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Undiscovered Countries, beautiful countryside and Dracula
Take a journey through two of Eastern Europe’s least explored countries and see them before too many others discover their charms. This tour escorts you to the old & the new, the cities & the countryside and along the picturesque coastline of the Black Sea.
We visit Transylvania with its medieval towns, rolling hills and Dracula castles; central Romania homeland to Ceausescu’s communist regime; Bucharest a thriving modern-day city and finish up by the beach on the Black Sea coast; and that’s just Romania.
In Bulgaria see the home of its first kingdom and today its historic centre in Veliko Tarnivo; learn about how and where 70% of the worlds Rose Oil production comes from; taste wines and brandy as we tour the country before finishing up in its most rural corner for a geographical wonder.
During 33 days of adventure, you will experience the real countries and throughout enjoy local cuisine with an above average amount of group meals included, certainly don’t expect to be cooking much whilst on this tour.
Campsites in Romania and Bulgaria are basic and this tour will be best enjoyed by those with a sense for adventure and an open mind to camping facilities.
Ted and Susanna Brooking – Romania and Bulgaria 2024
‘Two lovely and interesting countries that should be on your list to visit. Good itineraries researched by Nurcan and Kevin which included some history ancient & modern, fiction at ‘Count Dracula’s home’, superb mountain passes to drive with fabulous scenery, the chance to see Brown Bears in their natural environment as you drive, plus many more highlights. Well done GB Motorhome Tours.’
Carolyn and Nick Griffiths – Romania and Bulgaria 2024
‘Romania and Bulgaria proved to be both surprising and fascinating. We enjoyed so many beautiful sights and experiences like the Transfagarasan and Shipka passes but also learnt so much more about the recent histories of two countries. Thank you Nurcan and Kevin for another exciting adventure, we’re already looking forward to our next in 2025.’
This tour can be followed by the Journey Along the Danube tour that starts in Serbia 2 days and 200 miles from the finish of this tour, to extend your holiday by a further 19 nights whilst also returning you back towards the UK.
Day One – Tuesday 12th May 2026
Welcome to Hungary where we meet at a good quality campsite. You should plan your arrival early afternoon as this evening we have a welcome drinks reception and tour briefing with the Tour Directors.
Day Two – Wednesday 13th
Our drive today brings us to our first stop in Romania, near to the city of Arad. This evening we have a welcome to Romania get together. 150 miles
Day Three – Thursday 14th
Today we visit the enchanting city of Timisoara, birthplace of its 1989 revolution. Throughout the morning we have a guided tour of Timisoara’s historic centre, followed by lunch in a city restaurant. Later you can choose if you wish to visit the informative but moving ‘Museum of the Revolution’ or simply have free time in the city.
Day Four – Friday 15th
A relaxing start to the day before we make our way to a local winery for a tour, tastings and lunch. An opportunity to learn about and drink Romanian wines.
Day Five – Saturday 16th
Move on to the city of Sibiu, where our camping is a simple affair but conveniently located near to the city. We are now in Transylvania. 180 miles
Day Six – Sunday 17th
Making use of the local transport we travel into town for a guided walking tour of the city centre.
Day Seven – Monday 18th
A free day. The museum of Rural Life is a very good visit for today, again using local transport this is easy to reach.
Day Eight – Tuesday 19th
An opportunity today to take your motorhome on one of Europe’s best driving roads, the ‘Top Gear’ featured Transfagarasan Pass. If driving mountain roads is not for you, there is also a direct route to our next destination of Bran, where we stay for 4 nights. 165 (Pass) or 90 (Direct) miles
Day Nine – Wednesday 20th
A relaxed start for today. Later we have a ‘Dracula’ experience, with a visit to Bran castle every bit a vampire’s home.
Day Ten – Thursday 21st
This morning we are transported to Brasov for an English guided tour of the city centre and Baroque quarter. We have lunch in Brasov’s old centre followed by free time for you to further explore at your own pace.
Day Eleven – Friday 22nd
We travel from Bran to arrive near Romania’s capital, Bucharest. En-route there is an opportunity to visit ‘Peles Castle’ – Romania’s best-preserved palace. 110 miles
Day Twelve – Saturday 23rd
Collected by coach from our camping, we have a full day in the capital. We visit Ceausescu’s Civic Centre, his monument to communism and have a guided tour of his infamous Parliament Palace. Requiring 100,000 workers to construct its 1,100 rooms, the Parliament Palace is second in size only to the Pentagon. Lunch today is in an authentic city restaurant dating from the 1800’s.
Day Thirteen – Sunday 24th
Today brings us to Romania’s coast and the Black Sea. Our campsite is ideally located in a family resort with the beach within easy walking distance. 190 miles
Day Fourteen – Monday 25th
A free day. The campsite has its own swimming pool and the beach is 500m away.
Day Fifteen – Tuesday 26th
We cross into Bulgaria today and to another campsite located on the Black Sea coast. 50 miles
Day Sixteen – Wednesday 27th
Our destination is Balchik Palace – summer residence of Queen Marie of Romania (Grand Daughter of Queen Victoria). When the Palace was built in 1924 this region belonged to Romania, only later transferring to Bulgaria. We visit the Palace with its lovely gardens before taking lunch and our first taste of Bulgarian food.
Day Seventeen – Thursday 28th
We travel south along the Black Sea coast to the popular resort of Obzor. Tonight we celebrate Bulgarian style with an evening of traditional food and drinks in the campsite’s own restaurant. 70 miles
Day Eighteen – Friday 29th
Today has been left free. Maybe you will decide to relax on the sandy beach, just 200m from our campsite.
