18 minute read
Transylvania to the Danube Delta
Day 1. Homeland - Bucharest Arrive in Bucharest and transfer to the hotel.
Day 2. Bucharest - Sibiu We visit the enormous Palace of the Parliament and the Cotroceni quarter with its typical architecture, among other sites. Afterwards drive along the Olt River canyon to Transylvania and the traditional village of Sibiel, where we eat in a family run guesthouse.
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Day 3. Sibiu - Hunedoara - Rimetea - Cluj Napoca From here we continue to Huniad castle, and then head to the village of Rimetea. Explore the area including the ruins of Torocko Fortress, and enjoy a typical home cooked dinner in our homestay accommodation.
Day 4. Cluj Napoca - Maramures - Vadu Izei Visiting the most important sites of this 12th century town including the impressive St. Michael’s Cathedral. From here we head to the region of Maramures. We stop in villages along the way until we reach our homestay accommodation in the village of Iza.
Day 5. Vadu Izei - Gura Humorului Today’s to explore this fascinating region. We visit the colourful market of Sighet, the ‘Merry cemetery’ of Sapanta, the Barsana nunnery and traditional villages known for their typical crafts and architecture. On the afternoon of day 6 we cross the Carpathian Mountains to reach the region of Bucovina.
Day 6. Gura Humorului - Moldovita - Sucevita - Voronety - Gura Humorului Bucovina is renowned for its painted monasteries, dating back to the 15th century and vividly decorated with ornate frescoes. Today we visit some of the best - Sucevita and Moldovita, a masterpiece of Moldavian Gothic architecture, as well as Voronet, the ‘Sistine Chapel of the East’.
Day 7. Gura Humorului - Tarpesti - Sighisoara Drive to the village of Tarpesti. Later drive through the Bicaz Gorges. Arrive in Sighisoara.
Day 8. Sighisoara - Biertan - Viscri - Predeal Explore the enchanting citadel of Sighisoara, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and explore its cobbled streets and winding alleys. Afterwards we drive to the fortified church of Biertan, another UNESCO site, then continue to the Saxon village of Viscri.
Day 9. Predeal - Bran - Brasov - Predeal Overnight in Predeal. Continue to the Bran Castle, linked to the legend of Dracula. From here continue to the town of Brasov.
Day 10. Predeal - Sinaia - Tulcea Drive to Sinaia where we visit the spectacular Peles Castle, once a royal residence from the 19th century and one of Romania’s most impressive buildings. The Royal Palace, a masterpiece of German new-Renaissance architecture, is considered to be one of the most beautiful castles in all Europe. From here we continue to Tulcea, our gateway to the Danube Delta.
Day 11. Danube Delta Spend today exploring the glorious Danube Delta. We explore the lakes and channels hoping to spot wildlife such as deer, pelicans and storks.
Day 12. Tulcea - Histria - Bucharest Reluctantly we leave the delta behind and travel to Histria, the remains of an ancient citadel. We continue to Bucharest for our final night in Romania. We invite you to enjoy a traditional dance and music show during the festive dinner at the Restaurant
Day 13. Buchrest - Homeland Transfer to the airport for departure.
Services
12 nights of accommodation in 4* Hotels with HB English speaking guide Bus/Mini-bus at your disposal Festive dinner Traditional dance and music show Danube Delta cruise 1 SGL room free of charge for the foreign tour leader
Minimum of turists 10+1 15+1 20+1 25+1 30+1 35+1 40+1 45+1 Price per person (place in DBL/HB) 1020€ 860€ 785€ 740€ 705€ 680€ 665€ 650€ SGL Supplement 195€ 195€ 195€ 195€ 195€ 195€ 195€ 195€
12 Lunches Supplement 160€ 160€ 160€ 160€ 160€ 160€ 160€ 160€
Romania - The Land that Time Forgot
Day 1. Homeland - Bucharest Arrive in Bucharest. Depending on when you arrive, you may have a chance to start exploring the city on your own.
