Treasures of Bulgaria, Serbia & Romania

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1 Treasures of Bulgaria, Serbia & Romania Sofia, Belgrade, Timisoara, Sibiu, Brasov, Bucharest Eclectic architecture, fascinating history, breathtaking landscapes Bulgaria, Serbia, and Romania have it all and each town has its own story to tell. Immerse yourself in the history and culture of these 3 Balkan countries as you explore iconic sites like the mysterious Dracula s Castle, the 8,000-year-old exhibits at Sofia s National Museum of History, the vibrant Bohemian Quarter of Belgrade and the Old Town of Sibiu. End your 11 day journey in Bucharest, the vibrant capital of Romania where the old world meshes with the new.

2 Itinerary Day 1 10 th September 2018 Arrival into Sofia Upon arrival in Sofia, Bulgaria's lively capital and cultural Centre you will be transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure. Airport transfer will be arranged at 1200 hours. For any other times, a separate fee will be applicable You will be booked at Hotel Crystal Palace or similar for a stay of 2 nights. Overnight: Sofia Dinner at a local restaurant Day 2 11 th September 2018 Sightseeing Sofia Become acquainted with the history of Sofia, on your visit to the National Museum of History. Enjoy exhibits of the Bulgarian lands dating back 8000 years, including glimpses of the unique gold and silver treasures from Thracian times. View the St. Sofia Church across the square from the impressive Neo-Byzantine golden-domed Alexander Nevsky Church, one of the largest Eastern Orthodox cathedrals in the world. Next, tour the oldest architectural monument in Sofia, the 4th century Roman Rotunda, a red-brick building transformed into the present-day St. George Church. Afternoon tour to the remarkable Rila Monastery declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Overnight: Sofia Dinner with folklore show Day 3 12 th September 2018 Sofia Nis - Belgrade A long, but rewarding day, as you cross the border into the Republic of Serbia. Arrive in Nis, an important crossroad between Central and Eastern Europe. After an orientation tour of the city with its many historically important sites, enjoy lunch at a popular café (own cost). This emerging city was settled in pre-roman times and flourished during the time of Emperor Constantine. See the remains of the Turkish fort from the 18th century, now a bustling central recreation area filled with shops, cafes and restaurants. Your journey continues to Belgrade, one of the oldest cities in Europe, with a long and tumultuous history. Dinner tonight at a restaurant in the Old Bohemian Quarter of Skadarlija. You will be booked at Hotel Capital or similar for a stay of 2 nights. (Approx journey time km, 5 ½ hours from Sofia to Nis and then to Belgrade) Overnight: Belgrade Dinner at a local restaurant Day 4 13 th September 2018 Sightseeing in Belgrade Today's sightseeing of historic Belgrade includes a visit to the imposing Kalemegdan Fortress, dramatically set at the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers. Built in stages between the 1 st and 18 th Centuries, this fortress witnessed major defensive battles. View the Republic Square, bustling Knez Mihajlova Street, the imposing Saint Sava Temple - one of the largest Orthodox churches in the world - and Marshal Tito s Memorial.

3 In the afternoon, time at leisure you can perhaps revisit the Old Bohemian Quarter of Skadarlija, frequently compared to Paris s Montmartre, due to both its appearance and its artistic atmosphere. Overnight: Belgrade Meal plan: Breakfast, Dinner Day 5 14 th September 2018 Belgrade Novi Sad - Timisoara Drive through the ever-changing landscape to Novi Sad, an interesting mix of Serbian culture and Austro- Hungarian architecture, nestled on the Danube river. A walking tour introduces you to the city's major highlights including the Petrovaradin Citadel, also known as the "Gibraltar of the Danube," towering over the river. We will then cross the border to Romania and reach the vibrant city on the Bega River Timisoara built around lavish parks and gardens and soon to be, European Capital of Culture, in You will have the opportunity to view the ruins of the Timisoara Fortress, the main square of the city and its elegant residential section. Afterwards, you can explore the nightlife of Timisoara, named "Little Vienna," home to year-round cultural performances. You will be booked at Hotel Timisoara or similar for a stay of1 night. (Approx journey time km, 31/2 hours -from Belgrade to Novi Sad and then to Timisoara) Overnight: Timisoara Meal plan: Breakfast and dinner at a local restaurant Day 6 15 th September 2018 Timisoara Hunedoara - Sibiu The drive this morning takes us to the region of Transylvania. Visit the mythical 14 th Century Corvin Castle in Hunedoara, built on old Roman fortifications with huge pointed towers, a massive drawbridge and soaring battlements. This fortress, transformed many times over the years, became the castle of Matthias Corvinus, known as the "Raven King." After this fascinating visit, we will head to the charming town of Sibiu, with its maze of cobbled streets and baroque squares. This cultural center of Europe attracted many musicians in the 19 th Century and today is the center of Romania's major music festivals. You will be booked at Hotel Continental Forum or similar for a stay of 2 nights. (Approx journey time km, 3 ½ hours plus stops in between from Timisoara to Sibiu) Overnight: Sibiu Meal plan: Breakfast, dinner Day 7 16 th September 2018 Sibiu Sighisoara Sibiu Travel deep inside the heart of Transylvania to the citadel town of Sighisoara and explore the old city, which has remained largely unchanged since the 17 th Century. Continue your explorations through the citadel s streets, stopping at the City Council Square, the City Museum, and Clock Tower before heading back to Sibiu. Afternoon - A guided walking tour begins the day in the Bohemian Old Town of Sibiu that still retains the grandeur of its earlier days with a medieval wall guarding the historic area and where narrow streets pass by steep-roofed 17 th Century buildings. Linger at church-dominated Great Square, Little Square and the Evangelical

