Paris to Sofia by Rail
21 days
from Paris to Sofia
From
$ 4849
Duration21 days
This three-week tour will leave you wondering why you waited to explore Europe's Eastern rails less travelled in the first place. Begin in Paris before setting off throughout the charming countryside. Stop by Swiss Alps villages, stroll through Munich and Sofia, and hike in the hills of Veliko Tarnovo. Extensive enough to see plenty, but not so long that your plants are doomed, these often-skipped villages and cities are ones you'll miss as soon as you leave.
This tour is operated by
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Duration: 21 daysService level: Standard
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Starts in: ParisPhysical Grading: Light
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Ends in: SofiaAges: 12+
Tour Gallery
Itinerary
Day 1: Paris
Start place: Paris
There are no planned activities until an evening welcome meeting.
Arrive at any time.
End place: Paris
Day 2: Paris
Start place: Paris
The Louvre, Musée d'Orsay and Rodin Museum are all worth a visit. Stop by Notre Dame or Sacre Coeur to add some spirituality to your day. Shop on the Champs-Élysées or explore the Left Bank.
Spend the day with free time to visit dozens of museums, patisserie shops, sidewalk cafés or grand boulevards.
End place: Paris
Meals: B
Day 3: Paris/Lausanne
Start place: Paris
Take a morning TGV train to Lausanne, Switzerland. Spend the afternoon in this charming town.
End place: Lausanne
Meals: B
Day 4: Lausanne/Zermatt
Start place: Lausanne
Board another train for the journey to Zermatt, a tiny village in the heart of the Swiss Alps. Enjoy the afternoon in the car-free centre or hiking in the nearby mountains.
End place: Zermatt
Meals: B
Day 5: Zermatt/Chur
Start place: Zermatt
Board the Glacier Express for a slow and stunning ride through the Alps. Pass meadows, rushing streams, bridges, villages and massive mountains as the train heads towards Chur. Arrive in the evening after a full day of soaking in the scenery.
End place: Chur
Meals: B
Day 6: Chur/Munich
Start place: Chur
Take a full day to reach Munich, in the heart of Bavaria. Arrive in time for an optional evening out at a local brewery with a few steins of beer and some typical German fare.
End place: Munich
Meals: B
Day 7: Munich
Start place: Munich
Explore the city or head further afield to visit Füssen and the famous Neuschwanstein Castle.
End place: Munich
Meals: B
Day 8: Munich/Salzburg
Start place: Munich
Known for the nearby salt mines, Mozart, and the setting for The Sound of Music, Salzburg has plenty to offer. Opt of visit the concentration camp of Dachau, right outside the city centre. Learn of the atrocities of war and the triumph of the human spirit.
Travel to Salzburg, Austria. This charming city is brimming with history and character.
End place: Salzburg
Meals: B
Day 9: Salzburg
Start place: Salzburg
Make the most of a free day in Salzburg. Opt to visit the salt mines or take the famous Sound of Music tour.
End place: Salzburg
Meals: B
Day 10: Salzburg/Vienna
Start place: Salzburg
Continue by train to Vienna. Opt to visit the famous opera house, join a city tour or visit world-class museums. Stay overnight at a G Adventures for Good supported hotel that supports migrant workers.
End place: Vienna
Meals: B
Day 11: Vienna/Budapest
Start place: Vienna
Journey by train to Budapest, the 'Pearl of the Danube'. The city, split into Buda and Pest by the river, retains its eastern charm with Buda Castle and Turkish-style thermal baths.
Depending on arrival time, opt to visit some city sights or soak in one of the famous baths.
Depending on arrival time, opt to visit some city sights or soak in one of the famous baths.
Travel to Budapest, Hungary this morning by train. Take an orientation walk upon arrival, then opt to enjoy a night out in this charming city.
End place: Budapest
Meals: B
Day 12: Budapest
Start place: Budapest
Today, new travellers may join you for the rest of your adventure. You are welcome to join them at a group meeting this evening, followed by an optional dinner.
Enjoy a full day for exploration in Budapest. Opt to visit Buda Castle, the famous thermal baths or take a bike tour of the city.
