BEST OF BULGARIA AND ROMANIA 2008
A cultural tour of Bulgaria & Romania

In this 15 days journey we explore two of the most interesting gems of Eastern Europe - Bulgaria and Romania. From stone churches, fortresses and painted churches, to villages depicting medieval lifestyle and markets bazaars, this is a tour into it’s rich past. Added features in include the historical Dracula’s castle and Thracian, Hellenistic, Roman and Byzantine architecture.

Day 01 Arrival Sofia
Upon arrival at Sofia International Airport we are cordially met and welcomed and then transferred to our hotel in Sofia. Balance of the day is free to stroll around this beautiful Bulgarian capital city.
Overnight: Hotel Brod, Sofia (2 nights)

Day 02 Sofia
We start our unique Bulgarian – Romanian combined journey with a tour of Sofia to include Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, the St. George Rotunda from the 4th century, the St.Sofia Basilica, Serdica and several other monuments. Sofia is a city with 7000 years of history and one is practically walking on remnants of history. (B)

Day 03 Sofia / Rila / Plovdiv
We depart to the fascinating 10th Century Rila Monastery – a UNESCO World Heritage site. It is also the largest and the most impressive Bulgarian monastery. Tour of the monastery complex, church and museum with its lavish collection of precious old manuscripts, icons, jewellery, masterpieces of woodcarving, ethnographic exhibition of fabrics and carpets. Passing through scenic passes alongside Rila, the highest mountain in Bulgaria, we arrive at Plovdiv – a city that ranks second to Sofia in terms of importance
Overnight: Hotel Plovdiv, Plovdiv (2 nights) (B)

Day 04 Plovdiv / Bachkovo / Kazanlak
Another one of a town that goes back over 3000 years into history. We start our exploration with the historical Old town followed by visits to see the excavations dating back to the Roman times. Here we visit the ancient Roman Amphitheatre with it’s impressive marble statues, decorative columns and arcades. Excursion to the 11th Century Bachkovo Monastery includes one of the richest galleries of traditional Bulgarian religious art and exquisite murals with medieval icons. Later we depart for Kazanlak, the capital of the famous Valley of Roses.
Overnight: Hotel Palas, Kazalnik (1 night) (B)

Day 05 Kazanlak / Shipka Pass / Tryavna / Veliko Tarnovo
This interesting day starts with a visit to the Kazanlak Historical Museum where we also see the recently discovered Thracian golden treasures. This is followed by a visit of the 4th Century BC Thracian - another unique site which has also been recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. On a walking tour of Tryavna, we see vaulted stone bridges, houses, churches and square with a clock tower which has preserved the spirit and talent of artists from Tryavna School of Art from the 17th C. After visiting the interesting Woodcarving Museum of Tryavna, we head for Veliko Tarnovo.
Overnight: Hotel Boliari, Veliko Tarnovo (2 nights) (B)

Day 06 Veliko Tarnovo / Arbanassi
The day starts with a tour of Veliko Tarnovo, including Tsarevets hill - an impressive sight with medieval fortifications and outstanding architecture. Next is a visit of the museum town of Arbanassi boasting a genuine gallery of art in its Church of Nativity.
Evening is free to enjoy the shops and houses of Velko Tarnovo. (B)

Day 07 Veliko Tarnovo / Ivanovo / Rousse
Another day into the Bulgarian romance. In the valley of the Roussenski Lom River, a complex of rock-hewn churches, chapels, monasteries and cells developed in the vicinity of the village of Ivanovo. This is where the first hermits had dug out their cells and churches during the 12th century. The 14th-century murals testify to the exceptional skill of the artists belonging to the Tarnovo School of painting. Afternoon free.
Overnight: Hotel Riga, Rousse (1 night) (B)

Day 08 Rousse / Bucharest (Romania)
Morning we take a tour of Rousse popular with its architecture and very tranquil atmosphere. Rousse used to be a Roman fortress "Sexaginta Prista" (which means "The port of the sixty ships"), after that it was called Rustchuk. Nowadays the name is Rousse. Bidding farewell to Bulgaria, we enter another unique and historical country – Romania. We head off to the capital city, Bucharest.
Overnight: Hotel Capital, Bucharest (1 night) (B)

