Overview
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 read more 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!
Classic
3 - 3.5 Star
Affordable
5-99 Years
47
Fully Guided
6720
Itinerary
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.
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)
Trip Inclusions
- Guided sightseeing in Sofia, including Boyana Church, a UNESCO World Heritage site
- Guided sightseeing of Belgrade
- Visit to Novi Sad on the Danube River
- Guided sightseeing in Budapest
- Orientation tour of Cluj Napoca
- Orientation tour of Sighisoara
- Visit to Bran Castle, of Dracula legend
- Walking orientation tour of Brasov with visit to the Black Church
- Visit to Sinaia Monastery and Pele's Castle
- Guided sightseeing in Romanian capital of Bucharest
- The world is within reach with everything you need for perfectly affordable touring. Cosmos includes hand-selected accommodations, guided sightseeing, and seamless transportation between destinations—with value-minded travel lovers in mind. Explore with expert Cosmos Tour Directors and Local Guides, complimentary headsets, private, first-class, air-conditioned motorcoach with free Wi-Fi.
- 11 Breakfasts, 2 Dinners
- Sofia: Sofia Budapest Hotel (Superior Tourist-Class)
- Belgrade: Kopernikus Hotel Prag (Superior Tourist-Class)
- Budapest: Intercity Hotel Budapest (First-Class)
- Cluj Napoca: Golden Tulip Ana Dome (First-Class)
- Brasov: HP Tower One (First-Class)
- Bucharest: Capitol (First-Class)
- Airport transfers at your arrival and departure destination are not included in the price of the tour.
- Itinerary and inclusions subject to change.
- Price is for land, cruise and specified internal flights. International flights not included.
- The Bran Castle visit requires guests to navigate many steps which may pose a challenge for those with physical limitations or reliant on mobility devices such as wheelchairs.
Operator
Enjoy inside visits to Europe's the must-see sites with a great mix of included excursions, free time and affordable value. Read more
Cosmos build free time into every one of their vacations, so you can eat, shop, and explore the way you want. Read more
Cosmos' easy going, fun-filled and multilingual Tour Directors and Local Guides love exploring as much as you do. Read more
Trip Reviews (16)
The optional dinner did not meet expectations about seeing Istanbul's lights at night. I do not think getting in a coach and driving along two streets to the restaurant was at all satisfactory to meet that expectation. The tour guide didn't turn up and sent someone along who did not introduce himself or even talk in the coach. The dinner itself was good but as the dancing got started the tour guide came in and told us we had to go. We did not have any local guides. The accommodation was mixed and while I know this is a low cost tour, it was interesting to hear the tour guide describe it as a budget tour. One of the hotels had this dreadful sewer smell in the rooms (Konya) and I heard this complaint from a other guests on tour. This area was not very nice either. I tipped the tour operator 50 Euros but I did so only on the basis of his knowledge and that he did organise the balloon flight over Cappadocia and a Turkish bath as side tours for a few of us.
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Cosmos Europe (2026)
Enjoy handpicked hotels, the insight of skilled Tour Directors, guided more explorations led by knowledgeable Local Guides, and worry-free transportation - all curated to ensure each journey is effortless and enriching. From legendary landmarks to stunning natural wonders, now is the perfect time to explore Europe’s treasures—without stretching your budget. Travellers trust Cosmos for seamless planning and incredible value, so all that’s left is to pack and simply say, “Let’s go!”
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A definite departure means minimum numbers have been reached for this departure to operate. Your Global Journeys Travel Advisor will check the availability of your departure date when you Inquire. Additional savings may apply. T&C’s apply.
Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Pricing and trip details are correct at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by Cosmos. For cruise itineraries, cabin images are sourced from the cruise-line and should be treated as indicative only. Cabin inclusions, upholsteries and room layout may differ to the image(s) shown depending on the ship selected and your sailing dates.
