|
BEST
OF ROMANIA & BULGARIA
Country
visited: Romania & Bulgaria |
 |
In this 11 days journey
we explore two of the most interesting gems of Eastern
Europe – Romania
and Bulgaria. From stone churches, fortresses and painted
churches, to villages depicting medieval lifestyle, markets
and bazaars, this is a journey into it’s rich past.
Added features include the historical Dracula’s castle
and Thracian, Hellenistic, Roman and Byzantine architecture.
Optional extension to Chisinau (Moldova) can be arranged
on a private basis either as a pre or post main tour.
|
Tour
Summary
|
Map |
Day
|
Place
|
|
01
|
Arrive Bucharest (ROMANIA) |
|
02
|
Bucharest |
| 03 |
Bucharest / Cozia / Sibiel |
|
04
|
Sibiel / Biertan / Sighisoara / Brasov |
|
05
|
Brasov / Bran / Brasov |
|
06
|
Brasov / Veliko Tarnovo |
|
07
|
Veliko Tarnovo |
|
08
|
Veliko Tarnovo / Etara / Kazanlik / Plovdiv |
|
09
|
Plovdiv / Rila Monastery / Sofia |
|
10
|
Sofia |
| 11 |
Departure from Sofia |
|
|
 |
UNESCO
World Heritage Sites Visited
This tour has been tailored to include the following World
Heritage Sites |
| World
Heritage Sites in Bulgaria & Romania covered in this tour |
| Historic
Center of Sighisoara, Romania (1999) |
Founded
by German craftsmen and merchants known as the Saxons of Transylvania,
Sighis¸oara is a fine example of a small, fortified medieval
town which played an important strategic and commercial role
on the fringes of central Europe for several centuries. |
| Thracian
Tomb of Kazanlak, Bulgaria (1979) |
Discovered
in 1944, this tomb dates from the Hellenistic period, around
the end of the 4th century BC. It is located near Seutopolis,
the capital city of the Thracian king Seutes III, and is part
of a large Thracian necropolis. The tholos has a narrow corridor
and a round burial chamber, both decorated with murals representing
Thracian burial rituals and culture. These paintings are Bulgaria’s
best-preserved artistic masterpieces from the Hellenistic period. |
|
Rila Monastery, Bulgaria (1983) |
Rila
Monastery was founded in the 10th century by St John of Rila,
a hermit canonized by the Orthodox Church. His ascetic dwelling
and tomb became a holy site and were transformed into a monastic
complex which played an important role in the spiritual and
social life of medieval Bulgaria. Destroyed by fire at the beginning
of the 19th century, the complex was rebuilt between 1834 and
1862. A characteristic example of the Bulgarian Renaissance
(18th–19th centuries), the monument symbolizes the awareness
of a Slavic cultural identity following centuries of occupation. |
| Detailed
Itinerary |
Day
01 Friday: Arrive Bucharest (ROMANIA)
Upon Arrival at the majestic and historical capital city of
Bucharest, we are welcomed and transferred to our hotel in the
heart of the city. This evening we meet with our Tour Manager
and enjoy dinner at a local restaurant.
Overnight: Athenee Palace Hilton, Bucharest (2 nights)
(D)
Day 02 Saturday: Bucharest
We start this unique journey with a tour of the Romanian capital
city, once nicknamed “Little Paris”. During the
tour we visit the Parliament Palace, the second largest building
in the world after the Pentagon and the open air Village Museum.
Our tour takes us to the Romanian Athenaeum, the Metropolitan
Church, the Opera House, the national Military Club, the Military
Academy and the Triumphal Arch. Balance of the day is free at
leisure. (B)
Day 03 Sunday: Bucharest / Cozia / Sibiel (300 km)
After breakfast we head for Sibiu, once the richest town in
Transylvania. Our route crosses the Transylvanian Alps through
the scenic Olt River Valley; along the way we will visit the
Cozia Monastery built in 1386. Arrive in the picturesque village
of Sibiel where we will enjoy a hearty Romaniandinner at a local
Farm House offering private facilities.
Overnight: Farmhouse, Sibiel (1 night) (B, D)
Day 04 Monday: Sibiel / Biertan / Sighisoara / Brasov
(300 km)
We start the morning with a comprehensive walking tour of Sibiu
including visiting the Cathedral, where the son of Vlad the
Impaler (another of Dracula’s monikers) was assassinated.
We stop at the Brunkenthal Art Gallery before continuing to
the Saxon village of Biertan where we visit the fortress church
- a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site. The church hosts the
largest wing altar in Romania and was used as the residence
of the Lutheran bishop of Transylvania for over 300 years. Our
next stop is at Sighisoara the best-preserved medieval fortified
town in Romania and birthplace of Vlad the Impaler. We take
a walking tour of the town and visit the famous Clock Tower
Museum with its Torture and Weapons Rooms and stop in the house
in which Dracula (Vlad the Impaler) was born in 1432. Later,
arrive in Brasov in time for dinner and overnight at the Curtea
Brasoveana hotel, situated in the medieval town.
Overnight: Curtea Brasoveana, Brasov (2 nights) (B,
D)
Day 05 Tuesday: Brasov / Bran / Brasov (200 km)
After breakfast we drive towards the Small village of Bran,
where we visit the spectacular Bran Castle, made famous by Bram
Stocker’s novel as the residence of the vampire count.
