2012 – GUARANTEED DEPARTURE TOUR 13 DAYS / 12 NIGHTS

An Unforgettable Journey …

Should you wish to discover new lands, to some extend untouched by humans ;well, do not miss the opportunity to visit Romania, a picturesque country, full of history and legends , where ancestral traditions live together with modern European spirituality. Situated at the crossroads between great Empires which for centuries dominated this part of the world, the Romanian people was able to preserve its identity, as Roman-Dacian descendants and a oasis of Latinity in a Slav ocean.. Bucharest is the capital city of Romania : the city’s wide tree linen boulevards and parks, together with the imposing building and monuments give it a discreet Parisian look, so much that , in the early 20th century, Bucharest was renowned as ‘the Paris of the Balkans’ .

A Grand Tour to Discover: Culture, Traditions and Unspoilt Nature Day 1: Bucharest Arrival at Bucharest. Airport ,in the Afternoon. Meeting point with your guide : the Information Desk at Henry Coanda Airport , or the parking paying desk at Baneasa Airport . Transfer to your 4star hotel in the city centre. Optional : walking tour by night Day 2: Bucharest - Curtea de Arges - Horezu Breakfast at your hotel. Départ for Ramnicu Valcea. Stopover and visit Nicolae Balcescu Memorial House (Romanian historical and political personality, during the Revolution of years 1848. Drive to Baile Olanesti, Lunch at Ceausescu’s House ; also visit that house, one of the most beautiful buildings in Romania. Arrive at Maldaresti Village and visit the Complexe of “Kules”,fortified houses combining elements of peasant, civil and military architecture-old buildings dating since XVI century

The oldest fortress-house, belonging to old boyard families, completely furnished, dates since 1827 ( Duca house ) Continue to Horezu Village and visit Hurezi Monastery ( 1690 – 1703 ) included in the UNESCO Heritage, unique ensemble of medieval art of Oltenia and Brancoveanu – a Romanian prince, well-known in western Europe, who created a new architecture style, bearing his name. Dinner and overnight in a 3star pension close to the Monastery

Jour 3 : Horezu - Targu Jiu – Drobeta Turnu Severin Breakfast and depart to Targu Jiu,. En-route, stop-over and visit Polovragi Monastery ( 1643 ) – built in the Brancovan style .Arrive at Targu Jiu where, at the central Park of the city, we can see the monumental Complex « Constantin Brancusi » ; discover the outstanding sculptures :the Endless Colomn, the Tasble of Silence and the Gate of the Kiss, placed along the alley that suggests the way of the most important moments of human life Lunch en-route. Continue to Drobeta Turnu Severin, situated on the banks of the Danube one of the largest European River, a historical city dating since the Roman Empire ; discover the Roman vestiges - the pile of the bridge of ’Apollodor from Damascus and the ancient Romana Castrum l’ancien castrum romain. Dînner and Overnight in a 3* hotel close to the Danube River Day 4: Turnu Severin - Orsova - Sarmizegetusa - Hunedoara Breakfast. Leave for Caransebes, via the city of Orsova , also situated by the banks of the Danube River. Discover the gigantic dam of the Iron Gates, built together with Serbia, between 1964 and 1972. The cruise on the Danube le Danube will enable us to discover an unique scenic view. Then,we continue our journey to the ancient capital city of the Province Dacia, during the Roman Empire, Colonia Ulpia Traiana Sarmizegetusa ; we visit the vestige of the old city and the ’Archéology Museum. We depart for, Densus, a small village famous for its Orthodox church dating since the 13th century, built with additional materials brought from the Dacian Sarmizegetusa Fortress . Later afternoon, we arrive at Hunedoara and admire the biggest medieval Citadel in Romania, named « Castelul Corvinestilor, built by the King of Hungary - Sigismund de Luxembourg and enlarged by the Voïvode Iancu de Hunedoara and his son, King Matias Corvin. Dînner and overnight stay in a 3* hotel, centrally located. Day 5 : Hunedoara - Sebes - Sibiu After breakfast at your hotel, we drive to Sebes – old German city, built by the Saxon colonists in the 13th cent. and fortified two centuries later. Vsit the vestiges of the medieval fortification and the Lutheran Church - one of the oldest religious constructions built by the Saxons. We continue to Sibiel Village which received « Pomme d’’or » prize. Lunch at guest house. Visite the Museum of Icons-onGlass. In the afternoon, we arrive at Sibiu – an important city in Transylvania, build in the 13th cent. by the Saxon colonists. Sibiu appeals to visitors for its medieval charm, natural beauties and Saxon traditions. Walking city sightseeing to discover the historiical centre of the city, the squares with imposing monuments dating from medieval epoque. Dinner and overnight stay in 4* hotel. Day 6 : Sibiu - Sighisoara - Bistrita After breakfast, visit the Bruckenthal, Museum, after the name of the old owner - baron Samuel von Bruckenthal, and the Governor of Transylvania at the end of the 18th century; the palace is built in late Baroque and Rococo styles; At Bruckenthal Museum, one can admire the most beautiful collection of paintings in

