The Essentials of Romania And Bulgaria

Arrival at the airport in Bucharest.. Greeted by the English speaking guide and transfer to the town, check-in in at the hotel. Participation at the Opening Concert for the Enescu Festival held at the Grand Palace Hall. Dinner and accommodation at a 4* hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel. City tour. Departure to Curtea de Argeş, ancient residence of Wallachian princes in the 14th century and veritable museum of feudal art. Visit the princely church and monastery and of its legend, father of the sacred architecture style, restored in the 19th century by the French architect Lecomte de Nouÿ, home to the tombs of King Ferdinand the 1st and his wife Queen Mary, granddaughter of Queen Victoria. After, route on the long Olt Valley, of an exceptional natural beauty. Arrival at Sibiu, one of the oldest cities in Transylvania- ancient Hermannstadt – founded by Saxon colonies. 23 km route through the charming village of Sibiel. Dinner among the inhabitants, opportunity to share their meal for a night. Return in the night at a 3* hotel in Sibiu.

In the morning, walk through Sibiu: the Large and Small Square with the churches from the 18th and 19th century, the Bridge of Lies and beautiful houses. Departure to Biertan to visit the fortified village, UNESCO Heritage Site, with its forts which are elevated in the air, Biertan church seems a miniature gothic cathedral. Lunch at a restaurant in the citadel. Continue to Sighişoara, superb medieval site part of the UNESCO Heritage Site, place of birth of Vlad the Impeller (‘Dracula’). Visit to the ‘High Town’: Clock Tower and Church on a Hill. Dinner and overnight at a 3* hotel.

Departure to Braşov, ancient Kronstadt, attested for the first time in the 13th century. Its history dates back to the time of Teutonic Knights proven by its ancient fortifications, the White and Black Towers (15th century), The Bastion of Weavers (16th century), Catherina Gate (1559), which has preserved the ancient emblem of the city. Walked visit in the medieval centre: Counsel Square, the famous Black Church (1384-1477), the impressive quarter Schei, where Romanians lived in the time where Saxons refused other nationalities the right to live among them. Lunch in a local restaurant. Route to Bran for a visit to the famous castle-fort built on a rock, whose history is intertwined with the myth of ‘Dracula’. This mysterious and romantic castle, with a certain charm, secondary residence to the Habsbourg. Go across the Carpathians to Sinaia, one of the most famous mountain resorts, named the ‘Pearl of the Carpathians’. Dinner and overnight at a 3* hotel in Sinaia.

In the morning, visit of the resort and the fabulous Peleş Castle, ancient summer residence of the Royal family, considered one of the most beautiful castles in Europe, impressive for its richness and eclectic style. Departure to Bucharest, capital of Romania, named the ‘Little Paris of the Balkans’. Panoramic tour of the city with its stone buildings, long avenues, museums, churches for different confessions, its monuments who tell of an intense cultural activity and its Arch of Triumph, copy of the one in Paris. Visit the charming ‘Village Museum’, quintessence of Romanian traditional art, a true village inside the city. Lunch in a local restaurant. Route towards Bulgaria, pass the frontier at Giurgiu/Ruse.

Changing the guide at Ruse.

Departure to Arbanassi and visit to the village-museum, rich in centuries history, beautiful houses and churches. After 2000, Arbanassi has become part of the UNESCO Patrimony. Visit the ‘Nativity’ Church. Dinner and accommodation at Grand Hotel Yantra 4* or similar at Veliko Tarnovo.

Breakfast at the hotel. Visit to the Tsarevetz Fortress (one of the hills where the old capital has been established, with the vestiges conserved by the fortress, palaces and churches which attest the Bulgarian culture between 12th to 14th centuries. Departure to Troyan Monastery. Lunch around the monastery. Journey to Sofia and visit to the monuments in the historic centre: ‘Alexander Nevski’ Cathedral, one of the most remarkable monuments of orthodox culture in Bulgaria, built in the neo-Byzantine style in 1912; ‘Saint Sofia’ Church of an invaluable cultural and historic value. It was funded during the reign of Emperor Justinian by a Byzantine princess named Sofia. In the 14th century she donated her name to the city- Sofia. ; The ‘Saint George’ Rotunda, considered to be the oldest construction in Sofia, part of the UNESCO Heritage Site. Dinner and accommodation at Sofia Princess Hotel or similar.

Breakfast at the hotel. Departure to Rila Monastery. Lunch around the monastery, situated in the Rila Massif, 1147 m altitude, 120 km south of Sofia. Is the biggest and most impressive monastery in Bulgaria, and the 20th biggest in the Balkans. The best Bulgarian craftsmen have taken part to its construction. Rila Monastery is part of the world heritage site from 1983. Return to Sofia. Dinner and accommodation at Sofia Princess Hotel or similar.

Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to the airport in Sofia.