The Castle popularly referred as “Dracula’s Castle”
was built on the top of a steep rock by the prince Mircea the
Old in 1377. It was mainly to protect the border between Valachia
and Transylvania. The day continues in the fairy-tale town of
Brasov, founded in the 12th century. Sightseeing includes the
Black Church where we admire the collection of Ottoman prayer
rugs dating from 16th-18th centuries. At the museum dedicated
to the first Romanian school in Transylvania, Professor Olteanu
will present an engaging and informative talk about Romania’s
past and present. (B, D)
Day 06 Wednesday: Brasov / Veliko Tarnovo (370 km) (BULGARIA)
Today we visit the marvelous Peles Castle, once the summer residence
of the Romanian royal family. Later we head south, cross the
Danube River and continue to Bulgaria to the medieval Veliko
Tarnovo, former capital of the Bulgarian Empire.
Overnight: Yantra Hotel, Veliko Tarnovo (2 nights) (B,
D)
Day 07 Thursday: Veliko Tarnovo (100 km)
After breakfast we take an interesting tour of Veliko Tarnovo.
Visit the medieval quarter of the town and the historical Tsarevets
Hill, where remnants of the former capital’s glory can
still be seen. Proceed to the picturesque village of Arbanassi.
The village was originally founded by Albanians and it grew
rich after Sultan Suleyman I, in early 1538, gave it to one
of his sons-in-law. In this typical medieval Bulgarian town
of stone houses and red tile roofs, we visit the Church of Nativity,
the most richly decorated church in Bulgaria. Its interior is
completely covered with colorful frescoes painted in the first
part of 1600s. (B)
Day 08 Friday: Veliko Tarnovo / Etara / Kazanlik / Plovdiv
(200 km)
Today we depart for Plovdiv stopping enroute for a short visit
of Etara open-air museum. The museum exposes the architecture,
life style and economic past of Gabrovo region during the revival
period. Then we cross the Balkan Mountains through the Shipka
Pass, famous for its historical significance. Later we stop
in Kazanlik to see the UNESCO listed Thracian Tomb with its
Hellenistic frescoes dating back to the 3rd century BC. Just
after arrival in Plovdiv, we have a walking tour of the old
town with its cobbled streets and typical national revival architecture.
We will also visit the Ethnographic Museum, the Roman Amphitheatre,
the Church of St. Konstantine and Elena – one of the oldest
churches in Bulgaria.
Overnight: Trimontium hotel, Plovdiv (1 night) (B, L)
Day 09 Saturday: Plovdiv / Rila Monastery / Sofia (300
km)
We depart Plovdiv on a scenic drive across the mountains to
the Rila Monastery – one of the greatest centers of scholarship
and religion in Bulgaria during the National Revival Period.
Founded in the middle of the 10th century it played a key role
in preserving Bulgarian culture and language during the centuries.
The Monastery is also a UNESCO World Heritage site. We explore
the monastery church with its amazing frescoes painted by the
most famous Bulgarian finest artists from the 19th C. We then
continue for Sofia, the Bulgarian capital.
Overnight: Hilton, Sofia (2 nights) (B)
Day 10 Sunday: Sofia
Morning we discover the Bulgarian capital during a walking city
tour including Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, St. Nicholas Russian
Church and the Rotonda of St. George Church – the oldest
building in Sofia, the National Theatre. Afternoon is free at
leisure followed by a farewell dinner at a local restaurant.
(B, D)
Day 11 Monday: Departure from Sofia
We bid farewell as we are transferred to the airport/railway
station. Ideal opportunity to do an optional tour of Chisinau
(Moldova) or join one of the Bestway Tours European journeys.
(B) |
|
B
= Breakfast
|
L
= Lunch
|
D
= Dinner
|
|
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|
Departure Dates |
|
2010
Apr
23, May 14, Jun 18, Aug
06, Sep 10 & Oct 1
2011
Apr
22
|
| Prices |
| Departure |
Tour
Price US$ |
Single
Sup US$ |
| 2010
/ 2011 |
2795
|
480 |
| *
Apr 22, 2011 rate valid for bookings made before 31st March,
2010 |
| Tour
Price Includes |
Tour
Price Does Not Include: |
-
Accommodation as mentioned or similar, including hotel
taxes
-
All sightseeing and transfers by AC vehicles
- Meals
as mentioned (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch,
D=Dinner)
- Entrance
fees to Sites and Museums included in the itinerary
- Services
of a Local English Speaking guides
|
- International
flight tickets
- Departure
airport taxes (if any)
- Insurance
(or visa fee if applicable)
- Tips
& Gratuities
|
| Estimated
International Airfare(not
included in tour price) |
| East
Coast |
US
$ 1200 |
| West
Coast |
US
$ 1400 |
| Please
note:
This tour operates with a minimum of 2
and a maximum of 20
participants. |
| Other
Dates / Customized Itinerary / Languages |
In addition to our set programs we are also pleased
to offer customized tours.
Please do not hesitate to contact us to discuss your
individual needs.
Customized tours can be conducted in English, French,
German, Spanish or Italian. Each departure is conducted
in the designated language only. |
| Contact
Information |
|
|
Fax:
+1-604-264-7774
|
| 206–8678
Greenall Ave |
Phone:
+1-604-264-7378 |
| Burnaby
B.C., Canada |
Toll
Free (US & Canada): 1-800-663-0844 |
| V5J
3M6 |
Email:
bestway@bestway.com |
|
30
years in small group journeys
|
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Site
updated Jun 01, 2009
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