Private Tour Europe (SER003) Romania Bulgaria North Macedonia Serbia (13 Days 12 Nights)

We will meet and greet you at Bucharest Airport, then travel to Sinaia, a distance of 140 kilometers, to stay overnight here.

hotel Overnight Sianaia

Today, we take you to visit Peles Castle, nestled in the Bucegi Valley amidst pine forests in the Carpathian Mountains, widely regarded as one of the most remarkably beautiful castles in Eastern Europe.

The building features a blend of various architectural styles, though it appears to be most strongly influenced by German Renaissance architecture. Inside, the castle is lavishly decorated with abundant exquisite wood carvings, housing an impressive collection of art pieces from various European countries. Peles Castle was built by Prince Carol I, King of Romania, in the 19th century as a summer residence. The interior is sumptuously appointed, featuring spaces such as the Turkish Room, built to welcome state guests visiting from Ottoman Turkey.

The castle houses as many as 168 rooms, though only 35 rooms are open to the general public. Outside, statues of prominent figures are positioned at intervals, including a statue of Prince Carol, the castle's creator. Next, visit Bran Castle, the world-famous Dracula's Castle. Built in 1212, this white stone castle rises over 200 feet high on a steep mountain near the city of Brasov, originally serving as a fortress to defend against invasions.

hotel Overnight Sinaia

Today, we take you to Brasov, just 49 km away, to visit the Black Church (Black Castle), built in 1383, which is the largest Gothic church in Romania. The reason it is called the Black Church is that it caught fire in 1689, leaving black soot all over the church walls. The Romanian government decided to preserve it in this state to highlight its unique character, though over time the black soot has flaked away, so the walls today are not as dark as in the past.

Inside the church, colorful hand-woven Turkish carpets hang around the balconies, adding vibrant color and warmth to the atmosphere. Beautiful statues of saints and the Virgin Mary also adorn the church grounds.

Afterward, we travel 183 km to Bucharest to stay overnight.

hotel Overnight Bucharest

Today, we take you on a tour of Bucharest, the capital, industrial, and economic center of Romania. As Romania's largest city, it is located in the southwestern part of the country along the banks of the Dambovita River. Bucharest was first documented in 1459, and after frequent transformations, became the capital of Romania in 1862. The city stands out as a hub for Romanian media, culture, and arts, boasting a diverse mix of architectural styles, including historical architecture (Neoclassical), post-war styles (Bauhaus and Art Deco), communist era, and modern architecture, as well as the interwar period.

The city's architectural beauty earned it the nickname "Little Paris of the East" (Micul Paris). Even though many buildings and districts in the historic center were damaged by war, earthquakes, and Nicolae Ceaușescu's urban redevelopment projects, many magnificent buildings still survive. In recent years, the city has experienced a flourishing economic and cultural renaissance.

We take you to visit the Palace of Parliament (Parliament Palace), the parliament building or presidential palace of Romania. It was the colossal presidential residence of former dictator Nicolae Ceaușescu and his wife Elena, who aspired to live a lavish life like Evita Perón. This building is renowned as the second-largest administrative building in the world after the Pentagon in the United States, boasting as many as 2,000 rooms. It took 5 years to build, designed in Romanian architectural style across its structure as well as its interior and exterior decorations.

hotel Overnight BUCHAREST

Today, we take you to the village of Arbanasi, Bulgaria, covering a distance of 194 kilometers. Visit the Church of the Nativity, the oldest church in the village, built in the 15th century. Inside, the church is exquisitely decorated with stunning frescoes.

Then, travel to the town of Veliko Tarnovo, just 7 kilometers away. Veliko Tarnovo is one of the oldest towns in Bulgaria, known as the capital of the Second Bulgarian Empire (2) (1185-1396). Its key charm lies in the local architecture within the town, which holds great historical value and unique beauty. During the Middle Ages, this town was celebrated as the cultural capital of Europe for its remarkable houses, art, and poetry. Today, it has become an administrative, educational, economic, and cultural center in the northern region of the country.

We take you to visit Tsarevets Fortress, the most prominent and majestic fortress in the city, situated atop Tsarevets Hill. In ancient times, the Thracians and Romans used it as a defense post during battles. In 1393, it was invaded and damaged by the Turks, but it was later restored and renovated.

Take a relaxing stroll along the Ancient Road (Ulitsa G.S. Rovski Road).

