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2012 HIGHLIGHTS OF ROMANIA AND BULGARIA
A THIRTEEN DAY DISCOVERY AND ADVENTURE TOUR
Itinerary: Bucharest - Bucovina Frescoed Monasteries and Home Hosted Experience - The Borgo Pass - Transylvanian Highlights & Sibiu - Peles Castle - Flight to Sofia - Plovdiv - Valley of the Roses - Veliko Tarnovo - Rila Monastery - Sofia
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Day 1: Arrival to Bucharest
Welcome to Bucharest – the capital of Romania and the largest city between Berlin and Athens. Your English speaking tour guide will meet you at the Coanda International Airport. Transfer to your downtown Bucharest hotel with a short orientation tour. Check in and time at leisure. In the evening enjoy a Traditional Romanian Welcome Dinner and Folklore Show. (For the 2012 Orthodox Easter tour join your guide to an Orthodox Celebration in one of Bucharest churches, April 15)
T D Accommodation in Bucharest at Hotel Berthelot **** (centrally located boutique hotel)
Hot and cold buffet breakfast at hotel. As of the second half of the 19 century Bucharest was known as “The Little Paris of the East” because of its many Parisian aspects in the city layout, architecture and nevertheless, lifestyle. Today you will drive on the grand avenues such as Magheru, Kiseleff and Victory Avenues. Stop in the Revolution Square and learn about the December 1989 Romanian Revolution. Then visit the Palace of the Parliament (the second largest building in the world will put you in direct contact with Romania’s last years of its Communist power. The tour will also include Cotroceni Quarter and a view of Ceausescus' former private residence Lunch on your own then leave Bucharest on the way north to Piatra Neamt in Moldova. Arrive to the hotel in the evening. Dinner on own.
B Accommodation in Piatra Neamt at Hotel Ceahlaul *** (or similar)
Day 3: Piatra Neamt – Bucovina Monasteries – Campulung
Hot and cold buffet breakfast at hotel. Bucovina monasteries are gems of medieval Moldavian architecture and artistry. Each of them has a predominant color. Start your day with Voronet, the most famous out of all, known as the Sistine Chapel of the East. Voronet features one the best Last Judgment fresco in this part of the World. Receive a complete explanation of the fresco. Next is Moldovita. Get explanation of the outer frescoes. Moldovita Monastery is where the UNESCO Golden Apple Award given to the painted churches back in 1975, is kept. On the south facade of Moldovita is The Siege of Constantinople belonging to the 24 episodes of the Hymn to the Holy Virgin. Drive to the nearby Sucevita Monastery, which is the largest of all, looking more like a mighty fortress than a monastery. The Ladder of John of Sinai is considered one of the best of the frescoes of Sucevita, rarely present in medieval Romanian art. In the village of Marginea visit the black pottery workshop - they use a technique called "oxygen reduction”, there is the same technique in Mexico only! In the evening enjoy an interactive egg painting demonstration and a home hosted dinner in the village of Vama. Drive to the nearby town of Campulung for overnight.
B D Accommodation in Campulung Moldovenesc at Hotel Eden *** (or similar)
Day 4: Campulung – The Borgo Pass - Bistrita – Targu Mures - Sighisoara
Hot and cold buffet breakfast at hotel. Depart to Bistrita over the picturesque Borgo Pass of the Eastern Carpathians with a stop over at Castle Dracula Hotel. This is where Bram Stoker placed the “residence” of his imaginary character: Count Dracula. You then pass through Bistrita heading south to Targu Mures, one of the important Central Transylvanian mid size cities and known for its wonderful Art Nouveau architecture such as the 1913 Palace of Culture. Continue south to Sighisoara – this is the only still inhabited medieval citadel in Europe. It was developed by the German settlers as of late 12th century. It stands on a network of tunnels and catacombs and, according to one version of the myth; this is where the Pied Piper brought the children of Hamelin after their ungrateful parents refused to pay him his due. Walking tour includes the two squares of the Citadel (Upper Town), the Scholars’ Staircase, the Ducklings’ Square, the Tinsmiths’ Tower, the House with Antler, the Tower with Clock (climb up for a great view), the Torture Chamber and the Weapon Museum. Sighisoara is the place where the famous Vlad the Impaler Dracula was born in 1431. The Birthplace is today a restaurant and one of the main tourist attractions. Dinner on own.
