Timeless Charms of Bulgaria

Transcription

1 930 Irwin Street, Suite 222, San Rafael, CA Phone: CST Permit # Bulgaria and Romania Guaranteed Departures 2018 April 6-23, May 9-26, May 29-June 15, June 10-27, June 22-July 9, July 11-28, August 2-19, August 24-September 11, September 7-25, October 1-18 April 6 tour includes Orthodox Easter in Bulgaria; May 8 tour includes Whit Sunday in Romania; May 29 tour includes Rose Festival in Bulgaria; June 22 tour follows our Albania Tours October 1 tour follows Albania, Balkans Explorer & Comprehensive tours Experience Bulgarian and Romanian traditions and culture in scenic countryside; visit the unique painted monasteries with amazing frescoes; enjoy the exquisite taste of the region s cuisine and its fine wines. Rila Monastery Mural Highlights of the Tour cultural and historic monuments museums & art galleries Bulgarian icon-painting heritage colorful traditional clothing the unique painted monasteries and wooden churches of Bucovina Medieval Transylvania the natural beauty of the mountains UNESCO List of World Heritage Sites included on our tour: Boyana Church Rila Monastery Kazanluk Tomb Ivanovo Rock Churches Historical Center of Sibiu Sighisoara Upper Town Villages with fortified churches of South Transylvania Wooden Churches of Maramures Exterior painted Monasteries of Bucovina Neamt Citadel

2 Timeless Charms of Bulgaria Nestling at the heart of Central Europe and occupying the eastern part of the Balkan Peninsula, Bulgaria is a land of unspoiled natural beauty, where time has been known to stand still. To the north it borders Romania, to the west the Republic of Macedonia and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, to the east the Black Sea, to the south Greece and to the southeast Turkey. The topography is extremely varied: large plains and lowlands, low and high mountains, valleys and lovely gorges. Day 1 Arrival in Sofia. Transfer to the hotel, 10 km 30 min. Detailed Itinerary Day 2 Sofia (B, D) You will be picked up at the hotel at 9 am and drive to St. Nedelya Square where we start our 2.5 hour walking city tour. The tour includes the 4th century St. George Rotunda-- a fine monument of Roman architecture, the St. Sophia early Christian basilica, 6th century, which gave the city its name, and the Alexander Nevsky Memorial Cathedral with its golden domes, impressive interior, exquisite murals, icons and colorful mosaics. We also visit the Spanish-Moresque style synagogue and Jewish Museum, as well as the memorial commemorating the Saving of the Bulgarian Jews. The synagogue, the church Sveta Nedelya, and the only surviving active mosque in town - are all facing each other. The afternoon tour starts with a visit to the 13th century Boyana Church, included in the UNESCO List of World Heritage Sites. Afterwards, a visit to the National History Museum, which houses an excellent collection of Bulgarian artifacts.. This is followed by a tour of Mountain Vitosha. We ll drive up the mountain to the Golden Bridges and enjoy the beauty of the Stone River a ribbon of huge boulders running down the mountain side that was once the moraine of an ancient glacier. This evening, pick up from the hotel at 7 pm for dinner at a local restaurant. Day 3 Rila Monastery-Rozhen Monastery-Melnick (B,L) April 8 is Orthodox Easter Drive 2 hrs to the 10th century colorfully-painted Rila Monastery, also in the UNESCO List of World Heritage Sites. We shall also see the 14th century Hrelyo Tower, the five-domed Birth of the Blessed Virgin Church (the original monastery kitchens from the 19th century are closed for restoration). The monastery houses a rich museum collection of valuable old manuscripts and documents, charters and icons, an ethnographic exhibition of fabrics, jewelry, carpets and wrought iron objects, and a library containing more than 16,000 books. Four to five monks still live here. During Orthodox Easter, we will attend the service at Rila Monastery and observe the local people dressed in their finest. Drive to 12-13th century Rozhen Monastery (1.5 hrs), with its Blessed Virgin Church, decorated with over 150 biblical scenes. We have lunch at a local restaurant on the way. Afterwards, we drive about 30 minutes to the charming museum town of Melnik, surrounded by strangely-shaped sandstone rocks. We visit the Manolev's wine-cellar, dug into sandstone rocks on top of a hill above town. We will walk thru the cellar and sit outside for a fine view! For those that wish, several types of wines can been tasted and bought (pay direct, approx. 