TOUR IHS4: ROMANIA
EXPLORING TRANSYLVANIA - 8 days
Bucharest – Sibiu – Brasov – Sinai - Bucharest
Departures: September 16, 2010; May 19, 2011; September 15, 2011

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 For the history enthusiasts, Romania has much to offer. It is the land of the legendary Count Dracula or “Vlad the Impaler” of Transylvania; the kingdom of the popular and romantic Queen Marie who made her mark in the Treaty of Versailles Conference at the end of World War 1; and also the homeland of King Michael (now living in Switzerland), a popular symbol of resistance to the pro-Nazi iron guard government. Other famous people of Romania include the notorious Communist dictator Nicolae Ceausescu and his equally infamous wife Elena; and of course the young Nadia Comaneci who won the world’s admiration in Olympic gymnastics. On this tour you will see clear traces of Romania’s leading figures and at the same time explore and experience a beautiful landscape and cosmopolitan cities with a rich culture.

 

Day 1: Arrival in Bucharest and transfer to your central city five-star hotel. This evening you will enjoy a welcome dinner with the rest of the evening at leisure. Meals: Dinner

 

 

Day 2: You begin your stay in Romania with a ‘Get Acquainted” tour of the country’s classical city capital of Bucharest, once referred to as the Paris of the East. The full day tour includes the famous Palace of Parliament (“Ceaucescu’s folly”), the Art Museum, Royal Palace, Metropolitan Church, Cotroceni Palace and Museum (site of King Michael’s abdication in 1947 – home of Queens Marie and Helen and King Michael and now the residence of the Romanian President. After lunch you will visit the open air exhibition of the Village Museum and tour the beautiful Satu Palace, a neo-gothic edifice built in 1833, the Elisabeth Palace, Cismigui Gardens, the Arch of Triumph and the Stirbey Palace. There will be time for a little shopping in Calea Victorei before returning to your hotel for dinner. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

 

 

Day 3: The day begins with a morning visit into the countryside and to Lake Snagov, the burial place of Vlad the Impaler on a tiny island monastery in the middle of the lake. You’ll take a boat ride to reach the site. Also you will visit the palace (now a luxury hotel) of Prince Nicholas and take a further boat ride to pass Villa No 10 the former home of King Michael. On view also are the two cruise boats owned by the dictator Ceausescu. On the return journey there is a stop for lunch before continuing through the countryside to Buftea Palace the country estate of Queen Marie’s lover. The final stop today is a visit to Mogosoais Palace, a charming example of traditional Romanian architecture with impressive staircases, balconies, arcades and columns. This evening is at leisure. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

 

Day 4: Today we are leaving Bucharest and heading further into the countryside firstly to Curtea de Arges to visit the mausoleum for the Romanian Royal family to see the tombs of Kings Carol I, Ferdinand I, and Carol II, whose remains have only recently been transferred from Lisbon where he died in exile; and also the tombs of their Queens Elisabeth (the poetess Carmen Sylva), and Marie. Of note is that Carol II’s widow Magda Lupescu is recently buried outside the family Mausoleum. Next you will pause for a visit to the town of Alba Julia which witnessed first the Proclamation of the union of Transylvania to Romania and, secondly the coronation of Ferdinand and Marie. Next we drive deeper into Transylvania and your overnight stop in Sibiu, the gateway to the Fagaras Mountains. Overnight is in Sibiu. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

 

Day 5: Now deep inside Transylvania, Dracula’s homeland, your tour takes you to an extraordinary town. Sighisoara, birthplace of Vlad Tepes, is a perfectly preserved medieval town in beautiful hilly countryside and you feel you are trapped in a time warp. It is an extraordinary setting. Eleven towers remain of Sighisoara’s intact city walls, inside which are sloping cobblestone streets lined with 16th century burgher houses and untouched churches. You will visit the childhood home of Vlad Tepes for lunch. On your way to the next stop you travel through a section of the Carpathian Mountains through acres of Alpine glory which attract thousands of bush-walking tourists each year. Tonight your stop is at Brasov a pleasant medieval town surrounded by verdant hills where your accommodation will be at the Hotel Arco or similar. Dinner is served at your hotel. Meals: Breakfast Lunch Dinner

 

Day 6: There is one more day in the heartland of Transylvania and this time we head for Dracula’s amazing Castle of Bran. Although built as a medieval fortress in the fourteenth century Bran Castle was the home of Romania’s modern romantic Queen Marie, having been given to her as a gift from the people of Bran. Marie’s infant son Prince Mircea is buried within the castle walls. Queen Marie’s heart is buried in a vault built into the rock walls at the foot of the castle. Today the castle is owned by one of Marie’s grandsons. Further into the Carpathian Mountains you will reach the former Royal enclave of several palaces at Sinaia, also recently returned to King Michael. Lunch is included here. There is an opportunity to visit the very Germanic and amazing Peles Castle, as well as seeing Foisor and Pelisor Castles. A visit to the Sinaia Monastery dating from 1846 and named after Mount Sinaia is your final visit to the day. Overnight will be in Sinaia in the Palace Hotel or similar. Meals: Breakfast Lunch Dinner

 

Day 7: After breakfast at Sinaia your tour returns you to Bucharest for a two nights stay in the country’s capital, where you will arrive in the early afternoon. There is leisure time for shopping or individual touring for this afternoon and tomorrow. Your guide is available to assist and offer advice. Tonight there is a classical performance of opera, ballet or symphony subject to schedules. Meals: Breakfast

 

 

Day 8: Today is a full day for rest and leisure for you to spend as you wish. Your guide will assist you with some interesting sights or shopping adventures. Perhaps you would like to visit the cemetery to see the almost discarded burial sites for Nicolae and Elena Ceausescu, highlighting their dramatic fall from power in the 1989 revolution; or the very moving new cemetery dedicated to those young freedom fighters who fell in this revolution? Bucharest is a city rich in history, culture and art and is often described as the ‘Paris of the East”, so today is an opportunity to tap into this richness. Tonight you will be treated to a farewell dinner. Meals: Breakfast Dinner

 

Day 9: After breakfast this morning you will transfer to the airport for your onward journey

 

 

Features of this tour
* 8 nights accommodation using 5-star hotels in Bucharest and where available at other stops
* Transfers from and to airports or rail stations
* All daily transport with driver
* Daily services of an English-speaking guide
* Breakfasts daily and other meals as per schedule
* All entrance fees to sits visited as per schedule
* Bran Castle
* Sighisoara
* Bucharest
* Carpathian Mountains

Prices: From $4,900 per person twin share
Single: From $5,678