UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITES TOUR (2013/2014)


A TEN DAY COMPREHENSIVE CULTURAL ITINERARY INCLUDING THE BLACK SEA COAST AND A DANUBE DELTA PRIVATE CRUISE

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Itinerary: Bucharest – The Black Sea Coast & Histria – Danube Delta Cruise – Moldavia – Bucovina Monasteries – Maramures – Transylvanian Highlights – Brasov – Bran Castle – Sinaia Resort – Bucharest
Duration: 10 Days

This is an extensive itinerary based on a number of recent research trips in the country, meeting with local artists, using superior hotels and including some new UNESCO World Heritage Sites as well as off the beaten track places which are of great cultural and historical value. It is a tour which will take thru all the important historical areas of Romania, pointing out their own identity. The many cultural connections and exclusive visits are meant as a window into the Romanian culture and civilization, with old and new. The tour is further customizable.

Mamaia is one of the most famous resorts from the Romanian Black Sea Coast.

Day 1: Bucharest – Constanta – Histria – Tulcea

Early morning departure for the Black Sea Coast to Constanta, the largest sea port on the Black Sea. A city of over 350,000 population, Constanta was established in the 4th century BC as a Greek colony. The drive from Bucharest will take approximately three hours, crossing the Danube into the region of Dobrogea and driving along the (in)famous Danube-Black Sea Canal. The city tour of Constanta will take you to the Secession style Casino and the Genoese Lighthouse. Later tour the Archeology Section featuring the fabulous Glykon Serpent and the wonderfully restored the Roman Mosaic – one of the largest in this part of Europe. In the afternoon drive to Mamaia – Romania’s largest sea resort, established by King Charles of Romania in the second half of the 19th century and then continue north to the ruins of the ancient town of Histria (formerly the main Greek Colony on the Coast but silted by the alluvuim of the Delta). In the ealry evening arrive to Tulcea located right at the entrance to the Danube Delta. Hotel check in. Dinner on your own.
Accommodation in Tulcea at Hotel Delta *** (right on the Danube Banks)

Day 2: Danube Delta Cruise – Brãila – Piatra Neamt
Hot and cold buffet breakfast at hotel. This morning, you’ll explore the youngest territory in the world. (The Danube Delta started to form just 10,000 years ago and is still in the process of formation). On your exclusively charter boat you’ll have the chance to admire its scenic beauty and wildlife – it is known as the birdwatchers paradise, try your hand at fishing, or simply relax while browsing through the narrow channels. The Delta cuisine is certain to provide an interesting dining experience! After breakfast, embark a small ship for a four to five hour private cruise into the Danube Delta. The tour will be led by a specialiSt tour guide and skipper. Start your cruise on the Tulcea Canal then off to Nebunu Lake through narrow canals. A great opportunity for bird watching and to admire nature. Lunch is served on board ship. Return to Tulcea around 1:00 pm. Disembark. Depart to Piatra Neamt crossing the Danube on the ferry at Braila. Arrive to Piatra Neamt; short orientation tour followed by check in. Dinner on own.
B L Accommodation in Piatra Neamt at Hotel Ceahlaul *** (completely refurbished in 2010)

Day 3: Piatra Neamt – Bucovina Monasteries

Hot and cold buffet breakfast at hotel. After breakfast drive to the splendid region of Bucovina, the land of the outside painted monasteries, all of the part of the UNESCOheritage2 World Heritage. Bucovina monasteries are gems of medieval Moldavian architecture and artistry. Each of them has a predominant color. Start your day with Voronet Monastery, the most famous out of all, known as the Sistine Chapel of the East. Voronet features one the best Last Judgment fresco in this part of the World. Receive a complete explanation of the fresco. Next is Moldovita, Moldovita where the UNESCO Golden Apple Award given to the painted churches back in 1975, is kept. On the south facade of Moldovita is The Siege of Constantinople belonging to the 24 episodes of the Hymn to the Holy Virgin. Enjoy a traditional Bucovina lunch in the picturesque village of Sucevita. Drive to the nearby Sucevita, which is the largest of all, looking more like a mighty fortress than a monastery. The Ladder of John of Sinai is considered one of the best of the frescoes of Sucevita, rarely present in medieval Romanian art. In the village of Marginea visit the black pottery workshop – they use a technique called “oxygen reduction”, there is the same technique in Mexico only! End your day with Humor Monastery, the only one without a tower as it was not built by a ruling prince. Dinner on your own.
B L Accommodation in Gura Humorului at Hotel Casa Humor **** or Best Western Bucovina ****