26 euro). Day 4 Bansko-Plodiv (B, L) Morning visit to Kordopulova House, a local historical museum and some time to walk about town. The Kordopulova House was built in 1758 and it is named after the wine merchant Manolis Kordopulov to whom it once belonged. The curious fact about the house is that it is supposed to be the biggest residential building on the Balkan Peninsula from the Revival Period. The pearl of the house is the reception room, having twenty-four windows with Venetian stained glass facing the four directions of the world. What can also be seen is fine wood carvings and drawn ornaments on cupboards and ceilings. Another notable part of the Kordopulova House is the enormous wine cellar, equipped with special canals and ventilation. At present, the house is a museum that is open daily from 8:00 am - 8:00 pm. Drive to the museum town of Bansko (1.5 hrs) to experience Bulgarian culture and ancient architecture. We ll stroll the cobblestone streets and visit the Holy Trinity Church built in the 19th century and known for its interior wood carvings and murals painted by local artists. Lunch stop at a traditional family owned restaurant, en-route. Drive to Plovdiv (2.5 hrs), famous for its Old Town with distinctive revival architecture popular among 18th-19th century

3 merchants. Plovdiv is Bulgaria s second largest city, one of the most colorful towns in Bulgaria and one of the oldest in Europe. No one can tell exactly when the foundation stone was laid here, although it must have been over 5000 years ago. Its location, astride the Maritsa River and its six hills, which are prominent features on the Thracian plain, indicates the strategic significance of the city. Here the Hills meet the Valley and the River... and irresistible charm of this city is delightful. As we approach Plodiv we will view from the road the Bachkovo Monastery, rising amidst the green slopes of the Rhodopes Mountains. We will visit it tomorrow. We suggest dinner at Hebros, excellent cuisine, service and ambiance; they often have jazz in evenings (pay direct). Reservations are a must. Tell your guide at least 1 day in advance if you want to go and he will make the reservation for you. Day 5 Full day in and around Plodiv. (B, L) Morning city sightseeing includes the old town, the 2nd century Roman Theater, Ethnographic Museum, The Holy Virgin Church and others. A walk around the Three Hills is like traveling back in time. We will also have an excursion outside the city to the Bachkovo Monastery. Founded in 1083 by Grigorii Bacuriani, a military commander in the Byzantine Empire, it boasts a rich museum collection and a library containing valuable manuscripts in a lovely setting. Lunch in the garden of a traditional restaurant called Puldih, built from the Roman fortified wall in Old Town (pending availability, as sometimes they are closed for special events). If this restaurant is closed we will go to another very nice traditional restaurant. This afternoon we will visit workshops of local artisans to learn about Bulgarian crafts, especially pottery. Afterwards, visits to Orthodox churches (the St. Constantine and Helena Church). The rest of the day is independent time to stroll the quaint town. In the evening, there are often special events at the amphitheater from late May though September-October. You may elect to attend such an event optionally (extra fee) should there be one during your visit. Day 6 Koprivshtitsa-Valley of Roses (Kazanlak)-Veliko Turnovo (B,L) June 3 is Rose Festival Depart at 9 am driving north (approx 1.5 hrs) to the village Koprivshtitsa, known for its international folklore festival which occurs once every five years, bringing together over 12,000 performers from all over Bulgaria, making it one of the biggest festivals in Europe! Continue driving 1.5 hours to Kazanlak is the main city of the Rose Valley, recently known as the Valley of the Thracian Kings. The region around Kazanlak is dotted with dozens of Thracian burial mounds. Here, in summer 2004 Prof. Kitov and a