Top Bulgaria Local Immersion &amp; Homestays Tours &amp; Packages In 2025/2026

Small Group Tour

Why we love them

They're highly committed to sustainable tourism and contribute to crucial initiatives like climate action, focusing on local cultures and more.

Lodging level

Standard - 3 star

Physical level

Easy

Trip pace

Balanced schedule

Visits

Bucharest, Istanbul, Romania, Sofia

Highlights

Learn about the communist past and vibrant present of Bucharest – the capital of Romania that’s often underrated by travellers!
Travel through the scenic Rila Mountains in Bulgaria, mingling with monks at the 10th-century Rila Monastery.
Indulge in local Bulgarian cheese and wines with a local chef in Veliko Tarnovo, at their family-owned spot in the Old Town.
Take a trip on the last operational narrow-gauge line in Bulgaria, from Bansko to Plovdiv. Grab a window seat if you can, the scenery is worth it!
Breathe the crisp mountain air on a short hike in the Pirin Mountains in Bulgaria, stopping at a small blue lake surrounded by towering peaks.

Themes

Cultural, Local Immersion & Homestays, High Adventure

What travelers are saying

"I went on the Intrepid 15 day "Best of Morocco" tour in 2025 and had such an amazing time that I wasn't ready to leave by the time the trip finished! It exceeded my expectations in so many ways: value for money, itinerary, a lot of included activities balanced with lots of rest stops on longer travel days, very caring & attentive local guides, and lots of optional activities. As a company, Intrepid was very easy to communicate with before the trip started (I had sent a few questions about optional activities). The website is also easy to navigate and simple for updating travel & health information. If you are considering doing a tour with Intrepid - make sure you read the Essential Trip Information they have on each tour page. It describes everything in detail so you'll know what to expect. While I LOVED my tour, I can see some people signing up for this without reading the description and then being surprised at some of the 2 star hotels (in this case it was the "Original" tour style). Overall, I am impressed at how this tour managed to simultaneously get us closer to Moroccan culture AND feel like an adventure AND feel like a vacation from day-to-day life back home. I would travel with Intrepid again."

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$2,261

9 days From$1,675

Health Safety +

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Eastern Europe Explorer

By Intrepid Travel

premier

4.5/5 Excellent

Small Group Tour

Why we love them

They're highly committed to sustainable tourism and contribute to crucial initiatives like climate action, focusing on local cultures and more.

Lodging level

Standard - 3 star

Physical level

Easy

Trip pace

Balanced schedule

Visits

Brasov, Bucharest, Budapest, Istanbul, Romania, Sofia, Transylvania

Highlights

Rich in history, art, architecture, cuisine and nightlife, Budapest is a hot European destination. The Museum of Fine Arts offers free English tours that reveal the famous artwork of Monet, Manet and Goya, just to name a few
A homestay with a family in the Saxon village of Viscri in Romania offers insight into local life and the chance to sample some delicious home-cooked food
This trip takes you to a mix of exciting capital cities and quaint mountain villages through Eastern Europe all the way to the transcontinental Istanbul.
Transylvania is drenched in history and myth. Discover the medieval city of Sighisoara, the birthplace of one of Romania's most infamous figures, Vlad the Impaler - better known as the inspiration for Count Dracula
Journey deep into the forested valley of Rila to find the Monastery of Saint Ivan. Over 1,000 years old, this spectacular building is one of Bulgaria's most important cultural, historical and architectural monuments

Themes

Cultural, Local Immersion & Homestays, High Adventure

What travelers are saying

"I went on the Intrepid 15 day "Best of Morocco" tour in 2025 and had such an amazing time that I wasn't ready to leave by the time the trip finished! It exceeded my expectations in so many ways: value for money, itinerary, a lot of included activities balanced with lots of rest stops on longer travel days, very caring & attentive local guides, and lots of optional activities. As a company, Intrepid was very easy to communicate with before the trip started (I had sent a few questions about optional activities). The website is also easy to navigate and simple for updating travel & health information. If you are considering doing a tour with Intrepid - make sure you read the Essential Trip Information they have on each tour page. It describes everything in detail so you'll know what to expect. While I LOVED my tour, I can see some people signing up for this without reading the description and then being surprised at some of the 2 star hotels (in this case it was the "Original" tour style). Overall, I am impressed at how this tour managed to simultaneously get us closer to Moroccan culture AND feel like an adventure AND feel like a vacation from day-to-day life back home. I would travel with Intrepid again."

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$5,164

18 days From$3,825

Health Safety +

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Wonders of Balkans & Central Europe (4 Star Hotels)

Local Expert

Verified by Travelstride as locally operated and in the top of their field for customer reviews, local knowledge, and safety.

4.7/5 Excellent

Group Tour

Why we love them

They have unique and exciting itineraries around the world, at incredible prices.

Lodging level

Standard - 3 star

Physical level

Moderate

Visits

Budapest, Sofia

Themes

Cultural, Local Immersion & Homestays

What travelers are saying

"During my trip to Turkey, I had an incredible experience with Mustafa. All my expectations for the trip were exceeded. The breathtakingly beautiful Turkish landscape and the incredibly welcoming and kind people made my trip truly unforgettable. Mustafa provided the perfect balance of guidance and free time to explore, making the tour fantastic. The air balloon ride was an unforgettable experience, and the Turkish bath was a perfect way to relax during the tour. The thermal bath was equally relaxing. The impressive ruins at Ephesus offered a glimpse into the rich history of the region. The experience in Istanbul was amazing, with its extensive history and precious sites. Overall, I highly recommend this trip to anyone who has Turkey on their bucket list."

