Itinerary

Arrive at any time. There are no planned activities until an evening welcome meeting. We recommend booking pre-accommodation to fully explore this breathtaking city.

Enjoy a morning free to explore Budapest to get a feel for this charming city. After check out we visit a G Adventures-supported social enterprise cafe and enjoy a drink and optionally order a bite to eat before we leave Budapest to travel to the Balla Geza 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 Geza Winery before traveling to the enchanting town of Sighisoara. Use your free time here to explore the cobblestone streets and medieval architecture. 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.

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. Enjoy a half-day guided tour of Sighisoara and 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.

Visit the picturesque Bran Castle and learn the history (and rumours) of this fascinating place. 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.

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 this charming town and opt to visit the Tsarevets Fortress just outside the city.

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. A mix of western grandeur and Soviet bulk, Sofia boasts a gold-domed church and delicious international dining. Sample modern takes on Bulgarian and international food, with some great trendy dining opportunities.

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. Opt to relax over coffee and a Bulgarian baklava, a specialty of the area.

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 Topkapi Palace. After getting the lay of the land with a local guide, spend some free time visiting all you can in this eclectic city straddling two continents. In the evening, there are plenty of cool little bars and restaurants to celebrate the end of an amazing journey over a raki or two.

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 Canakkale. Make an early morning visit to Gallipoli, where thousands gave their lives during WWI in the battle of the same name. Take in the sights and learn the sombre story. It is only a little further to Canakkale, a busy harbour town with a thriving student population. Join the crowds as they stroll the waterfront nightly.

Set off from Canakkale and visit the ancient city of Troy. Continue to Ayvalik and stop by the G-supported Coep(m)adam handicraft coop before travelling south to the town of Selcuk for the night. Visit the nearby historic and world-famous city of Troy and then visit the G-supported Coep(m)adam handicraft cooperation, which support the local women who work in the workshop. Continue south to Selcuk for the next couple of nights.

Explore Ephesus this morning as well as the Temple of Artemis, one of the ancient seven wonders of the world, Temple of Artemis. Back in Selcuk, 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 old bazaar then board an overnight train bound for Cappadocia. Tour the nearby ancient Roman ruins of Ephesus for a glimpse into what life was like thousands of years before in this part of what is now Turkey. After driving back to Selcuk, learn all about how to make "Turkish pizza," called pide before transferring north to the city of Izmir for some exploration before hopping on the overnight train.

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. Transfer to Cappadocia for 2 days of exploring the surreal and spectacular landscapes of the area.

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. Outdoor enthusiast? Hire a bike to get around on two wheels or join your CEO on an optional trekking tour through one of the beautiful valleys of the region.

After an early breafast, 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. Continue on to Istanbul for the opportunity to finish up your sightseeing or get in some last minute shopping.

Depart at any time.

Summary

Hotels/pensions (17 nts), Guest lodge (1 nt), Overnight Sleeper Train (1 nt).

Train, public bus, private vehicle, metro, ferry, train, plane, walking.

Meals Included: 19 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 2 dinners
Meals Budget: Allow USD400-520 for meals not included.

Budapest
- Budapest Morning Walking Tour

Sighișoara
- Clock Tower Visit (Free)
- Casa Dracula (Vlad Dracul Restaurant) (10-50RON per person)
- The History Museum (Muzeul de Istorie) (5RON per person)
- The Church of the Dominican Monastery Visit (Free)

Braşov
- Catherine's Gate (Poarta Ecaterinei) Visit
- Schei District Visit
- Black Church (Biserica Neagră) Visit (8RON per person)

Bucharest
- Arch of Triumph Visit (Free)
- National Village Museum Visit
- National History Museum Visit
- Palace of the Parliament Visit
- Bucharest Bike Tour (20RON per person)
- Museum of the Romanian Peasant

Arbanasi
- Nativity Church Visit (6BGN per person)

Sofia
- Ladies' Market Visit (Free)
- St Alexander Nevsky Cathedral Visit (Free-6BGN per person)
- Vitosha Boulevard Visit (Free)

Plovdiv
- Plovdiv Regional Ethnographic Museum Visit (5BGN per person)
- Ancient Theatre of Philippopolis Visit (3BGN per person)
- Plovdiv Old Town Visit (Free)

Istanbul
- Spice Bazaar Visit (Free)
- Blue Mosque Visit (Free)
- Hagia Sophia (or Aya Sofya) Visit (25EUR per person)
- Topkapi Palace Visit (1500TRY per person)
- Istanbul Walking Tour and Bosphorus Cruise
- Galata Tower (30EUR per person)

Istanbul
- Archaeological Museum (15EUR per person)
- Dolamabahçe Palace (1200TRY per person)
- Basilica Cistern (900TRY per person)

Göreme
- Pottery Center Visit (Free)
- Cappadocia Hot Air Balloon Ride
- Turkish Bath (25EUR per person)

Cappadocia
- Carpet Demonstration (Free)

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Highlights of Eastern Europe & Turkey

Highlights of Eastern Europe & Turkey

Day 1 - Budapest

Day 2 - Budapest to Balla Geza Winery

Day 3 - Balla Geza Winery to Sighisoara

Day 4 - Sighisoara/Brasov

Day 5 - Brasov

Day 6 - Brasov/Bucharest

Day 7 - Bucharest/Veliko Tarnovo

Day 8 - Veliko Tarnovo

Day 9 - Veliko Tarnovo/Sofia

Day 10 - Sofia/Plovdiv

Day 11 - Plovdiv/Istanbul

Day 12 - Istanbul

Day 13 - Istanbul

Day 14 - Istanbul/Canakkale

Day 15 - Canakkale/Selcuk

Day 16 - Selcuk/Izmir

Day 17 - Konya/Cappadocia

Day 18 - Cappadocia

Day 19 - Cappadocia/Istanbul

Day 20 - Istanbul

What’s included?

Accommodation

Local transport

Meals

Additional info