team of fellow archaeologists unearthed an ancient gold funeral mask that they say is as important a discovery as the treasures of Agamemnon and Tutankhamen. This extremely precious discovery is displayed in the local museum. Sightseeing tour in Kazanlak includes: the Tyulbe (small 15th century Islamic mausoleum), Museum of the Rose and the replica of Kazanlak Tomb from the late 4th early 3rd century B.C. which is on the UNESCO World Heritage List of Sites. The funeral objects and frescoes depicting hunting scenes and the funeral suggest that a Tracian king was probably buried here. The frescoes here are the finest masterpieces of Tracian art discovered to date. The original tomb is housed in a special building and not available for tourists viewing. During the Rose Festival, we skip the visit to Koprivshtitsa as we need to get to Kazanlak in the morning. We will depart at 6:30 am to reach the rose fields for the rose picking ritual at 8:30 am. We drive through the Valley of the Roses, along the Balkan Range to Banya and Kazanlak (approx 1.5 hr). We will participate in rose picking. There will be a folkloric show with music in the rose fields. Young girls dressed in traditional attire decorate each guest with rose garlands that they plaited the previous night so they are very fresh. You can join the horo dance. We then go to the main square in Kazanlak where the Rose Queen Parade will start at 12 noon. We have reserved seats and will mix with the local crowd, see the carnival and enjoy the spirit of the festival. We will enjoy a picnic lunch with wine and another folkloric show. NOTE: often in June the weather is rainy here- great for the roses, but we pray for sun for you! Continue on to Etar (30 min) in the town of Gabrovo to visit the Ethnographic Open-air Village Museum. Everything surrounding the visitor brings him or her back to the period of the Bulgarian Revival with numerous workshops where even today the craftsmen work, using the same instruments and techniques as the past. You can talk to the craftsmen, watch them work and can even try to make something yourself. Drive onward to Veliko Turnovo (50 min), the capital city of the second Bulgarian Kingdom (12-14th c.). Optional-Based on operation/additional cost: Attend evening Sound and Light show, starts after sunset, approx 9:30 pm.

4 Day 7 Veliko Tarnovo, Tsarevets and Arbanassi.- Bucharest (B) Depart at 8:30 am for the tour of Tsarevets, the place of the patriarchal church and Tzar's royal palaces, the hill where Bauldwin s Tower still rises. (Bulgarian Tzar Kaloyan defeated the army of the Latin Emperor Baldwin of Flanders, who was taken prisoner and kept in the tower until his death.) Onward to Arbanassi, a charming medieval village rich with 17th century architecture. It was the summer residence of boyars (nobility) of the medieval capital city of Tarnovo. The 300 years old houses from the period of the Bulgarian Renaissance together with the five magnificent churches dating back to 17th century, decorated with unique paintings and wood carving are of great interest. Next, we will view Trapezitsa from Tsarevets Hill - where the foundations of 17 medieval churches were discovered and the original Samovodene Market stood. This market has been brought back to life and, as in olden times, skillful craftsmen fashion and sell exquisite objects in the small restored workshops. We will drive 1.5 hr to Rousse, en-route visit another UNESCO site - Ivanovo Rock churches near Rousse. We will have a short stop for lunch in Ruse (pay direct). Continue 100 km (approx 2 hrs, depending on traffic and border crossing time) to Bucharest. We plan to arrive in Bucharest by about 4 pm. Our Romania guide will meet you at reception desk and facilitate your check-in. Romania Myths and Magic Castles, Painted Monasteries & Folklore Day 8 Bucharest (B, D) Explore Bucharest s history, architecture and cultural sites. In the morning, a panoramic tour including a visit to the outdoor Village Museum and the Museum of the Romanian Peasant, which has a wonderful collection of traditional crafts, folk arts, ceramics and textiles. We will also visit the Great Synagogue, built in 1845, restored in It nowadays hosts an exhibition entitled The Memorial of Jewish Martyrs Chief Rabbi Dr. Mozes Rosen. During the late 1980s, just like many churches in the area, this synagogue was virtually surrounded by concrete buildings, so as to hide it from public sight. It still hosts weekend religious services, being one of the few active synagogues in the city and in Romania. This afternoon, a visit to the Palace of Parliament, Revolution Square, Patriarch's Cathedral and a walk in the historic area. Please note: we often have to wait a bit to get into Palace of Parliament as tours are conducted in groups and there is a

