkey
From
CAD 3,749
Duration
20 days
Countries
Turkey, Romania, Bulgaria, Hungary
Activity
easy
Group size
Max 16
The adventure
Embark on a 20-day adventure through Eastern Europe and Turkey, where every moment is steeped in history and wonder. Wander through Budapest's grand architecture, uncover the mysteries of "Dracula’s Castle" in Transylvania, and step back in time in the ancient cities of Troy and Ephesus. Get lost in the surreal landscapes of Cappadocia, where "fairy chimneys" rise from the earth, and savour a home-cooked meal with a local family. From cultural gems to natural marvels, this journey across two continents is truly magic.
◆Arrive at any time.
◆Enjoy a morning free to explore Budapest to get a feel for this charming city. In the afternoon, check out a G Adventures-supported social enterprise café and enjoy a drink before we leave Budapest to travel to the Balla Géza Winery for a wine tasting and traditional Romanian dinner. Tonight’s accommodation will be at the winery’s guesthouse on the property.
◆Enjoy breakfast at the Balla Géza Winery before traveling to the enchanting town of Sighișoara. Use your free time here to explore the cobblestone streets and medieval architecture.
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With a local guide, venture into the Romanian countryside to visit traditional villages. Get a true sense of life in this less-visited region. Visit charming Brasov.
◆Visit the picturesque Bran Castle and learn the history (and rumours) of this fascinating place.
◆Travel to Bucharest and enjoy an orientation walk. Take time to explore the Soviet-esque architecture, the beautiful cathedral, or indulge in Bucharest's international cuisine.
◆Enjoy some free time to explore more of Bucharest in the morning before travelling to Bulgaria and one of the oldest cities in the world, Veliko Tarnovo. Wander the medieval town, visit the museums, or sample your first taste of Bulgarian cuisine.
◆Enjoy the morning in the medieval town of Veliko Tarnovo. In the afternoon, visit the hilltop village of Arbanasi. Soak in the views over Veliko Tarnovo.
◆Travel to Sofia and take an orientation walk of the capital city. Later, wander down the pedestrian street or visit the eclectic Ladies' Market.
◆Travel to Plovdiv, Bulgaria's second-largest city. Visit the hilly old town, museums, or the Theatre of Ancient Philippopolis, one of the many Roman ruins found here.
◆Spend time in the morning exploring more of Plovdiv before boarding an afternoon bus to Istanbul.
◆Enjoy a city tour with a local Turkish guide. Opt to visit the Blue Mosque, the Grand Bazaar, the Hagia Sophia (or Aya Sofya), and the Topkapı Palace.
◆Take advantage of a free day in Istanbul to explore this incredible city and choose from a number of available optional activities. In the evening, head out for an optional group dinner and take a walk through the old square to see some of Istanbul's iconic monuments lit up at night.
◆Travel east from Istanbul to the Gallipoli Peninsula for a guided tour of the area including ANZAC Cove, the war cemeteries, and Lone Pine. In the afternoon, continue on to the harbour town of Çanakkale.
◆Set off from Çanakkale and visit the ancient city of Troy. Continue to Ayvalik and stop by the G-supported Cöp(m)adam handicraft coop before travelling south to the town of Selçuk for the night.
◆Explore Ephesus this morning as well as the Temple of Artemis, one of the ancient seven wonders of the world. Back in Selçuk, take part in a demonstration of how to prepare pide, a traditional Turkish flatbread, then devour the delicious results for lunch. In the afternoon transfer to the city of Izmir for an orientation walk of the old Kemeralti bazaar then board an overnight train bound for Cappadocia.
◆Disembark the train in Konya and grab some breakfast at a nearby restaurant. Visit the Mevlana Museum before continuing by private vehicle to the Cappadocia region and check into the hotel. Sip a cup of tea or coffee while taking in the sunset from a nearby viewpoint before heading out for an optional dinner with the group in the evening.
◆Set out on a full day of exploration of the Cappadocia area, starting with a hike through the iconic "fairy chimneys." Stop at various scenic viewpoints for photos on the way to the massive subterranean complex of the Kaymakli underground city before some free time in the afternoon for individual exploration or to relax at the hotel. In the evening, gain insight into the local cultural traditions by sharing a meal with a local family.
◆After an early breakfast, transfer to the airport to catch the flight back to Istanbul. Enjoy the rest of the day free for individual exploration of the historic and vibrant city, grab some street food or relax at a cafe before an optional final dinner with the group.
Day 1Arrival dayArrivalThere are no planned activities until an evening welcome meeting. We recommend booking pre-accommodation to fully explore this breathtaking city.
There are no planned activities until an evening welcome meeting. We recommend booking pre-accommodation to fully explore this breathtaking city.
Day 2Enjoy a morning free to explore Budapest…
Budapest
Enjoy a morning free to explore Budapest to get a feel for this charming city. In the afternoon, check out a G Adventures-supported social enterprise café and enjoy a drink before we leave Budapest to travel to the Balla Géza Winery for a wine tasting and traditional Romanian dinner. Tonight’s accommodation will be at the winery’s guesthouse on the property.
Day 3Enjoy breakfast at the Balla Géza Winery before…Explore the medieval walled citadel with its cultural attractions and great restaurants and bars. Sample some Romanian cuisine—the Casa Dracula (original home of Vlad, the model for Count Dracula) is now a restaurant specializing in hearty meat and game dishes of the region.
Explore the medieval walled citadel with its cultural attractions and great restaurants and bars. Sample some Romanian cuisine—the Casa Dracula (original home of Vlad, the model for Count Dracula) is now a restaurant specializing in hearty meat and game dishes of the region.
Day 4With a local guideEnjoy a guided tour of the nearby countryside. Take in the beautiful rolling scenery and visit medieval villages and fortified churches. In the early evening, transfer to the city of Brasov, the best preserved medieval city in Romania.
Enjoy a guided tour of the nearby countryside. Take in the beautiful rolling scenery and visit medieval villages and fortified churches. In the early evening, transfer to the city of Brasov, the best preserved medieval city in Romania.
Day 5Visit the picturesque Bran Castle and learn…Impressively situated on a rock outcrop and dominating the valley, this 14th century castle is steeped in history and folklore. Soak in the gorgeous countryside as you learn about the creepier side of Romania.
Impressively situated on a rock outcrop and dominating the valley, this 14th century castle is steeped in history and folklore. Soak in the gorgeous countryside as you learn about the creepier side of Romania.
Day 6Travel to Bucharest and enjoy an orientation walk
Travel to Bucharest and enjoy an orientation walk. Take time to explore the Soviet-esque architecture, the beautiful cathedral, or indulge in Bucharest's international cuisine.
Day 7Enjoy some free time to explore more…
Enjoy some free time to explore more of Bucharest in the morning before travelling to Bulgaria and one of the oldest cities in the world, Veliko Tarnovo. Wander the medieval town, visit the museums, or sample your first taste of Bulgarian cuisine.
TripFinder compares the available catalog facts and Brandi Leanna can handle the booking — and you pay the same as booking G Adventures direct, never more, because the operator pays our commission. You travel under the operator's terms; final price and availability are confirmed before purchase.