B Accommodation in the Upper Town of Sighisoara at Hotel Sighisoara *** or The House with Antler ***
Day 5: Sighisoara – Biertan – Sibiu
Hot and cold buffet breakfast at hotel. Drive to the impressive fortified church of Biertan, a UNESCO World Heritage Site for a visit of this former Seat of the Lutheran Bishops between 1516 and 1867. Before noon time arrive to Sibiu: the chief city of the Transylvanian Saxons still surrounded defense walls and the remaining towers each belonging to a certain guild. Take a leisurely walking tour of Sibiu, the chief city of the Transylvanian Germans. Visit the old surrounding defense walls and the remaining guild towers. One of the landmarks of Sibiu is the Bruckenthal Museum assembled by Baron Bruckenthal, governor of Transylvania at the beginning of the 19th century and the second art museum to open ever to the public. The Evangelical Cathedral was completed in its actual shape in 1520, but inside, there is an exquisite fresco of the Crucifixion on the north wall of the choir dating from 1445. View the Passage of Stairs linking the Upper town to the Lower town, the 1859 Liar's Bridge and the Byzantine style Orthodox Cathedral, a replica of St. Sophia in Constantinople. The tour will end with a visit to the original Pharmacy Museum. Overnight in Sibiu's famous Romans' Emperor Hotel, first built at the end of the 18th century. Dinner on own.
B Accommodation in Sibiu at Hotel Imparatul Romanilor ****
Hotel Imparatul Romanilor, located in the old part of Sibiu near the main square, in a 16th century building built in traditional Transylvanian Renaissance style, a former merchant's hall transformed into hotel in the 18th century, with many famous guests: Emperor Franz Joseph II, composers Franz Liszt, Johann Strauss, as well as Prince Charles and other important people. Wonderfully renovated for the 2007 Sibiu cultural and artistical events.
Day 6: Sibiu – Fagaras - Brasov
Hot and cold buffet breakfast at hotel. Start your day with a tour of Fagaras and its fort. Continue to Brasov, which also was developed by the Saxon colonists as of the late 12th century and the Old Town is a true gem of medieval architecture. The walking tour of Brasov includes the famous 14th century Black Church with its 4,000 pipe organ and over one hundred Anatolian prayer rugs, the Council Square and the Weavers’ Bastion. Continue to the old Romanian Quarter known as Schei for a tour of St Nicholas Church then view the narrowest street in South – Central Europe. Hotel check in and time at leisure in the lovely pedestrian area of Old Brasov. Tonight you will enjoy a dinner with Gipsy music in one of the traditional restaurants in the mountain resort of Poiana Brasov.
B D Accommodation in Brasov at Boutique Hotel Casa Wagner ***
Day 7: Bran Castle - Sinaia Resort - Peles Castle - Flight to Sofia, Bulgaria
Breakfast at hotel. Morning tour of the famous Bran Castle also known as Dracula Castle. It was built in 1377 to safeguard the trading route between Transylvania and Wallachia, then enlarged and restored in the 1920 by Queen Marie of Romania. A guided tour of the castle is included. Enjoy a scenic ride through the Carpathian Mountains via Predeal, Romania’s highest altitude town and schi resort. Arrive to Sinaia mountain resort. Named after St. Catherine Monastery on Mount Sinai, Sinaia became the unofficial capital of the Kingdom of Romania towards the end of the 19th century. The orientation tour of the resort includes a visit to Sinaia Monastery and a view of the famous Casino, inspired by the one in Monte Carlo. Once the famous Orient Express train use to regularly call here and it still does once a year on its way from Paris to Constantinople (Istanbul). Take a guided tour of one of the most important tourist attractions of the country: Peles Castle the royal residence of King Charles I of Romania and known as one of the most beautiful summer royal residences in Europe. We then continue back to Bucharest arriving in the late afternoon. Transfer to Coanda International Airport for your one hour flight to Sofia, Bulgaria. The Bulgarian tour guide will meet you at the airport and transfer you to your downtown Sofia hotel. Check in with the remainder ofthe day at leisure.
B Accommodation in Sofia at Hotel Art *** (centrally located)
Day 8: Sofia – Morning at leisure and an afternoon city tour
Hot and cold buffet breakfast at hotel. This morning you will enjoy a city sightseeing tour of Sofia, a city with 7,000 year long history and a Balkan capital which is now being rediscovered. The Sofia highlights include a guided tour of the National History Museum, displaying the gold and silver Thracian Treasures dating back to the 4ht and the 3rd centuries BC, the Boyana Church, listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site and one of Bulgaria's most significant historical treasures dating back to the 13th century. Other points of interest during the tour will be the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, the Rotunda of St George, the St Nicholas Russian Church and the Banya Bashi Mosque as well as a view of the Great Synagogue. In the evening enjoy a Bulgarian Welcome Dinner.
