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12-Nights Budapest to Istanbul - Classic

Europe
12-Nights Budapest to Istanbul - Classic
Europe
G Adventures
Vacation Offer ID 1532747
Reference this number when contacting our travel specialist.
Overview

G Adventures

Budapest to Istanbul
From pastoral countryside to forbidding forests and fairytale villages, this tour from Budapest to Istanbul is definitely the road less travelled, but absolutely a worthy adventure to take. Over 13 days, you’ll explore the weathered architecture of Budapest, grand Ottoman palaces, "Dracula’s Castle" in Transylvania, and much more. With an intriguing combination of cultural colour and exploration, you'll come away with a real feel for this lesser-explored corner of Europe.

Highlights
Discover the rich and varied culture of Eastern Europe, visit 'Dracula's Castle' and charming Slavic villages, explore the spectacular cities of Budapest and Istanbul

Accommodation
Hotels/pensions (11 nts), guest lodge (1 nt).

Group Leader
CEO (Chief Experience Officer) throughout.

Group Size Notes
Max 16, avg 12

Meals Included
12 breakfasts, 1 dinner

What's Included
Your G for Good Moment: Nem Adom Fel Café and Bar, Budapest Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group. Budapest orientation walk. Visit to the Balla Géza Winery. Half-day tour of Sighisoara and surrounding countryside villages. 'Dracula's Castle' (Bran). Bucharest orientation tour. Hike to Arbanasi village. Sofia orientation walk. Istanbul city tour with local guide. All transport between destinations and to/from included activities.

Featured Destinations

Veliko Tarnovo

Veliko Tarnovo

The former medieval capital, Veliko Tarnovo is easily recognized as a historical and cultural center of contemporary Bulgaria. The cities museums are rich in artifacts and historical monuments and monasteries dot the landscape. The most visited spot in Veliko Tarnovo is the Arbanasi village. The St. Virgin Mary convent lies on one end of the village, the St Nikola monastery on the other. Exploring the village will be a memorable experience.
Sighisoara

Sighisoara

Sighisoara, situated in the Transylvania province of Romania, is famous for its architecture dating from 14th century. Visitors walk from the city to the medieval citadel and enter throwgh the 60-meter-tall clock tower (built in 1360). The ocher-colored house "Casa Vlad Dracula", where the Vlad the Impaler was born, better known as Vlad III Dracula, once lived, is now a cozy restaurant with Gothic-style furniture, good soups, and traditional Romanian dishes. Visit the museums, the Church on trop of the Hill (14th century), and the Monastery Church (15th century) both built in the Gothic style. The town of Sighisoara is the most enchanting of all Transylvanian towns. Its medieval buildings, gilded roofs and towers have been unspoiled by war or modern industry. The Citadel, built by the Saxons in the 12th Century, rises above the town and is preserved as a museum.
Destination Guide
Arad

Arad

Arad is situated north of Timisoara. It has a huge citadel (still used by the military) and lovely architecture (many buildings were erected in the 1800s during the last decades of Hapsburg rule). You will notice a lot of Western influences, and the inhabitants are usually fluent in Hungarian and German, too. If you go, stop by the museum in the Palace of Culture to see the exhibit about Hapsburg political intrigue.
Destination Guide
Istanbul

Istanbul

This centuries old capital guards the slender waterway between the Mediterranean and the Black Sea, and is the doorway between the East and West. Visitors can explore remnants of Byzantine Constantinople in the Sultanahmet district, where you will have the chance to see ancient splendors, such as the Haghia Sophia, the Blue Mosque and Topkapi Palace. At night the city boast a lively nightclub scene and excellent Turkish dining options that may include cultural entertainment and dancing. Istanbul also features splendid shopping malls, boutiques, and hand crafted items can be found all over the city.

 

 

Destination Guide
Plovdiv

Plovdiv

Situated on the Maritsa River, Plovdiv is the second largest city in Bulgaria. Older than Rome, Athens, Carthage or Constantinople, it is almost a contemporary of Troy. Set upon ancient crossroads, the city has hints of both East and West civilizations that add spice to her people and stimulate a unique cultural identity. Look closely around the city to see glimpses of Thracian, Macedonian, Byzantium, and Ottoman influences. Visitors take days to wander around the towns many parks, gardens, museums and historical monuments. The Ancient Theatre (which is a Roman theatre), is one of the most remarkable sites and maybe while you’re visiting you will be able to catch a performance in the theatre. This city is the place to be in Bulgaria, most times rivaling the capital Sofia.
Destination Guide
Sofia