Day 4: Bucovina – Maramures Wooden Churches including Ieud
A la carte breakfast at hotel. Drive west towards the splendid region of Maramures (northern Transylvania). Due to the relative isolation of their land, the people of Maramures developed a particularly strong community, with a unique personality, traditions, culture, fashion and lifestyle unspoiled for centuries. It is like a trip back in time. Admire the wonderfully carved wooden gates along Iza Valley including an original 235 year old household in the village of Dragomiresti. Visit the church of Ieud (UNESCO World Heritage Site). As a cultural connection, stop in the village of Rozavlea for a visit to the workshop of a famous master carver. He represented Romania in the 1999 Smithsonian World Festival in Washington, DC. Visit Ieud Wooden Church. Depending on the day of the week visit a local animal market. The tour will include Barsana Monastery, a great example of Maramures wooden church architecture. In the afternoon reach the village of Iza on Iza Valley. This will be our base for the next two days. Accommodation in a private house in the village. A home hosted dinner (and plum brandy) is included so that people get deeper into the local culture. Our hosts will join for dinner so this will a cultural interchange.
B D Home stay accommodation or three/four star hotel on request
Family home, with one section renovated into a modern villa with all modern facilities. The location is excellent, in a small village, quiet neighborhood, far away from the main street. The terraces offer a beautiful view on the village.

Sapanta – Merry Cemetery

The worldwide fame of Sapanta is due to the unique cemetery that has become an important tourist attraction. The original character of the cemetery is first of all suggested by its name: Cimitirul Vesel that means The Merry Cemetery.

Day 5: Maramures: Iza – Sighetul Marmatiei – Sapinta Village

After breakfast, take an exclusively designed walking tour of the village of Iza including an icon-on-glass workshop (and learn about the technique), an ancient tyoe plum brandy distillery still used by the lcoal community to make the doubls distilled plum brandy as well as a typical whirlpool using the Iza River water. Enter the heritage3new Orthodox church of the village which will be in the process of getting painted in fresco. Drive to Sighet and, as a cultural connection, mingle with the locals in the twons’market. Then tour the Anti Communist Memorial – a political prison in the Communist times. This is one of the main memorial sites of the continent, alongside Auschwitz Museum and the Peace Memorial in Normandy. The visit here provides a direct connection to Romania’s most recent history. Optional visit to the house of Nobel Prize winner, Elie Wiesel. View of the famous Tisa bridge is included. Continue west along Tisa River (very close to the Ukrainian border) and reach the village of Sapinta world famous for its Merry Cemetery. Here each wooden cross carries a funny epitaph about the person’s life. Late in the afternoon return to Iza for dinner and accommodation.
B D Home stay accommodation or three/star hotel on request

Day 6: Maramures – Surdesti – Cluj Napoca – Alba Iulia – Sibiu
Following breakfast, you’ll be driven to the magnificent wooden church of Surdesti built in the early 1702 and until recently the tallest wooden church of Europe (UNESCO Site). Continue south to Sibiu via Cluj Napoca – the largest city of Transylvania, a wonderful centuries-old town where you’ll visit the Ethnographical Museum. Brief stop at Alba Iulia, famous for its Vauban style citadel. The destination is Sibiu, formerly the chief cities of the Transylvanian Saxons. Its well-preserved old town is dating from the Middle Ages. In 2007, Sibiu was declared the Cultural Capital of Europe and underwent wonderful architectural restoration. The Historicl Center is on the World Heritage Pending List. Take an orientation tour on the way to the hotel including the old belts of fortifications and guild towers. Hotel check in and dinner on your own. Suggested is Crama Sibiul Vechi, probably the best restaurant in town serving all traditional Transylvanian fares.
B Accommodation in Sibiu at Imparatul Romanilor Hotel ****
Hotel Imparatul Romanilor, located in the old part of Sibiu near the main square, in a 16th century building built in traditional Transylvanian Renaissance style, a former merchant’s hall transformed into hotel in the 18th century, with many famous guests: Emperor Franz Joseph II, composers Franz Liszt, Johann Strauss Jr., as well as Prince Charles and many others.

