Travel to Romania and Bulgaria

"The Historian" Tour

Bulgaria and Romania
10 days/9 nights

2008 Departure Dates:
March 21, 28
April 4, 11, 18
May 9, 23
June 6, 13
July 4
August 8, 22
September 5, 19
October 3, 24
November 7, 14

Other dates available upon request except arrival into Sophia on Sundays and Mondays.

The novel, The Historian, Kostova's first, appeared on the New York Times bestseller list during the summer and fall of 2005, and it was named the 2006 Book Sense "Book of the Year" in the Adult Fiction Category.

While nominally a modern re-telling of the Dracula story, The Historian delves deeply into the nature of history and its relevance to today's world. The movie is in the shooting process and will come out in 2008.

The tale is a mixture of culture, fiction and history, all in a spiritual journey as well as physical one. Dive into a medieval world that Vlad the Impaler (Dracula) once ruled with despotism and butchery close at hand. Explore the mountains of savage beauty, ancient castles, and the lure of werewolves and witches on our magical journey of Bulgaria and Romania.

Day 1: Sofia, Bulgaria
Arrival to Sofia International Airport. Meet and greet by your English-speaking tour guide. Orientation tour on the way to your hotel. Check in and time at leisure. In the evening enjoy a Bulgarian Welcome Dinner. Accommodation at Sofia Princess Hotel**** (D)

Day 2: Sofia - Rila Monastery - Plovdiv
Buffet breakfast - In the morning enjoy a city tour of Sofia including the National History Museum and the Alexander Nevski Cathedral and more. Departure for Rila Monastery (UNESCO), famous for it's unrivaled architecture and murals. Later drive to Plovdiv for an orientation tour of this ancient settlement. Hotel check-in. Accommodation in Plovdiv at Dafi Hotel*** (B, D)

Day 3: Plovdiv - Bachkovo - Kazanlak - Veliko Tarnovo
Buffet breakfast - This morning take a guided walking tour of Plovdiv's Old Town including the Roman Amphitheatre. Journey to Assenova Fortress and then continue to the famous Batchkovo Monastery in the Rodopi Mountains for a guided visit of the monastery. Later journey north via Kazanlak in the Valley of Roses and the scenic Shipka peak to Veliko Tarnovo, the ancient capital of the medieval Bulgarian Kingdom. Check in. Dinner in a local restaurant. Accommodation in Veliko Tarnovo at Gurko Hotel*** (or similar but as centrally located) (B)

Day 4: Veliko Tarnovo - Ruse, Bulgaria - Bucharest, Romania
Hot buffet breakfast at hotel. Morning sightseeing tour of Veliko Tarnovo (partly on foot), including stops at the historical Tsarevets Hill with the remains of the Royal Palace, the Patriarchate and the Fortress Gates. Stroll through the Samovodska Market Place. Visit pastry cooks, master goldsmiths, potters, and carvers still pursuing their ancient crafts. Transfer to the large port of Ruse for an orientation tour before your train departs for Bucharest. Arrive to the capital of Romania at 7:20 pm. Your Romanian tour guide will pick you up at the train and transfer you to the hotel. Accommodation in Bucharest at Opera Hotel*** (centrally located boutique hotel) (B)

Day 5: Bucharest - Curtea de Arges - Poienari Fortress - Cozia - Sibiu
Buffet breakfast - Morning orientation tour of Bucharest. Then drive to Curtea de Arges for a brief stop at the former Princely Court. Continue north to the famous Fortress of Poienari - the first Romanian site mentioned in the book and related to Vlad the Impaler - Dracula. This is the actual castle built by Vlad Dracula. Drive along the picturesque Olt River Canyon, and cross the mountains into Transylvania observing the changes of the village architecture. Reach Sibiu. Overnight in Sibiu's famous Romans' Emperor Hotel, first built at the end of the 18th century. A Welcome Dinner is at Crama Sibiul Vechi, one of the best restaurants in town, serving all Transylvanian dishes and the local Ausbruch wine. Accommodation in Sibiu at Imparatul Romanilor Hotel **** (B, D)

