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Romanian Snapshot: Bucharest & Transylvania
Come join our tour and discover Romania’s lively capital Bucharest and tour its most important highlights. Travel into the still unspoiled countryside of the regions of Wallachia and Transylvania and be transported back to medieval times in Brasov, Sighisoara, Sibiu and at Castle Bran. Enjoy the rhythm of rural life in Sibiel with a carriage ride and a traditional lunch at a real working farm.
Dates 2008
May 11-19 * Jun 15-23 * Jul 13-21 * Aug 10-18
Sep 14-22 * Oct 12-20
Price Per Person in Twin $2680
Single Supplement $760
Our Tour Features
* 8 nights at deluxe and first-class hotels mentioned
* Buffet breakfasts daily
* Dinners daily at hotels or nearby local restaurants
* 1 Traditional lunch at a local farmhouse
* All visits with entrances according to itinerary
* English-speaking Professional Guide for all touring
* Transportation by deluxe minivan with English-speaking Driver
* Individual arrival and departure transfers
Day 1 Sunday
Arrival Bucharest
Individual arrivals at Bucharest Otopeni airport. You are met and transferred to the Hotel Intercontinental, one of Bucharest’s finest hotels, with a tradition of gracious hospitality. This evening enjoy a Welcome Dinner.
Day 2 Monday
Palace of Parliament * Peasant Museum * Old Court & Lipscani
After breakfast we will enjoy some city sightseeing with visits in between. Bucharest is affectionately nicknamed “Little Paris”. We view the Opera House, the Triumphal Arch, and Revolution Square. We will view the interior of the restored Choral Synagogue and tour the Palace of Parliament, the world’s second largest building after the Pentagon (!) with an interior that is mind-boggling for its richness. We enjoy viewing the collections at the award-winning Peasant Museum, where colorful costumes, textiles and ceramics are displayed. We see some of the lively Lipscani section that has always been associated with commerce, and the medieval Old Princely Court area with a visit of the beautiful 18th century Stravropoleos Church and we have a photo op at Manuc’s Inn, one of the most beautiful examples of Wallachian architecture. (B, D)
Day 3 Tuesday
Bucharest * Curtea de Arges * Sibiu
After breakfast we leave Bucharest and travel through the Olt Valley into Wallachia, to Curtea de Arges, where we visit the 16th century monastery or Episcopal Church, once the burial place of Romanian royalty, and the 14th century Princely Church with its magnificent frescoes.
We continue on into Transylvania, to Sibiu, one of the most important Saxon citadels of the Middle Ages, with ancient houses painted in bright colors. We check in for two nights at the Ramada Plaza Hotel. (B, D)
Day 4 Wednesday
Sibiel & Its Rural Life * Sibiu
After breakfast we leave for the village of Sibiel, where we enjoy a horse and carriage ride, visit its famous Museum of Icons Painted on Glass and the village church. We enjoy a traditional lunch at a local farmhouse, and see traditional farm activities. We return to Sibiu for a walking tour in its historic center, with visits of the Bruckenthal Museum, oldest art museum of the country, with the private collections of the former Governor Samuel von Bruckenthal, and the Evangelical Cathedral, housing the country’s largest pipe organ. (B, L, D)
Day 5 Thursday
Sibiu * Sighisoara * Brasov
After breakfast, we continue on to Sighisoara, considered one of the largest and best preserved medieval towns in Europe, where we enjoy a comprehensive walking tour through the old town’s cobbled streets, with visits of the Clock Tower’s Armor Room and Torture Room. We view the impressive Church on the Hill, reached by the unique covered wooden Scholar’s Stairs, and in the town center, we see the birthplace of Vlad the Impaler, better known as Count Dracula. We continue on to Brasov, a former old German town on the Transylvania and Wallachia borders. We check in for two nights at the Hotel Aro Palace. (B, D)
Day 6 Friday
Castle Bran * Prejmer * Brasov
We drive to visit Bran Castle, better known as Dracula Castle, built in the 14th century by Brasov merchants to protect the old border between Transylvania and Wallachia. We stop in Prejmer to explore its Fortress Church, a World Heritage Site. We return to Brasov for a city tour with an inside visit of the Black Church, largest Gothic-style church in Southeastern Europe, with a surprising stark white interior adorned by colorful Turkish carpets and many gifts that were donated by its once wealthy merchants. (B, D)
Day 7 Saturday
Brasov * Peles Castle * Sinaia Monastery * Bucharest
After breakfast we drive up to the famous ski resort of Sinaia, a favorite of Romania’s first king, Carol I. Here we tour Peles Castle, former summer residence of the Romanian Royal Family, and considered one of the finest and best preserved royal castles in all Europe. The exterior is much like a Bavarian Castle, but inside we will be amazed by its 160 rooms, all richly decorated. We will stop at the 16th century Sinaia Monastery to view its painting of the Last Judgment.. We drive through the scenic Prahova Valley reaching Bucharest in the afternoon. We check in for two nights at the Hotel Intercontinental. (B, D)
Day 8 Sunday
Open Air Village Museum * The History Museum * Cotroceni Palace
We enjoy another full day of touring. Our visits today will include the Open-Air Village Museum, with wonderful examples of Romanian architectural styles that have been gathered from all parts of the country and tastefully displayed, and at the History Museum where we will view some dazzling treasures within its Treasury, including gold objects from Neolithic times to the present. We will tour Cotroceni Palace, once home of Romania’s Royal Family, with lavish furnishings, art and many personal effects of the former royals. This evening we enjoy a Farewell Dinner at a local restaurant. (B, D)
Day 9 Monday
Departure
After breakfast, individual transfers will be provided to the airport for departure flights. (B)
Note: Due to problems of hotel space, the July 13 tour visits Brasov first, then Sibiu. All sightseeing
features as outlined in our itinerary are included.
Trip cancellation insurance in the full amount of the tour price is highly recommended.
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