Touristic tours for the delegates of IRF Symposium held in Bucharest, May 10 11th, 2011 31 March 2011 1
BUCHAREST SIGHTSEEING TOURS Location The city of Bucharest, Romania's capital, is situated in the south of the country, in the center of Romanian Plain, at an average altitude of 70-80 m and at about 60 km from the Danube, 100 km from the Carpathians and 250 km from the Black Sea. Short description 288 kmp in surface and about 2.000.000 in population, Bucharest is nowadays the first of the cities of Romania, both in size and importance (political, economical, financial, commercial, cultural-scientific, touristic, etc.). The city is crossed by the Dambovita river (on a distance of 24 km) and its tributary, Colentina river. The climate of Bucharest is continental-moderate, with an average annual temperature of 10ºC. A little history According to the legend, a shepherd named Bucur, whose name has evolved into Bucuresti, founded the town. The official document in which the city is for the first time mentioned, dates from the 20th September 1459 and was issued by Vlad Tepes Dracula, the king of Valahia at that time. In 1859, Bucharest became the capital of the United Principalities. During November 1916 - October 1918, the city was occupied by the German army. After the Great National Meeting at Alba-Iulia, on 1st of December 1918, Bucharest became the capital of Great Romania, having a spectacular economical, banking and cultural flourishment. Due to the many beautiful buildings in neoclassical style and to an elegant and rich way of life until the beginning of the Second World War, the town has truly deserved the nickname of "the little Paris of the East". On December 1989, the city of Bucharest was one of the main centers of the Revolution that ended in the crumbling of the communist system in Romania. Half Day Bucharest sightseeing tour 3-4 hours Where we will stop The Arch of Triumph - inaugurated on 1st December 1936, glorifies the bravery of the Romanian soldiers who fought in the First World War, celebrating at the same time the 1918 Union of Romanian provinces. Designed by the architect Petre Antonescu, the monument is 27 m high. The Village Museum - one of the world's most interesting ethnographical parks in open air. Founded in 1936 by Dimitrie Gusti following a Royal Decree, this museum illustrates the perpetual spring of surprising originality. The house and house holding samples gathered from all regions of the country are exhibited according to ethnographical areas. Here you can see 50 complete homesteads, churches, windmills and even sunken houses from rural Romania. The Revolution Square - one of the most important square in the history of the city. It is surrounded by emblematic buildings such as: Hilton Hotel - the former Athenee Palace Hotel built in 1883 and the highest building in Bucharest at that time. 2
The Romanian Athaeneum - this was the headquarters of Romanian Athenaeum Society, seated up at 28 January 1965, which had as purpose spreading cultural and scientific information. The land was the Vacaresti family s property, where a church was built and then became the property of Romanian Equestrian Society, who wanted to build a manege. This seems to be explanations for the round shape of the building. The projects of the building are made by Albert Galleron (France) helped by C.Baicoianu and was inaugurated in February 1888. The National Museum of Art - located in the building of the former Royal Palace. After more than 10 years of restoration to the extensive damage caused during the revolution in 1989, one can admires treasure painted by Rembrandt, Veneziano, Monet, Sisley, El Greco, Breughel and Rubens. During the fighting in December 1989, 448 works of art were destroyed or went missing and another 716 were damaged. A total of 18 valuable paintings were generously restored and cleaned by museums in the Netherlands, USA, Italy and France. The Kretzulescu Church - a monument synthesizing in its architecture, the art of the Brancoveanu epoch. It was built in 1720-1722, through the care of great cancelor Iordache Kretzulescu and his wife, Safta (one of the daughters of Constantin Brancoveanu). The interior wall painting was realized (1859-1860) by Gheorghe Tattarescu - famous Romanian painter. The Memorial of Rebirth - commemorates the struggles and victims of the Romanian Anticomunism Revolution of 1989. The monument was inaugurated in August 2005 in front of the balcony where the dictator Nicolae Ceausescu had his last speech. The Central University Library - the first building was designed by french arhitect Paul Gottereau and erected between 1891-1893. During the Romanian Revolution in 1989, the building was destroyed and reconstructed between 1990-1995. The Palace of Parliament - also called the House of People or the House of Ceausescu has been built between 1984-1989 and it represents the grandest administrative construction in Europe. It has hundreds of offices, halls for receptions or for other events (scientific, cultural, social-political), dozens