Day 2. Bucharest - Sinaia - Predeal Morning tour of Bucharest, known as the ‘Paris of the east’ due to its boulevards and belle époque buildings.We visit many of the older parts of the city to discover the architecture that earned it the reputation as the ‘Paris of Eastern Europe’ such as the striking columned facade of the Romanian Atheneum concert hall and the Royal Palace of Bucharest. We will also see the exterior of the Palace of Parliament, which is the second largest building in the world. We will make a visit to the fascinating Village Museum where we can see a collection of old wooden churches, windmills and peasant dwellings from different regions. After lunch we leave Bucharest via the Prahova Valley. We stop to visit the palaces of Peles and Pelisor, the former royal residences of King Carol I and one of the most beautiful architectural examples. Designed mainly in German Renaissance style, this summer residence was decorated throughout by Carol’s eccentric wife Carmen Sylvae. Almost adjacent to Peles Castle is Pelisor (“Little Peles”). Drive to the small village of Azuga and visit the Rhein wine cellars, which produce a renowned sparkling wine. There is a tour of the cellars followed by a wine tasting. We continue to one of Transylvania’s major towns, Brasov for the evening. Overnight in Predeal
Day 3. Predeal - Bran - Zarnesti - Brasov - Predeal This morning we explore the city of Brasov before travelling for 45 minutes to Bran village. This is home to Bran castle, tenuously linked to the legend of Dracula. We have a tour of the castle and discover its colourful history. Returning to Brasov, we visit a special observatory in the forest accompanied by National Forestry Administration representatives. Here, if we are lucky we hope to see wild European Brown Bear in their natural habitat. The trip will take baout 4 hours and include a 20 minute walk. We return to Brasov late this evening. Overnight in Predeal
Day 4. Predeal - Prejmer - Viscri - Sighisoara From Brasov we drive to the delightful village of Viscri, a Saxon village and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. On the way we stop to view a beautiful UNESCO listed fortified church of Prejmer. Spend the day exploring the village and surroundings, and learning about local life. We visit the fortified church in the village, and then enjoy a horse and carriage ride through the surroundings. Along the way we will meet people specialising in traditional crafts and gain an insight into the customs of this part of the country. Overnight in Sighisoara
Day 5. Sighisoara - Sibiu Today we travel to Sighisoara with its beautiful medieval citadel. through pastoral fields and untouched Saxon towns to Sighisoara in Transylvania. While the name may conjure up images of haunted castles, gothic churches and vampires, this is only a small part of what makes Transylvania such an enchanting and exciting destination. Medieval Sighisoara is likely to seduce visitors more than any other place in Romania. Another World Heritage site, the town was first settled by the Romans but flourished under the Saxons from the 12th century. Take a walk around the old town, which coils up a narrow hill and is surrounded on all sides by fortified walls, and explore the 64 metre-high clock tower that dominates the citadel. The town is famed as the birthplace of Vlad Dracul III, better known as Vlad the Impaler, whose name was the inspiration for Bram Stoker’s iconic Count Dracula.
Day 6. Sibiu - Alba Iulia - Turda - Cluj Napoca In the morning we drive to Alba-Iulia, a city with a high importance in Romania’s history, being the place where the Romanian Principalities and Transylvania united to form Romania after the First World War. We then continue to Turda salt mine. First, we visit “La Salina” wine cellars, situated nearby the salt mine. This area prides itself with centuries of viticulture tradition, dating back to the Roman Empire period, when the current settlement of Turda was known under the name of Potaissa.This evening we will arrive in to Cluj, the former capital of Transylvania. Overnight in Cluj
Day 7. Cluj - Voronet We explore Cluj this morning, a vibrant and cosmopolitan city. We then depart Cluj, travelling through the Carpathian Mountains and via the Tihuta mountain pass. This was the pass described as the ‘Borgo pass’ in Bram Stoker’s Dracula novel. Our drive takes us to the region of Bucovina, located on the northern slopes of the central Eastern Carpathians. We arrive at our destination for the evening, Sucevita village.
Day 8. Voronet - Moldovita - Sucevita - Voronet In the morning we visit Moldovita Monastery, a wonderful masterpiece of Moldavian Gothic architecture adorned with lively exterior frescoes dating back to the beginning of the 16th century. Then we visit an egg painting workshop where we are shown the special technique required in this extremely delicate operation. We also see an exhibition of these local treasures. Later we visit Sucevita monastery – the largest of the painted monasteries – before we visit Voronet. Perhaps the most famous and stunning of the painted monasteries is Voronet founded in 1487 to celebrate a victory over the Turks. Widely known as ‘Sistine Chapel of the East’ due to its interior and exterior wall paintings We arrive back in Sucevita in time for dinner with our hosts.
Day 9. Voronet - Tarpesti - Agapia - Piatra Neamt This morning we travel to the village of Tarpesti and the remarkable Popa Museum. At his home, Nicolae Popa had gathered an incredible collection of Romanian folk art and handicrafts, giving us a fantastic insight into the ancient traditions of this region. We visit the museum and have a home prepared lunch here. We then travel to the Agapia Monastery before ending the day in Piatra-Neamt where we have time to explore. Overnight in PiatraNeamt,
Day 10. Piatra Neamt - Galati - Tulcea We leave Piatra-Neamt and continue via the Siret valley to Galati, on the ancient commercial road that connected the Orient, through Constantinople and the Black Sea, through the middle of Moldavia then Poland, to the wealthy cities of the Hanseatic League on the shores of the Baltic Sea. Here we cross the Danube by ferry and on towards Tulcea. Tulcea has been an important harbour city since ancient times, where the Danube empties out into the Black Sea.
