BEST
OF ROMANIA
AND BULGARIA
Optional
extension to Chisinau (Moldova)
A cultural tour of Bulgaria &
Romania
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.
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 Romanian dinner 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)
Departure
Dates
2010
English Speaking Departures Apr 23, May
14, Jun 18, Aug
06, Sep 10 & Oct
01
2011
English Speaking Departures Apr 22
Inclusions
Tour
Price Includes
Tour
Price Does Not Include
Accommodation as mentioned
or similar, including hotel taxes
Meals as mentioned (B=Breakfast,
L=Lunch, D=Dinner)
All sightseeing and transfers by
AC vehicles
Entrance fees to all Sites and Museums
Services of an English-speaking guide
International
flight tickets
Insurance
/ visa fee if applicable
Tips / gratuities
Tour
Price
We
accept payment in US $ (US Dollars),
CA $ (Canadian Dollars) or equivalent
EURO (for clients outside North America).
Bestway
Tours & Safaris offers conversion rate protection.
Once full payment has been received, and no
modification has been made to the tour itinerary,
we will honour that rate.
* Apr 22, 2011
rate valid for bookings made before 31st
March, 2010
Estimated
International Airfare - International
airfare is NOT included in this tour
Canada
- West Coast
N/A
USA
- West Coast
US
$ 1400
Canada
- East Coast
N/A
USA
- East Coast
US
$ 1000
Participants
This
tour operates on a minimum of 2 and a maximum
of 20 participants
Notes
Customised
Itinerary
If you would like to have a tour on dates
other than the above ones or with a customised
itinerary, please contact us and we will be happy
to work out an exclusive program for you.
Foreign Language Departures
Please contact us for information on French,
German,
Italian and Spanish
speaking departures.
You may e-mail us at bestway@bestway.com
or call us at 604.264.7378. Residents of
U.S.A./Canada may call us toll free at 1.800.663.0844.