Paris to Sofia by Rail

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.

Day 1 Paris
Arrive at any time.

Day 2 Paris
Spend the day with free time to visit dozens of museums, patisserie shops, sidewalk cafés or grand boulevards.

Day 3 Paris/Lausanne
Take a morning TGV train to Lausanne, Switzerland. Spend the afternoon in this charming town.

Day 4 Lausanne/Zermatt
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.

Day 5 Zermatt/Chur
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.

Day 6 Chur/Munich
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.

Day 7 Munich
Explore the city or head further afield to visit Füssen and the famous Neuschwanstein Castle.

Day 8 Munich/Salzburg
Travel to Salzburg, Austria. This charming city is brimming with history and character.

Day 9 Salzburg
Make the most of a free day in Salzburg. Opt to visit the salt mines or take the famous Sound of Music tour.

Day 10 Salzburg/Vienna
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.

Day 11 Vienna/Budapest
Travel to Budapest, Hungary this morning by train. Upon arrival, enjoy a welcome drink at a G Adventures-supported social enterprise café and head out for an orientation walk. Opt to enjoy a night out in this charming city.

Day 12 Budapest
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.

Day 13 Budapest/Sibiu
Take another free day to explore Budapest before boarding an overnight train to Sibiu.

Day 14 Sibiu/Sighișoara
Travel by train from Sibiu to the enchanting town of Sighișoara. Use your free time here to explore the cobblestone streets and medieval architecture.

Day 15 Sighișoara/Braşov
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.

Day 16 Braşov
Visit the picturesque Bran Castle and learn the history (and rumours) of this fascinating place.

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.

Day 18 Bucharest/Veliko Tarnovo
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.

Day 19 Veliko Tarnovo
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.

Day 20 Veliko Tarnovo/Sofia
Travel to Sofia and take an orientation walk of the capital city. Later, wander down the pedestrian street or visit the eclectic Ladies' Market.

Day 21 Sofia
Depart at any time.