Day 11. Tulcea - Crisan Today we have two outings by small boat exploring the winding channels of the Danube Delta. Head out on a full-day excursion through the remote Danube Delta. This is a UNESCO protected area of ecologically significant lagoons, channels and marshes – one of the largest wetland areas in the world, and one that’s a paradise for birds. At lunch time indulge in local specialties or the catch of the day. In the late evening, return to Tulcea. Our tour in the morning will be about 3 to 4 hour and we will explore for another 2 or 3 hours in the afternoon, depending on the weather and water levels. In the evening we return to our guests for dinner and accommodation.
Day 12. Crisan - Letea -Sulina - Crisan Today we will have a full day out, exploring the Danube Delta. We have two possibilities: visit Letea village and the virgin forest or, visit the beautiful city of Sulina by the Black Sea. Picnic lunch will be taken in either Letea or Sulina and then return to our accommodation in guesthouse for a traditional dinner in the evening.
Day 13. Crisan - Tulcea - Bucharest We leave the Delta behind and travel by boat back to Murighiol and from there we head back to Bucharest for our final night.
Day 14. Bucharest - Homeland Tour ends with transfer to the airport.
Services
13 nights of accommodation in 4* Hotels with HB English speaking guide Bus/Mini-bus at your disposal Danube Delta cruise boat at your disposal for 3 days 2 lunches in the Danube Delta 1 SGL room free of charge for the foreign tour leader
Minimum of turists 10+1 15+1 20+1 25+1 30+1 35+1 40+1 45+1 Price per person (place in DBL/HB) 1230€ 1015€ 905€ 835€ 795€ 765€ 745€ 725€ SGL Supplement 195€ 195€ 195€ 195€ 195€ 195€ 195€ 195€
13 Lunches Supplement 155€ 155€ 155€ 155€ 155€ 155€ 155€ 155€
Roman, Ottoman, Byzantine and Soviet Empires
Day 1. Homeland - Budapest Welcome to Budapest! Hungary’s stylish capital is known as the ‘City of Spas’ for its abundance of natural thermal springs. Highlights here include Castle Hill, Matthias Church, Fisherman’s Bastion, the Liberation Monument, the fabulous St Stephen’s Basilica and the much photographed Parliament Building. An evening river cruise is an excellent way to see the parliament lit up at night.You are free to arrive at your leisure and enjoy all Budapest has to offer.
Day 2. Budapest - Eger This morning we take a short train ride to Eger, located on the hills of the Bukk Mountains, and a real gem within Hungary. With a number of historic sights such as the castle, cathedral, and the northernmost minaret in Europe, Eger is a wonderfully quaint town and the perfect contrast from the bustling capital of Budapest. Best known for its production of the famous “Bulls Blood” red wine, Eger is a large producer of Hungarian wine and you will have ample opportunity to sample some of Hungary’s finest during the wine tasteing.
Day 3. Eger - Barsana - Sapanta - Baia Mare The day is spent exploring the fascinating Maramures region in North-western Romania. We will visit the village of Barsana, where there is a thriving local tradition of woodcarving, with picturesque wooden houses fronted by giant, ornately-carved gates. We also tour some of the beautiful UNESCO listed wooden churches of the region that are well-known for their characteristic high roofs and tall, pointed steeples. We will make a quick stop at the very peculiar ‘Merry Cemetery’ of Sapânta, so called because the gravestones are painted in bright colours, hand-carved out of oak and adorned with an image of the deceased and a humorous epitaph in the local vernacular.We then head to Baia Mare.
Day 4. Baia Mare - Cluj - Sighisoara As we make our way to Sighisoara, we stop en-route for a few hours to explore the city of Cluj Napoca, Romania’s second largest city after Bucharest. In the afternoon we head to Sighisoara. Recognised by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, the citadel has a very well preserved old town with a clock tower rising 64 meters above the city. Also worth visiting is the Orthodox Cathedral and Cornesti Church. Approximate
Day 5. Sighisoara Today you are free to explore and enjoy Sighisoara! You could take a guided tour of the Old Town, check out the unique Torture Museum or visit Dracula’s House.
Day 6. Sighisoara - Viscri - Prejmer - Predeal On our way to Brasov we make stops at two historic and important churches, Viscri and Prejmer fortified churches.
Day 7. Predeal - Bran - Brasov - Predeal Brasov was a perfect place for a medieval settlement and much of the Old City, founded by the Teutonic Knights in 1211.You can visit Râsnov Castle, the Brasov Citadel or wander up Rope Street, the narrowest street in Europe. Today we visit the nearby Bran Castle which is known as ‘Dracula’s Castle’ and is said to have been the home of Vlad the Impaler.The rest of the afternoon is free for you to enjoy Brasov.