Transylvania, created by Western artists during 15th – 16th centuries, Romanian paintings of the 19th and 20th centuries, as wel as a valuable ensemble of Oriental furniture and tapestry. Drive toward Sighisoara, birthplace of Vlad the Impaler (“Dracula“) and the only inhabited medieval city in Europe. En route,visit the Evangelical fortified Church in Biertan – unique Saxon fortification in Transylvania, with 3 defence walls. Lunch. We continue our visit to the medieval Citadel of.Sighisoara ( included in the UNESCO World Heritage : the Clock Tower, the Church on the Hill, the roofed stairways etc ). Lunch at Dracula House. We continue our tour to Targu Mures, where walking sighrseeing of the city centre, with the well-known Roses Alley, the Palace of Culture ( outside view ), the Catholic and Orthodox churches, the old Fortress of Mures. Then arrive at Bistrita and visit the Gothic Cathedral. It is Bistrita - the place where Jonathan Harker, Bram Stoker’s hero spent the night before arriving at Dracula. Castle. Dînner and overnight stay in 3*hotel, centrally located. Optional : night walking tour of the city centre. Day 7 : Bistrita - Sighetul Marmatiei - Vadu Izei Drive along the Valley of Lapus, Cosau and Mara and discover one of the most authentic region of the country- : Maramures – the Land of Wood, where villages preserve old traditions, wooden churches at Budesti and Surdesti, as well as sculptured portals ; the Merry Cemetery at Sapanta, situated very close to the border side with Ukraine, is a true chronicle in verse about the villagers’ life. Late afternoon, return to Vadu Izei, via Sighetu Marmatiei where we can admire buildings and churches dating from the Austro - Hungarian period..Dinner and overnight in a local pension , at Vadu Izei. Day 8 : Vadu Izei - Campulung Moldovenesc – Gura Humorului In the morning, visit the wooded churches at Rozavlea and Ieud, as well as the Romanian Peasant Museum at Dragomiresti. Lunch en route. We continue our tour to Bucovina – the land of the unique painted monasteries, belonging to the UNESCO World Heritage. Arrive at Campulung Moldovenesc, to see the Wooden Museum. We continue and reach Gura Humorului,for dinner and overnight inl 4*.hotel . Day 9 : The Monasteries of Bucovina After breakfast, we visit Voronet Monastery, the ‘jewel of Bucovina’. Also witness the beauty of Moldovita Monastery(1532) – which received the Order ‘La Pomme d’Or », awarded by FIJET to the monasteries of Bucovina ; Sucevita Monastery - a real fortress. Lunch en route. Stop at the beautiful village of Marginea, well-Known for its black pottery.. Return to Gura Humorului, for dinner and overnight stay in 4* hôtel .

