This is a comprehensive yet relaxed quality tour of Romania and Bulgaria with less structure but more choices.
It is a great time to visit these former estern Block countries as they are experincing great changes.
ROMANIA & BULGARIA
2008 Guaranteed Departures (with a minimum of two travelers):
Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays from April till early November
Airline tickets provided on requests. Flights are booked at cost--we add no service charge.
THE ITINERARY:
Day 1: BUCHAREST
Morning city tour of Bucharest including the Revolution Square, the Palace of the Parliament - the second largest building in the world after the Pentagon, the Church of the Patriarchy, the Village Museum - one of the world's most interesting open air museums with century old original peasant households from all parts of Romania. On route, make a short stop to the 14th century Cozia monastery built by Prince Mircea the Old, the grandfather of Vlad Dracula. Drive along the Olt River Canyon crossing the mountains into Transylvania. 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 is at one of the best restaurants in town, serving all Transylvanian dishes and will end with a sample of the local Ausbruch dessert wine.
B D 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 2: SIBIU - SIBIEL – VALEA VIILOR - SIGHISOARA
Hot & cold buffet breakfast at hotel. Hot 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 towers each belonging to a certain guild. One of the landmarks of Sibiu is the Bruckenthal Museum assembled by baron Bruckenthal, governor of Transylvania at the beginning of the 19th century. 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. End you tour with the original Pharmacy Museum. We'll then take a short drive to Sibiel village to tour the Glass Painted Icons Museum. After enjoying a traditional lunch at a local farmhouse, you'll head to the Village of Valea Viilor for a visit to the local fortified Saxon church, an UNESCO World Heritage site. Today's final stop is Sighisoara – a World Heritage Site and the only still inhabited medieval citadel in Europe. Accommodation in either one of the three hotels in the Upper Town. Optional dinner at the Birthplace of Vlad Dracula.
B Accommodation in Sighisoara at Hotel Sighisoara***
Day 3: SIGHISOARA & BIERTAN
Hot & cold buffet breakfast at hotel. Before starting your walking tour of old Sighisoara attend an informal talk 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 12 C. 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 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. The rest of the day is at leisure OR drive to the fortified church of Biertan, a World Heritage Site for a visit of the former Seat of the Lutheran Bishops. Optional plum brandy and sausage tasting (15 Euro per person).
B Accommodation in Sighisoara at Hotel Sighisoara***
Day 4 : SIGHISOARA - BRASOV - DRACULA CASTLE - SINAIA RESORT
Hot & cold bufet breakfast at hotel. Passing throught the picturesque Transylvanian Plateau we’ll reach Brasov, for a tour of "The Crown City" of Transylvania. You'll marvel at unique local landmarks including the gothic style Black Church, St Nicholas Orthodox Church, The Old Town Hall, and The Main Square. The attraction of the day is Bran Castle also known as Dracula Castle. The castle was built in 1377 to safeguard the trading route between Transylvania and Wallachia, enlarged and restored a few times. Late 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 the famous Casino, inspired by the one in Monte Carlo.
B Accommodation in Sinaia at Hotel Palace****
Day 5 : SINAIA - RUSE - VELIKO TARNOVO
Hot & cold buffet breakfast at hotel. Your first stop is Peles Castle and Gardens - the breathtaking former summer residence of the Romanian royal family. A ride south to Bucharest and then across the Danube River then brings you into Bulgaria. Short orinetation tour of the center of Ruse with its classical architecture before your visit to the cavernous Ivanovo Monastery. 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!
B Accommodation in Arbanasi at Izvora Hotel***
Day 6 : VELIKO TARNOVO - KAZANLUK - PLOVDIV
Breakfast at hotel. We’ll ride through the heart of Bulgaria today en route to Plovdiv. As we wind through picturesque Rose Valley, we’ll make a stop in the town of Kazanluk. At the world famous Thracian Tomb, you’ll get an up-close view of Hellenistic frescoes dating back to the 4th century BC! Another must-see is The Rose Museum. Upon arrival in Plovdiv, the center of Bulgarian industry, we’ll make a visit to The Old town including the large Roman Amphitheatre.
B Accommodation in Plovdiv at Hotel Dafi***
Day 7: PLOVDIV - RILA - SOFIA
Hot 7 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 stood at the center of Bulgarian culture and Orthodox belief for centuries.
B D Accommodation in Sofia at Hotel Princess****
Day 8 :SOFIA
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.
Tour price for 2008:
May through October:
1,229 Euro per person for a group of two to three people and US$ 1,099 Euro for a group of four to six people.
March, April and November:
1,199 Euro per person for a group of two to three people and 1,089 Euro per person for a group of four to six people.
Prices based on double occupancy. Single supplement is 192 Euro.
Included features:
• 7 nights at three and four star hotels
• fully insured sedan/minivan with climate control, for the entire distance
• fuel & parking fees
• all sightseeing tours & cultural connections
• three independent lectures on: Vlad the Impaler –Dracula, Ceausescu and His Times, The Gypsies
• 17 meals: 7 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 1 dinner
• a professional English speaking guide (driving) to accompany you throughout
• Bucharest & Sofia city tours
• all transfers
• admissions to museums and sites as per itinerary
• porterage (except for Customs Areas)
• maps of Romania and Bulgaria
You'll visit 7 UNESCO World Heritage Sites
Sibiu’s Old Town, Historic Center of Sighisoara, Biertan Fortified Church, Valea Viilor Fortification, Ivanovo Rock Hewn Churches, Kazanluk Thracian Tomb, Rila Monastery
Not included:
• other meals than stated
• alcoholic beverages
• photo/video fees at sites, museums, etc
• gratuities.
Copyright© 1999 – 2008 Tours-of-Romania®, Ltd., All Rights Reserved.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Price per person based on double occupancy and length of tour (if further customized). Included: accommodation with breakfast in three and four star hotels, fully insured sedan/minivan with climate control for the entire distance, fuel and parking fees, services of a professional English speaking tour guide, meals as per itinerary, admissions to sites, transfer between Romania and Bulgaria, VAT & local fees, maps of both Romania and Bulgaria.
******* Airline tickets provided on request. Flights are booked at cost--we add no service charge.
Also see tour packages in:
Europe
Romania
Bulgaria
Cultural Journey
Archeology/History
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