5 limited number of English speaking guides. We appreciate your patience. Welcome dinner at a local restaurant. Day 9 Bucharest Sibiu (288 km, 179 miles) (B) Crossing the Carpathians to Sibiu, we drive along the picturesque Olt Valley to the Cozia Monastery, one of the oldest monasteries in Romania, built in Arrive in Sibiu, around noon. Check in and lunch on your own. Sibiu is one of the oldest Saxon towns in Transylvania - formerly Hermannstadt founded by the Saxon colonists and once the richest town of Transylvania). Day 10 Sibiu (B,L) This morning a guided walking tour of the medieval town, a very pretty town with cobblestone streets and pastel houses; 15-16th century town squares, Podul Mincinosilor (the Liars Bridge) and old city walls. We shall view the Evangelical Church from the outside, visit the oldest art museum in the country, the Bruckental Palace Museum. We shall have an early lunch and enjoy a horse and carriage ride thru the open-air museum of Astra, also know as the Museum of Traditional Folk Civilizations (largest open air museum of Romania). This afternoon we will visit traditional villages nearby including Cisnadie & Cisnadioara with their beautiful fortified Saxon churches and the mountain village of Sibiel to visit the painted glass icon museum a unique Romanian art. Day 11 Sibiu Biertan Sighisoara (B) Departure to Sighisoara, en-route we visit the village of Biertan with its local fortified Saxon Church, a UNESCO site. Sighisoara is one of the greatest medieval cities left in the world, with a walled citadel on the hilltop, secret gateways and passages, a 14th century Clock Tower and also the birthplace of Prince Vlad Tepes (Dracula). It is the best-preserved and continuously inhabited medieval city of Europe. Upon arrival, free time for lunch on your own. There are many outdoor cafes, all within a block or two walking distance from our hotel. In the afternoon, we enjoy a leisurely walking exploration of the sights. Overnight accommodation inside the old fortress walls in Sighisoara. Day 12 Vadu Izei Village - (Iza Valley) (B, D) (May 20 Whit Sunday) Tour with Whit Sunday: Pentecost is a prominent feast in the Christian liturgical year commemorating the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the disciples of Christ after the Resurrection of Jesus. The feast is also called Whit Sunday, Whitsun, or Whit. Pentecost is celebrated seven weeks (50 days) after Easter Sunday, hence its name. Pentecost falls on the tenth day after Ascension Thursday. Pentecost is historically and symbolically related to the Jewish harvest festival of Shavuot, which commemorates God giving the Ten Commandments at Mount Sinai fifty days after the Exodus. We shall visit the Sighisoara Orthodox Church in the morning to witness a bit of the services. Today we drive to Maramures, the land of wooden churches and carved wooden gates, unique folk costumes and traditions, where ancient Romania coexists with modern times. During our drive, we will see local people decked out in their finest traditional clothing. The women in their puffy skirts and kerchiefs all walking together are a wonderful sight! On the way, we visit The Palace of Culture and the stunning stained glass windows in Targu Mures and stop at a local restaurant for lunch (pay direct). The drive continues through the enchanting countryside to the village of Vadu Izei, Iza Valley, where you can experience local peasant life. This evening, a dinner with "ceterasi" - local violin players. Overnight at a charming guesthouse in the village. NOTE: If you do not fancy staying in a village guesthouse, there is an option to overnight in a small hotel about 20 minute drive from the village. Additional Surcharge. You will still visit the village and enjoy dinner and music.

