← All Trips
Adventure Awaits

Bulgaria & Romania

April 1–17, 2026 • 17 Days • 2 Travelers Anthony & Jennifer

Route Map

BULGARIA ROMANIA Sofia Apr 2-5, 15-17 Plovdiv Apr 5-8 Bucharest Apr 8-11 Brașov Apr 11-13 V. Tarnovo Apr 13-15 Bulgaria stops Romania stops

📅 Trip at a Glance

1Wed
2Thu
3Fri
4Sat
5Sun
6Mon
7Tue
8Wed
9Thu
10Fri
11Sat
12Sun
13Mon
14Tue
15Wed
16Thu
17Fri
Travel
Sofia (5 nights)
Plovdiv (3 nights)
Bucharest (3 nights)
Brașov (2 nights)
V. Tarnovo (2 nights)

Day by Day

Apr 1
Wednesday
✈ Travel Day
Minneapolis → Sofia
Depart MSP 3:50pm → Arrive SOF 2:00pm (+1 day)
Via Amsterdam (AMS) • 14h 10m total
Confirmation: HWR5FJ
Apr 2–5
Thu–Sun
🇧🇬 Sofia, Bulgaria
Hotel Via Serdika 📍
April 2–5 • 3 nights
✈️ Arrive Thu 2pm 📅 2 full days (Fri–Sat) 🚌 Depart Sun 10am
🎭 Confirmed Event
Madama Butterfly
Sofia Opera and Ballet • Sat Apr 4 @ 7:00pm
Row 2, Seats 34 & 36 • Order #1196706
🚌
Sofia → Plovdiv
📅 Sunday, April 5 • Depart 10:00 AM
~145 km • ~2 hrs by bus • Karat-S
✓ Booked • Ref: AICZDS • €16.32
✓ Booked
Apr 5–8
Sun–Wed
🇧🇬 Plovdiv, Bulgaria
Plovdiv City Center Hotel 📍
April 5–8 • 3 nights
🚌 Arrive Sun ~noon 📅 2 full days (Mon–Tue) 🚐 Depart Wed 10am
🚐
Plovdiv → Bucharest
📅 Wednesday, April 8 • Depart 10:00 AM
Private driver • ~5h 20min • Door-to-door • Arrives ~3:35pm
✓ Daytrip Booked • Ref: G4U5WMK1 • €343 prepaid
✓ Booked
Apr 8–11
Wed–Sat
🇷🇴 Bucharest, Romania
AIASTAY Bucharest River Apartments 📍
April 8–11 • 3 nights
Deluxe Queen Studio with River View
Self check-in from 4pm • Code sent day-of
Confirmation: 6700699169
🚐 Arrive Wed 3:35pm 📅 2 full days (Thu–Fri) 🚂 Depart Sat 9:45am
🍷 Confirmed Event
Romanian Wine Tasting at Corks
Thu, Apr 9 @ 1:00pm • 1.5 hrs • 2 adults
Strada Băcani 1 • Ref: GYG2Q9VMRVW8
🚂
Bucharest → Brașov
📅 Saturday, April 11 • Depart 9:45 AM → Arrive 12:20 PM
~170 km • 2.5 hrs • Train IR 1621 • 1st Class • Car 3, Seats 83 & 85
✓ Booked • Ref: 34702447 • 195.70 lei
✓ Booked
Apr 11–13
Sat–Mon
🇷🇴 Brașov, Romania
Casa Cranta 📍
April 11–13 • 2 nights
Superior Double Room, upper floors
Confirmation: 6827214060 • PIN: 6432
🚂 Arrive Sat 12:20pm 📅 1 full day (Sun) 🚂 Depart Mon 6:49am ⚠️
🚂
Brașov → Bucharest
📅 Monday, April 13 • Depart 6:49 AM → Arrive 9:04 AM
~170 km • 2 hrs 15 min • Train IC 538 • 1st Class • Car 1, Seats 44 & 46
✓ Booked • Ref: 34823916 • 223.60 lei
✓ Booked
🚌
Bucharest → Veliko Tarnovo
📅 Monday, April 13 • Depart 10:10 AM → Arrive 2:20 PM
FlixBus Route 983 • From Autogara Militari • Seats 11C & 11D
✓ Booked • Ref: 3338105657 • $40.95
✓ Booked
Apr 13–15
Mon–Wed
🇧🇬 Veliko Tarnovo
Tarnovo Studios Old Town 📍
April 13–15 • 2 nights
Studio with Balcony • Mountain & river views
Confirmation: 5886732898 • PIN: 0209
🚌 Arrive Mon 2:20pm 📅 1 full day (Tue) 🚌 Depart Wed 10:50am
🚌
Veliko Tarnovo → Sofia
📅 Wednesday, April 15 • Depart 10:50 AM
~220 km • ~3.5 hrs by bus • Global Biomet
✓ Booked • Ref: H1UUIX • €27.00 • Seats 49 & 5
✓ Booked
Apr 15–17
Wed–Fri
🇧🇬 Sofia (Return)
The Pearl Downtown 📍
April 15–17 • 2 nights
One-Bedroom Deluxe Apartment • Balcony
Confirmation: 6949329906 • PIN: 7037
🚌 Arrive Wed ~2:30pm 📅 1 full day (Thu) ✈️ Depart Fri 7am
Apr 17
Friday
✈ Travel Day
Sofia → Minneapolis
Depart SOF 7:00am → Arrive MSP 2:50pm (same day)
Via Amsterdam (AMS) • 15h 50m total
Confirmation: HWR5FJ
Total Duration
17 Days
Confirmed
15 Nights
Accommodations
6 Properties
Destinations
6 Cities
🚂 Transport Plan