Day 10: Gura Humorului – Neamt - Secu - Lacu Rosu In the morning, we travel across the beautiful land of Moldavia,and its typical villages. Visit convent of Neamt, built during the 14th – 15th century. It represented an important cultural centre, and its church was an example for all churches of Moldavia. Continue our journey to Secu Monastery and serve lunch in a monastic atmosphere, with in-house made wine and „tzuica”; In the afternoon, we leave for Agapia village and visit the Monastery Agapia, the largest monastic conplex in Romania. Later afternoon, we cross Bicaz Gorges ( depending on weather conditions, we can do walking tour ). We arrive at the Red Lake resort . Dinner and overnight stay in Lacu Rosu /Piatra Neamt, hôtel 3*.

Day 11 : Lacu Rosu - Prejmer - Brasov Breakfast and start on tour for Brasov ; arrive at Prejmer Village and visit the fortified church, also included in UNESCO World Heritage ; lunch in a local restaurant Then we travel to Bran and visit the famous medieval castle, built for the citizens of Brasov in 1377, with view to defend their city. Prince Vlad used the castle as a residence while he travelled throughout Transylvania , In 1922, Queen Mary transformed the Castle into Royal Summer residence . Along the years, the Castle stood. as a museum of medieval art. Lunch in Bran Village Time at leisure to buy souvenirs and enjoy the land of Dracula. Later on, arriva in Brsov and discover one of the most interesting cities of Transyvania. Dinner and overnight stay in 3*hotel located in the historical centre of Brasov. Day 12 : Brasov - Sinaia - Bucharest Breakfast. We cross the Carpathians to arrive at Sinaia, one of the most picturesque mountain resorts, also dubbed ‘the Pearl of the Carpathians’. At Sinaia, we visit the fabulous Castle Peles – former summer residence of the Royal family, today an extraordinary museum housing an armoury collection , unique for its richness and diversity. Lunch in a local restaurant .We continue to Bucharest. Visit the Village Museum, one of the largest open air museum in Europe. Panoramic tour of Bucharest will show you a bustling modern metropolis, full of life and diversity.but also rich and full of history and contrasts. Dinner and overnight in 4star hotel.. Day 13 : Bucharest Breakfast. Visit the House of Parliament; built between 1984 and 1989 - the largest building in Europe and the second one in the world. For its decoration , almost entirely of materials (marble, crystals, bronze, steel etc ), are of Romanian origin. Transfer to Bucharest airport for return flight. The must of the programme Sites UNESCO Tha Monasteries of Bucovina : Voronet, Moldovita, Sucevita The mediaval citadel of Sighisoara The fortified citadels inTransylvanie Biertan, Prejmer The Dacian Citadels Horezu Monastery

2012 Departure Date : 17 June

UNESCO Heritage sites Curtea de Arges monastery Historical centre of Sibiu The Romanian Athenaeum, George Enescu Museum The Complex ‘Constantin Brancusi’- Targu Jiu

What’s included : Welcome at the Airport – meeting point : the Information Desk at Henry Coanda Airport, or the parking paying desk at Baneasa Airport ; transfer airport – hotel – airport ; air-conditioned car ( for 2pax ) / van/minibus or coach for all above itinerary and programme, English speaking guide at disposal during the whole tour, 11 night accommodation in 3* and 4* (National classification ), entrance fees to museums and the above mentioned sights; 24/24 assistance

What’s not included : Flight tickets, hotel extras, drinks ( other than water ), personal expenses Extension : trip to the Danube Delta ( on request ) Day 1 to Day 12 : Programme as per the above tour Day 13: Breakfast at the hotel.At noon, meeting with the English speaking guide, lunch and depart to Baltenii-de-Sus Village, with its little typical houses, situated along Sf. Gheorghe channel of the Danube. Dinner and overnight stay in 4* hotel Day 14 : Cruise in the Danube Delta (1 day) with fish menu lunch . Dinner and overnight stay in 4* hotel. Day 15i: Morning departure to Bucharest Airport for the eturn flight

Included services : air-conditioned car at disposal, English speaking guide (who will also drive ), at disposal from Day 13 till Day 15, 2nught accommodation in 4star hotel on full board, Services not included: flight tickets., hotel extras, drinks (other than water ), personal expenses.