Day 8. Predeal - Sinaia - Bucharest This morning we explore the beautiful Pele’s Castle, an impressive structure which is sure to take your breath away!We then head to Bucharest where you will have free time to explore the area and discover the contrasts of Romania’s cultural capital. Bucharest also boasts the world’s second largest building, the Palace of Parliament, built under the communist regime.If you’d like to learn more about the traditional way of life of Romanian peasant farmers you can visit the Village Museum
Day 9. Bucharest - Veliko Tarnovo We head across the border into the Bulgarian city of Veliko Tarnovo, famous as the historical capital of the Second Bulgarian Empire. Built on three hills, the city offers some great views of the surrounding churches and old imperial residences rising amidst the meanders of the Yantra River. On Tsarevets Hill are the palaces of the Bulgarian emperors and
the Patriarchal Cathedral, and also a number of interesting cultural institutions such as the Archaeological Museum and the Museum of the Bulgarian Revival and the Constituent
Day 10. Veliko Tarnovo - Sofia This morning we will depart for our next destination, Sofia! Bulgaria’s capital Sofia offers a wealth of cultural entertainment, including Byzantine churches, museums full of ancient archaeological treasures, towering monuments and numerous mineral baths adjacent to the magnificent Mount Vitosha. Laid back and cosmopolitan, Sofia offers a thriving and diverse street life, including openair cafes, busy markets such as the famous Ladies’ Market, rattling trams and buskers all adding to the ambience.
Day 11. Sofia Today you are free to explore Sofia. At the foothills of Mount Vitosha about 8 kilometres from the city centre you can visit the 900 yearold Boyana Church, considered among the masterpieces of medieval European painting, which features murals and frescoes dating back to 1259 AD, medieval architecture and monumental art. Also at the base of Mt. Vitosha is the splendid National History Museum, with antiques dating back to the Thracian period. Sofia also offers many beautiful gardens to relax in, such as Boris Gardens and the South Park, which starts just behind the Palace of Culture.
Day 12. Sofia - Plovdiv Plovdiv is one of the oldest cities in Europe. It is the oldest continually inhabited city in Europe going back 8000 years. During most of its recorded history, Plovdiv was known in the West by the name Philippopolis after Philip II of Macedon conquered the city in the 4th century BCE. The city was originally a Thracian settlement. The town is small and easy to walk around. Places to see include the Roman Amphitheatre, St Marina church and a mosque leftover from the Ottoman Empire. Each step you take in this town opens up another piece of history.
Day 13. Plovdiv Today you are free to enjoy Plovdiv. The city was awarded the title of 2019 European
Capital of Culture and is the first in Bulgaria to have the honour! While strolling the charming streets is a lovely way to pass the time, you could also opt for a day trip to indulge in some local wine tastings and to see the local countryside. Please note: Breakfast tomorrow morning is not included in the hotel at Plovdiv. Your tour leader will point out local cafes or restaurants where you can have breakfast.
Day 14. Plovdiv - Istanbul Late morning we leave for Turkey, arriving into Istanbul in the early evening. Istanbul is an enchanting fusion of East and West. There are many great places to explore including, but not limited to, the Blue Mosque, St Sophia and the Grand Bazaar. The Blue Mosque, also known as the Mosque of Sultan Ahmet, is nearly 400 years old and still an active mosque that nonMuslims can visit for free outside of the five daily prayers. St Sophia (Hagia Sophia) was built 1,500 years ago and was the largest enclosed space in the world. The Grand Bazaar (Kapali Carsi) is the oldest and largest closed bazaar in the world, housing around 3000 shops within 61 alleyways.
Day 15. Istanbul - Homeland Your adventure of a lifetime comes to an end today. If you have a late flight or have lengthened your stay by adding post tour accommodation you will have more time to explore the sights.The Grand Bazaar is shut by the time we arrive on Saturday and is also closed on Sunday s. If this is a personal must see please consider booking an extra night.Your adventure of a lifetime comes to an end today. If you have a late flight or have lengthened your stay by adding post tour accommodation you will have more time to explore the sights.
Services
14 nights of accommodation in 4* Hotels with HB English speaking guide Bus/Mini-bus at your disposal Festive dinner Traditional dance and music show 1 SGL room free of charge for the foreign tour leader
Minimum of turists 10+1 15+1 20+1 25+1 30+1 35+1 40+1 45+1 Price per person (place in DBL/HB) 1355€ 1110€ 995€ 920€ 870€ 840€ 815€ 795€ SGL Supplement 210€ 210€ 210€ 210€ 210€ 210€ 210€ 210€
14 Lunches Supplement 170€ 170€ 170€ 170€ 170€ 170€ 170€ 170€
