FAQ

Question 1

Passport, visa & entry requirements

Accepted Answer

- This tour visits Bulgaria, Serbia, and Romania. In order to enter these countries, U.S. and Canadian citizens need a valid passport with an expiration date extending at least six months beyond the date of reentry.
- We recommend having at least two blank passport pages for entry stamps.
- Beginning in 2026, U.S. and Canadian passport holders must register for an [ETIAS](https://eur01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Ftravel-europe.europa.eu%2Fetias_en&data=05%7C01%7C%7C6d2b38859eae47b0da2a08dba421f137%7Cf0d1c6fddff0486a8e91cfefefc7d98d%7C0%7C0%7C638284238040739788%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=Pxn4%2Fu%2Fkz8GELqvzmgyLsXXTL4sPz%2B2KTz%2B533hfGI0%3D&reserved=0) travel authorization in order to enter many European countries.
- Passport holders from over 60 visa-exempt countries (including the U.S. and Canada) will need to apply for an ETIAS travel authorization in order to visit 30 European countries. That means that even if you’ve previously traveled to any of these European countries without a visa, starting in 2026, you’ll need to get ETIAS authorization to visit them again. If you’re traveling to multiple countries with this requirement, you only need to complete the form once. All Go Ahead travelers are responsible for obtaining their own ETIAS travel authorization before departure. For more details, please visit our [Help Center](https://eur01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fsupport.goaheadtours.com%2Fhc%2Fen-us%2Farticles%2F17596554099739-ETIAS-travel-authorization&data=05%7C01%7C%7C6d2b38859eae47b0da2a08dba421f137%7Cf0d1c6fddff0486a8e91cfefefc7d98d%7C0%7C0%7C638284238040739788%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=UrPDlVIIAqXSOYuZCOxyLzIRHuq4ODPsPdNQpo9hZcA%3D&reserved=0).
- If you are not a U.S. or Canadian citizen, you must contact each country’s consulate for your specific entry requirements.
- You can see the most up-to-date entry requirements for the destination(s) you’ll visit on tour by going to [**goaheadtours.com/entry-requirements**](/entry-requirements?tourCode=BSR) and searching the code BSR.

Question 2

Arrival & Departure Information

Accepted Answer

- Round-trip flights booked through Go Ahead Tours arrive in Sofia and depart from Bucharest. A representative from Go Ahead Tours will meet you at the airport and take you to your hotel. Please remain in the arrival lounge, as the representative might be escorting one of your fellow travelers to the bus at the time of your arrival.
- Transfers to and from the airport at the beginning and end of the tour are included for travelers who purchased their flights through Go Ahead Tours. Travelers who booked their own flights are responsible for securing their own airport transfers.
- All other included transportation on this tour is by private motor coach.

Question 3

Tour pacing & mobility

Accepted Answer

* You will walk for at least 2.5 hours daily across uneven terrain, including paved roads and cobblestone streets, with many hills and stairs.
* Travelers should be healthy enough to participate in all included walks without assistance. Adding optional excursions may increase the total amount of walking on your tour.
* You should feel comfortable managing your own baggage at times.
* Go Ahead Tours and the Tour Director who accompanies your group are unable to provide special, individual mobility assistance to travelers on tour. The responsibility of the Tour Director is to ensure the group as a whole enjoys a relaxing and informative journey, and he or she cannot be relied upon to provide ongoing, individualized assistance to any one traveler.
* If you have mobility concerns or physical restrictions, please contact our Customer Experience Team.

Question 4

Baggage allowance

Accepted Answer

* Please note that our travelers are limited to one checked bag and one carry-on bag per person due to storage limitations on motor coaches and other transfers, which may include train connections or flights.
* Contact your airline(s) for baggage size and weight restrictions for your flights, which may include on-tour flights in addition to your round-trip flights to and from tour. Please note that your included on-tour flights may have more restrictive baggage limits.
* Some airlines may impose additional charges if you choose to check any baggage or exceed baggage size and weight restrictions. Be advised that you are responsible for any baggage fees incurred on all flights.
* Make sure you label your baggage and keep valuables, medication, and documents in your carry-on bag.

Question 5

Clothing & packing tips

Accepted Answer

*   We recommend packing lightweight, loose-fitting clothing that can be easily layered to accommodate varying temperatures, as well as a light jacket or rainwear.
*   A sturdy pair of walking shoes or sneakers is recommended for sightseeing.
*   You may want to pack dressier attire if you plan to visit a high-end restaurant or attend a special performance.
*   It is preferable not to visit churches or other religious sites with bare legs and shoulders (and entrance may be denied on this basis).