🚌 Bus (3 legs): ✓ Sofia→Plovdiv (Karat-S, Ref: AICZDS, Apr 5 @ 10am, €16.32) • ✓ Bucharest→V. Tarnovo (FlixBus, Ref: 3338105657, Apr 13 @ 10:10am, $41) • ✓ V. Tarnovo→Sofia (Global Biomet, Ref: H1UUIX, Apr 15 @ 10:50am, €27).

🚐 Daytrip (1 leg): ✓ Plovdiv→Bucharest (Ref: G4U5WMK1, Apr 8 @ 10am, €343).

🚂 Trains (2 legs): ✓ Bucharest→Brașov (IR 1621, Ref: 34702447, Apr 11 @ 9:45am, 196 lei) • ✓ Brașov→Bucharest (IC 538, Ref: 34823916, Apr 13 @ 6:49am, 224 lei).

✅ ALL TRANSPORT BOOKED!

📄 Travel Documents
Document Details File
✈️ Flight Confirmation Delta KLM • MSP↔SOF • Conf# HWR5FJ View PDF ↗
🎭 Opera Tickets Madama Butterfly • Apr 4 @ 7pm • Row 2, Seats 34 & 36 View PDF ↗
🍷 Wine Tasting Vouchers Corks Bucharest • Apr 9 @ 1pm • Ref# GYG2Q9VMRVW8 Ticket 1 ↗ · Ticket 2 ↗
🚐 Daytrip Transfer Plovdiv → Bucharest • Apr 8 @ 10am • Ref# G4U5WMK1 • €343 View PDF ↗
🚌 Bus Tickets Sofia → Plovdiv • Apr 5 @ 10am • Ref# AICZDS • €16.32 View PDF ↗
🚌 Bus Tickets V. Tarnovo → Sofia • Apr 15 @ 10:50am • Ref# H1UUIX • €27 View PDF ↗
🚂 Train Ticket Bucharest → Brașov • Apr 11 @ 9:45am • Ref# 34702447 • 196 lei View PDF ↗
🚂 Train Ticket Brașov → Bucharest • Apr 13 @ 6:49am • Ref# 34823916 • 224 lei View PDF ↗
🚌 FlixBus Ticket Bucharest → V. Tarnovo • Apr 13 @ 10:10am • Ref# 3338105657 • $41 View PDF ↗
🏨 Bucharest Hotel AIASTAY • Apr 8-11 • Conf# 6700699169 —
🏨 Brașov Hotel Casa Cranta • Apr 11-13 • Conf# 6827214060 • PIN 6432 —
🏨 Veliko Tarnovo Hotel Tarnovo Studios Old Town • Apr 13-15 • Conf# 5886732898 • PIN 0209 View PDF ↗
🏨 Sofia Return Hotel The Pearl Downtown • Apr 15-17 • Conf# 6949329906 • PIN 7037 View PDF ↗
📝 Jen's Notes & Ideas

