Day 1:  Arrival to Bucharest

Arrival to Coanda International Airport in Bucharest. Meet and greet by your professional English speaking tour guide. The tour guide will wait with a name sign visible right after you exit Customs. Transfer to your downtown Bucharest hotel with a short orientation tour. Afternoon at leisure. In the evening enjoy a Welcome Dinner and a Folklore Show.

D Accommodation at Hotel Berthelot **** (centrally located boutique hotel)

Day 2:  Bucharest – Olt River Gorge - Cozia - Sibiu

Hot and cold buffet breakfast at hotel. This morning take a city tour of Bucharest including the Revolution Square,   a guided tour of the Palace of the Parliament, the second largest building in the world after the Pentagon, Cotroceni Quarter for its representative architecture, a view of the Ceausescu’s former private residence and the Village Museum - one of the world's most interesting open air museums with century old original peasant households from all parts of Romania. Enjoy lunch with traditional Romanian skinless sausages at the Hunchback's. On route later, make a short stop to the 14th century Cozia Monastery built by Prince Mircea the Old and an excellent example of late 14th century Wallachian architecture. Drive along the Olt River Canyon crossing the mountains into Transylvania. This obviously is one of the most scenic roads of Romania. Reach Sibiu. Brief orientation tour on the way to the hotel. Overnight in Sibiu's famous Romans' Emperor Hotel, first built at the end of the 18th century. Dinner on own. Suggested is Crama Sibiul Vechi,  best cellar - restaurants in town, serving Transylvanian fares.

B L Accommodation in Sibiu at Imparatul Romanilor Hotel ****

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 many others.

Day 3:  Sibiu  - Huniady (Corvin) Castle - Cluj Napoca

Hot and cold buffet breakfast at hotel. Start your day with a leisurely walking tour of Sibiu, the chief city of the Transylvanian Germans. View the old surrounding defense walls and the remaining guild towers. One of the landmarks of Sibiu is the Bruckenthal Museum assembled by Baron Bruckenthal, the Governor of Transylvania at the beginning of the 19th century and the second museum to ever open in Europe after the National Gallery in London. Next is the Evangelical Cathedral 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. The tour ends with the original Pharmacy Museum located in a 15th century pharmacy but in operation until 1974 ! Before noon depart for Hunedoara for a guided tour of Huniady Castle, one of the most well preserved Gothic castles of Transylvania (though off the beaten track) and home to the mighty Huniady royal family. Late afternoon arrival to Cluj Napoca. Hotel check in.

B Accommodation in Cluj at Hotel Siago *** (or similar)

Day 4:   Cluj Napoca - Baia Mare - Maramures Region

Hot and cold buffet breakfast at hotel. This morning you will have a choice between a stroll in the Botanical Gardens of Cluj or a guided tour of the Ethnographic Museum. Later drive north towards Baia Mare and reach the splendid region of Maramures (northern Transylvania). Due to the relative isolation of their land, the people of Maramures developed a particularly strong community, with a unique personality, traditions, culture, fashion and lifestyle unspoiled for centuries. Stop in the villages of Giulesti for the dowry tradition and Mara for the wonderfully carved wooden gates. Continue west along Tisa River (very close to the Ukrainian border) and reach the village of Sapinta, world famous for its "Merry Cemetery".  Each wooden cross carries a funny epitaph about the person's life. In the same village you will have the opportunity to witness the construction of the tallest wooden church in the wolrd: Sapinta - Peri. Accommodation in a private house in the village of Iza. Meet a Romanian family in their home for dinner, this being a first hand cultural interchange. You will also enjoy an exclusively organized Maramures Folklore Show.

B D Home stay accommodation (modern villa) or Casa Maramures *** in Sighet

Family home, with one section renovated into a modern villa with all modern facilities. The location is excellent, in a small village, quiet neighborhood, far away from the main street. The terraces offer a beautiful view on the village. Excellent home cooking.