Sofia

Sofia is capital of Bulgaria with a motto “Ever growing, never aging". Influences of many different cultures can be spotted through the city. Alexander Nevski Memorial Church has a gold dome considered one of the finest pieces of architecture in the Balkans. Other points of interest include 4th-6th century Church of St. Sofia; Boyana Church, a good example of 11th century East European Medieval art; and 15th century Dragalevtsi monastery. The National Palace of Culture is the Balkans' biggest congress center. Vassil Levski monument is where the main architect of the campaign to free Bulgaria from oppression of the Ottoman Empire was hanged by Turks in 1873. The National History Museum, Archaeological Museum and National Natural History Museum are there. There are many areas around downtown for nightlife. Sofia sits near Mount Vitosha and during the winter months this is a prime skiing spot.
Destination Guide
Bucharest

Bucharest

Bucharest is the capital and largest city in Romania and is located in the southern part of the country. Referred to as the ‘Paris of the Balkans’, Bucharest has ornate buildings, wide boulevards and gardens fashioned after French architecture and city planning. In the name of progress and modernization, North Korean style buildings began being erected – many of which still stand unfinished today. Sights to see in Bucharest range from the stately to the heavenly. The Palace of Parliament should not be missed while in Bucharest – and it’s hard not to. It’s the second largest building in the world behind the Pentagon. Containing over 1,000 rooms, restaurants, conference areas and an art gallery, it houses the Romanian Parliament. There are several museums in the city, such as the National Art Museum and the Village Museum - an open–air museum containing over 300 houses, churches and mills from all over Romania and displays of some of the best folk architecture in the region. The Antim Monastery and Patriarchate Church are among Bucharest's outstanding religious structures.
Destination Guide
Brasov

Brasov

Brasov is a medieval city located in central Romania, originally founded by the Teutonic Knights in 1211 and settled by the Saxons as a walled citadel. The city was located at an influential intersection linking trade routes of the Ottoman Empire and Europe. It is part of the Transylvania region, and is surrounded by the Carpathian Mountains. A wealth of historical attractions can be visited, including Bran Castle, attracting many fans of Dracula, the Black Church (Biserica Neagra), the largest gothic church in Romania, and Rope Street, the narrowest street in Romania.
Destination Guide
Budapest

Budapest

Caught between eastern and western Europe, Budapest has a character uniquely its own. It's also the last cheap, civilised city in Europe. Budapest can seem like one big sight, with each phase in its history, from the Ottoman period until the Communist days and from renaissance to revolution, leaving its mark on the city. For the tourist, a trip to Hungary's capital is dominated by the majestic sights of Buda. In the summer, there are open-air festivals at Szeged, Diosgyor Castle in Miskolc, Gyor and Pecs. Visit the former Royal Palace complex, the Matyas templom and the Belvaros. Margaret Island is a giant recreational park and feels pleasantly separated from the city bustle. Hungarian National Gallery houses Hungarian art since the birth of the nation. Although Esztergom is Hungary's most sacred city, home of the Archbishop and the nation's biggest church, it has a real-life edge. The first-time visitor to Szeged is invariably struck by its space and grandeur. One's immediate impressions of Hungary's third largest provincial city are of greenery and plazas, of broad.
Destination Guide

