25 days in Eastern Europe Itinerary

The booming city of Bucharest is a sophisticated metropolis with a high contrast of old- and new-world architecture.

Kick off your visit on the 2nd (Mon): see the interesting displays at Cotroceni Palace (Palatul Cotroceni) and then make a trip to Stavropoleos Monastery. On the 3rd (Tue), you'll have a packed day of sightseeing: get engrossed in the history at Muzeul National al Satului "Dimitrie Gusti", get a new perspective on nature at Grigore Antipa National Museum of Natural History, and then take in the architecture and atmosphere at Biserica Sfantul Anton - Curtea Veche.

For photos, traveler tips, other places to visit, and more tourist information, read our Bucharest sightseeing planner.

Christchurch, New Zealand to Bucharest is an approximately 30-hour flight. The time zone difference when traveling from Christchurch to Bucharest is minus 10 hours. Plan for cooler temperatures traveling from Christchurch in December, with highs in Bucharest at 5°C and lows at -3°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 3rd (Tue) early enough to go by car to Brasov.

With the dramatic Carpathian Mountains as backdrop, Brasov is the largest city in a region of mountain resorts.

Start off your visit on the 4th (Wed): examine the collection at Casa Muresenilor, then step into the grandiose world of Bran Castle (Dracula's Castle), and then step into the grandiose world of Rasnov Citadel. On the 5th (Thu), you'll have a packed day of sightseeing: steep yourself in history at Peasant Fortified Church at Prejmer.

To find other places to visit, ratings, traveler tips, and other tourist information, you can read our Brasov vacation builder tool.

Traveling by car from Bucharest to Brasov takes 3 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or take a bus. On the 5th (Thu), wrap the sightseeing up by early afternoon so you can drive to Sibiu.

Reminiscent of the height of the bourgeoisie and retaining much of its medieval architecture, Sibiu is Romania's cultural gem.

Start off your visit on the 6th (Fri): see the interesting displays at Landeskirchliches Museum der Evangelischen Kirche, then see the interesting displays at Brukenthal National Museum, then get to know the fascinating history of Centrul Istoric, and finally don't miss a visit to Turnul Sfatului (The Tower of the Council). Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 7th (Sat): examine the collection at Muzeul Pr. Zosim Oancea, take in the architecture and atmosphere at Biserica Sfântul Mihail, then take in the architecture and atmosphere at Biserica Evanghelică Fortificată, and finally steep yourself in history at Fortress Walls.

Plan a trip to Sibiu easily and quickly by telling Klarna Trips to suggest an itinerary.

Drive from Brasov to Sibiu in 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus; or take a train. December in Sibiu sees daily highs of 3°C and lows of -5°C at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 7th (Sat) so you can drive to Timisoara.

Timișoara is the capital city of Timiș County, and the main social, economic and cultural centre in western Romania.The third most populous city in the country, with 319,279 inhabitants as of the 2011 census, Timișoara is the informal capital city of the historical region of Banat. Start off your visit on the 8th (Sun): pause for some serene contemplation at Basilica Maria Radna, then pause for some serene contemplation at Millennium Church, then steep yourself in history at Serbian Orthodox Episcopal Church, and finally take in the architecture and atmosphere at Mehala Orthodox Church. Keep things going the next day: pause for some serene contemplation at Timisoara Orthodox Cathedral, then contemplate the long history of Timisoara Historical Center, and then indulge your senses at Timisoara Tour Guide.

To find other places to visit, reviews, more things to do, and more tourist information, you can read our Timisoara online sightseeing planner.

Getting from Sibiu to Timisoara by car takes about 3.5 hours. Other options: fly; or take a bus. Traveling from Sibiu in December, plan for a bit warmer nights in Timisoara, with lows around -1°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 9th (Mon) so you can go by car to Sofia.

Spend time in one of Europe's oldest cities, the vibrant Bulgarian capital of Sofia.