Enjoy a relaxing stroll and shop for souvenirs. This street has been preserved to retain its Roman ambiance, having existed since Roman times and maintained in its original condition. Visit the Asenevtsi Monument (Monument Asenevtsi), erected in 1985 to commemorate the 800th anniversary of the uprising led by brothers Asen and Petar to liberate Bulgaria from the Byzantine Empire. Surrounding the monument, you can enjoy scenic views of local houses terraced along the hillsides, creating a truly picturesque landscape.

hotel Overnight Veliko Tarnovo

Today, we take you to the city of Plovdiv, covering a distance of 206 kilometers. It is the 2nd largest city in Bulgaria (2), second only to Sofia, with a population of under 500,000 (5 hundred thousand) people. What makes this city so fascinating is that looking back over 6,000 years reveals Neolithic settlements dating to around 4000 BC, making it one of the oldest cities in Europe. It serves as the administrative center of Plovdiv Province and a key hub for the economy, transportation, culture, and education.

Visit the Plovdiv Roman Theatre, the best-preserved ancient Roman amphitheater and the proud icon of Plovdiv. Especially during the summer, it hosts numerous musical concerts, theatrical plays, and dance performances against an authentic, magical, and perfect historic backdrop, originally dating from the 1st century (1). Next, see the Ancient Peristyle Building Eirene, protected by modern roofing and walls over the original foundation of exquisite, ancient mosaics, displaying unearthed ancient craftsmanship that can hardly be seen anywhere else.

Admire the beautiful, classic houses and buildings in the Old Town. Here, numerous heritage houses—mostly belonging to wealthy citizens and prominent figures of various eras—have been preserved almost flawlessly. Today, most of them are open to visitors as museums or exhibition galleries.

Then, we take you to the city of Sofia to stay overnight, covering a distance of 144 kilometers.

hotel Overnight Sofia

Sofia is the capital and largest city of Bulgaria. Visit the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral (St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral), a Bulgarian Orthodox cathedral in Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria. Featuring Neo-Byzantine architecture, it is the cathedral of the Patriarch of Bulgaria and one of the largest Eastern Orthodox cathedrals in the world. Next, visit Rila Monastery, well known as the largest and most famous Eastern Orthodox monastery in Bulgaria, situated in the southwestern mountains and dating back to the 1st century (1).

hotel Overnight Sofia

Today, travel to Skopje, the capital of North Macedonia, covering a distance of 244 kilometers. Skopje is the capital and largest city of the country, with settlements believed to date back to 4000 BC. Visit the Church of St. Panteleimon, built in 1164 as a small 12th-century Byzantine church (12) located within a monastery complex. The church and monastery are dedicated to Saint Panteleimon, the patron saint of physicians. Afterward, enjoy a stroll through the city center.

hotel Overnight Skopje

Today, we take you to visit the Memorial House of Mother Teresa, the home of Mother Teresa, the nun dedicated to humanitarian work and Nobel Peace Prize laureate. She lived in this house from 1910 to 1928. In the afternoon, enjoy a boat ride at Matka Canyon to take in the scenic natural beauty along both sides of the river.

hotel Overnight Skopje

Today, we take you to Belgrade, Serbia, officially known as the Republic of Serbia, a republic located in south-central southeastern Europe, with Belgrade as its capital. Then, head straight to Kalemegdan Park and The Belgrade Fortress, located in the same area. This major attraction is considered a true symbol of Belgrade. The Belgrade Fortress is situated on a white hill and has been destroyed and rebuilt over 16 centuries. Today, it stands as an emblem of Belgrade, Serbia. Perched high on the hill, it offers panoramic views of the Sava and Danube rivers, along with magnificent vistas of both 2 sides of Belgrade and New Belgrade. Then, take a stroll for shopping and lunch along Knez Mihailova Street, a bustling shopping street located nearby in the city center.

Next, we take you to visit The National Museum of Serbia, the largest and oldest museum that visitors should not miss.

Overnight in the capital city of Belgrade.

Today, we take you to visit the Church of Saint Sava, a deeply significant landmark in Serbia and one of the largest Orthodox churches, built in honor of Saint Sava, the founder of the Serbian Orthodox Church. Next, visit St. Mark's Church, a Serbian Orthodox church located in Tašmajdan Park, built in the Serbo-Byzantine style and completed in 1940.

If time permits, you can visit the Nikola Tesla Museum, a science museum showcasing the life and work of Nikola Tesla, one of Serbia's most renowned scientific figures.

Before concluding the day, you can take a scenic boat cruise along the Danube and Sava rivers to enjoy breathtaking views of Belgrade for approximately 1.30 hours. Afterwards, enjoy dinner before we transfer you to check in at your hotel.

hotel Overnight Belgrade

Today, we take you to Novi Sad, a distance of 94 kilometers. This is the second largest city in Serbia. We visit Petrovaradin Fortress, a fortress located in the town of

Petrovaradin, which is part of Novi Sad. Construction of this fortress took 88 years (1692 - 1780). Next, we head to Sremski Karlovci for wine tasting, a town renowned for its wine, just 12 kilometers away. Afterwards, we return to Belgrade to enjoy an evening walk around town.

hotel Overnight Belgrade

Today, we transfer you to Belgrade Airport for your flight back to Bangkok.