Day 5:   Maramures:  Iza Valley - Sighetul Marmatiei  - Bucovina

After breakfast, take an exclusively designed walking tour of the village of Iza including an icon-on-glass workshop (and learn about the technique), the local ancient type plum brandy distillery and a typical wooden whirlpool still used by the local women to wash heavy woolen blankets. Then drive to the nearby town of Sighet to mingle with the locals at the colorful fruit and vegetable market where you will have the oportunity to sample various produce. Continue to the Anti Communist Memorial - a political prison in the Communist times. This is one of the main memorial sites of the continent, alongside Auschwitz Museum and the Peace Memorial in Normandy. The visit here provides a direct connection to Romania's most recent history. Next is the house of Nobel Prize Winner, Elie Wiesel who was born in town. Lunch on own. Continue exploring Maramures along the picturesque Iza Valley – an excellent oportunity to witness daily life in this corner of Europe. Stop in the village of Rozavlea for a visit to the workshop of a famous master carver in his own workshop. He represented Romania at the 1999 Smithsonian World Folk Festival in Washington, DC. Next is the exquisite Barsana Monastery, a great example of Maramures wooden church architecture. Cross the Carpathian Mountains thru the picturesque Prislop Pass into the northern part of Moldavia called Bucovina with excellent opportunities for pictures. In the town of Campulung enjoy an exclusively organized interactive egg-painting demonstration by a local artist in her home, this being one of the local traditions of the area. You will also have the chance to admire painted eggs from all over the world in an unique private exhibition. After arriving in Gura Humorului, check into the hotel.

B Accommodation in Gura Humorului at Hotel Best Western Bucovina **** or Hotel Casa Humor **** (two nights)

Day 6:   Bucovina Painted Monasteries Excursion ( World Heritage Sites) & Traditional Bucovina Lunch

A la carte breakfast at hotel. Bucovina monasteries are gems of medieval Moldavian architecture and artistry. Begin your day with Voronet , the most famous out of all, known as the Sistine Chapel of the East and featuring one the best Last Judgment Fresco in this part of the World. Next is Moldovita Monastery where the UNESCO Golden Apple Award given to the painted churches in 1975, is kept. As a cultural connection, enjoy a traditional Bucovina lunch in the picturesque village of Sucevita. Later continue 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. The monastery has a small old bibles museum. 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! End your day with the Monastery of Humor, the only one without a belfry tower.

B L Accommodation in Gura Humorului 

Day 7:   Gura Humorului - Piatra Neamt - Bicaz Gorges & Red Lake - Sighisoara

A la carte breakfast at hotel. Begin your day with a drive south to Piatra Neamt for a tour of the only wooden synagogue in Romania (dating back from the 17th century) and built half underground. Later reach Bicaz Gorges where the surroundings are dramatic. Here you have an opportunity for a short hike. Optional lunch in the resort of the Red Lake  - Lacu Rosu (restaurants here specialize in naturally grown trout). Once passing the Red Lake you are back to Transylvania passing through an area inhabited mostly by the Hungarian Szekler community. Afternoon arrival to Sighisoara - World Heritage Site and the only still inhabited medieval citadel in Europe. Before starting your walking tour of old Sighisoara attend an exclusive lecture on Vlad the Impaler - Dracula, what is truth and what fiction. Sighisoara is one of a kind. 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. The walking tour includes the two squares of the Citadel (Upper Town), the Scholars' Staircase, 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 Vlad the Impaler Dracula was born in 1431. The Birthplace is one of the main tourist attractions. Accommodation in the Upper Town. Suggestion for dinner at the Birthplace of Vlad Dracula