Museum-lovers will appreciate Museum of illusions Sofia and National Museum of Military History. You'll discover tucked-away gems like Vitosha Mountain and National Institute of Archaeology with Museum. There's much more to do: take in the architecture and atmosphere at Catedral de Sveta-Nedelya, admire the landmark architecture of Temple Sveti Nikolay, test your team's savvy at popular escape rooms, and admire the masterpieces at The Red Flat.

For photos, traveler tips, and more tourist information, use the Sofia trip app.

Drive from Timisoara to Sofia in 7 hours. Alternatively, you can fly; or take a bus. December in Sofia sees daily highs of 7°C and lows of -3°C at night. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 14th (Sat) early enough to drive to Rila.

Rila is a town in southwestern Bulgaria, in Rila Municipality, part of Kyustendil Province. On the 15th (Sun), do a tasting at Medi Valley Winery and then contemplate the long history of Rila Monastery. On the 16th (Mon), you'll have a packed day of sightseeing: explore the wealth of natural beauty at Rila National Park.

To find maps, more things to do, other places to visit, and tourist information, use the Rila trip maker site.

Traveling by car from Sofia to Rila takes 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or do a combination of bus and taxi; or do a combination of train and taxi. In December in Rila, expect temperatures between 5°C during the day and -4°C at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 16th (Mon) so you can drive to Plovdiv.

Though it is often seen as merely a stopover city, Plovdiv is actually a lively university town with bohemian cafes, a thriving art scene, and exciting nightlife.

On the 17th (Tue), take in the architecture and atmosphere at St. Bogoroditsa Petrichka Church, admire the landmark architecture of Hisar Kapia, view the masterpieces at Andromeda Art, then get engrossed in the history at House-Museum Hindlian, then view the masterpieces at Balabanov House, and finally examine the collection at Art Gallery Philippopolis. On the next day, pause for some serene contemplation at Sveta Marina Church, then examine the collection at Museum of Ethnography, and then examine the collection at Cars Of Socialism.

To see ratings, traveler tips, where to stay, and other tourist information, read our Plovdiv road trip planning website.

Traveling by car from Rila to Plovdiv takes 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or do a combination of taxi and train; or do a combination of taxi and bus. When traveling from Rila in December, plan for somewhat warmer days and about the same nights in Plovdiv: temperatures range from 10°C by day to -1°C at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 18th (Wed) so you can drive to Nessebar.

Between the ruggedly beautiful Balkan Mountains and shores of the Black Sea lies the World Heritage Site, Nessebar.

On the 19th (Thu), appreciate the history behind St. Nicolas Statue, view the masterpieces at Ji'votnoto and Gallery - TA, take in the exciting artwork at Art Shop Orange, then pause for some serene contemplation at Church of Saint Sophia, then take in the spiritual surroundings of Church of Christ Pantocrator, and finally contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Holy Savior Church. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 20th (Fri): explore the activities along Lake Atanasovsko, see where the ancients bathed at Aquae Calidae - Thermopolis, then identify plant and animal life at Poda Protected Site, and finally appreciate the history behind Sculpture of Peptko Blagoev.

For where to stay, reviews, more things to do, and tourist information, read our Nessebar road trip planning website.

You can drive from Plovdiv to Nessebar in 3 hours. Other options are to take a bus; or do a combination of train and bus. In December in Nessebar, expect temperatures between 9°C during the day and 0°C at night. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 20th (Fri) early enough to travel to Dobrich.

Dobrich is the eight most populated city in Bulgaria, the administrative centre of Dobrich Province and the capital of the region of Southern Dobrudzha. Satisfy your inner culture vulture at History Museum of Silistra and Old Dobrich Ethnographic Museum. You'll explore the less-touristy side of things at Cape Kaliakra and Dunavska Gradina. Go for a jaunt from Dobrich to Troyan to see St. Nikolai Letni Church about 1h 30 min away. Next up on the itinerary: admire the natural beauty at St George City Park.

To find reviews, more things to do, where to stay, and other tourist information, you can read our Dobrich travel route builder site.

You can do a combination of shuttle and bus from Nessebar to Dobrich in 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. Expect a daytime high around 9°C in December, and nighttime lows around 0°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 24th (Tue) early enough to travel back home.