Day 7: Sibiu – Biertan – Sighisoara
Hot buffet breakfast at hotel. Start your day with a leisurely walking tour of Sibiu, the chief city of the Transylvanian Germans. The Old Centre is awaiting recognition by UNESCO. Visit the old surrounding defense walls and the remaining guild towers. One of the landmarks of Sibiu is the Bruckenthal Museum assembled by Baron Bruckenthal, governor of Transylvania at the beginning of the 19th century, the second ever art museum to openin Europe. Its core art collection used to belong to the Baron. The Evangelical Cathedral was completed in its actual shape in 1520, but inside, there is an exquisite fresco of the Crucifixion on the north wall of the choir dating from 1445. Visit the Passage of Stairs linking the Upper town to the Lower town, the 1859 Liar’s Bridge and the Byzantine style Orthodox Cathedral, a replica of St. Sophia in Constantinople. Do not miss the original Pharmacy Museum. In the afternoon, you’ll venture to Biertan Fortress Church, a World Cultural Heritage site that hosts the largest wing altar in Romania and was used for more than 300 years as the official residence of many Transylvanian Lutheran Bishops. Upon your arrival in Sighisoara, you’ll understand why it is considered to be the best preserved medieval town in all of Europe. Continuously inhabited since the early Middle Ages, Sighisoara is the birth town of Prince Vlad Dracula! Dinner on own.
B Accommodation in Sighisoara at Hotel Sighisoara*** or The House with Antler***
Located in the Upper Town.

Brasov

Brasov is one of the most important destinations in Romania

Day 8: Sighisoara & Brasov

Hot buffet breakfast at hotel. Before starting your walking tour of old Sighisoara attend a lecture on Vlad the Impaler –Dracula, what is truth and what is fiction. Sighisoara is one of a kind. A World Heritage Site, this is the only still inhabited medieval citadel in Europe. It was developed by the German settlers as of late 12 C. It stands on a network of tunnels and catacombs and, according to one version of the myth; this is where the Pied Piper brought the children of Hamelin after their ungrateful parents refused to pay him his due. Walking tour includes the two squares of the Citadel (Upper Town), the Scholars’ Staircase, the Ducklings’ Square, the Tinsmiths’ Tower, the House with Antler, the Tower with Clock (climb up for a great view), the Torture Chamber and the Weapon Museum. Sighisoara is the place where the famous Vlad the Impaler Dracula was born in 1431. Journey south to Brasov for a tour of another beautifully unique city. You’ll have a busy afternoon with visits to St. Nicolae church, the Museum of the first Romanian school in Transylvania, and the magnificent Black Church – largest Gothic style church in South-Eastern Europe and featuring a collection of over one hundred 17th century Muslim prayer rugs. Hotel check in. Enjoy th pedestrian area of Old Brasov with its many restaurants and outdoor cafes.
B Accommodation in Brasov at Hotel Casa Wagner ***

Day 9: Brasov – Tampa Mountain Cable Car Ride – Bran Castle – Sinaia Resort

Hot and cold buffet breakfast at hotel. Morning cable car ride on top of Tampa Mountain offering a great panoramic view of the city. Visit the Weavers’ Bastion – one the well preserved medieval guild fortresses. Later, it is time for Bran Castle also known as Dracula Castle and one of the major attractions of the country. The castle was built in 1377 to safeguard the trading route between Transylvania and Wallachia, enlarged and restored a few times since then. A guided visit of the castle is included. Drive through Predeal, Romania highest town. Late afternoon arrival to Sinaia mountain resort. Named after St. Catherine’s Monastery on Mount Sinai, Sinaia became the unofficial capital of the Kingdom of Romania towards the end of the 19th century. Orientation tour of the resort including the famous Casino, inspired by the one in Monte Carlo. Once the famous Orient Express train use to regularly call here and it still does once a year on its way from Paris to Constantinople.
B Accommodation in Sinaia at Palace Hotel **** (or similar)
Centrally located in the resort.

Day 10: Sinaia – Bucharest
Hot and cold buffet breakfast at hotel. In the morning, your first stop is the Peles Castle and Gardens, the awesome former summer residence of the Romanian royal family, built in German Renaissance style and known as one of the most beautiful summer residences of Europe. From there, you’re off to the Sinaia Monastery, a beautiful example of the Wallachian – Byzantine architectural style and the first building in Sinaia. Drive to the Coanda International Airport in Bucharest for your return flight OR take our BULGARIA EXTENSION.
B T

2013/2014 Tour Price & Discounts: PLEASE CLICK HERE

Additional Nights & Tours:

Extra Night in Bucharest: 39 Euro per person with breakfast, VAT and city tax.
Airport Transfer on arrival: 30 Euro per ride (includes pick up with name sign).
Bucharest City Tour: 38 Euro per person (includes hotel pick up and drop off).

