Cosmos Treasures of the Balkans & Transylvania 2026

Discover the treasures of the Balkans on this vacation through Bulgaria, Serbia, Hungary, and Romania. Visit the capitals—Sofia, Belgrade, Budapest, and Bucharest—as well as some of the fascinating towns and cities along the way. Discover Novi Sad, famous for its citadel; Cluj Napoca, the film capital of Romania, and Sinaia, a lovely ski resort town. Sighisoara is one of Romania’s prettiest towns with 11 medieval towers within the city walls, cobblestone streets, ancient houses, and churches. Explore Brasov, a charming Transylvanian town featuring Saxon walls and bastions and an expansive square. Visit Sofia’s Boyana Church, a medieval Bulgarian Orthodox church listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site; Marvel at Peles Castle, a masterpiece of German neo-renaissance architecture built in the 1880s and nestled at the foot of the mountains. It is considered one of the most stunning and romantic European castles. In Bucharest, visit the open-air Village Museum, showcasing traditional village life with a collection of traditional farmhouses, cottages, wind and watermills, and artisans’ workshops from all parts of the country. Last, but not least, visit Bran Castle, built in 1377 with imposing towers and turrets, and once inhabited by Vlad the Impaler—the Count who gave Bran Stoker the inspiration for his novel’s character, the vampire known as Dracula. This Balkans and Transylvania tour is designed for value-minded, savvy travel lovers. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime vacation!

INCLUSIONS: 

• Guided sightseeing in Sofia, including Boyana Church, a UNESCO World Heritage site
• Guided sightseeing of Belgrade

ITINERARY: 

DAY 1:   ARRIVE IN SOFIA, BULGARIA

Check into your hotel. Take advantage of the CosmosGO app to visit Sofia at leisure. In the early evening, meet your Tour Director and travel companions.

DAY 2:   SOFIA

This morning, join a Local Guide for a city tour that includes the Parliament building, Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, the National Theater, and St. Sofia Church and Boyana Church, a medieval Bulgarian orthodox church listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  (B)

DAY 3:   SOFIA–BELGRADE, SERBIA

An interesting drive today as you leave Bulgaria and cross the border into Serbia. Continue to the lively capital that takes its name Belgrade (white city) from the fortress built on a white ridge overlooking the city.

Today’s Distance: 245 mi/ 395 km (B)

DAY 4:   BELGRADE

Today, discover more about Belgrade on a guided city sightseeing tour to see the main monuments including Novi Beograd, Ada Bridge, Topcider park, Tito’s Memorial, Parliament House, Terazije and Kalemegdan Fortress. Enjoy some free time to explore more. (B)

DAY 5:   BELGRADE–NOVI SAD–BUDAPEST, HUNGARY

Stop in Novi Sad, capital of the province, built on the banks of the Danube River and famous for its Petrovaradin Citadel. Enjoy a stroll in the town center. Continue to Budapest, capital of Hungary, split in two by the River Danube. It is a treasure trove of architectural wonders and history. See the best of both Buda and Pest with an optional cruise on the Danube River, with refreshments and refreshing views of the magnificent Parliament, Fishermen’s Bastion, and Castle Hill.

Today’s Distance: 249 mi/ 400 km (B)

DAY 6:   BUDAPEST

This morning, enjoy a guided sightseeing tour to discover the highlights of Budapest. Admire views of the Opera House, Saint Stephen’s Basilica, Parliament, the Royal Palace, and Matthias Church. Stop to take a photo at Heroes Square and the Castle District. Free time this afternoon and evening to explore more. (B)

DAY 7:   BUDAPEST–CLUJ NAPOCA, ROMANIA

Drive through the Hungarian countryside, cross the border into Romania and continue to Cluj-Napoca, the film capital of Romania. En-route to the hotel, see some of the city’s highlights during a panoramic city tour.

Today’s Distance: 292 mi/ 470 km  (B,D)

DAY 8:   CLUJ NAPOCA-SIGHISOARA-BRASOV

Stop in Sighisoara, a medieval town with 11 towers within the city walls surrounding cobblestone streets, ancient houses, and churches—one of Romania’s prettiest towns. Legend says it is also the birthplace of the notorious Vlad who inspired the fictional character of Count Dracula. Continue to Brasov, a lovely medieval town famous for its town square filled with Baroque architecture and outdoor cafés.

Today’s Distance: 168 mi/ 270 km (B.D)

DAY 9:   BRASOV: EXCURSION TO BRAN

Transylvania is commonly associated with vampires due to the influence of Bram Stoker’s 1897 novel Dracula, and all the subsequent books and many films the tale has inspired. This morning, depart for Bran and visit the legendary Dracula castle. It was built in 1377 and inhabited by the Wallachian prince, Vlad the Impaler. In the afternoon, a walking orientation of the Old Town of Brasov includes a visit to the Black Church, followed by leisure time.

Today’s Distance: 37mi / 60km (B)

DAY 10:   BRASOV–SINAIA–BUCHAREST

Travel to Sinaia in the Prahova Valley. This is a lovely ski resort, almost 3,300 feet above sea level. While in Sinaia, there will be time to visit the Sinaia Monastery and Peles Castle, considered to be among the most romantic castles in the world. Continue to beautiful Bucharest with its flower-festooned parks, gardens, and wide boulevards shaded by century-old trees.

Today’s Distance: 115 mi/ 185 km (B)

DAY 11:   BUCHAREST

The highlight of the included sightseeing tour is a visit to the open-air Village Museum, a unique collection of traditional farmhouses, cottages, windmills, watermills, and artisans’ workshops from all parts of the country. Your Local Guide will show you other places of interest, including the Government Victoria Palace, the Royal Palace, and the Savings Palace. Take your experience to another level with an optional afternoon visit to the massive site of the Romanian Parliament, known today as “The Peoples 'Palace,” once the most extravagant symbol of Romania’s communist era under Ceausescu's dictatorship.  (B)

DAY 12:   BUCHAREST

Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)