Day 6: Sibiu - Sighisoara
Buffet breakfast - Start your day with a leisurely walking tour of Sibiu. Visit the old surrounding defense walls and the remaining towers each belonging to a certain guild. One of the landmarks of Sibiu is the Bruckenthal Museum assembled by baron Bruckenthal, governor of Transylvania at the beginning of the 19th century. Visit the Evangelical Cathedral was completed in 1520. It was here that in 1510 the son of Vlad, Mihnea the Bd was stabbed to death. Continue to the Passage of Stairs linking the Upper town to the Lower town, the 1859 Liar's Bridge and the Byzantine style Orthodox Cathedral. In the afternoon drive to Sighisoara (UNESCO). Accommodation at hotel in the Upper Town known as the "Citadel." Tonight dinner is included at the actual birthplace of Vlad Dracula. Accommodation in Sighisoara at Hotel Sighisoara*** (In the Upper Town) (B, D)

Day 7: Sighisoara
Buffet breakfast - Before starting your walking tour of old Sighisoara attend a lecture on Vlad the Impaler -Dracula, what is truth and what is fiction. A World Heritage Site, this is the only still inhabited medieval citadel in Europe. Sighisoara was founded by the German settlers as of late 12 C and stands on a network of tunnels and catacombs. 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, the Torture Chamber and the Weapon Museum. Sighisoara is also the place where the famous Vlad the Impaler Dracula was born in 1431. The rest of the day is at leisure or optional 20-mile drive to Biertan (UNESCO). Plum brandy tasting in one of the nearby distilleries. Dinner on your own. Accommodation in Sighisoara at Hotel Sighisoara *** (B)

Day 8: Sighisoara - Brasov - Dracula's Castle in Bran - Sinaia
Buffet breakfast - Leave Sighisoara in the morning and journey south to Brasov. The city tour includes visits to the Black Church. The main focus of the day is the well-known Bran Castle also known as Dracula Castle. Built in 1377 to safeguard the trading route between Transylvania and Wallachia. Late afternoon arrival in the Sinaia mountain resort. Orientation tour includes a famous Casino inspired by the one in Monte Carlo. The famous Orient Express still calls here once a year on its way from Paris to Constantinople. Accommodation in Sinaia at Palace Hotel **** (B)

Day 9: Sinaia - Snagov Island - Bucharest
Buffet breakfast - In the morning visit Peles Castle and Gardens in Sinaia, one of the most important tourist attractions of Romania. This castle alone is worth your entire trip. On the way to Bucharest make a detour to the Lake and Island of Snagov where Vlad the Impaler Dracula is buried. Cross the lake on a rowboat and meet the abbot of the monastery. In the afternoon arrive in Bucharest. The panoramic tour includes the Arch of Triumph, the Revolution Square and the Old Princely Court (Dracula's official residence in Bucharest). On the way to your hotel. In the evening enjoy a Romanian Farewell Dinner with folklore show at Pescarus Restaurant on the shore of Herastrau Lake. Accommodation in Bucharest at Hotel Opera*** (B, D)

Day 10: Bucharest
Buffet breakfast - If time permits, visit the Palace of the Parliament - the second largest building in the World after the Pentagon. Transfer to Coanda International Airport in Bucharest for your return flight. (B)

TOUR PRICE: (per person, double occupancy)

May through October:
2 - 3 travelers: $2587
4 - 6 travelers: $2144

March, April and November:
2 - 3 travelers: $2615
4 - 6 travelers: $2205

Single supplement: $446

Price Includes:

9 nights at three and four star hotels (all centrally located)
Fully insured sedan/minivan with climate control, for the entire distance
Fuel and parking fees included
All sightseeing tours and cultural connections
Vlad the Impaler - Dracula lecture in Sighisoara
14 meals: 9 breakfasts, 5 dinners (including the Welcome and Farewell Dinners)
Professional English speaking guides (driving) to accompany you throughout (guides are natives of their countries)
City tours of Sofia, Bulgaria and Bucharest, Romania
Plum brandy and sausage tasting in Transylvania
Guides' expenses
All airport and railway station transfers
Admissions to museums, sites, churches as per itinerary
Train ticket between Ruse, Bulgaria and Bucharest, Romania
Porterage (except for customs areas)
VAT and local tax
Detailed maps of Bulgaria and Romania

You'll visit 3 UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Rila Monastery, Bulgaria, Historic Centres of Sighisoara and Sibiu, Romania, Biertan Fortified Church, Romania

Price Does Not Include:

Other meals than stated
Alcoholic beverages
Photo/video fees at sites, museums, etc.
Gratuities

Payment and Refund Policies

If you have any questions or you'd like to book this trip, please contact us.

Custom itineraries available to this or any of the destinations we travel to.

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