Photo Album - Romania

Your price includes:

  • 7 nights at three and four star hotels (best available)
  • 2 nights home stay in Maramures (this can be changed to a hotel if desired)
  • fully insured sedan/minivan with climate control, for the entire distance
  • fuel & parking fees included
  • all sightseeing tours & cultural connections
  • five hour Danube Delta Pcruise with local Delta tour guide
  • three informal talks on: Ceausescu and His Times, The Gypsies and Their Journey, Vlad The Impaler
  • interactive egg painting demonstration in Bucovina
  • 13 meals: 9 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 2 dinners
  • a English speaking guide (driving) to accompany you throughout
  • guide’s expenses
  • airport transfer on departure
  • admissions to museums, sites, churches as per itinerary
  • porterage (except for customs areas)
  • VAT and local tax
  • detailed map of Romania.

You’ll visit 6 UNESCO World Heritage Sites:

  • Danube Delta Nature Reserve
  • Bucovina outside painted monasteries
  • Maramures Wooden Churches
  • Historic Center of Sighisoara
  • Biertan Fortified Church
  • Sibiu Historic Center

Not included:

  • Other meals than stated
  • Alcoholic beverages
  • Photo/video fees at sites and museums.

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    Client Testimonials

     

    Tara Sonja Jones

    Together with my mother we’ve visited Romania in the summer of ’09. We always enjoyed private tours as opposed to bus tours. We had a fantastic journey through Transylvania, Maramures and Bucovina and were able to understand Romania in depth: the traditions and people. We loved all the special features included in our trip and especially meeting local artists and the home hosted dinners. We think the special lectures are a bonus to the entire experience. Excellent quality. Thank you for making it possible for us. Sincerely,
     

     

    Dr. and Mrs. Luis G. Murillo, San Diego, California

    Our journey through your wonderful country was most enjoyable and rewarding. We thank you very much for the help you extended to us especially in customizing our tour. Our guide was a very intelligent, knowledgeable and amiable young man who contributed greatly to our sense of comfort and security. His interest and skills in photography were an additional and unexpected help. He certainly can be considered a very valuable professional. Best Regards!
     

     

    Janel Barberito and Jim Jurczyk

    My husband and I visited Romania after we e-mailed about 7 tour operators with the same request (dates, itinerary, etc). We made our decision based on the timely replies, the tour that was presented by each operator, the costs and the manner in which it was presented. There was something different about their responses and we felt good about our decision….we were not disappointed. The accommodations were superb, better than what we would have chosen. We compared the costs with the other operators and agreed that was the best deal.
     

     

    Rachelle Babij and Her Group of 42, Canada

    Once again, I wish to say Thank You for making our trip to Romania (home) so wonderful – everyone was very pleased with the tour and all had a great time.  There were many sad tears when we said good bye to each other – no one wanted the tour to end.   I am very happy to have contacted you to do this family tour for us – it was EXCELLENT!!!!!
     

     

    Helmuth and Johanna Ehrlich, Vienna, Austria

    Dear Sirs, We have arrived well in Austria. We, my wife and I, have to thank you for the excellent preparation of our journey which became a highlight. Romania is really a very interesting country to travel with much history, many sights and really nice people. The hotels chosen were all good, the food was good. Our guide was one of the best. Due to his excellent introduction and knowledge of Romanian history, geography and traditions we really became fond of your country. We parted as friends. Thank you also for your farewell gifts and palinka (noroc!). Summary: we had a super journey and whenever somebody will ask us we’ll be pleased to pass on your agency and also our guide as excellent. Best regards,
     

     

    Martin West and Jimmy T. Nelson, USA

    After watching you on the Travel Channel we decided to visit Romania. We finally made the trip 14 months later and would like to again thank you for a wonderful experience. It truly was a great trip and we would like to return some day. We kept talking about it for weeks and sent pictures to all our friends and family. We felt fortunate to have you as our tour designer and tour guide and realized as we moved, how good you are at it. Thank you for everything.
     

     

    The Samsons in Delaware

    Took a while before we got back to our normal lifes at home. Just wanted to touch base and thank you for the best tour ever. Romania is a beautiful country and we were happy to get to know people. The cooking lesson in Bucavinia was the best. Where do you find these people. We had a great time all along. Thank you.
     