Day 09 Bucharest / Curtea De Arges / Sibiu
The day starts with a tour of Bucharest to including the famous Cathedral of the Patriarchate. Next we visit Curtea de Arges - a former capital of Wallachia and the Episcopal Church where the Romanian Kings lie buried. Drive along the picturesque Olt Valley to Cozia Monastery and Sibiu to take an interesting tour of the old towns of Transylvania - formerly Hermannstadt including medieval town with it’s Main Square, Evangelical Church, Liars’ Bridge amongst other sites. Afternoon free.
Overnight: Hotel Continental, Sibiu (1 night) (B)

Day 10 Sibiu / Sighisoara / Bistrita
Another interesting and exciting day ahead as we drive to Biertan to visit the impressive fortified church. From here we continue to visit Sighisoara, birthplace of Vlad the Impaler (“Dracula”). We visit the medieval citadel (the “Upper Town”), the Clock Tower, the Church on the Hill before departing for Târgu Mures - one of the elegant city centres known for its architecture. Bistrita is one of the 7 main medieval towns of Transylvania.
Overnight: Codrisor, Bistrita (1 night) (B)

Day 11 Bistrita / Maramures / Campulung Moldovenesc
A day into the crafts as we proceed to Maramures - a region famous for its woodwork traditions and unspoiled rural life. We visit the picturesque villages of Sacel, Bogdan Voda and Rozavlea, with their wooden churches and porches. Next is a visit of the impressive monastery of Barsana and lunch on the monastery. In the afternoon we drive across the Carpathians to Bucovina via Prislop Pass getting an opportunity to enjoy breathtaking scenery.
Overnight: Zimbru, Câmpulung Moldovenesc. (1 night) (B)

Day 12 Campulung Moldovenesc / Monasteries / Piatra Neamt
Full day in Bucovina – land of the unique painted monasteries – a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We start with a visit of the interesting Moldovita and Sucevita monasteries with its outstanding outside frescoes followed by the famous monastery of Voronet, “the Sistine Chapel of the Orient”. Late afternoon we drive south to visit the Agapia monastery.
Overnight: Ceahlaul, Piatra Neamt (1 night) (B)

Day 13 Piatra Neamt / Brasov or Poiana Brasov
Going past the spectacular Bicaz Gorges, the Red Lake and Miercurea Ciuc, we take a scenic drive to Brasov. We visit the beautiful fortified church of Prejmer. Late afternoon we arrive Brasov or Poiana Brasov. Evening is free to enjoy the local markets.
Overnight: Complex Sportus / Bradul (1 night) (B)

Day 14 Brasov / Bran / Bucharest
A panoramic guided walking tour within the historical center of Brasov (formerly Kronstadt) includes visit to the famous Black Church before departing for Bran for a visit of “Dracula’s Castle”. We drive across the mountains to Sinaia and visit the impressive 1695 Sinaia Monastery and the fabulous Peles Castle - former summer residence of the Royal family. Drive to Bucharest. Upon arrival we visit the outdoor Village Museum. Evening is free to take time off to shop at Bucharest’s many shops.
Overnight: Capital Hotel, Bucharest (1 night) (B)

Day 15 Bucharest departure
After a fortnight of fun and enjoyable touring witnessing some of the most well known historical and spectacular scenery, we are transferred to the airport for our departure flight home or joining one of the other Bestway’s tours in the region. (B)

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Departure Dates

2008 English Speaking Departures May 17; Jun 14 & 28; Jul 12 & 26; Aug 09 & 30; Sep 13

Inclusions

Tour Price Includes Tour Price Does Not Include Hotels as per itinerary (or similar) All transfers & tours with private transportation Meals as mentioned (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner) 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. For complete payment procedures, please download Bestway_Payment_Info.pdf Note: to read this file you must have Adobe Acrobat.

Departure Double Occupancy Single Room Supplement 2008 US $ 3170 • CA $ 3170 US $ 450 • CA $ 450

Estimated International Airfare - International airfare is NOT included in this tour

Canada - West Coast CA $ 1300 USA - West Coast US $ 1200 Canada - East Coast CA $ 1000 USA - East Coast US $ 800

Participants

Please call for details 1.800.663.0844 or 1.604.264.7378

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.