6 Day 13 Maramures (B, D) Attend Whit Sunday services/the Monday following at the village church. Maramures is the best place to see all the celebrations. Villagers decorate their homes and gates with linden tree, poplar and oak branches. They make crowns made of elderberry and wheat, which youngsters will later wear at their weddings. They are also in the habit of cracking linden tree leaves (making lots of noise) to scare away the bad spirits. There are celebrations for the dead. We cannot say for sure how many of these customs we will see, but we will definitely get into the celebratory atmosphere with the locals. Morning: a walking tour of the village including a visit to an icon-on-glass workshop (learn about the technique), the local ancient plum brandy distillery and a typical whirlpool still used by the local women to wash heavy woolen blankets. Vadu Izei has a brand-new Orthodox church that is quite fascinating. Afterwards, we depart for a full day tour of the Maramures region including the Sighetul Marmatiei, Calinesti and Desesti wooden churches (part of the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage sites) as well as the unique Merry Cemetery in Sapanta Village. We visit one of the local markets and mingle with the colorful crowds wearing traditional folk-costumes and observe their centuries-old traditions. Return to Vadu Izei for dinner and overnight. Day 14 Maramures-Bucovina: Gura Humorului (B, L) Drive through the scenic Oriental Carpathians (currently Prislop Pass is very damaged) to the Bucovina region, renowned for the wondrously detailed exterior frescoes on the walls of its monasteries/ churches. On the way, we will admire the superb wooden architecture of Barsana monastery and the 18th century Rozavlea wooden church, with its beautifully preserved interior paintings. We will stop for lunch either in Bistrita or the Borgo Pass. Based On Availability: We visit the home of Letitia, a very talented egg painter. Letitia lives in the village of Vama. She is a designer by training and also teaches school. Born in Vama, she graduated from university in Iasi and lived in Bucharest for a time. She returned to her village many years ago and learned how to paint eggs, this being a local custom. She is very talented and her eggs, three or four times the price of the average ones, are of the finest quality. She has gained international recognition and has a collection of painted eggs from all over the world exhibited at her home. Transfer to hotel. Evening at leisure. Day 15 Bucovina (B,L) Visit the famous painted monasteries of northern Moldova - part of the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Sites- in their construction and painting order, following the evolution of the architecture and painting: Voronet, Moldovita, Sucevita and Humor. The Voronet Monastery, built in 1488, is one of the most beautiful and dubbed the "Sistine Chapel of the East. Moldovita Monastery is where the UNESCO Golden Apple award is kept that was given to the painted churches back in On the south facade of Moldovita is The Siege of Constantinople, belonging to the 24 episodes of the Hymn to the Holy Virgin. Sucevita is the largest of all, looking more like a mighty fortress than a monastery. The Ladder of John of Sinai is considered one of the best of the frescoes of Sucevita, rarely present in medieval Romanian art. Humor Monastery was painted by Toma of Suceava in 1530, and lacks the tower. Additionally, we shall visit the Black Pottery Workshop in Marginea Village. Lunch at Popas Turistic Bucovina, a charming and excellent Moldavian restaurant, 3.5 km (2.2 miles) south of Sucevita, in the heart of the Carpathian Mountains. Day 16 Bucovina-Targu Neamt- Piatra Neamt-Brasov (B,L)

7 Visit the 15th century Neamt Citadel (15 min walk uphill) and the 15th century Neamt Monastery. Departure across the mountains to Brasov through the spectacular Bicaz Gorges - Bicaz Lake (largest lake in Romania and a breathtaking 25 mile drive) the Red Lake Miercurea Ciuc. Lunch at Lacu Rosu Restaurant by Red Lake. Arrival in Brasov around 6 pm. Evening stroll and relax on the pedestrian only plaza of old town. There are many great restaurants and beer gardens to choose from. Day 17 Brasov-Bran-Sinaia-Bucharest (210km) (The pageant of Juni is April 15) (B,L) Enjoy a guided walking tour in the historical center of Brasov (formerly Kronstadt) including the Black Church, the largest gothic structure between Vienna and Istanbul; admiring its great collection of oriental carpets. Afterwards a brief time to explore on your own. Juni takes place in the Schei Quarter of Brasov - this is where the Romanians used to live in the Middle Ages. It starts in the morning and continues through the afternoon. The event includes a procession/ceremony which blends elements of myth, rites, ceremony and magic. There are 7 categories of Juni, that are part of this carnival, all in very colorful costumes, most of them on horseback. They proceed from Schei - the old Romanian Quarter and ride to the center of town and