4 Cathedral. At the Bridge of Lies, the first forged iron bridge in the country, you can admire the decorations of rosettes and geometric motifs. Overnight: Sibiu Meal plan: Breakfast, dinner Day 8 17 th September 2018 Sibiu Bran - Brasov This morning, we head south to Brasov a historic landmark of Romania, nestled at the foot of the Carpathian Mountains. Before reaching Brasov, we will make a stop in Bran, to visit the fabled Bran Castle, surrounded by an aura of mystery and legend, commonly known as "Dracula's Castle." Perched high atop a 200-foot-high rock, Bran Castle owes its fame to the commanding towers and turrets, as well as to the myth created around Bram Stocker's character, Count Dracula. After a tour of the Bran castle, which now serves as a museum displaying art and furniture collected by Queen Marie of Romania, we will head to Brasov. Famous for being the home of the first Romanian school, which boasts a collection of rare books, for its Town Square, filled with baroque architecture and for the biggest gothic church in Romania, the city of Brasov, is deemed to leave in in awe, during our walking tour of this lovely town. You will have the chance to visit the St. Nicholas Church and the First Romanian School museum. You will be booked at the Hotel Ambient or similar for a stay of 1 night (Approx journey time km, 3 hours plus stops in between from Sibiu to Brasov) Overnight: Brasov Meal plan: Breakfast, Dinner Day 9 18 th September 2018 Brasov- Sinaia - Bucharest After leaving behind the charming town of Brasov, we will continue on to Sinaia, to visit the romantic Peles Castle, the summer residence of King Carol I. Afterwards, we will visit the 17 th Century Sinaia Monastery, located in the Prahova Valley, which was named after the sacred Sinai Mountain. The museum of Sinaia Monastery is the first religious museum in the country and houses invaluable worship objects. In the evening, we will arrive in Bucharest the capital city of Romania formerly known as Little Paris with its lovely parks, gardens, wide boulevards and avenues, shaded by century-old trees. You will be booked at the Hotel Europa Royal or similar for a stay of 2 nights. (Approx journey time km, 3 hours from Brasov to Bucharest) Overnight: Bucharest Meal plan: Breakfast & Indian Dinner Day th September 2018 Sightseeing in Bucharest Morning tour in Bucharest. You will be able to admire the replica of the French Arc de Triomphe, built in 1922 to commemorate the bravery of Romanian soldiers who fought in WWI. Visit the gigantic Parliament Palace, second-largest building in the world after the Pentagon in the U.S.A. See the Romanian Athenaeum, the Opera House, the National Military Club and the Military Academy. Visit the unique open-air Village Museum, a collection of traditional farmhouses, cottages, watermills and artisans' workshops from all over the country. In your free time this afternoon, stroll down Victory Avenue, a historic street lined with shops, museums, cafes and elegant homes.

5 Overnight: Bucharest Meal plan: Breakfast & Dinner with a Folklore Show Day th September 2018 Departure from Bucharest Transfer to the airport for your departure flight. The transfer to the airport will be arranged at 1000 hours. For any other timings, an additional cost will be applicable. Meal plan: Breakfast Price per person on a twin-sharing basis: INR 1,87,500 Single supplement: Rs pp *** Return home with wonderful memories *** Price includes Accommodation in 4 star hotels for 10 nights Daily Breakfast Daily Dinner English Speaking guide in each country Entrance fees where applicable Deluxe Transportation from Sofia airport to Bucharest airport (will be changed at each country border) Services of an Odyssey Tour escort from Sofia to Bucharest Price excludes Air ticket for travel to and from Sofia/Bucharest Shenghen Visa Overseas Medical Insurance policy Meals and sightseeing not mentioned Drinks during dinner Tips (EUR 10 pp per day) Items of a personal nature 5% GST Anything not specifically mentioned under Price includes Recommended airfare Carrier Flight Dep.Date Day From To Dep Arr Arr.Date Qatar Airways SEP Mon Mumbai Doha SEP Qatar Airways SEP Mon Doha Sofia SEP Qatar Airways SEP Thu Bucharest Doha SEP Qatar Airways SEP Thu Doha Mumbai SEP Airfare: Approx Rs pp

6 Map of the region Terms & Conditions BOOKINGS AND PAYMENTS 1. A deposit of Rs 20,000 per person will be payable by 31 st May If paying by cheque, please make the cheque payable to Odyssey Tours & Travels. 2. At the time of making the booking, please send a copy of the first page of your passport 3. Balance payment is to be made by 30 th June All rates are subject to a revision if there is a fluctuation in the currency rates. 5. Payment of the booking deposit constitutes acceptance of our terms and conditions. CANCELLATION & REFUNDS 1. Should you wish to cancel any part or all of a confirmed booking / reservation all such cancellations must be advised in writing. Given below is the cancellation policy. 2. Cancellation of a reservation due to any visa being rejected will amount to cancellation charges being levied as per the scale mentioned below and Odyssey Tours & Travels will not be responsible for any visa rejection by the consulate. 3. Cancellation of any reservations are subject to the following conditions: a. Cancellations effected before between 31 st May and30th June 2018 will attract a service fee of Rs pp. b. Cancellation from 1 st July 2018 to 31 st July 2018 will attract a fee of 50% of the total cost c. Cancellation after 1 st August 2018 will be charged 100% of the total cost. d. No refund will be due after commencement of travel 4. Refunds due can take up to 5 weeks to process.