End place: Budapest
Day 13: Budapest/Sibiu
Start place: Budapest
Take another free day to explore Budapest before boarding an overnight train to Sibiu.
End place: Sibiu
Day 14: Sibiu/Sighișoara
Start place: Sibiu
Explore Sighișoara's medieval walled citadel with its cultural attractions and great restaurants and bars.
Sample some Romanian cuisine—the Casa Dracula (original home of Vlad, the model for Count Dracula) is now a restaurant specializing in hearty meat and game dishes of the region.
Sample some Romanian cuisine—the Casa Dracula (original home of Vlad, the model for Count Dracula) is now a restaurant specializing in hearty meat and game dishes of the region.
Travel by train from Sibiu to the enchanting town of Sighișoara. Use your free time here to explore the cobblestone streets and medieval architecture.
Meals: B
Day 15: Sighișoara/Braşov
Enjoy a half-day guided tour of Sighisoara's countryside. Take in the beautiful rolling scenery and visit medieval villages and fortified churches.
In the early evening, transfer to the city of Brasov, the best preserved medieval city in Romania.
In the early evening, transfer to the city of Brasov, the best preserved medieval city in Romania.
With a local guide, venture into the Romanian countryside to visit traditional villages. Get a true sense of life in this less-visited region. Visit charming Brasov.
Meals: B
Day 16: Braşov
Impressively situated on a rock outcrop and dominating the valley, this 14th century castle is steeped in history and folklore. Soak in the gorgeous countryside as you learn about the creepier side of Romania.
Visit the picturesque Bran Castle and learn the history (and rumours) of this fascinating place.
Meals: B
Day 17: Braşov/Bucharest
Travel to Bucharest and enjoy an orientation walk. Take time to explore the Soviet-esque architecture, the beautiful cathedral, or indulge in Bucharest's international cuisine.
End place: Bucharest
Meals: B
Day 18: Bucharest/Veliko Tarnovo
Start place: Bucharest
Enjoy this charming town and opt to visit the Tsarevets Fortress just outside the city.
Enjoy some free time to explore more of Bucharest in the morning before travelling to Bulgaria and one of the oldest cities in the world, Veliko Tarnovo. Wander the medieval town, visit the museums, or sample your first taste of Bulgarian cuisine.
End place: Veliko Turnovo
Meals: B
Day 19: Veliko Tarnovo
Start place: Veliko Turnovo
Enjoy the morning in the medieval town of Veliko Tarnovo. In the afternoon, visit the hilltop village of Arbanasi. Soak in the views over Veliko Tarnovo.
End place: Veliko Turnovo
Day 20: Veliko Tarnovo/Sofia
Start place: Veliko Turnovo
A mix of western grandeur and Soviet bulk, Sofia boasts a gold-domed church and delicious international dining.
Sample modern takes on Bulgarian and international food, with some great trendy dining opportunities.
Sample modern takes on Bulgarian and international food, with some great trendy dining opportunities.
Travel to Sofia and take an orientation walk of the capital city. Later, wander down the pedestrian street or visit the eclectic Ladies' Market.
End place: Sofia
Meals: B
Day 21: Sofia
Start place: Sofia
Depart at any time.
End place: Sofia
Meals: B
Inclusions
Included
- Your G for Good Moment: Magdas Hotel, Vienna Your G for Good Moment: Nem Adom Fel Café and Bar, Budapest Your Welcome Moment: Meet Your CEO and Group Your Discover Moment: Paris Your Discover Moment: Budapest
- Paris orientation walk
- TGV train
- Lausanne orientation walk
- Zermatt stay
- The Glacier Express train
- Salzburg orientation walk
- Vienna orientation walk
- Budapest orientation walk
- Romanian villages and countryside tour (half-day, from Sighisoara)
- 'Dracula's Castle' (Bran)
- Bucharest orientation tour
- Arbanasi village visit
- Sofia orientation walk
- All transport between destinations and to/from included activities
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Transport
Train, Public bus, Metro, Walking -
Accommodation
Hotels/pensions (20 nts), Overnight train (1 nt)