🚗 Day Trip Ideas

From Sofia:
  • Seven Rila Lakes – Stunning glacier lakes at 2,100-2,500m elevation. Main hiking route is 2.5-3 hours to the highest lake. Locals are obsessed with these lakes! Can book organized tour from Sofia or drive to Rila Mountains.
  • Rila Monastery – One of Bulgaria's most important cultural monuments, dating to 10th century. Even more impressive inside than outside – beautiful frescos, rich collection of icons and wood carvings. 2 hours from Sofia, shared shuttles run daily.
  • Belogradchik Rocks – Impressive rock formations in Western Balkan Mountains. Formation started 230 million years ago! UNESCO World Heritage Site and was a finalist for New 7 Wonders of Nature. View from the top is extraordinary – endless mountain peaks, lush forests, almost no people.
From Plovdiv:
  • Starosel Winery – Drink wine underground in a room that looks like a Thracian temple! Can visit for the day even without staying overnight. Restaurant and winery open during the day.
From Bucharest:
  • Peleș Castle – Stunning Neo-Renaissance castle in the Carpathians. Consider a full day trip or even overnight stay? (Train accessible)
From Brașov:
  • Bran Castle – "Dracula's Castle" – nearby and easy day trip

🇧🇬 Sofia Highlights

🇧🇬 Plovdiv Highlights

Main Attractions:
  • Ancient Roman Stadium – On Knyaz Alexander I Street in the main shopping area. Discovered during construction a few decades ago. Fun fact: the Eastern sector is now accessible in the basement of H&M!
  • Ancient Plovdiv Combi Ticket – 5 locations for 21 BGN. Includes museums and historic houses.
  • Regional History Museum – In a historic Old Town house. Ethnographic area on first floor (traditional cafe scene is cool), Bulgarian Revolution history upstairs. Great orientation to the country's history.
  • Bulgarian Revival Houses – Balabanov, Hindliyan, and Kilanti Houses. 19th century houses reflecting Bulgarian national pride. Hindliyan House is the jewel – stunning blue house in a peaceful courtyard with gorgeous pastel murals including the Rialto Bridge in Venice.
  • Street of Crafts – Tiny alley easily missed, but worth finding! Different workshops for traditional crafts – pottery, candlemaking. Great for meaningful gifts.
Neighborhoods & Streets:
  • Rayko Daskalov Street – The absolute heart of Plovdiv. Long pedestrian boulevard with shops, cafes, restaurants. Links almost all other parts of the city.
  • Kapana District – Plovdiv's most vibrant area! Warren of side streets crammed with restaurants, bars, cafes, art galleries, craft shops. Home of Plovdiv's street art scene – buildings covered in colorful murals. Best explored late afternoon/evening.
Eat & Drink:
  • Piroshka Pastry Shop – Founded 1972, still famous for Plovdiv's Piroshki! Cylindrical doughnuts filled with apple jam. Also try Boza – slightly sweet, thick, tangy fermented grain beverage, very popular here. Low alcohol (~1%).
  • Cat & Mouse – Craft beer in Kapana
  • Branko Rakia – True Bulgarian experience in Kapana
  • Barrel Wine Corner – Delicious Bulgarian wine in Kapana
Seven Hills:
  • Like Rome, Plovdiv was built on seven hills (only 6 remain). Climb any before sunset!
  • Bunardzhika Hill – Great views, not too much of a hike from Old Town
  • Gebet Tape – Highest hill in Old Town, also see remains of ancient Thracian Fortress

