Duration
15 days / 14 nights

Model Program
Winter season 2009-2010

Day 01 SOFIA
Arrival in Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria. Accommodation and overnight in Sofia.

Day 02 SOFIA
Sightseeing tour of Sofia, a city with 7000 years long history, concentrating numerous cultural and historic monuments from different periods. Visits of the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, the St. George Rotunda from the 4 century, the St. Sofia Basilica, the Ruins of Serdica. Overnight in Sofia.

Day 03 SOFIA – RILA MONASTERY – PLOVDIV
Departure to the Rila Monastery from 10 century, UNESCO World Heritage site, 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. Continue to Plovdiv, a city ranking second in importance after Sofia, passing through the highest Bulgarian mountain - Rila. Overnight in Plovdiv.

Day 04 PLOVDIV - BACHKOVO MONASTERY – KAZANLAK
Plovdiv is one of the most ancient towns in Europe, older than Rome. Sightseeing of the Old town of Plovdiv with National Revival architecture and excavations from Roman times. Visit of the ancient Roman theatre with impressive marble statues, decorative columns and arcades. Excursion to the Bachkovo Monastery from 11 century, one of the richest galleries of traditional Bulgarian religious art with exquisite murals and medieval icons. Departure for Kazanlak, the capital of the famous Valley of Roses. Overnight in Kazanlak.

Day 05 KAZANLAK - SHIPKA PASS – TRYAVNA - VELIKO TARNOVO
Visit the recently discovered Thracian golden tresures in Kazanlak Historical Museum. Continue with one of the UNESCO’s sites – the Thracian Tomb dating back from the 4 century BC. Visit the replica of The Thracian Tomb. Departure to the town of Tryavna via the historical Shipka Pass. Walking tour of Tryavna, where vaulted stone bridges, houses, churches and square with a clock tower preserve the spirit and talent of the artists from Tryavna School of Art from the 17 century. Visit the Woodcarving Museum of Tryavna. Continue to Veliko Tarnovo. Overnight in Veliko Tarnovo.

Day 06 VELIKO TURNOVO - ARBANASSI
Sightseeing of Veliko Turnovo, including a walk on Samovodska Charshiya – traditional arts and crafts street and visit to Tsarevets hill - an impressive sight with medieval fortifications and dramatic architecture. Departure to the museum town of Arbanassi boasting a genuine gallery of religious art in its Church of Nativity. Overnight in Veliko Tarnovo.

Day 07 VELIKO TURNOVO – IVANOVO – ROUSSE
Departure to Ivanovo. Ivanovo medieval rock churches are unique monuments, UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site. They consist of churches, chapels and monastic cells, hewn into the craggy gorge of the Roussenski Lom River. Visit of the main church. Arrival in Rousse. In the afternoon visit to the Museum of Rouse Town Lifestyle and the Regional Historical Museum. Overnight in Rousse.

Day 08 ROUSSE – BUCHAREST
Morning walking tour of Rousse – one of the key cultural and economic centers of the country and the seat of Bulgarian shipping in the beginning 20 century. In the afternoon departure to Bucharest. Overnight in Bucharest.

Day 09 BUCHAREST - CURTEA DE ARGES - SIBIU
In the morning panoramic sightseeing tour of Bucharest with a stop at the Cathedral of the Patriarchate, then departure to Curtea de Arges, former capital of Wallachia. Visit the Episcopal Church where the Romanian Kings were buried. Drive along the picturesque Olt Valley to Cozia Monastery (visit) and Sibiu, one of the oldest towns in Transylvania - formerly Hermannstadt - founded by the Saxon colonists. Guided walking tour of the medieval town the Main Square, the Evangelical Church, the Liars’ Bridge etc. Overnight in Sibiu.

Day 10 SIBIU – SIGHISOARA - BISTRITA
Drive to Biertan to visit the impressive fortified church. Continue to Sighisoara, birthplace of Vlad the Impaler Dracula. Visit the medieval citadel the Upper Town: the Clock Tower, the Church on the Hill. Departure to Targu Mures - visit of the elegant city centre well known for its architecture. Drive on to Bistrita - one of the 7 main medieval towns of Transylvania. Overnight in Bistrita.

Day 11 BISTRITA - MARAMURES - CAMPULUNG MOLDOVENESC
Departure towards Maramures - a region famous for its woodwork traditions and the unspoiled rural life. A trip to Maramures is in all seasons a superb adventure in the Picturesque Kingdom: visit the picturesque villages of Sacel, Bogdan Voda and Rozavlea, with their wooden churches and porches. Visit the impressive monastery of Barsana and lunch on the monastery. In the afternoon drive across the Carpathians into Bucovina. Stop in the Prislop Pass to admire the breathtaking scenery. Overnight in Campulung Moldovenesc.

Day 12 CAMPULUNG MOLDOVENESC - MONASTERIES - PIATRA NEAMT
Full day in Bucovina, land of the unique painted monasteries included in UNESCO World Heritage. Visit the Moldovita and Sucevita monasteries with outside frescoes. Follows a visit to the famous monastery of Voronet, called the Sistine Chapel of the Orient. Late afternoon drive south to visit the Agapia monastery. Overnight in Piatra Neamt.

Day 13 PIATRA NEAMT - BRASOV or POIANA BRASOV
Departure across the mountains to Brasov through the spectacular Bicaz Gorges - the Red Lake - Miercurea Ciuc. Visit the beautiful fortified church of Prejmer. Late afternoon arrive to Brasov or Poiana Brasov. Overnight.

Day 14 BRASOV - BRAN-BUCHAREST
Panoramic and guided walking tour in the historical center of Brasov (formerly Kronstadt) including a visit to the Black Church, then departure to Bran for a visit to Dracula’s Castle. Drive across the mountains to Sinaia. Visit the Sinaia Monastery from 1695 and the fabulous Peles Castle - former summer residence of the Royal family. Drive to Bucharest. Upon arrival visit the outdoor Village Museum. Overnight in Bucharest.

Day 15 BUCHAREST
In the morning free time in central Bucharest or transfer to the airport.
End of our services.

Minimum number of participants: 2

Price per person:
- Sharing a double room: 1620 Euro
- Single room supplement: 310 Euro

The above price includes:
• Accommodation 14 nights as per the above program at tourist class hotels;
• Half board meals /breakfast, dinner/ throughout the program, dinner on the day of arrival is subject to flight schedule;
• Private car (for 2-3 pax) or air-conditioned van, minibus or coach for all the above itinerary and program;
• English speaking guide throughout (for parties of 2-3 pax the guide will also drive);
• All entrance fees to museums, monasteries and sites included in the program;
• All Bulgarian and Romanian taxes.

The above price does not include:
• Hotel extras /telephone, mini bar, etc./;
• Additional meals;
• Drinks /other than mineral water/, coffee;
• Photographing or filming fees at the visited sites;
• Tips;
• Air tickets;
• Porterage;
• Travel insurance;
• Personal Expenses;
• Visa procurement /if needed/.

This tour can be organized from October 2009 till 31 March 2010 for min 2 pax. For Christmas and New Year period supplements will apply.
Group prices available upon request.