Day Nineteen – Saturday 30th
A later start this morning for a visit to Nesebar. Harbouring the coast’s best 19th century wooden architecture, a number of unique medieval churches and cobbled streets, Nesebar is just perfect for a few hours of leisurely meandering.
Day Twenty – Sunday 31st
We leave the coast going inland to the city of Plovdiv. 200 miles
Day Twenty-one – Monday 1st June
Thracian fortifications, Ottoman mosques and Bulgarian renaissance mansions all mix together in Plovdiv’s old centre. We have a guided tour to explore this fascinating area throughout today.
Day Twenty-two – Tuesday 2nd
A short drive to the Roman spa town of Terme de Hissar, where a new spa complex with camping has recently opened. With access to the spa included for you, relax and enjoy the lovely pools and healing waters. 35 miles
Day Twenty-three – Wednesday 3rd
A free day; again with unlimited access to the spa pools included for you. Also do find some time to take a walk around the remains of the original Roman town of Hissar.
Day Twenty-four – Thursday 4th
Another short journey to arrive at Kazanluk, in Bulgaria’s Valley of the Roses where 70% of the world’s rose oil production originates. 45 miles
Day Twenty-five – Friday 5th
Today starts with a visit to sights commemorating Bulgaria’s heroic 1877 victory over the Turks giving the country its independence. We then dedicate time to the rose; we learn about rose oil production and the traditions linked to this. Later we have an evening of Bulgarian food & wine in celebration of the rose harvest, just as in centuries past.
Day Twenty-six – Saturday 6th
A free day. You may do nothing or perhaps choose to visit Kazanluk. Being 3 miles from our campsite regular buses pass the campsite to the town centre, alternatively there is a direct cycle & walking path.
Day Twenty-seven – Sunday 7th
Driving the scenic Shipka Pass we can stop en-route to visit Shipka’s freedom monument and the Etar rural museum. We later arrive at Veliko Tarnovo, the first capital of Bulgaria’s Second Kingdom and the chosen location for the drafting of the Republic’s constitution. 65 miles
Day Twenty-eight – Monday 8th
Transport is arranged for spending time in Veliko Tarnovo throughout this morning, including a group visit to the Tsarevets (castle). Early evening we visit Arbanasi, Bulgaria’s most wealthy village. We have arranged some sightseeing followed by dinner in an Arbanasi Tavern.
Day Twenty-nine – Tuesday 9th
We are treated to a Bulgarian brunch breakfast in the campsite’s own coffee bar – a perfect start to a relaxing day. Afterwards you may decide to experience some Bulgarian rural life with a wander in the nearby village of Dragizhevo.
Day Thirty – Wednesday 10th
Leaving Veliko Tarnovo our route takes us North West to the rural region of Belogradchik. 180 miles
Day Thirty-one – Thursday 11th
Today is given over to the geographical features of this fascinating Bulgarian corner. Included is a visit to Belogradchik town, centre of the region’s charming rock formations and fortifications, where we also take a leisurely group meal.
Day Thirty-two – Friday 12th
A ‘Farewell Day’. We start our last tour day with a leisurely Country Breakfast in the campsite tavern. During the afternoon we have an organic wine tasting and then in the evening, have dinner at the campsite.
Day Thirty-three – Saturday 13th June
Our tour ends. You may make your own way back to the UK or join with the Tour Directors on another adventure. From here the Tour Directors will travel to Belgrade, Serbia (200 miles over 2 days) for the start of the ‘Journey Along the Danube’ tour; taking them back towards the UK whilst following the river Danube all the way to its source, with many interesting stops along the way. For full details see the tours itinerary, which can be followed on from this tour.
PRICE
Motorhome with 2 people = £2499 per person
Motorhome with 1 person = £3499
DEPOSIT £500
INCLUDED IN PRICE
- 32 Campsite nights with hook-up
- Transport for Excursions/Events as per the Itinerary
- Entrance Fees as per the itinerary
- Tour information pack with suggested routes + GPS Co-ordinates
- Services of Tour Director’s travelling in their own motorhome
- Michelin Maps for Romania and Bulgaria
Excursions, Events & Meals
- Welcome Reception & Tour Briefing
- Welcome to Romania get together
- Timisoara city tour including city restaurant lunch
- Romanian winery visit with tastings and lunch
- Sibiu guided tour using local city transport
- Opportunity to drive the Transfagarasan Pass
- Visit to Bran Castle
- Brasov city tour with city restaurant Lunch
- Bucharest city tour including city restaurant Lunch
- Balchick Palace and gardens visit followed by Bulgarian Lunch
- Bulgarian group dinner with wine
- Trip to Nesebar
- Plovdiv city tour
- 2 days Hissar spa entry
- Rose oil tour
- Local Dinner with wine
- Veliko Tarnivo city visit
- Visit to Arbanasi including tavern Dinner with wine
- Campsite Brunch Breakfast
- Belogradchik visit with lunch
- ‘Farewell Day’ of Country Breakfast, Bulgarian organic Wine Tastings and Dinner with wine
This tour starts in central Hungary but if you would like to travel from the UK at the same time as the Tour Director on the outward journey, please book the optional tour package so that everything can be arranged on your behalf
OPTIONAL PACKAGE
- Return Dover/Calais Ferry with a Flexible Ticket + Club Class Lounge
- 7 x additional Campsite nights with electric hook-up starting in Kent on Tuesday 5th May 2026 followed by Belgium, 3 x Germany and 2 x Hungary
- Group dinner on one of the nights
- Complementary Spa access in Hungary campsite
- Tour information pack with suggested routes + GPS Co-ordinates
- Services of Tour Directors travelling in their own motorhome
OPTIONAL PACKAGE PRICE
Motorhome with 2 people = £559 per person
Motorhome with 1 person = £959