into the Great Square. It is a very old custom from the times of the Dacians and is related to an old pagan ritual when winter is over and spring begins. The changing of cycles: sun wins over frost. Next, a 30 minute drive to visit Dracula s Castle in Bran. Lunch in Bran at Popasul Reginei Restaurant. We then drive one hour across the mountains to Sinaia, a well-known ski resort nicknamed the Pearl of the Carpathians, admiring the old Saxon fortified churches en-route. We will visit the Sinaia Monastery, the oldest building in town (1695) and built in the typical "Brancovenesc" architectural style (reminiscent of Mogosoaia Palace). Afterwards, a short 15 minute drive to visit the fabulous Peles Castle former summer royal residence of King Charles I of Romania and known as one of the most beautiful summer royal residences in Europe (ground floor only/best part). Note: Visitors are required to join an official guided tour, one cannot go through independently. There are a limited number of guides at the palace and we are not allowed to make reservations in advance. Hence there can be a wait to enter. After this tour, it s about two hours drive south to Bucharest. Day 18 Depart Bucharest Transfer to the airport. (B) Price: $4045 per person based on min 4 people. Single Room Supplement: $485 Supplement Option of hotel in town rather than guesthouse in village: $65 per person twin share. Single room supplement: $48. Rose Festival supplement: $45 includes rose picking, reserved seating for the parade, folklore show Includes: airport transfers on arrival/departure dates of the tour) all transportation during the program: 4-6 people 8 seat Mercedes mini-van; 7-13 people in seat coach. escorted throughout the tour: driver-guide for 2-6 people, driver with separate guide 7-13 people entrance fees accommodations in 3-4 star hotels (we use 3 star hotels only when that is the best available). Meals: daily breakfast, 9 lunches, 4 dinners- as indicated in itinerary bottled water during drives (1 litre bottle per person per day). Does Not Include: international flight, tips, personal expenses such as drinks, laundry, phone calls, insurance Hotels As listed or similar: Location of all hotels are within easy walking distance of the city centers. Sofia: Thracia Premier Hotel Best Western, 4*, central location near cafes and shops, pleasant rooms, excellent services;

8 one of the best downtown hotels Melnick: Despot Slav Hotel is a quaint, traditional hotel. The ambiance is warm/ homey. Plodiv: Renaissance hotel is a superb 19 th century traditional located in the Old Town of Plovdiv. Veliko Tarnovo: Gurko Hotel is a small, 3-star, in old town, a 5 minute walk to the city center. Bucharest: Hotel Berthelot, brand new four star, located in a quiet area in the very centre of Bucharest, very close to the Revolution Square, museum, quality shops, Amzei fruit and vegetable market and an array of quality restaurants, some outdoors. Sibiu: Hotel Imparatul Romanilor, located in the old part of Sibiu near the main square, in a 16th century building built in the traditional Transylvanian renaissance style, a former merchant's hall transformed into hotel in the 18th century, with many famous guests: emperor Frantz Joseph II, composers Frantz Liszt, Johan Strauss, Prince Charles among others. Sighisoara: Casa cu Serb (aka House with Antler) or Hotel Wagner 3 star, located in the best preserved and fortified town in Southeast Europe, surrounded by historical buildings and cobblestone streets. The building of Casa cu Serb was the former town hall in the 19th century, beautifully turned into a hotel while preserving the old architecture and charm. Maramures: Covaciu Guesthouse, two modern villas, each with 3 rooms and 2 bathrooms, TV and audio-video system. The location is excellent, in a quiet neighborhood, far away from the main street. The terraces offer a beautiful view of the village. The host is a well-known "ceteras (traditional violin player) so he is well connected to the village music happenings. We may perhaps be invited to attend an evening local music/dance, event or private gathering of Covacius' friends and neighbors (not guaranteed.) *OR Option to stay at Hotel in Sighet, Hotel Casa Lurca or Gradina Morii Hotel This is a 20 minute drive from the village; does not include dinners. Additional surcharge. Bucovina (Gura Humorului): Best Western Central location, good standard quality of Best Western chain. or La Conac Small boutique style, local architectural style & ambiance Brasov: Casa Wagner, a boutique hotel right in the Council Square. *We planned the tour with two nights stay in a typical village in Maramures region to have interaction with a real family and not another bed & breakfast experience. The Mrs. is a professional cook and the meals are amazing and abundant. The Mr. is a traditional violinist. They are wond4ful people. The home is clean but do not expect hotel amenities. Sequencing of the activities each day is subject to change. Extension to Moldova follows Romania Tours. Please request details