of conference rooms. It covers 265.000 sqm interior surface, being the second biggest in the world after the Pentagon building in Washington. It is also the third in the world considering its volume, after Cape Canaveral building, USA (where the cosmic shuttles are assembled) and after the Quetzalcoatl pyramid in Mexico. Note: the tour is available for minimum 8 persons Service Price (without VAT) Quantity Total Notes Bucharest sightseeing, 09:30-13:30, English guide 307,00 1 307,00 minimum 8 persons Museum passes 45,00 8 360,00 Village Museum, The Palace of Parliament Minibus 610,32 1 610,32 8 persons, city tour Total 1277,32 Lei, without VAT Total in Euro = 295 Euro plus VAT for the whole group (min 8 ppl) Full Day Bucharest sightseeing tour 7-8 hours Where we will stop The Arch of Triumph - inaugurated on 1st December 1936, glorifies the bravery of the Romanian soldiers who fought in the First World War, celebrating at the same time the 1918 Union of Romanian provinces. Designed by the architect Petre Antonescu, the monument is 27 m high. 3
The Village Museum - one of the world's most interesting ethnographical parks in open air. Founded in 1936 by Dimitrie Gusti following a Royal Decree, this museum illustrates the perpetual spring of surprising originality. The house and house holding samples gathered from all regions of the country are exhibited according to ethnographical areas. Here you can see 50 complete homesteads, churches, windmills and even sunken houses from rural Romania. The Cotroceni Palace - the official residence of the President of Romania. The palace was built in 1888 by french arhitect Paul Gottereau for King Ferdinand I of Romania. The Revolution Square - one of the most important square in the history of the city. It is surrounded by emblematic buildings such as: Hilton Hotel - the former Athenee Palace Hotel built in 1883 and the highest building in Bucharest at that time. The Romanian Athaeneum - this was the headquarters of Romanian Athenaeum Society, seated up at 28 January 1965, which had as purpose spreading cultural and scientific information. The land was the Vacaresti family s property, where a church was built and then became the property of Romanian Equestrian Society, who wanted to build a manege. This seems to be explanations for the round shape of the building. The projects of the building are made by Albert Galleron (France) helped by C.Baicoianu and was inaugurated in February 1888. The National Museum of Art - located in the building of the former Royal Palace. After more than 10 years of restoration to the extensive damage caused during the revolution in 1989, one can admires treasure painted by Rembrandt, Veneziano, Monet, Sisley, El Greco, Breughel and Rubens. During the fighting in December 1989, 448 works of art were destroyed or went missing and another 716 were damaged. A total of 18 valuable paintings were generously restored and cleaned by museums in the Netherlands, USA, Italy and France. The Kretzulescu Church - a monument synthesizing in its architecture, the art of the Brancoveanu epoch. It was built in 1720-1722, through the care of great cancelor Iordache Kretzulescu and his wife, Safta (one of the daughters of Constantin Brancoveanu). The interior wall painting was realized (1859-1860) by Gheorghe Tattarescu - famous Romanian painter. The Memorial of Rebirth - commemorates the struggles and victims of the Romanian Anticomunism Revolution of 1989. The monument was inaugurated in August 2005 in front of the balcony where the dictator Nicolae Ceausescu had his last speech. The Central University Library - the first building was designed by french arhitect Paul Gottereau and erected between 1891-1893. During the Romanian Revolution in 1989, the building was destroyed and reconstructed between 1990-1995. Lunch in a local restaurant. You can choose Romanian traditional or international cuisine. The Palace of Parliament - also called the House of People or the House of Ceausescu has been built between 1984-1989 and it represents the grandest administrative construction in Europe. It has hundreds of offices, halls for receptions or for other events (scientific, cultural, social-political), dozens of conference rooms. It covers 265.000 sqm interior surface, being the second biggest in the world after the Pentagon building in Washington. It is also the third in the world considering its volume, after Cape Canaveral building, USA (where the cosmic shuttles are assembled) and after the Quetzalcoatl pyramid in Mexico. 4
