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You will be travelling through two Balkan
states. The most fascinating sights in Bulgaria are the town-museums of
Nessebar and Arbanassi, the Thracian Tomb in Kazanlak and the medieval
capital Veliko Tarnovo. Some of the Romanian highlights are the Peoples
Palace (the second largest building after the Pentagon), the medieval
towns of Sibiu, Brasov and Sighisoara (Birthplace of the historic
Dracula Count), the royal summer residence Peles castle in Sinaia as
well as the so called Dracula castle in
Bran.
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Culture program - 15 days
Route
Day 1: Arrival in Varna. Short
transfer to the hotel in the city center. After supper – a welcoming
talk and information about the highlights of the Bulgaria tour.
Overnight in Varna.
Day 2: Varna - Nessebar - Kazanlak
(ca. 320 km/199 miles):
You first travel along the Black Sea coastline to Nessebar – a
town-museum with medieval churches and a picturesque outlook
(UNESCO-listed). Later you will visit the Thracian Tomb (UNESCO-listed)
in the town of Kazanlak at the foot of the Balkan Mountains. For
centuries the world-famous Bulgarian rose oil has been produced in that
town. Today there are only several rose fields left; the scent of the
charming flower can however still be felt in May and June. Overnight in
Kazanlak.
Day 3: Kasanlak - Veliko Tarnovo (ca.
140 km/ 87 miles).
On that day you will cross the Balkan through the Shipka Pass (1325m).
On the way you will visit the Russian memorial church in the village of
Shipka. Then you travel farther past Stoletov Peak, via Gabrovo to the
medieval Bulgarian capital Veliko Tarnovo. On the way you will also
visit the Dryanovo Monastery, situated in a picturesque gorge, as well
as the St. Peter and St. Paul’s Monastery in the vicinity of Arbanassi,
4 km to the East of Veliko Tarnovo. Overnight in the village-museum of
Arbanassi.
Day 4: City-tour of Veliko Tarnovo
(ca. 50 km/ 31 miles):
In the morning you will visit the seat of the Bulgarian Kings in Veliko
Tarnovo, the Tsarevets Hill, with the Patriarch’s church, which was
rebuilt to commemorate the 1300th anniversary of the Bulgarian State.
Sightseeing of the Old Town with the small workshops, shops and
oriental cafés (19th century). In the afternoon – a visit to the
Preobrazhenski Monastery. Free time. Overnight in Arbanassi.
Day 5: Veliko Tarnovo - Shumen (150km/
93 miles):
In Arbabnassi you will visit the “Birth of Christ” Church, the interior
of which is fully decorated with frescoes, as well as the St. Nicolas’
Monastery. Then you will travel to Shumen. There you will visit the
Tombul Mosque – the largest in Bulgaria. Overnight in Shumen.
Day 6: Shumen - Isperich - Russe (235
km/ 146 miles):
On that day you will visit 3 places of interest that appear on the
UNESCO List: the Rider of Madara (VII Century), the Thracian Tomb of
Sveshtari (4th century B.C.) in the vicinity of Isperih and the Ivanovo
Cliff-monastery (14th century). Supper will be served at a family house
in the village of Ivanovo. Overnight in Russe on the Danube, where the
famous writer Elias Canetti was born.
Day 7: Russe – Bucharest (Train
journey + city tour by bus, aprox. 50 km/ 31 miles):
We take the train from Russe (14:45) to Bucharest (17:09). After
meeting with your guide we start the tour of Bucharest. The city was
first mentioned in 1459 and established by the vallachian prince Vlad
Tepes, the „Impaler“. During the roundtrip we take a first stop at the
Revolution Place (Royal Palace, Romanian Atheneum, former headquarters
of the Communist Party) and then visit the Peoples Palace. Transfer to
the hotel, dinner and overnight.
Day 8: Bucharest - Sibiu (300 km/ 186
miles):
After taking breakfast drive through the Baragan plane to Curtea de
Arges. Here we visit one of the most beautiful orthodox monasteries in
Romania, built in the “Brancovenesc” architecture. Lunch break in
Curtea de Arges. Along the Olt river we pass the Southern Carpathians
and arrive in Transylvania in Sibiu/Hermannstadt city. The town will be
2007 European Capital of Culture. We drive afterwards to the village of
Sibiel, a traditional community of sheppards. We take a ride in a horse
carriage and visit the unique glass icon museum. Traditional dinner at
family. Back to Sibiu, check/in for 2 nights.