After breakfast we drive North to Kazanlak, the main city of the famous Rose Valley. This valley has been a centre of rose oil production and export
B D Accommodation in Sofia at Hotel Art *** (centrally located)
Day 9: Sofia – Koprivshtica - Plovdiv
Hot and cold buffet breakfast at hotel. Leave Sofia for Plovdiv. En route we will stop over for a visit of Koprivshtica, a museum town of the Bulgarian National Revival architecture, a town where the past seems to come alive. Situated at an altitude of some 3,000 feet above sea level amid lovely meadows and pine forests, the town has long had a magnetic appeal for tourists. Our walking tour includes visits to the beautiful old Bulgarian-style houses of Oslekov, Debeljanov and Kableshkov, which will fascinate you not only with their original architecture but also with their interior 19-century decoration and furnishing. Every single house here is part and parcel of Bulgaria’s history. It is a miracle that Koprivshtica itself was spared destruction and survives in its original appearance. Early afternoon we arrive to Plovdiv, the main city of the Thracian Valley. Plovdiv’s location astride the river Maritsa, and its six hills, which are prominent features on the Thracian plane, indicates the strategic significance of the city. It is one of the oldest and most colorful towns in Bulgaria. No one can tell exactly when the foundation stone was laid here, although it must have been over 5000 years ago. Old Plovdiv on Trimonzium hill is the centre of Bulgarian national revival architecture at its height and is full of charm and artistic character. Enjoy a tour including a visit to the Old Town, the 2,000 years old Roman Theatre; the Ethnographic Museum and the 
Byzantine and medieval fortifications, the 15th century mosque. Walk along the narrow cobbled streets and admire the silence and tranquility of this historic town, visit workshops of local artisans to learn about Bulgarian crafts, especially pottery. Hotel check in. Evening at leisure downtown.
Byzantine and medieval fortifications, the 15th century mosque. Walk along the narrow cobbled streets and admire the silence and tranquility of this historic town, visit workshops of local artisans to learn about Bulgarian crafts, especially pottery. Hotel check in. Evening at leisure downtown.B Accommodation in Plovdiv at the Famous House Hotel ***
Day 10: Plovdiv – Valley of the Roses – Veliko Tarnovo
After breakfast we drive North to Kazanlak, the main city of the famous Rose Valley. This valley has been a centre of rose oil production and exportfor centuries. We visit the Rose museum to find out why Bulgarian rose oil is an essential ingredient of top-quality perfumes. Recently, the Rose Valley has become known also as the Valley of the Thracian Kings. The Thracians were the earliest recorded population in the eastern half of the Balkan Peninsula, in what is today Bulgaria. It was at the end of the Late Bronze Age that the Greek authors, Homer in particular, called the territories north of Greece by the name of Thrace. The Thracians had an exceptionally original culture and created an amazing civilization. We visit the Thracian beehive tomb in Kazanlak, a unique monument of the Thracian Culture, included in UNESCO's List of World Heritage. The region around Kazanlak is dotted with dozens of Thracian burial mounds. Here, in summer 2004 Prof. Kitov and a team of fellow archaeologists unearthed an ancient gold funeral mask that they say is as important a discovery as the treasures of Agamemnon and Tutankhamen. This extremely precious discovery is displayed in the local museum. We cross the Balkan Range at the Shipka Pass and visit the golddomed Shipka Memorial Church. The view from the top of the pass over the Thracian Plain is really spectacular. We proceed with a visit of the open-air Etara Ethnographic Museum. The 18th – 19th century crafts and lifestyle will come to life in front of you as you visit this famous open-air museum. Next stop is Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria’s old capital city. Picturesquely situated on the three hills circled by the Yantra River, Veliko Tarnovo still preserves the typical 19th century architecture with its houses perched one above the other along the sloping hills. Past glory with fortress walls and palaces creates an amazing background for a joyful contemporary life of this University town, full of young people. Evening at leisure.
Hot and cold buffet breakfast at hotel. Take a morning walking a tour of this town, full of history. The capital of Medieval Bulgaria, Veliko Tarnovo, is one of the most picturesque historical settlements. Located on the hills above the meandering river Yantra, this city, once a glorious medieval capital (1186 – 1393), is now attracting thousands of romantic travelers with its irresistible atmosphere. Mixing the legends of the past with bursting joy of hundreds of young students – this is Veliko Tarnovo today, the second most important University City after Sofia. Start exploring the city with the Tsarevets Royal hill. Our guide can tell you more than any of the thick books will. Then go to the Samovodska market place, with its narrow cobbled streets, where every stone tells a story. The neighboring Arbanassi museum village is a genuine gallery of art. Apart from a gorgeous view over the city of Veliko Tarnovo, there are two musts here: the 15th century Church of the Nativity, repainted in the 17th century, and the house of Konstantsaliev’s- a fortress-like stone building, excellent examples of the 18th century architecture at its height. Travel back to Sofia via the beautiful Danube Plain. Today we cross the Balkan Range at Troyan Pass, another spectacular views waiting ahead and visit the nearby Troyan Monastery, Bulgaria's third largest. Arrive to Sofia. Hotel check in. Evening at leisure.
