Driving Tours

Trip Along the Danube

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Transport
Own Transport
Duration
8 days / 7 nights
Departure dates
02.04.2024, 30.04.2024, 10.05.2024, 21.05.2024, 04.06.2024, 07.06.2024, 18.06.2024, 21.06.2024, 02.07.2024, 05.07.2024, 09.07.2024, 12.07.2024, 19.07.2024, 23.07.2024, 06.08.2024, 09.08.2024, 13.08.2024, 16.08.2024, 20.08.2024, 23.08.2024, 10.09.2024, 13.09.2024, 17.09.2024, 27.09.2024, 01.10.2024, 08.10.2024, 15.10.2024, 18.10.2024, 22.10.2024
Route
Sofia-Belogradchik-Vidin-Pleven-Svishtov-Ruse-Tutrakan-Silistra-Varna
Price per person
440
Enquiry
Program
Trip along the Danube, suitable for family and friends


Day 1: Sofia
Arrival to Sofia International Airport and pick up the rental car you've booked. Drive to your hotel in Sofia.
Night in Sofia.

Day 2: Sofia - Belogradchik - Vidin (240 km)
Drive to north towards the magnificent Danube river. On the way, visit the breath-taking Belogradchik rocks and the famous fortification built within this natural phenomenon. The rocks are remarkably varied and picturesque and create a natural fortress with a high defensive potential, improved and enlarged numerous times throuout the years. Now, this is one of the must-see attractions in the region, along with the Magura cave - one of the largest and most beautiful ones in Bulgaria, keeping prehistoric paintings from differnt eras and the earliest solar calendar discovered in Europe.  
Continue to Vidin and visit Baba Vida fortress, the best preserved one in Bulgaria, used till the end of 18th century. Enjoy the sunset over the beautiful Danube river. Night in Vidin.

Day 3: Vidin - Pleven (210 km)
Optional sightseeing tour of Vidin with a local guide along the most remarkable houses in the city, or boat tour on the Danube (available only from May to September, and depending on weather conditions). Continue your tour to Pleven, a major economic center in Northwestern Bulgaria. The best way to learn about the region is to visit the Pleven Panorama museum and the Regional museum of history. Night in Pleven.

Day 4: Pleven - Svishtov - Ruse (160 km)
Continue your Danube expedition towards Svishtov. Take a walk in the city center and visit the Church of the Holy Trinity from 19th century. As Svishtov was a Roman legion's base for centuries, the rests of the great Roman fortress Novae defending the Empire's border can still be visited. Continue to Ruse.  
Night in Ruse.

Day 5: Ruse
Spend a day in the beautiful Ruse. Known in the past as the "small Vienne", this is also the city of the first railway station, printing house, brewery, private bank etc. The range is almost endless. The history musem will tell you all about it.
Only few kilometers away from Ruse are located the fantastic rock-hewn churches if Ivanovo (UNESCO). This is where the first hermits in 12th century built their own cells. Their frescoes reveal exceptional skills of the artists in the region.
Romanian capital Bucharest is only 70 km away and can be visited also in a day. Night in Ruse.

Day 6: Ruse - Tutrakan - Silistra ( 130 km)
Drive along the Danube towards Tutrakan, a vibrant fishing village. Visit the picturesque Fishermen’s Quarter, attractive for bicyclists, boaters and artists. Do not miss to taste the local dishes and then continue to Srebarna lake. The lake is part of the Srebarna Nature Reserve (UNESCO), home to numerous rare bird species nesting on its territory, such as the Damlatian pelican, great egret, night heron and others. Drive to Silistra for a sightseeing tour along the Danube. Night in Silistra.

Day 7: Silistra - Varna (140 km)
Drive to the Black Sea Coast and the fantastic Varna city. Known also as the maritime capital of Bulgaria, the area is very popular holiday destination. Varna is famous also for the oldest processed gold in the world, exhibited in the local Archaeological Museum. It is dated back to 4000 BC, and an important part of the Varna Culture.   
Enjoy the city’s sights and historical landmarks - Roman thermae, Varna Cathedral, Aladzha Monastery, or spend a day on the beach. Night in Varna.

Day 8: Varna
Drive to Varna International Airport, ad flight back to your destination, depending on your flight schedule. 

More Info
Spend a fantastic week along the Danube with your family and friends and visit the finest sights and historical landmarks at your own pace.

Price includes:
> Rental car (Renault Clio V + NAVI or similar)
> 1 night in Sofia, hotel Budapest 3* or similar, breakfast included
> 1 night in Vidin, hotel Neptun 3* or similar, breakfast included
> 1 night in Pleven, hotel Rostov 3* or similar, breakfast included
> 2 nights in Ruse, Grand Hotel Riga 4 * or similar, breakfast included
> 1 night in Silistra, hotel Drustur 4* or similar, breakfast included
> 1 night in Varna, hotel Cherno More 4* or similar, breakfast included
> Visit of Belograchik Fortress, Magura Cave, Baba Vida Fortress, Cathedral in Svishtоv, Srebarna Biosphere reserve (UNESCO),
> Local taxes

Price does not include:
> Meals, drinks, and any personal charge
> Services, not mentioned in the offer
> Travel Insurance
> Optional visits and tours

Optional Visits and Tours:
>Half-day sightseeing tour with English-speaking guide: 100 EUR
Valid for Vidin, Pleven, Svishtov, Ruse, Silistra or Varna
Travel guides with other languages are available upon request and with surcharge
>Boat tour on the Danube, 30 EUR per person
Available from May to September
>Visit of Bucharest, during your stay in Ruse – 100 EUR cross-border fee, 120 EUR for half-day sightseeing tour of Bucharest with English-speaking guide