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0845 3000 247 +44 (0)1539 531258 |
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DATES |
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18 - 25 MAY 2006 3 - 10 AUGUST 2006 8 Days / 7 Nights Fully escorted tour from £ 762.00 per person |
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HIGHLIGHTS |
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Sinaia Peles Palace Rasnov Fortress Bran Castle Brasov Sighisoara Biertan Tarnave Valley (wine tasting at Ganesti) Turda Salt Mines Cluj Sibiu Cisnadioara Horezu Monastery Baile Govora Spa Bucharest |
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FLIGHTS |
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Recommended Flight Schedule British Airways Heathrow 09:45 Bucharest 15:00; Bucharest 15:00 - Heathrow 17:15 Times are local and are subject to change; 2 hour time difference - UK & Romania Alternative quality airlines include |
DISCOVER TRANSYLVANIA 2006
Prices from £ 762.00 per person
possible insight into the real Transylvania - its people, culture, history and beautiful scenery
We show you the main sights and attractions plus much more
BRASOV SIBIU CLUJ FLIGHTS CAR HIRE
CONTACT US
0845 3000 247
+44 (0)1539 531258
Sighisoara
DAY ONE
Scheduled morning flight from the United Kingdom to Bucharest. Meet & Greet; transfer by air-conditioned minibus or coach to the mountain resort of Sinaia - the 'Pearll of the Carpathians' - a two hour drive leaving the Braabgan plain and the city behind us. Check-in to the recently renovated 4-star Hotel Palace, a gem of Edwardian architecture which stands on the edge of the park - away from the bustle, yet just a quick stroll into the centre of the resort. Dinner in the renowned 'Taverna Sarbului' restaurant - a firm favourite serving excellent Balkan cuisine.
Scheduled morning flight from the United Kingdom to Bucharest. Meet & Greet; transfer by air-conditioned minibus or coach to the mountain resort of Sinaia - the 'Pearll of the Carpathians' - a two hour drive leaving the Braabgan plain and the city behind us. Check-in to the recently renovated 4-star Hotel Palace, a gem of Edwardian architecture which stands on the edge of the park - away from the bustle, yet just a quick stroll into the centre of the resort. Dinner in the renowned 'Taverna Sarbului' restaurant - a firm favourite serving excellent Balkan cuisine.
DAY TWO
After breakfast we will visit the Royal Palace complex at the foot of mountains above Sinaia, the former summer retreat of the Romanian Royal Family. We will pass Pelisor, the art nouveau palace of Queen Marie and take a guided tour of Peles, the extravagant Royal Palace often likened to the creations of King Ludwig in Bavaria on account of its rich decor and varied ornamentation. Afterwards we take the Paraul Rece Pass crossing into Transylvania to visit the exceptional Saxon fortress of Rasnov, recently restored and providing unparallelled views over the Transylvanian Plateau to the Piatra Craiului Mountains and the Bucegi Mountains piled up behind. Onwards our journey takes us to the well-known fortress of Bran Castle, sometimes wrongly referred to as Dracula's Castle but actually having far more romantic connections since it was a favourite of Queen Marie.Time for shopping here in the bazaar before we continue to the old city of Brasov, the 'Kronstadt' of the Saxon Transylvanians and chief town of the so -called 'Burzenland'. We explore the beautiful, well-preserved mediaeval city centre and the dramatic, Gothic 'Black Church' nestled beneath the Postavarul Mountains, before checking into a cozy hotel - either the historic Bella Muzica on the main square or the Casa Cranta overlooking the old town. Dinner in the traditional 'Cerbul Carpatin' restaurant with folk music.
