Kutrubes Travel: Tour of Romania and Bulgaria

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Tours to The Balkans

Combined Tour of Romania and Bulgaria
9 days/8 nights

2010 Tour Dates:
Anytime. Contact us and let us know when you'd like to go.

Combined Romania and Bulgaria Tour offers travelers a chance to explore two different cultures in the Balkans that share the Danube River and the Black Sea. With its majestic castles, medieval towns, stunning scenery, unspoiled by mass-tourism Romania offers a perfect blend of Roman, French and Turkish culture. Bulgaria lies at the crossroads of Europe in the heart of the Balkan Peninsula. In the 6th century Slavs arrived and became peaceful farmers, establishing a feudal system of communal land ownership. Fierce Turkic tribes migrating from Asia arrived in Bulgaria in 679 AD The Bulgaro-Central Asians were eventually assimilated by the more numerous Slavs and adopted their language and way of life. Explore these Balkan States with us in 2010 and experience their natural scenic beauty, heritage, culture and the warmth of the people. Combine this tour with a visit to Albania, Kosova, Macedonia, Croatia, Bosnia, Slovenia and Serbia.

Day 1:
Arrival in Romania at Bucharest Otopeni International Airport. Transfer to your hotel. Bucharest was founded by the shepherd named Bucur. It is located on the plains between the Carpathian foothills and the Danube River. Take advantage of the friendly environment of the modern city and stroll the main boulevards. Welcome Dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight in Bucharest.

Day 2:
After breakfast, the city tour of Bucharest starts with the visit to the ruins of the Old Princely Court a palace that existed during the time of Vlad the Impaler Dracula between 1456 and 1476. Continue to the Palace of the Parliament conceived on the largest scale possible by Ceausescu and left unfinished at the time of his execution. Proceed to Curtea de Arges, which was Vlad the Impaler's capital in the 15th century. Continue on to visit the Monastery and Mason Manole's fountain and the Cozia Monastery. Continue to Sibiu for overnight at a 3* hotel.

Day 3:
Sibiu built on the site of the Roman village of Cibinum dates from 1192 where it was first mentioned in historic documents, Sibiu is renowned for its well-preserved medieval walled city center that was built to protect it from invading foes. The Gothic architecture of Sibiu is quite unique from the Catholic Cathedral to the "Liars Bridge." Continue to Sighisoara, the best-preserved 15th century medieval citadel still inhabited today. After exploration of Sighisoara we continue to Brasov, one of the largest medieval towns in Transylvania colored with blacken stone buildings, red brick chimneys and colored roofs. Overnight in a 3*hotel in the Bran area.

Day 4:
Visit Bran Castle built on a cliff dominating the whole region. In 1920 it was donated to royal family as a summer residence and Queen Maria transformed it into a romantic castle. Continue to the winter ski resort of Sinaia at the foot of the Bucegi Mountains for a visit to Peles Castle, the former summer residence of the royal family. Peles Castle with its 106 rooms is said to be among the finest castles in all of Europe with ornate woodwork, chandeliers and terraced gardens. Overnight in Sinaia.

Day 5:
After breakfast leave Sinaia for Bucharest train station for your transfer to Ruse in Bulgaria. You will be met by an English-speaking guide and transferred to your hotel. Dinner and overnight in Ruse.

Day 6:
After breakfast, visit rock carved Ivanovo Monastery (UNESCO site) on the way to Veliko Tarnovo, capital of Bulgaria's Second State from the 12th to the 14th centuries. The 5000 old city has a picturesque location on the banks of the meandering Yantra River. On the Tsarevetz Hill there are the relics of the mighty fortress of the Bulgarian monarchs. After touring the city, lunch in Arbanasi. Its five churches are unique, striking the visitor by the contrast between their austere outside appearance and the richness and originality of the mural paintings decorating their interior walls. Continue to Etara where we visit the open-air folk art museum and then drive to Kazanlak where we visit the Thracian Tomb (UNESCO site). Drive to Plovdiv for dinner and overnight.

Day 7:
Sightseeing in ancient parts of Plovdiv. Beautifully situated on six hills rising in the Plain of Thrace, Plovdiv combines a wealth of monuments from past epochs with the bustle of a modern city. Among Plovdiv's greatest assets are the Thracian fortress crowning one of the hills, the impressive Ancient Theatre from the Roman times in the 2nd century and the splendid National Revival houses of the 19th century fringing the narrow streets of the Old Town. Transfer to Rila Monastery (UNESCO site). After lunch drive to Sofia for dinner and overnight.

Day 8:
After breakfast full day tour of Sofia including Boyana Church (UNESCO site). Visit the archaeological complex, St. George's Rotunda of the 4th century, containing the oldest mural paintings in Sofia, St. Alexander Nevsky's Cathedral housing Bulgaria's most valuable icons and History Museum. Dinner with folklore show and overnight in Sofia.

Day 9:
Transfer to Sofia airport.

TOUR PRICE:

Land Cost Per Person:
(based on a 3*star hotel and double occupancy)

4 travelers: $2846.00
2 travelers: $4184.00
1 traveler: $5307.00

Single supplement: $549.00

Kutrubes Travel has SPECIAL AIRFARES - Contact us for details.

Price Includes:

Accommodations
Lunches and dinners as per itinerary
Licensed English-speaking tour guide
Transportation by modern car/minibus
Transfers from/to airport and transfers to Bucharest train station
First class train tickets from Bucharest to Ruse
Transfers from Ruse train station to hotel in Ruse

Price Does Not Include:

Airfare (unless otherwise arranged)
Departure and custom fees
Gratuities and individual daily expenses
Additional beverages
Travel insurance
Trip cancellation
Medical and luggage insurance are recommended for coverage against all unforeseen circumstances

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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