B Accommodation at Hotel Sighisoara*** or The House with Antler *** 

Day 8:   Sighisoara – Brasov – Bran Castle

Hot and cold buffet breakfast at hotel. Journey south through the picturesque Transylvanian Plateau for a tour of Brasov to admire the 14th century Gothic Black Church with its 4,000 pipe organ and over a hundred Anatolian prayer rugs given to the church as gifts by the rich Brasov merchants. Visit Schei Quarter with the First School in Romanian language (meet with professor Olteanu). The tour will also include the Council Square, Catherine's Gate, the Rope Street and a view of the synagogue. The attraction of the day is Bran Castle also known as Dracula's Castle altough the connections to Vlad are still in debate. Today one of the most popular attractions of the country, the castle was built in 1377 to safeguard the trading route between Transylvania and Wallachia, then enlarged and restored a few times to become a royal residence after the 1920s under Queen Marie of Romania. Take a guided tour followed by cheese sampling. Afternoon arrival 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. Orientation tour of the resort including a view of the famous Casino, inspired by the one in Monte Carlo. Evening at leisure in the resort.

B  Accommodation in Sinaia at Palace Hotel ****

Day 9:  Peles Castle - Ruse - Ivanovo Rock Hewn Churches – Arbanassi Home Hosted Dinner

Hot and cold buffet breakfast at hotel. In the morning take a guided tour of the Peles Castle and Gardens in Sinaia, the royal residence of King Charles I of Romania and known as one of the most beautiful summer royal residences in Europe. A ride south to Bucharest and then across the Danube River then brings you into Bulgaria where you will change vehicles and tour guides. Take an orientation tour of the center of Ruse with its classical architecture before your visit to the cavernous Ivanovo Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Continue to the picturesque village of Arbanassi, near Veliko Tarnovo. Your afternoon highlight is a visit to the Church of Nativity, the most richly decorated church in all of Bulgaria! Enjoy a home hosted dinner in the village, a great opportunity to meet a Bulgarian family in their home.

B D Accommodation in Arbanassi at the traditional style Izvora Hotel ***

Day 10:  Veliko Tarnovo – Kazanlak – Plovdiv

A la carte breakfast at hotel. in the morning take a tour of Veliko Tarnovo, the former capital of the First  Bulgarian Kingdom. The Tsarevets Fortress is one of the lasrgest and most well preserved of the Northen Balkans. We will then journey south, through the heart of rural Bulgaria today en route to Plovdiv, the country’s second largest city. As we wind through picturesque Rose Valley, we make a stop in the town of Kazanlak at the world famous Thracian Tomb, you  get an up-close view of the wonderfully preserved Hellenistic frescoes dating back to the 4th century BC. Another must-see is The Rose Museum. 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 Amphiteathre,  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 in the centre of Plovdiv.

B Accommodation in Plovdiv at the Famous House Hotel *** (or similar)

Day 11:  Plovdiv – Rila Monastery – Sofia

Hot and  cold buffet breakfast at hotel. You’ll enjoy a scenic ride through beautiful Mesta Pass on the way to Rila Monastery, Bulgaria's most famous tourist site and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Founded in the 10th century by St. Ivan Rilsky, the monastery was at the center of Bulgarian culture and Orthodox belief for centuries. 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. Continue to Sofia  with arrival in the late afternoon. Orientation  tour of Sofia before arriving to your hotel. Check in and evening at leisure.

B Accommodation in Sofia at Hotel Arte *** (centrally located)

Day 12:  Sofia Half Day City Tour & Afternoon at Leisure

Hot & cold buffet breakfast. In the morning take a comprehensive sightseeing tour of Sofia, a city with a seven thousand year long history. The Sofia highlights include the National History Museum, displaying the gold and silver Thracian Treasures, and the Boyana Church, listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, 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 and the Banya Bashi Mosque as well as a view of the Great Synagogue. Return to the hotel. The balance of the day is at leisure to further explore on your own.

B Accommodation in Sofia at Hotel Arte ***

Day 13: Sofia Departure

Hot & cold buffet breakfast at hotel or boxed breakfast for early departures. Time at leisure until your transfer to Sofia International Airport for your return flight.