DAY THREE
Today we shall learn about the Saxon Transylvanians as we cross their territory, the rolling hills of Transylvania plateau. The 'Saxons', Germans from the Moselle region arrived in the early Middle Ages brought in by the Hungarian rulers of the day to guard the eastern passes from incursions by marauding Turks, or more commonly Tatars. They established seven key towns - the 'Siebenburgen', the German name for Transylvania, and in the countryside built massive fortress churches which could harbour the village families and their livestock in times of siege. The romantic tale of the 'Pied Piper' explains the presence of these blue-eyed, flaxen haired German speakers isolated far to the east of the German speaking world, and their distinctive culture, by relating how the children of Hamelin emerged from the nearby Almasch cave and settled here. We will see plenty typical Saxon villages and churches as we cross this land and will visit one of the best-preserved fortress chuches at Biertan, one of several listed by UNESCO as World HeritageSites. We will enjoy 'Kaffee u. Kuchen' (Coffee and Cakes) in the Unglerus Restaurant in the village before continuing to the spectacular walled town of Sighisoara (Schässburg), one of the best preserved in central and eastern Europe and certainly one of the most romantic with its skyline bristling with turrets and spires, its cobbled alleyways, squares and 'gingerbread' houses. Explore the citadel including the old covered stairway, clocktower and 'church on the hill' before dinner at our hotel - the beautifully preserved Casa Wagner situated in the heart of the citadel. Again this is one of our firm favourites with large rooms and antique furniture.
Today we shall learn about the Saxon Transylvanians as we cross their territory, the rolling hills of Transylvania plateau. The 'Saxons', Germans from the Moselle region arrived in the early Middle Ages brought in by the Hungarian rulers of the day to guard the eastern passes from incursions by marauding Turks, or more commonly Tatars. They established seven key towns - the 'Siebenburgen', the German name for Transylvania, and in the countryside built massive fortress churches which could harbour the village families and their livestock in times of siege. The romantic tale of the 'Pied Piper' explains the presence of these blue-eyed, flaxen haired German speakers isolated far to the east of the German speaking world, and their distinctive culture, by relating how the children of Hamelin emerged from the nearby Almasch cave and settled here. We will see plenty typical Saxon villages and churches as we cross this land and will visit one of the best-preserved fortress chuches at Biertan, one of several listed by UNESCO as World HeritageSites. We will enjoy 'Kaffee u. Kuchen' (Coffee and Cakes) in the Unglerus Restaurant in the village before continuing to the spectacular walled town of Sighisoara (Schässburg), one of the best preserved in central and eastern Europe and certainly one of the most romantic with its skyline bristling with turrets and spires, its cobbled alleyways, squares and 'gingerbread' houses. Explore the citadel including the old covered stairway, clocktower and 'church on the hill' before dinner at our hotel - the beautifully preserved Casa Wagner situated in the heart of the citadel. Again this is one of our firm favourites with large rooms and antique furniture.
Bran Castle
DAY FOUR
Our journey into Transylvania takes us northwards into wine country - the Tarnave Valley which has a long history of viticulture, the Saxons having brought their wine-growing traditions from the Moselle region. The Tarnave is a predominatly white wine producing area and we will taste the local produce in the wine village of Ganesti with lunch. Afterwards we follow the valley past the Cetatea de Balta chateau to reach the edge of the Apuseni Mountains at the town of Turda. All the time scenery and architecture change as we arrive in a region with distinct Hungarian influences. We visit the famous Ferdinand Salt Mines which date back to the days of Habsburg rulle and are perhaps best known for their echo! Soon afterwards we descend into the former imperial capital and cultural centre of Transylvania - Cluj-Napoca, known to the Hungarians as Kolozsvar and to the Germans as Klausenburg. All of these people have left their mark and you will soon realise this from the great diversity of architecture - from the Gothic through Baroque and neoclassical to ecclectic and art deco. Cluj is still very much a cultural centre with Romanian and Hungarian theatres, cafes and restaurants and large number of students who attend its repuatble university colleges. We will take a leisurely tour of the city before checking into our hotel where we shall also dine. Hotel Victoria is a pleasant oasis in the city centre, the former communist party hotel situated round the corner from the Orthodox Cathedral and the extravagant art nouveau opera house.
