National Theatre Bucharest

Your Bucharest tour begins at the National Theatre, the geographical and administrative heart of the city. Absorb all that sociopolitical history before taking a short walk to Strada Batistei, formerly known as the 'St Germain' of Bucharest and the site of the old American embassy, now an overgrown testament to different times. We’ll then make our way to the Armenian quarter. Based around the Armenian church, their mahalla (neighbourhood) features a spectacular variety of architectural styles from all over Europe and the Ottoman empire. After, we'll experience the quintessential Bucharest public transport: a short ride on a tram. Rattling along the famous Mosilor Street, you’ll enter Communist Bucharest, with its regimented blocks and housing projects, as you make your way to the famous Obor Market. This market is the largest and most famous of all the peasant markets in Bucharest. Since you’ll be on the trail of the sights, scents, and tastes of Romanian cuisine, we’ll stop just before the market for a drink of traditional Romanian tuica (brandy) to prepare the palate. That's why we'll accompany it by a truly traditional "peasant platter" with 4 staple Romanian dips: aubergine, zacusca, whipped beans and fish roe, fresh and matured cheeses (telemea and burduf), cracklings (yum!), sausages, smoked bacon, red onions, tomatoes, toast. And of course a glass of local beer or wine or soft drink. Next, after such a big introduction into Romanian cuisine, we'll stretch our legs a bit and we’ll enter the indoor market proper to sample a range of Romanian cheeses: cow, sheep, and goat. Probably the most famous and typical of Romanian foods — at least for Romanians — is called mici (a kind of skinless sausage), served with mustard and cold beer, and every Romanian has their own opinion about where and how the best ones are made. And finally, because your gastronomic adventure would not be complete without a dessert, we’ll grab a sweet Wallachian doughnut, served piping hot, before sending you happily on your way home.

Enjoy a Romanian street food pastry on the way to one of Bucharest's favorite craft beer bars, where you'll sample 4 local craft beers and chat about the brewing processes and passion that goes into Romanian beer-making, as well as introducing you to the up-and-coming craft beer scene. With your beer buzz setting in, continue down Victory Avenue and some of the city's most important landmarks, which boast a complicated historical mixture of royal and communist influences. En route to the next bar, you will discover intriguing sights, such as the former National Theatre of Bucharest, the former Headquarters of the Communist Party, one of the oldest churches in Bucharest, Kretzulescu Church, and the University Square with its superb late 19th-century architecture. Last stop it's hard to choose from even for us (it will depend on the season). Either a famous spot for a Transylvanian beer or a truly hidden gem from Old Town or even the very own beer garden operated by the most popular craft beer brand in Bucharest. We'll make sure to add some solid nourishment for the best pairing with our beer selections. Our tour ends here but before you go, don’t forget to ask your local guide for tips on what else to see, do and eat during your stay.

Follow the beer! This is a tour dedicated to beer lovers, crafted by beer lovers! Let’s make a deal, shall we? We will take you around our favorite beer hang-outs, and the real local pubs, while you pretend to listen to our very light and easy-going history and architecture lesson. Just kiddin’, you will love it! But, hey, locals love beer in the summer, but we have a feeling that so do you. So why not brag about that while you discover the premises of one of the most beautiful and beloved neighborhoods. To the untrained eye, Bucharest may seem unruly and incomprehensible. We will help you make sense of 19th & 20th-century urbanist ambitions that invaded the original oriental structure of the city. You will discover the modernist and art-deco treasures of the city, as well as the intact pre-war Armenian neighborhood. We’ll end the tour with another pint of craft beer. So let's bend some time and space together!

Depart in the early morning from your ship docked in Ruse and begin the drive south. Very soon, you will reach the national road leading to Sofia. On the way, you'll pass picturesque villages, and get a glimpse of rural life in Bulgaria. Your expert local guide will give you great insight into the area and answer your questions about this interesting country. Upon arrival in Sofia, take a walking tour in the central historical district and visit Alexander Nevski Cathedral, Bulgaria's largest Orthodox church, and the St. George Rotonda from the 4th century. See the Military Academy, National Theater, National Bank and National Art Gallery. After a lunch break in a local restaurant, it's time to visit the National History Museum, located by the Vitosha Mountain and containing one of the best exhibitions of Bulgaria's artefacts and treasures. The last stop will be at the Boyana Church, with its perfectly preserved frescoes. After a day of discovering Bulgaria's wonders and making local friends you will return to your ship in the small port of Ruse.