Day 9: Sibiu – Cisnadie – Cisnadioara
- Sibiu (80 km/ 50 miles):
During the morning we take a city tour of Sibiu. The Town was for
centuries the cultural and economical centre of the german minority,
the so called Transylvanian Saxons. The town was at the same time a
place where many cultural groups lived together. The highlights of the
tour are: the Large Square with its Brukenthalmuseum, catholic church
and the council tower, the Small Square with the Luxemburg House, Liars
Bridge and House of Arts, the Huet Square with the evangelic Cathedral
as well as the Stairs and Goldsmith passages. In the afternoon we visit
the fortified churches in Cisnadie/Heltau and Cisnadioara/Michelsberg.
In the typical Saxon village we visit the medieval fortress and enjoy
our dinner with Transylvanian specialities.
Day 10: Sibiu - Sighisoara (150 km/ 93
miles):
Today we drive towards North through Transylvanian villages which
developed along the main road. First we visit the ruins of the
fortified church in Stolzenburg. Next stop is Medias, here we visit the
Marageretenkirche with its beautiful altar. Last visit is in Biertan;
the impressive fortified church is a UNESCO protected monument.
Afterwards we arrive in Sighisoara. City tour in the medieval fortress
which is today’s historical centre also enlisted as world heritage. We
visit the Clock Tower and take dinner in Draculas Birth house, now a
traditional restaurant.
Day 11: Sighisoara - Sinaia (190 km/
118 miles):
Our trip starts with a 2 hours drive to Brasov/Kronstadt. The town is
the former „crown town“ of Transylvania and had until few years ago a
important German minority. During the city tour we visit the Black
Church and the Council Tower in the central place. From the Graft Tower
you will have a good panoramic view over the old centre. After a short
lunch break we drive on to Bran, here we visit the Dracula Castle, a
former residence of the royal family. We pass the Carpathians one more
time at Predeal and drive through Prahova valley to Sinaia. Dinner and
overnight.
Day 12: Sinaia – Constanta - Mamaia
(330 km/ 205 miles):
The day starts with a visit of the Peles Palace. It was built as a
summer palace under King Carol I. in the arhitecture of the
Hohenzollern Castle in Hechingen. The tour goes on passing the
oil fields near Ploiesti and through the Baragan plane. After crossing
the Danube at Harsova we drive along the oldest mountains (Dobrogei) in
Romania, today just smooth hills due to millenniums of erosion. Late in
the afternoon we arrive in Mamaia, near the harbour city of Constanta.
Dinner and accommodation for 2 nights.
Day 13: Mamaia – Constanta - Mamaia
(50 km/ 31 miles):
Today we take a break. Its up to you if you just enjoy the sun and sea
and relax or take the opportunity of some water sports in Mamaia. For
those who want we offer in the afternoon a short trip to Constanta for
a old city tour. Dinner at the hotel.
Day 14: Mamaia - Constanta -
Durankulak - Varna (ca. 70 + 120 km/ 118 miles):
That day you will travel along the Black Sea coastline. At first you
are transferred to the Romanian-Bulgarian border at Vama Veche –
Durankulak. There ends your Romanian Tour. You will travel from
Durankulak to Varna. On the way you will visit the Kaliakra Cape with
the medieval fortress and the Balchik Palace with the Botanical Garden.
Supper with traditional Bulgarian cuisine and a folklore performance.
Overnight in Varna.
Day 15: A city tour if the time
allows it (orthodox churches and the cathedral, Sea Garden). Transfer
to the Airport where you will take your flight home.
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Group size: min 10; max 20 REMARKS: |
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Lucky Tours Co.
PO Box 7, 4023 Plovdiv, Bulgaria
Tel: +359 32 649-785
FAX: +359 32 650-270
E-mail: AGeorgiev@gmx.de
Send mail to AGeorgiev@gmx.de with questions or comments about this web site. Last modified: January 8, 2019