After breakfast we head south back into the Transylvania of the 'Saxons' - towards their capital of 'Hermanstadt' - modern day Sibiu. However, before exploring this treasure we divert through the oak woods of the Dumbrava forest to the delightful Saxon village of Cisnadioara (Michelsberg), a picturesque place with a steepely sloping village square overlooked by the little 13th century Romanesque chrch perched on top of its conical hill. This a place of legends and traditions, some of which we will learn about as we visit the Saxon folklore museum. We now enter Sibiu, one of the best preserved mediaeval towns in eastern Europe and undergoing considerable renovation for irs role as 'European City of Culture 2007'. We take a walking tour visiting the little and large squares - Piata Mica and Piata Mare, the evangelical church, the ramparts and the winding steps between the upper and lower towns, and the famous 'Liars Bridge' - it was said that if you told a lie when crossing the bridge death would follow but this since Ceausescu once made a speech here it seems that the spell has faded! As you wander you may feel that you are being watched - look up to see the 'Eyes of Sibiu' - the dormer windows of the houses which really do look like eyes. Dinner at the excellent Crama Sibiul Vechi Restaurant before retiring our hotel, the well-known and historic 'Imparatul Romanilor' (Roman Emperor) on the city centre.
After breakfast we continue southwards leaving Transylvania via a chasm carved by the River Olt through the mighty Fagaras mountains - the Red Tower Pass. This was the one of the chief routes into Tranmsylvania by invading armies as testified by the ruins on the crags. We head deep into the wooded Carpathian foothills of Wallachia to visit the beautiful UNESCO-listed monastery and hermitage of Horezu - also known for its very distinctive pottery and for the owls which are abundant here. We will stay in the historic spa resort of Baile Govora known for its curative mineral waters especially from theFerdinand Spring and extensive parks, a truly relaxing place that has received a facelift in recent years. We will dine and stay at the pleasant, recently-renovated, and air-conditioned Belvedere Hotel.
Our final day of touring takes us via the pretty Carpathian foothills back to the capital, Bucharest - still referred to as 'Paris of the East' on account of its nightlife and culture. We will enjoy a panoramic city tour including the architecture of the Calea Victoriei, former Royal Palace and even Ceausescu's infamous Palace of Parliament before checking into a comfortable, quality 3-star hotel - either the Opera or the Venezia. Our final meal together will be taken in one of Bucharest's excellent traditional restaurants.
DAY EIGHT
Time for a lie in, or to explore the city, or even do some shopping before your tranfser to th airport for your flight home.
Saxon Transylvania
- Return Flights from United Kingdom to Bucharest (see below)
- Airport Taxes and Passenger Facility Charges
- Travel throughout by air-conditioned coach or minibus
- Accommodation in comfortable 3 or 4-star hotels
- Meals as per itinerary (usually breakfast, lunch and/or dinner)
- Professional English-speaking Tour Guide
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All applicable entrance fees and wine tasting at Ganesti
Prices are based on normal availability for British Airways scheduled departures from London to Bucharest
Discounts of up to £ 30.00 may be available on selected departures for indirect flights with other airlines
Regional departures and alternative airlines may be available on request
Flight tickets are issued on receipt of your deposit to secure your price. They are fixed dated and non-refundable.
Travel Insurance is highly recommended
Additional nights can be added in Bucharest, or your holiday may be extended to include other regions of Romania
These holidays are ATOL protected by the Civil Aviation Authority.
Our ATOL number is ATOL 3319.
ATOL protection extends primarily to customers who book and pay in the United Kingdom.
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>Tour
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| >Discover Transylvania - 8 days / 7 nights |
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762.00**
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125.00
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| >Discover Transylvania - 8 days / 7 nights |
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772.00**
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125.00
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** SUBJECT TO CONTINUED BRITISH AIRWAYS AVAILABILITY
DISCOUNTS of up to £ 30.00 may be available on selected departures for indirect flights with other airlines
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Adult Prices are per person per night sharing a double room in £ Sterling (GBP)
Additional nights can be added in Bucharest at the end or at the beginning of the tour
Please note that this is a very popular tour and early booking is recommended to secure a place on the tour.
is a Division of Talking Point Ltd
1 Atkinson Court, Fell Foot, Newby Bridge, Cumbria, United Kingdom LA12 8NW
Tel. +44 (0)1539 531258 or UK local rate: 0845 3000 247; Email. [email protected]
ATOL 3319 - IATA 91267691
The air holidays and flights shown are ATOL protected by the Civil Aviation Authority. Our ATOL nrmber is ATOL 3319.
ATOL protection extends primarily to customers who book and pay in the United Kingdom.
Click on the ATOL logo if you want to know more.
Copyright © 2006 Transylvania Uncovered - the Romania Travel Specialists