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$3,690

19 days From$2,733

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Amazing Balkans and Transylvania (4 Star Hotels)

Local Expert

Verified by Travelstride as locally operated and in the top of their field for customer reviews, local knowledge, and safety.

4.7/5 Excellent

Group Tour

Why we love them

They have unique and exciting itineraries around the world, at incredible prices.

Lodging level

Standard - 3 star

Physical level

Moderate

Visits

Bucharest, Sofia

Themes

Cultural, Local Immersion & Homestays

What travelers are saying

"During my trip to Turkey, I had an incredible experience with Mustafa. All my expectations for the trip were exceeded. The breathtakingly beautiful Turkish landscape and the incredibly welcoming and kind people made my trip truly unforgettable. Mustafa provided the perfect balance of guidance and free time to explore, making the tour fantastic. The air balloon ride was an unforgettable experience, and the Turkish bath was a perfect way to relax during the tour. The thermal bath was equally relaxing. The impressive ruins at Ephesus offered a glimpse into the rich history of the region. The experience in Istanbul was amazing, with its extensive history and precious sites. Overall, I highly recommend this trip to anyone who has Turkey on their bucket list."

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$2,907

16 days From$2,153

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Splendours of Balkans and Transylvania (4 Star Hotels)

Local Expert

Verified by Travelstride as locally operated and in the top of their field for customer reviews, local knowledge, and safety.

4.7/5 Excellent

Group Tour

Why we love them

They have unique and exciting itineraries around the world, at incredible prices.

Lodging level

Standard - 3 star

Physical level

Moderate

Visits

Bucharest, Sofia

Themes

Cultural, Local Immersion & Homestays

What travelers are saying

"During my trip to Turkey, I had an incredible experience with Mustafa. All my expectations for the trip were exceeded. The breathtakingly beautiful Turkish landscape and the incredibly welcoming and kind people made my trip truly unforgettable. Mustafa provided the perfect balance of guidance and free time to explore, making the tour fantastic. The air balloon ride was an unforgettable experience, and the Turkish bath was a perfect way to relax during the tour. The thermal bath was equally relaxing. The impressive ruins at Ephesus offered a glimpse into the rich history of the region. The experience in Istanbul was amazing, with its extensive history and precious sites. Overall, I highly recommend this trip to anyone who has Turkey on their bucket list."

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$2,957

17 days From$2,190

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Treasures of Transylvania (4 Star Hotels)

Local Expert

Verified by Travelstride as locally operated and in the top of their field for customer reviews, local knowledge, and safety.

4.7/5 Excellent

Group Tour

Why we love them

They have unique and exciting itineraries around the world, at incredible prices.

Lodging level

Standard - 3 star

Physical level

Moderate

Visits

Bucharest, Sofia

Themes

Cultural, Local Immersion & Homestays

What travelers are saying

"During my trip to Turkey, I had an incredible experience with Mustafa. All my expectations for the trip were exceeded. The breathtakingly beautiful Turkish landscape and the incredibly welcoming and kind people made my trip truly unforgettable. Mustafa provided the perfect balance of guidance and free time to explore, making the tour fantastic. The air balloon ride was an unforgettable experience, and the Turkish bath was a perfect way to relax during the tour. The thermal bath was equally relaxing. The impressive ruins at Ephesus offered a glimpse into the rich history of the region. The experience in Istanbul was amazing, with its extensive history and precious sites. Overall, I highly recommend this trip to anyone who has Turkey on their bucket list."

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$1,665

9 days From$1,233

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Balkan Discovery (4 Star Hotels)

Local Expert

Verified by Travelstride as locally operated and in the top of their field for customer reviews, local knowledge, and safety.

4.7/5 Excellent

Group Tour

Why we love them

They have unique and exciting itineraries around the world, at incredible prices.

Lodging level

Standard - 3 star

Physical level

Moderate

Trip pace

Balanced schedule

Visits

Sofia

Themes

Cultural, Local Immersion & Homestays

What travelers are saying

"During my trip to Turkey, I had an incredible experience with Mustafa. All my expectations for the trip were exceeded. The breathtakingly beautiful Turkish landscape and the incredibly welcoming and kind people made my trip truly unforgettable. Mustafa provided the perfect balance of guidance and free time to explore, making the tour fantastic. The air balloon ride was an unforgettable experience, and the Turkish bath was a perfect way to relax during the tour. The thermal bath was equally relaxing. The impressive ruins at Ephesus offered a glimpse into the rich history of the region. The experience in Istanbul was amazing, with its extensive history and precious sites. Overall, I highly recommend this trip to anyone who has Turkey on their bucket list."

Save this trip to your favorites or other list

$1,547

10 days From$1,146

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Save this trip to your favorites or other list

Amazing Balkans & Central Europe (4 Star Hotels)

Local Expert

Verified by Travelstride as locally operated and in the top of their field for customer reviews, local knowledge, and safety.

4.7/5 Excellent

Group Tour

Why we love them

They have unique and exciting itineraries around the world, at incredible prices.

Lodging level

Standard - 3 star

Physical level

Moderate

Visits

Sofia, Vienna

Themes

Cultural, Local Immersion & Homestays

What travelers are saying

"During my trip to Turkey, I had an incredible experience with Mustafa. All my expectations for the trip were exceeded. The breathtakingly beautiful Turkish landscape and the incredibly welcoming and kind people made my trip truly unforgettable. Mustafa provided the perfect balance of guidance and free time to explore, making the tour fantastic. The air balloon ride was an unforgettable experience, and the Turkish bath was a perfect way to relax during the tour. The thermal bath was equally relaxing. The impressive ruins at Ephesus offered a glimpse into the rich history of the region. The experience in Istanbul was amazing, with its extensive history and precious sites. Overall, I highly recommend this trip to anyone who has Turkey on their bucket list."