🇷🇴 Bucharest Highlights

Old Town (Centrul Vechi):
  • Lipscani Street – Heart of Old Town, once the main trading hub. Cobbled streets now filled with cafes, bars, shops.
  • Stavropoleos Monastery – Founded 1724 by Greek monk. Beautiful paintings and cloister with decorated arches. Free entry, ~9am-6pm (irregular). It's an actual home for nuns, so keep quiet!
  • Old Princely Court – Ruins, once home to Vlad the Impaler
  • National Bank of Romania – Grand entrance worth seeing
Must-See Spots:
  • Cărturești Carusel Bookstore – "Carousel of Light" on Lipscani Street. 6 floors in a restored 19th-century building – sweeping white balconies, spiral staircases, light-soaked atriums. Thousands of books in Romanian and English. Has a rooftop bistro – perfect to sit with a book and coffee overlooking Old Town!
  • Romanian Athenaeum – Beautiful Neo-Classical concert hall from 1888. Must-see!
  • Macca Vilacrosse Passage – Historic gallery in city center, once housed first Bucharest Stock Exchange. Feels straight out of Paris – tables and chairs look Parisian! Also nearby: Umbrella Street in Pasajul Victoriei.
  • Ceaușescu's Villa (Primăverii Palace) – Glimpse into the dictator's opulent lifestyle. Gold-plated fixtures, luxurious furnishings, private cinema, tropical greenhouse, indoor pool in blue mosaic tiles, gardens with peacocks. Guided tours only (can't wander alone).
  • House of Free Press – In suburbs, former Communist Party HQ. Famous brutalist architecture.
Markets & Shopping:
  • Bazaar of Memories – Biggest flea market! Old vinyls, Soviet memorabilia, tools, toys – huge and eclectic. 500+ sellers. Thu 5:30am-1:30pm, Sat-Sun 6am-2pm. Timisoara Boulevard near Drumul Tabarei park.
  • Antiquities Market – Inside an old semi-abandoned building in center. Beautiful interior worth a stop even if you don't buy. Strada Doamnei 11
Eat & Drink:
  • Kaiamo – Michelin star fine dining! Modern twist on Romanian food. Book couple months ahead!
  • Vatra – Cozy dinner spot with original 1920s decor. Traditional beef soured soup, soured cabbage rolls, pork schnitzel.
  • Caru' Cu Bere – One of the best restaurants! More than just food – live music and dance shows in the evening, you become part of the show! Beautiful wooden details, stained glass, tiled ornaments. ~€40 for big dinner for two with drinks.
  • Pura Vida Sky Bar – 5 flights of stairs up a hostel in center, but incredible views and some of the best cocktails in Bucharest!
Architecture Tours:
  • Bucharest has incredible architecture plus many charming abandoned buildings. 120-year-old Macca House and The Truth newspaper Trust (1898) – must book a tour to visit, can't go individually.

🇷🇴 Brașov Highlights

🇧🇬 Veliko Tarnovo Highlights

🍽️ Bulgarian Food to Try

Banitsa – Flaky buttery pastry with white cheese (like feta). Sometimes with bacon or spinach.
Shopska Salad – The national salad: red peppers, cucumbers, onion, parsley, shaved white cheese.
Mekitsa – Warm fried dough with jam, honey, yogurt, or powdered sugar. Like Hungarian langos.
Kebapche – Grilled pork or beef sausages, served with fries or salad.
Moussaka – Layered dish with aubergine and mincemeat.
Tarator – Cold cucumber yogurt soup, served as a starter. An acquired taste!
Bulgarian Yogurt – National treasure! Patented as a probiotic health supplement.
White Cheese – Sheep's cheese similar to feta, used in everything.

🍽️ Romanian Food to Try

Snacks & Pastries:
Covrigi – Traditional Romanian pretzels
Scovergi – Fried flatbread, savory or sweet
Plăcintă – Flaky pastry, savory or sweet filling
Gogoși – Sweet pastries with or without filling
Merdenea cu brânză – Traditional cheese pastry
Starters & Sides:
Zacuscă – Vegetable spread with roasted eggplant & peppers
Salata de Vinete – Roasted eggplant salad
Ardei Copți – Roasted pepper salad
Ardei Umpluți – Stuffed peppers
Bulz – Baked polenta with sheep cheese & sour cream
Ciorbă – Traditional Romanian sour soup
Main Dishes:
Mici / Mititei – Grilled sausages with no casing, the classic!
Chiftele – Romanian meatballs
Mixed Grill Platter – Mici, steak, pork chop, chicken, sausage
Roasted Pork Knuckle – With sour cabbage & polenta
Tocitură – Traditional Romanian stew
Sarmale – Romanian cabbage rolls