Ultimate Eastern Adventure
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Venture off the beaten track to discover Eastern Europe. Be embraced by friendliest locals, loveliest villages, and quaintest traditions.
In Bond movies, Eastern Europeans are always the bad guys. But casting directors need to grow up and get real because when you travel through this region, you’re embraced by the friendliest locals, loveliest villages, and quaintest traditions. You explore the pristine Bucegi Mountains of Romania, gaze up at the beautiful churches of Bulgaria, and party until late with the welcoming people of Serbia. So, go beyond the cliches, venture off the beaten track, and discover one of the most charming areas of Europe.
We spend 15 days exploring Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Serbia. We visit Budapest, Debrecen, Eger, Cluj-Napoca, Salina Turda, Brașov, Sighisoara, Bucharest, Sunny Beach, Plovdiv, Sofia, Belgrade, Niš.
What Is Included...
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Your fantastic Busabout crew
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14 nights’ accommodation
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14 breakfasts
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All coach transport
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Entrance to Bran Fortress and Rasnov Fortress
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Salina Turda salt mine
Trip Highlights
- Visit Dracula’s Castle and birthplace
- The raw history of Belgrade
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Check these off your bucket list
Belgrade 
Bran Castle 
Sunny Beach
15 Day Itinerary
Ultimate Eastern Adventure 15 day itinerary
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- Day 1 Budapest
- Day 2 Budapest to Debrecen
- Day 3 Debrecen to Cluj
- Day 4 Cluj to Brasov
- Day 5 Brasov
- Day 6 Brasov to Bucharest
- Day 7 Bucharest
- Day 8 Bucharest to Sunny Beach
- Day 9 Sunny Beach
- Day 10 Sunny Beach to Plovdiv
- Day 11 Plovdiv to Sofia
- Day 12 Sofia to Belgrade
- Day 13 Belgrade
- Day 14 Belgrade to Budapest
- Day 15 Budapest
Day 1
Budapest
It’s time to kick start the adventure in the Hungarian capital of Budapest! First things first - meet your fantastic Busabout guide, who’ll take the group on an orientation of the city to help you get your bearings. See the seven towers of Fisherman’s Bastion and explore this ivory fortress with scenic views of the city from the Buda bank of the Danube. Check out the imposing Citadella on Gellert Hill. This 18th century fortress still has armaments on display and awesome panoramic views of the city. Take some time to meander and explore the city centre, and grab a bite to eat. Once you’ve filled your belly with the tasty local cuisine, get ready for a visit to one of Budapest’s world-renowned ruin bars for a few drinks. Hop on the coach and head back to the accommodation, or keep the party going and soak up the vibes in this unique city.
Day 2
Budapest to Debrecen
Rise and shine, it’s time to depart for Debrecen! But first, a stop in the ancient town of Eger. Founded in the 10th century, Eger sprung into life when St. Stephen, the first Christian king of Hungary, constructed the first cathedral. Soak up the views of stunning Szepasszony Valley while sampling some wine and enjoying a tasty lunch. Then it’s time to climb back aboard our trusty coach, and continue on to Hungary’s second biggest city where we’ll arrive later this afternoon. Explore this cultural hub and former capital at your own pace, and join us later to experience the nightlife of this eclectic city!
Day 3
Debrecen to Cluj
Farewell Debrecen, today we make tracks towards the Romanian border and the unofficial Transylvanian capital, Cluj. This afternoon we’ll make our arrival and get checked in and settled into our accommodation, before stretching our legs on an exploratory walk of the city. Soak up the sights as we meander through the central park and make our way past the Somesul Mic River. We’ll make our way to St. Michael's Church to see the statue of Matthias Corvinus out the front, followed by the neo-baroque national theatre. This is a bustling student city, so get out there tonight and experience it!
Day 4
Cluj to Brasov
Up and at ‘em! This morning we journey to Brasov with two stops en route. We’ll arrive at our first stop, the Salina Turda, after a short drive. Journey into the ancient salt mines and see the jaw-dropping cavernous rooms, even containing a theme park deep below the surface! We then make our way to the famous birthplace of Dracula, Sighisoara. Renowned for its architecture, numerous towers and ancient churches, it’s the town where Vlad Dracula lived in exile. Make sure you get some pics of the citadel and grab some lunch before we make our departure this afternoon. Later this evening we’ll arrive into Brasov, where you’ll have some free time to get out and explore. Join the group this evening to soak up the relaxed atmosphere of the city and kick start the night.
Day 5
Brasov
The day is yours to delve the depths of a city awash with incredible historic sights. Marvel at the Gothic splendour of the Black Church or check out some of the local bars and cafes and grab some lunch or a few drinks. Get the legs moving with a hike up Tampa Hill to see breathtaking views of the city and the surrounding wilderness. There’s a funicular for those who’d rather save their energy for tonight, when we’ll head out for a night on the town in the heart of Transylvania.
Day 6
Brasov to Bucharest
You’ve heard of bar-hopping, but have you ever been castle-hopping?! Well you’re about to, as we do exactly that on our way to Romania’s capital city, Bucharest. Our first stop is at the famous Bran Castle, which is believed to have been the inspiration for the fictional Dracula’s castle. Next up, we visit the sprawling 13th century Dacian Fortress of the Rasnov Citadel. Standing above the surrounding woods, this citadel was occupied during times of strife and converted from a fortification to a dwelling over time. Our final castle for the day, the picturesque Peles Castle, was built for the Romanian King Carol I in the beautiful Carpathian Mountains. We’ll make our arrival into Bucharest this evening, and head out on an orientation walk of the city, before enjoying a night of free time in this buzzing city!