After breakfast, we travel to the famous Rila Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is located some 70 miles to the south of Sofia,in the heart of the Rila Mountain. Founded in the 10th century, it has been the biggest spiritual and cultural centre in Bulgaria for hundreds of years. On a number of occasions it was destroyed and burnt down, only to rise again like a phoenix from the ashes. The visitor’s first sight of Rila Monastery huge towering walls gives the impression of a fortress. However, a step through the archway produces a wonderful surprise. Visiting the Monastery is a must. The Monastery’s unrivalled architecture and murals will captivate you. The monastery is the largest in the Balkans and included in the List of World Cultural Heritage. Our tour of the monastery includes a visit to the Monastery Church, which is of particular artistic value, for it was adorned by the foremost 19-century masters of the Samokov, Bansko and Debar schools of painting and woodcarving. We visit the Monastery Museum featuring a rich collections of precious artefacts from the monastery¡¦s thousand-year history. Monks still live and practice here. We drive back to Sofia. The balance of the day is at leisure. Dinner on own.
B Accommodation in Veliko Tarnovo at Hotel Gurko ***
Day 11: Veliko Tarnovo – Troyan – Sofia
Hot and cold buffet breakfast at hotel. Take a morning walking a tour of this town, full of history. The capital of Medieval Bulgaria, Veliko Tarnovo, is one of the most picturesque historical settlements. Located on the hills above the meandering river Yantra, this city, once a glorious medieval capital (1186 – 1393), is now attracting thousands of romantic travelers with its irresistible atmosphere. Mixing the legends of the past with bursting joy of hundreds of young students – this is Veliko Tarnovo today, the second most important University City after Sofia. Start exploring the city with the Tsarevets Royal hill. Our guide can tell you more than any of the thick books will. Then go to the Samovodska market place, with its narrow cobbled streets, where every stone tells a story. The neighboring Arbanassi museum village is a genuine gallery of art. Apart from a gorgeous view over the city of Veliko Tarnovo, there are two musts here: the 15th century Church of the Nativity, repainted in the 17th century, and the house of Konstantsaliev’s- a fortress-like stone building, excellent examples of the 18th century architecture at its height. Travel back to Sofia via the beautiful Danube Plain. Today we cross the Balkan Range at Troyan Pass, another spectacular views waiting ahead and visit the nearby Troyan Monastery, Bulgaria's third largest. Arrive to Sofia. Hotel check in. Evening at leisure.B Accommodation in Sofia at Hotel Art ***
Day 12: Rila Monastery Excursion
After breakfast, we travel to the famous Rila Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is located some 70 miles to the south of Sofia,in the heart of the Rila Mountain. Founded in the 10th century, it has been the biggest spiritual and cultural centre in Bulgaria for hundreds of years. On a number of occasions it was destroyed and burnt down, only to rise again like a phoenix from the ashes. The visitor’s first sight of Rila Monastery huge towering walls gives the impression of a fortress. However, a step through the archway produces a wonderful surprise. Visiting the Monastery is a must. The Monastery’s unrivalled architecture and murals will captivate you. The monastery is the largest in the Balkans and included in the List of World Cultural Heritage. Our tour of the monastery includes a visit to the Monastery Church, which is of particular artistic value, for it was adorned by the foremost 19-century masters of the Samokov, Bansko and Debar schools of painting and woodcarving. We visit the Monastery Museum featuring a rich collections of precious artefacts from the monastery¡¦s thousand-year history. Monks still live and practice here. We drive back to Sofia. The balance of the day is at leisure. Dinner on own. B Accommodation in Sofia at Hotel Art ***
Day 13: Sofia Departure
Breakfast at hotel. (Boxed breakfast will be provided for the early departures). Multiple transfers to Sofia International Airport for your return flights.
Your Price Includes:
- 12 nights accommodation at three and four star hotels
- Services of a professional English speaking tour guide (driving) to accompany you throughout
- A fully insured sedan, van or minibus (depending on the size of the group)
- Fuel and parking fees
- All sightseeing tours & cultural connections
- Three informal talks on: Dracula: Truth and Legend, Ceausescu and His Times, The Gypsies and Their Journey
- Interactive egg painting demonstration in Bucovina
- 16 meals: 12 breakfasts, 4 dinners
- Wine tasting session in Bulgaria
- Guide's expenses
- All transfers
- One way flight from Bucharest, Romania to Sofia, Bulgaria
- Admissions to museums, sites, churches as per itinerary
- VAT and local tax
- Maps of Romania and Bulgaria.
You'll visit 7 UNESCO World Heritage Sites:
- Bucovina Exterior Frescoed Monasteries
- Historic Center of Sighisoara
- Biertan Fortified Church
- Sibiu Historic Center
- Thracian Tomb of Kazanlak
- Boyana Church
- Rila Monastery
Not included:
- Other meals than stated
- Alcoholic beverages
- Photo/video fees at sites and museums.
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