Question 6

Health

Accepted Answer

* At least 60 days prior to departure, check with your doctor or healthcare provider for the latest updates and entry requirements, or visit the Center for Disease Control and Prevention website at **[cdc.gov](https://www.cdc.gov/)**.
* If you have medication that you take daily, be sure you have enough for each day of the tour as well as any possible delays encountered.
* If you have dietary restrictions and/or food allergies please notify Go Ahead Tours at least 30 days prior to departure by logging in to your account and updating your traveler info. To update this information closer to your departure date, please call our Customer Experience Team.
* You can see the most up-to-date entry requirements for the destination(s) you’ll visit on tour by going to **[goaheadtours.com/entry-requirements](/entry-requirements?tourCode=BSR)** and searching the code BSR.

Question 7

Cuisine

Accepted Answer

*   In Bulgaria, fresh vegetables are often readily available due to the area’s warm climate, and salads will be an integral part of most meals. Other mainstays are _chorba_, a bean soup, and _tarator_, a cold cucumber soup. Pork is the country’s meat of choice, and you’ll find it in countless combinations of soups, stews, and mains. When raising a glass with your fellow travelers, be sure to try some of the local spirits, such as _rakia_ or _menta_.
*   Serbian food typically incorporates influences from central Europe as well as flavors borrowed from the East. Meals usually center around meats like pork, lamb, and goat. Serbians also love pastry, often in the form of varieties of pie.
*   Romanian food takes much of its influence from the Balkans, Hungary, and Turkey. Throughout the country, sour soups called _ciorbă_ are available in endless varieties and are the perfect way to start any meal. Along the Black Sea coast, fresh fish is prevalent, but the area’s true culinary delight is _salata de vinete_, a salad made from grilled eggplant, onions, and sunflower oil.

Question 8

Electricity & air conditioning

Accepted Answer

* All destinations on this tour operate on the European standard 220-240 volts and use Types C or F plugs with two small, round pins.
* We recommend packing a universal adapter, as well as a voltage converter if you plan on using your own hairdryer or other device without a built-in converter.
* The strength of the air conditioning in European hotels is often not as strong or as cool as what you might be used to in the U.S. or Canada. When air conditioning is available, it is usually regulated seasonally and controlled centrally by the hotel.
* Your hotels may provide hairdryers, irons, and other small appliances. However, these amenities cannot be guaranteed.

Question 9

Connectivity

Accepted Answer

*   Wi-Fi is available in most hotels, though some charges may apply.
*   There is no Wi-Fi on any of the motor coaches.
*   Please contact your mobile service provider for information on roaming charges.

Question 10

Time zones

Accepted Answer

* Bulgaria and Romania are two hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) and seven hours ahead of Eastern Time (ET).
* Serbia is one hour ahead of GMT and six hours ahead of ET.
* When it’s noon in New York, it’s 7pm in Bulgaria and Romania and 6pm in Serbia.

Question 11

Currency

Accepted Answer

*   You will use the Bulgarian lev in Bulgaria, the Serbian dinar in Serbia, and the Romanian leu in Romania.
*   Better rates of exchange are usually available overseas, although it’s worth ordering some currency from your local bank to use when you first arrive.
*   We strongly advise that you take debit/bank cards and credit cards, which can be used to withdraw cash at local banks as needed.
*   You can use most debit/credit cards at ATMs on the international networks Cirrus and Plus, but make sure to check with your home bank about withdrawal fees.
*   Inform your bank and credit card company of your travel plans so that they won’t confuse your international purchases for fraudulent charges.
*   International banks and businesses primarily accept debit and credit cards that work with the EMV chip system. If you do not already have at least one debit or credit card with a chip in it, we strongly recommend requesting one from your bank prior to your tour.

Question 12

Tipping

Accepted Answer

- At the conclusion of your tour, it is customary to offer your Tour Director and driver a gratuity in local currency. Please keep current exchange rates in mind.
- We recommend tipping the equivalent of $10USD to $12USD per person per day for your Tour Director and the equivalent of $4USD per person per day for your driver.
- If applicable, we also recommend the equivalent of $2USD per local guide.
- Tips can only be paid in cash.
- If you are traveling to multiple countries with different currencies and the same Tour Director, ask them what currency they prefer for their tip.
- The cost of porterage is included in your tour price, and it is not necessary to tip baggage handlers.

Question 13

Purchasing excursions on tour

Accepted Answer

* Most optional excursions will be available for purchase while you are on your tour.
* Your Tour Director will only accept cash (in USD only), Visa, or MasterCard as payment for optional excursions.
* Please be advised that if you pay for an excursion by credit card while on tour, it may take up to three months for your card to be charged.
* Some optional excursions may only be purchased in advance. See page four of your tour itinerary for more information.

Bulgaria, Serbia & Romania with Patty

Uncover three culturally rich countries in the heart of Eastern Europe.

Your tour package includes

Included highlights

Itinerary

Overnight Flight

Day 1: Travel day

Sofia

Day 2: Arrival in Sofia

Hotels

Central Park Hotel

Crowne Plaza Belgrade

NH Timisoara

Golden Tulip Ana Tower Sibiu

Aro Palace Hotel

Novotel Bucharest City Centre

Flights

Add our airfare and you’ll get:

FAQ