Day 7
Bucharest
It’s the last full day of the adventure, so you’d better make the most of it. You have the entire day to do as you please and see the sights, so tick off all the must-dos: see the gargantuan Palace of the Parliament (the world's largest administrative building), explore the small streets of Bucharest’s central Old Town and take note of the many exciting nightlife spots you’d like to visit this evening. Take a load off and relax in one of Bucharest’s many beautiful parks, or visit the Arcul de Triumf. Tonight we head out into the night for some authentic Romanian revelry, and put the cherry on top of an epic trip! Let’s make it a night to remember.
Day 8
Bucharest to Sunny Beach
It’s time to board the coach and continue on our way to the Bulgarian coastal resort of Sunny Beach. Kick back, relax, and enjoy the scenery as we make our way into Bulgaria just in time for a lunch stop, before continuing along the stunning coastline of the Black Sea for our evening arrival at Sunny Beach. Once we arrive and check in to our accommodation, the night is yours to enjoy! So get out there and experience the vibrant nightlife, and make some unforgettable memories.
Day 9
Sunny Beach
Hey, you’re at Sunny Beach - what else should you really do other than enjoy the sunny beach? Grab some breakfast and head to the water’s edge to soak up the sun and have a refreshing dip, or take on some of the many water sports on offer! There’s plenty to try, like tubing, paragliding, boat tours, and more. Join your guide for a visit to the UNESCO-listed Nessebar, and get a feel of the local culture. Tonight, explore the resort town and relax in one of the local bars or restaurants. Sunny Beach truly has something on offer for everyone, so there will be no shortage of options available. Chat to your fantastic Busabout guide if you can’t decide where to go first!
Day 10
Day 10: Sunny Beach to Plovdiv
Get ready to crack on with our journey towards Bulgaria’s second largest city, and the home of numerous ancient Roman ruins, Plovdiv! We make our arrival in Europe’s oldest inhabited city at around lunchtime. With over 200 archaeological sites, Plovdiv has a rich and long standing history that is incomparable to almost anywhere else on earth. See the ancient Roman theatre dating back to the 1st century, the much younger Roman stadium of Philippopolis, the Old Town, and the remains of the very first settlement on Nebet Hill. Tonight experience the nightlife and let loose!
Day 11
Day 11: Plovdiv to Sofia
This morning we make our way to the stunning Bulgarian capital, Sofia. We arrive just before lunch and have a chance to explore some of the more notable sights before our hotel check-in. See one of the largest Eastern Orthodox cathedrals in the world, the impressive St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, see the red brick Rotunda of St George which dates back to the 4th century and is Sofia’s oldest building, lose yourself in the labyrinthian Central Market Hall and experience all the unique sights and smells of Bulgaria. Tonight go out and enjoy Sofia’s incredible nightlife.
Day 12
Day 12: Sofia to Belgrade
Up and at ‘em, it’s time to make an early departure for the Serbian border and our destination, the capital city of Belgrade! After crossing the border we have our first stop in the gateway between East and West, the ancient city of Nis. See the fortifications of the Turkish-built Nis Fortress, explore the ancient Ottoman ruins, and grab a delicious local treat for lunch. We depart Nis shortly after and arrive in the Serbian capital later this afternoon. After checking in we have an optional walking tour of the city followed by an epic pub crawl we’ve come to call the Belgrade Blitz - so join us for what’s guaranteed to be a memorable night out in Belgrade’s unique Balkan atmosphere!
Day 13
Day 13: Belgrade
Explore Belgrade and its many attractions, including the Old Palace, museums, beautiful churches, the parliamentary buildings, and plenty more. Those interested in scientific pursuit and history should visit the Nikola Tesla Museum. This archive of his life’s work contains numerous designs, drawings, photographs, and thousands of original documents that cannot be seen anywhere else. For those looking to relax in the scenic surrounds or delve into the local history, you should visit Kalemegdan Park and Fortress. Enjoy a lazy walk through this pristine and extremely culturally significant park. This evening get out there and make the most of this dynamic city’s nightlife!
Day 14
Day 14: Belgrade to Budapest
Today we head to the Hungarian border and our final destination of Budapest. Before crossing the border we have a stop on the banks of the Danube in Serbia’s second largest city, Novi Sad. Grab a bite for lunch and see the imposing Petrovaradin Fortress with its incredible views of the surrounding area and city. We arrive in the Hungarian capital of Budapest this evening. Venture out into the night to one of the famous ruin bars, and have a final drink with your Busabout family!
Day 15
Day 15: Budapest
Check-out is after breakfast this morning. We hope to see you again, and if you’re continuing your journey on our Hop-on Hop-off network, the next stop is Split via Zagreb.
Trip Information
Frequently Asked Questions about the Ultimate Eastern Adventure
Tour starts from:
TBC, Budapest at 3:00pm
Tour ends in:
TBC, Budapest at 10:00am
Accommodation is included for this trip. You will stay in Twin Share.
You can upgrade to a single room from MyTrip once you have made a booking.
* All upgrades are subject to availability.
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Here is the list of available optional activities, excursions and freetime avaiable on this trip:
- Walking tour and pub crawl in Belgrade
- Go to the Great Church in Debrecen
- Hike or take the funicular up Tampa Hill
- Soak up the sun in Sunny Beach
- Visit the ruins in Plovdiv
- Go to the central market hall in Sofia
- Visit the fortress and parliament buildings in Belgrade
All optional extras and excursions will be available to book through your Busabout Guide on the trip.
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Yes, depending on availability there is no problem to change dates (a small fee applies). If the new date is more expensive the difference will also need to be paid. You can also transfer the funds you’ve already paid over to another trip of the same or higher value if you change your mind, as long as it’s outside of the notification period.
What happens if I cancel?
A cancellation fee applies based on the length of the trip and how soon the departure date is. Please visit our terms and conditions page for more information.
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