View Full Itinerary

Valid Date Ranges

March 2025
03/23/2025 04/04/2025 $2,209 per person
April 2025
04/06/2025 04/18/2025 $2,209 per person
May 2025
05/04/2025 05/16/2025 $2,339 per person
05/11/2025 05/23/2025 $2,339 per person
05/18/2025 05/30/2025 $2,339 per person
05/25/2025 06/06/2025 $2,339 per person
June 2025
06/01/2025 06/13/2025 $2,429 per person
06/08/2025 06/20/2025 $2,429 per person
06/15/2025 06/27/2025 $2,429 per person
06/29/2025 07/11/2025 $2,429 per person
July 2025
07/06/2025 07/18/2025 $2,519 per person
07/20/2025 08/01/2025 $2,519 per person
07/27/2025 08/08/2025 $2,519 per person
August 2025
08/03/2025 08/15/2025 $2,519 per person
08/17/2025 08/29/2025 $2,519 per person
08/24/2025 09/05/2025 $2,519 per person
08/31/2025 09/12/2025 $2,519 per person
September 2025
09/02/2025 09/14/2025 $2,699 per person
09/07/2025 09/19/2025 $2,699 per person
09/14/2025 09/26/2025 $2,699 per person
09/16/2025 09/28/2025 $2,699 per person
09/21/2025 10/03/2025 $2,699 per person
09/28/2025 10/10/2025 $2,699 per person
09/30/2025 10/12/2025 $2,699 per person
October 2025
10/05/2025 10/17/2025 $2,599 per person
10/12/2025 10/24/2025 $2,599 per person
10/19/2025 10/31/2025 $2,599 per person
10/26/2025 11/07/2025 $2,599 per person
November 2025
11/09/2025 11/21/2025 $2,599 per person
January 2026
01/11/2026 01/23/2026 $2,599 per person
February 2026
02/22/2026 03/06/2026 $2,599 per person
March 2026
03/22/2026 04/03/2026 $2,599 per person
03/29/2026 04/10/2026 $2,599 per person
April 2026
04/05/2026 04/17/2026 $2,599 per person
04/19/2026 05/01/2026 $2,599 per person
04/26/2026 05/08/2026 $2,599 per person
May 2026
05/03/2026 05/15/2026 $2,599 per person
05/10/2026 05/22/2026 $2,599 per person
05/12/2026 05/24/2026 $2,599 per person
05/17/2026 05/29/2026 $2,599 per person
05/24/2026 06/05/2026 $2,599 per person
05/31/2026 06/12/2026 $2,599 per person
June 2026
06/07/2026 06/19/2026 $2,599 per person
06/09/2026 06/21/2026 $2,599 per person
06/14/2026 06/26/2026 $2,599 per person
06/21/2026 07/03/2026 $2,599 per person
06/23/2026 07/05/2026 $2,599 per person
06/28/2026 07/10/2026 $2,599 per person
July 2026
07/05/2026 07/17/2026 $2,599 per person
07/12/2026 07/24/2026 $2,599 per person
07/19/2026 07/31/2026 $2,599 per person
07/26/2026 08/07/2026 $2,599 per person
August 2026
08/02/2026 08/14/2026 $2,599 per person
08/16/2026 08/28/2026 $2,599 per person
08/23/2026 09/04/2026 $2,599 per person
08/30/2026 09/11/2026 $2,599 per person
September 2026
09/01/2026 09/13/2026 $2,599 per person
09/06/2026 09/18/2026 $2,599 per person
09/13/2026 09/25/2026 $2,599 per person
09/15/2026 09/27/2026 $2,599 per person
09/20/2026 10/02/2026 $2,599 per person
09/27/2026 10/09/2026 $2,599 per person
09/29/2026 10/11/2026 $2,599 per person
October 2026
10/04/2026 10/16/2026 $2,599 per person
10/11/2026 10/23/2026 $2,599 per person
10/13/2026 10/25/2026 $2,599 per person
10/18/2026 10/30/2026 $2,599 per person
10/25/2026 11/06/2026 $2,599 per person
November 2026
11/01/2026 11/13/2026 $2,599 per person
11/08/2026 11/20/2026 $2,599 per person
11/29/2026 12/11/2026 $2,599 per person
December 2026
12/13/2026 12/25/2026 $2,599 per person
Pricing is per person, land only, in US dollars and based on double occupancy. For specific validity dates, discount amount and tour information, please return to the promotion in question. Promotion valid on G Adventures small group tours excluding Independent, MS Expedition or National Geographic Journeys, unless otherwise stated. Promotion applicable to new bookings only and cannot be combined with any other discount or promotion. Does not apply to airfare (unless otherwise stated), pre-/post-accommodation, 'My Own Room' or 'My Own Tent', transfers, theme packs, insurance, polar kayaking & camping excursions or other in-country services. G Adventures reserves the right to withdraw this offer from sale at any time. Itinerary and map subject to change.  Please click here for a description of the travel style options provided by G Adventures. 

Dossier Disclaimer
The information in this trip details document has been compiled with care and is provided in good faith. However it is subject to change, and does not form part of the contract between the client and the operator. The itinerary featured is correct at time of printing. It may differ slightly to the one in the brochure. Occasionally our itineraries change as we make improvements that stem from past travellers, comments and our own research. Sometimes it can be a small change like adding an extra meal along the itinerary. Sometimes the change may result in us altering the tour for the coming year. Ultimately, our goal is to provide you with the most rewarding experience. Please note that our brochure is usually released in November each year. If you have booked from the previous brochure you may find there have been some changes to the itinerary. VERY IMPORTANT: Please ensure that you print a final copy of your Trip Details to review a couple of days prior to travel, in case there have been changes that affect your plans.

Itinerary Disclaimer
While it is our intention to adhere to the route described below, there is a certain amount of flexibility built into the itinerary and on occasion it may be necessary, or desirable to make alterations. The itinerary is brief, as we never know exactly where our journey will take us. Due to our style of travel and the regions we visit, travel can be unpredictable. The Trip Details document is a general guide to the tour and region and any mention of specific destinations or wildlife is by no means a guarantee that they will be visited or encountered. Aboard expedition trips visits to research stations depend on final permission. Additionally, any travel times listed are approximations only and subject to vary due to local circumstances.
 

All fares are quoted in US Dollars.