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G019 15 Days Istanbul to Budapest

Explore the wonders of World Heritage Sites, enjoying very nice walking tours in every city, dive into a mix of cultures, nature, and religion, and
taste savor delightful cuisine and wines, in a trip starting from the breathtaking Istanbul, the one of the main world wonders, passing by ornate,
decorated buildings with a plethora of gold domes of Bulgaria, following by unique Saxon Heritage villages of Transylvania and worldwide
famous Castles in Romania, approaching Belgrade with its charming walking areas and concluding the tour with Budapest, with scenic beauty
of Danube, oering gothic inspired architecture and the cuisine of world-renowned chefs!

Day 01: Istanbul Airport – Istanbul (50km – 1.20h) (TURKEY)
Welcome to Istanbul Airport. Meet the host and transfer to your hotel.
Overnight in Istanbul: Hotel NN 4* or similar
Budapest
Day 02: Istanbul (TURKEY) ROMANIA
After breakfast at the hotel, board the coach and drive to Topkapi Palace, once the main
residence for the Ottoman Sultans and administrative headquarters for the Ottoman HUNGARY Sibiu
Empire from the 15th to the 19th centuries housing an exquisite collection of Bran
crystal, silver, and Chinese porcelain, robes worn by the sultans and their families, Timisoara Brasov
the famous jewels of the Imperial Treasury. Peles
Drive back to the city center – and walk around in Sultan Ahmet Square. Novi Sad
This area has some popular tourist spots, all within a walkable distance from each other. Belgrade
Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque are of course the most obvious attractions here Bucharest
After the visit you may enjoy lunch and of course explore the alleys of the Grand Bazzar. SERBIA
The Grand Bazaar’s lively maze of shops has a bustling spirit that is more than any
ordinary shopping experience. It is one of the oldest and largest indoor markets in
the world with more than 4,000 shops. Veliko Tarnovo
Overnight in Istanbul: Hotel NN 4* or similar BULGARIA
Day 03: Istanbul (TURKEY) Plovdiv
Breakfast at the hotel and keep exploring Istanbul, wander along Istiklal Street, in the heart Included: TURKEY
of modern Istanbul: a shopping street at heart, it is always crowded with locals and tourists • Accommodation in 4* hotels
alike. Roughly a 15-minute walk along Istiklal, depending on where you start. • Breakfast Istanbul
Istiklal Street dead-ends into Taksim Square, also known as the center of modern Istanbul. • Guide English speaking
Home to everything from a monument to Ataturk (the founder of the modern republic • Private transport
of Turkey) to tourism companies to thousands of tulips in the spring. End the tour of
the day while cruising the Bosphorus Strait, eat a traditional Turkish dinner, watch some
performances, and marvel at how you are straddling the line between Europe and Heritage List. Walking tour of Plovdiv begins at the Forum of Philipppolis and Jumaya
Asia! Mosque and continues in the historic National Revival quarter, where cobblestone streets
Overnight in Istanbul: Hotel NN 4* or similar
lined with Bulgarian Revival houses and churches, leads to the ancient Roman ruins
and Roman amphitheater.
Day 04: Istanbul – Plovdiv (400km – 5hrs) (TURKEY/BULGARIA) Lunch and free time by your own.
Breakfast at the hotel, check out. Today we’ll have a long drive to Bulgaria, with $IWHUQRRQ GHSDUWXUH WR 6RŷD IRU WZR DQG D KDOI KRXUV
several stops on the way for refreshments. Please keep your ID documents handy 2YHUQLJKW LQ 6RŷD +RWHO 5DPDGD 3ULQFHVV RU VLPLODU
during the cross-borders between Turkey & Bulgaria
After border crossing we’ll pass through Eastern Rhodope wine region. The landscape is #@X 2Nk@ !4+& 1(
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point where you can tell that you are entering a wine region. %UHDNIDVW DW WKH KRWHO DQG WRGD\ \RX ZLOO HQMR\ D FRPSUHKHQVLYH FLW\ WRXU RI 6RŷD
Our suggestion is to visit one of the great wineries of the area and enjoy a wine and get to know the highlights of the capital. See the National Theater, King’s
testing. Proceed driving to Plovdiv Palace and ‘Small Jerusalem Square’ with its churches, mosque and synagogue.
Upon arrival, check in at the hotel and prepare for dinner Among the most impressive sites are the Alexander Nevski Cathedral dominating
Overnight in Plovdiv: Hotel Imperial Hotel & Spa 4* or similar the city, one of the largest Eastern Orthodox cathedrals in Europe, as well as one
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Lunch at a local restaurant
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After your breakfast, we’ll check out of the hotel, but before we leave Plovdiv, it is worth Afternoon free if you like to discover more the capital of Bulgaria
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