This itinerary takes you off-the-beaten track from the capital of Bulgaria to Black Sea resorts and into the Turkish capital, Istanbul. 

Note: this route can be traveled in either direction.

Highlights

Reading signs and menus in Turkish or Cyrillic. Lazy days in a Black Sea resort town. Shop for soviet memorabilia. Sample a mix of red, whites and Rakias, with a plate of local meats and cheeses in the wine regions on your way to Bourgas.

Suggested Route

Starting Point: Sofia, Bulgaria

Ending Point: Istanbul, Turkey

Time Frame: 7 days (excluding your time in Turkey)

Arrive in Sofia via train, plane or coach. After a few days, take a train or coach to Plovdiv followed by Stara Zagora, the wine region to Bourgas. From Bourgas you can take day to Nessebar or an overnight trip to the Black Sea resort town of Kiten. From Bourgas or Kiten, board your last coach bus for your trip into Turkey.