     

    Rick Oncescu & Group, Canada

    Thank you very much for the most memorable trip you put together for us. We all enjoyed the experience of finding one of our relatives as well a seeing all of the sites and places within Romania you coordinated for our trip. Cristian was everything we could ask for in a guide/driver, he most definitely made our time in Romania interesting and entertaining, he fit right in and became one of the family. Romania is a wonderful inviting country with so much to offer, I know some if not all of us will return.
    Thanks again.
     

     

    Mr. And Mrs. Rodriguez, Los Angeles, California

    We are back home, and I think I have finally gotten my sleep cycle straightened out! I just wanted to say thank you for putting together a wonderful tour! The tour was thoughtful, insightful and well pallend and organized The guide you have assigned, Andrei, was very knowledgeable, fun and accommodating. He was also a very experinced driver. Very well chosen hotels all along. We now have a better understanding of the culture and history of Romania. Thanks again, and I wish you all the best.
     

     

    Nancy Ewing and family, US

    We were very pleased with our tour of Romania. The “Romania Tours” program was very well planned, and we were very glad that we could be flexible and make changes at any time. We did make adjustments so that we could add other things, or spend more time somewhere, or visit a relative or two as we went along. Dan was an excellent guide and driver for us. All three of us had the highest opinion of his work -no negatives at all. He is good natured and very flexible. He did a great job of balancing the interests and abilities of all of us. We enjoyed his sense of humor and patience. September was a great time to visit Romania. We liked seeing all of the harvest work and the weather was comfortable. The people in the countryside were extremely friendly and we enjoyed the food. We took tons of photos and will have lots of good memories of our visit. Thank you.
     

     

    Margaret Drobnik and friends, US

    Hi Oty, Now I am getting beck to you late. Our tour was wonderful.  We never would have been able to see half of what we saw if we hadn’t gotten a guide. Doru was great.  He waited patiently for us at the airport even though he did not know that our plans had changed at the last minute and we were not only coming in on a later flight, but from a differnt city.  ( Our first flight out of Burlington, Vermont to Chicago was selayed several hours because of mechanical problems.  Our flight to Frankfurt had left Chicago before we ever left Burlington. All the later flights to Frankfurt were over booked.)   Thankfully Doru waited. He explained everything to us along the way and answered all our questions. Dore was not only very professional, he was very concerned that we were comfortable and satisfied with what was planned for us.  In small towns he checked to see what other craft people might be available for us to visit.  In addition to what was on our itinerary we visited a weaver in Sapanta, who very graceously invited us into her house after she demonstrated her weaving.  We also visited Domna Pipash who shared her lace  and embroidery collections as well as her art.  She also took us into her home to see some of her and her husband’s other collections.  We also saw a museum and war memorial that was not on our ininerary. Doru also explained about some of the customs, funerals, weddings, etc.  There is no way we would have covered the miles , or found the crafts people, or understood any of the culture if we had not had a guide.
    The accommodations were very good also.  The place we found, Grandma’s House was charming, which is what we are used to when we travel.  The family stay in Maramures with Ioan and Sylvia was extremely comfortable.  They were very accommodating and even packed a lunch for us on the day we left.  I wish they would have spent a little more time with us, perhaps eating with us. Hilde’s was very very nice and more luxurious than we are used to.  It is really like a 4 star hotel – very comfortable.  In Sinaia the Economat was very good for us.  The location was perfect since we were on a time schedule.  It was very clean, comfortable and had a lot of character. We also enjoyed the food.  There was a lot of variety.  Our favorites were stuffed cabbage rolls and for desert  papanash (?) won the prize, hands down!!  We are addicted!!!
    One other thing I forgot, instead of seeing only Voronet, we were able to see two other Painted Monasteries.  And one morething, Doru took us to a very busy interesting market. We liked Doru a lot and would not hesitate to recommend him to others, and if we came back we would be happy to have him again. We loved Romania and found the people very friendly.  In many countried, people do not like thier pictures taken, but in Romania, they appeared to love it.  It was always OK; they smiled and waved.  Often in the streets they came up to us and wanted to communicate. We loved Romania and found the people very friendly.  In many countried, people do not like thier pictures taken, but in Romania, they appeared to love it.  It was always OK; they smiled and waved.  Often in the streets they came up to us and wanted to communicate. I hope you get lots more business, and I hope Romania doesn’t change too much.  It is very charming and down to earth. Lots of good wishes to you. Margaret