Day 1 – BUCHAREST
Arrival at Otopeni Airport. Transfer to your hotel. Dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight (D) 3*
Day 2 – BUCHAREST – SINAIA – BRASOV - POIANA BRASOV
Experience Bucharest our shortest sightseeing tour of Bucharest (starting at 8:30 AM) is a perfect way to familiarize yourself with the five-century-old capital of Romania. The tour includes a visit to the Metropolitan Church and one to the Village and Folk Art Museum - the largest in Europe. (This tour lasts about 2 h ?)
Late morning departure for the mountain resort of Poiana Brasov, driving through Prahova Valley. Stop-over in Sinaia (at about 1:00 PM), well-known as the "Pearl of the Carpathians" and visit the spectacular Peles Castle (1 h), the summer residence of Romania's kings.
From here, continue on Brasov (1 h), the second largest city in Romania, a mediaeval trading center. You may see the lofty Black Church during summer season only. (inside visit allowed only till 4:45 PM during summer season and till 3:00 PM during the rest of the year; no visits on Sundays are allowed) .
Continue on to the quiet resort of Poiana Brasov, placed high on a mountain plateau, awaiting you to check in the hotel and get ready for a nice dinner with entertainment. Overnight. (B, D) 3*
Day 3 – POIANA BRASOV – SIGHISOARA – POIANA BRASOV
From here, you'll venture down into Brasov. Brasov, the second largest city in Romania, a medieval trading center, was strategically situated at the meeting point of the three Romanian principalities: Wallachia, Moldavia and Transylvania. Today, together with Poiana Brasov resort, it is regarded as the chief tourist area of Romania. Drive slowly to the old Schei District of Brasov, to visit St. Nicolas of Schei Church, built between 1518-1598, with the help of both Wallachia's and Moldavia's princes. You should spare a little of your time to enter the "Schei Museum", a great asset of the Romanian cultural heritage, where you can see actual 16th century books and documents of great value, as well as the first printing machines.
Later you will head to Sighisoara (1 h ?) , a perfectly preserved town, trapped in the Middle ages. The best known site in Sighisoara is the 15th century house, where Prince Vlad The Impaler, nicknamed Dracula, was born. The house has been turned into a restaurant and museum full of interesting flavours and artifacts. Lunch in Sighisoara.
Late afternoon return to Poiana Brasov for overnight. (B, L)
Day 4 – POIANA BRASOV – BRAN - TARGOVISTE - BUCHAREST
8:30 AM - Winding your way southwards, visit the fabled Bran Castle (45 min), also known as Dracula's Castle, built at the beginning of the 13th century, by Knight Dietrich of the Teutonic Order. Later on it was fortified, and was used by the Romanian royal family, namely by Queen Maria (a niece of Queen Victoria of England) (1 h ?).
10:30 AM departure for Targoviste, former throne residence of Wallachia between 1396 - 1659. In the course of the centuries, the town was burnt down eight times. It is known for its Chindia Watch Tower, built in the 15th century, during the reign of Vlad Tepes, "The Impaler", alias Dracula, and for the Princely Court (14th - 17th centuries).
Early afternoon return to Bucharest (1 h 1/2 h), just in time for a visit of the Palace of Parliament – the second largest building in the world after the Pentagon.
Farewell dinner and overnight in Bucharest. (B, D) 3*
Day 5 - BUCHAREST
End of our services with airport transfer. (B)
Part 2: Bulgaria
DAY 5 - TUE: BUCHAREST - DANUBE BORDER – VELIKO TURNOVO
11:30 a.m.: Train ride from Bucharest to Rousse - the largest Bulgarian city on the Danube - where at 14:45 you will be met by your local guide and start your tour of Bulgaria. Drive (2 h.) south to Veliko Turnovo – the medieval capital of Bulgaria. Check-in at your hotel. Afternoon sightseeing tour of the Bulgarian medieval capital – bringing you to the remains of its past glory – castle walls, palaces and churches remnants perched on the steep cliffs of the meandering Yantra river gorge. Early evening drive to Arbanassi Village, known as the summer residence of Bulgarian Royalty. Walking tour of the village, now a architectural reserve will take one hour. A delicious dinner in a traditional style will be served before your first overnight in Bulgaria. (D)
DAY 6 - WED: V.TURNOVO – VALLEY OF THE ROSES – PLOVDIV
After breakfast – drive south (1 hour) to the Etura open-air museum displaying traditional rural housing and crafts of 18-19 cent. Cross the Balkan Range through the scenic Shipka Pass, its top decorated with 45-ft granite monument commemorating the liberation of Bulgaria from Turkish domination in 1878. Descend (3/4 h.) to the famous Valley of the Roses for lunch at a local restaurant viewing the golden domes of the exquisite Shipka memorial church. Proceed west for nearly 30 miles through the Rose Valley to Karlovo and Plovdiv (2 hours). Early evening introductory tour of modern Plovdiv, marking appropriate places for shopping and dining. Dinner and overnight in Plovdiv (B,D)
* Optional side-trips for this day:
- Visit Rose oil refinery with museum in Tarnichane village USD 10.00 per person (open May 10-July 20)
- Visit Historical museum in Kazanluk and one of the tombs in the Valley of Thracian kings (UNESCO-listed). USD 16.00 per person
DAY 7 - THU: PLOVDIV – BACHKOVO MONASTERY
In the morning – a trip to 11th century Bachkovo Monastery (3/4 h.drive) – a real show case of old Bulgarian art. Return to hotel for afternoon at leisure. Late afternoon walking tour (rough cobbled stones) of Old Plovdiv (2nd century Roman theater, best examples of 18-19th cent. city architecture, galleries, antique shops). Your tour will end at an old-style restaurant for dinner. Late evening return to hotel for your second overnight in Plovdiv. (B,D)
DAY 8 - FRI: PLOVDIV – SOFIA
After breakfast – drive to Sofia (2 h.). Sightseeing tour of Bulgaria’s capital including the biggest in SE Europe synagogue and orthodox cathedral, 4th cent.St George Rotonda, the Royal Palace, the Parliament and national theater buildings. The tour will end at your hotel. Afternoon free for shopping, relaxing or further sightseeing on your own – our guide will be at your disposal for optional visit to the National History Museum, exhibiting world’s oldest golden dinnerware and jewelry (4600 BC). Dinner at a renowned local restaurant. Overnight in Sofia. (B,D)
* Optional visit in Sofia:
The National Museum of History in the prestigeous Boyana District.USD 20.00 per pers. incl. r/t car tansfer
DAY 9 – SAT: Breakfast at hotel. Transfer to Sofia airport for your departure flight.(B)
Tour’s Features:
- 8 overnights at Deluxe and Sup First Class hotels as specified
- Breakfast and Dinner Daily
- Entrance fees to the tourists objectives as per the program
- Transportation throughout itinerary by car/van/minibus
- Arrival airport transfer
- Professional English speaking guide assistance throughout itinerary
- All local taxes are included (luggage handlig is not included)
Rates / pax : $1845.00 in double room
Single Room Supplement $325.00
$113.00 – Pretour Night in Bucharest/per person in double
$179.00 – Pretour night in Bucharest/single room
$105.00 – Post Tour Night in Sofia/per person in double
$154.00 – Post Tour Night in Sofia/single room