Patriarchal Church - is the majestic centre of the Romanian Orthodox faith. During the 15th century a small wooden church surrounded by vineyards stood on the hill. The Cathedral consecrated the Metropolitan Centre of Walachia in 1868, and was built between 1656 and 1658 by Wallachian Prince Serban Basarab. None of the original interior paintings or icons remains but a single icon (1665) depicting Constantin and Helen, the Cathedral's patron Saints. The present day frescoes were painted by Dimitrie Belizarie in 1923. Service Price (without VAT) Quantity Total Notes Bucharest sightseeing, 09:30-17:30, English guide 307,00 1 307,00 minimum 8 persons Museum passes 60,00 8 480,00 Village Museum, The Palace of Parliament, Cotroceni Palace Minibus 686,60 1 686,60 8 persons, city tour Lunch 96,25 8 770,00 Caru cu bere Total 2243,60 Lei, without VAT Total in Euro = 520 Euro plus VAT (24%) for the whole group (min 8 ppl) What else we will see "Curtea veche" (The old court) Church - is one of the valuable exemplary of religious architecture in the feudal epoch, the oldest in Bucharest, preserved in its original form. It was built between 1545-1547, by the King Mircea Ciobanul, for the needs of the Royal Court. There are also preserved some frescos from the reign of Stefan Cantacuzino (who made some repairing). It is declared historical monument. The University Palace - erected between 1857 and 1869, according to the plans of the architect Al. Orascu, who was helped in decorating the exterior by Karol Storck. In this massive construction functions the oldest institution of university education in Bucharest. The Palace of Justice - erected in 1890-1895, in a French Rennaissance style, following the plans of the architect A. Ballu. The construction was finished by Ion Mincu. The statues that mark the entrance are the work of Karol Storck and they symbolize the Law, the Righteousness, the Justice, the Truth, the Force and the Prudence. Note: the tour is available for minimum 8 persons 5
TOURS One day trip to Peles Palace & Bran (Dracula's) Castle 11-12 hours This one-day tour reveals you 2 attraction points of maximum interest, both situated in a picturesque region of the Carpathians mountains, but still not too far from the capital city. By taking this tour, you will also have the chance to visit the middle age city of Brasov and the international ski resort Poiana Brasov. The tour can be scheduled at any time of the year, excepting on Mondays and on Tuesdays, when the castles are closed to visitors. 08.00 a.m. Departure from Bucharest to Sinaia (120 km) 10.30 a.m. Arrival in Sinaia resort and visit Sinaia Monastery 11.00 a.m. Visit Peles Palace 12.00 a.m. Departure to Bran Village 01.30 p.m. Visit Bran (Dracula's) Castle 02.30 p.m. Optional: lunch at a local restaurant serving Romanian traditional dishes in a specific atmosphere 04.00 p.m. Departure to Brasov city (40 km) - the town is nicknamed "The Romanian Salzburg" because of its admirable geographical location at the foot of Tampa mountain, part of the Carpathian mountains chain. Due to its remarkable cultural traditions, Brasov's unique spirit is still alive. 04.30 p.m. Short city tour of Brasov, with a evening walk in City Hall Square, near The Black Church 05.30 p.m. Departure to Bucharest (170 km) 08.00 p.m. Arrival in Bucharest Note: the tour is available for minimum 13 persons Service Price (without VAT) Quantity Total Notes One day trip 450,00 1 450,00 Sinaia-Bran Minibus 13 seats 1000,00 1 1000,00 Bucuresti-Sinaia-Bran si retur Lunch 95,00 13 1235,00 Local restaurant Museum passes 70 13 910,00 Peles Palace & Bran (Dracula's) Castle Total 3595,00 Lei, without VAT 6
Total in Euro = 836 Euro plus VAT (24%) for the whole group (min 13 ppl) 2-days trip to Peles Palace & Bran (Dracula's) Castle, Brasov and Sibiu This 2-days tour reveals you some attraction points of maximum interest, all situated in a picturesque region of the Carpathians mountains, but still not too far from Bucharest. By taking this tour, you will also have the chance to visit the middle age city of Brasov and Sibiu, the European Capital city in 2007. The tour can be scheduled at any time of the year, excepting on Mondays and on Tuesdays, when the castles are closed to visitors. Day 1 08.00 a.m. Departure from Bucharest to Sinaia (120 km) 10.30 a.m. Arrival in Sinaia resort and visit Sinaia Monastery 11.00 a.m. Visit Peles Palace 12.00 a.m. Departure to Bran Village 01.30 p.m. Visit Bran (Dracula's) Castle 02.30 p.m. Optional: lunch at a local restaurant serving Romanian traditional dishes in a specific atmosphere 04.00 p.m. Departure to Brasov city (40 km) - the town is nicknamed "The Romanian Salzburg" because of its admirable geographical location at the foot of Tampa mountain, part of the Carpathian mountains chain. Due to its remarkable cultural traditions, Brasov's unique spirit is still alive. 04.30 p.m. Short city tour of Brasov, with a evening walk in City Hall Square, near The Black Church 05.30 p.m. Departure to Sibiu 07.00 p.m. Arrival in Sibiu, accommodation and dinner: Ramada 4*/ Forum Continental 4* Day 2 10.00 a.m. 01.00 p.m. Sibiu sightseeing: Brukenthal Muzeum visit, Piata Mica, Dumbrava Forest, Franz Binder Ethnography Museum 01.30 p.m. Lunch at Albota Trout Farm 7
03.30 p.m. Departure to Bucharest Note: the tour is available for minimum 13 persons Service Price (without VAT) Quantity Total Notes 2-days trip 450,00 2 900,00 Sinaia-Bran-Brasov-Sibiu Minibus 13 seats 2100,00 1 2100,00 Bucuresti-Sibiu si retur Lunch 95,00 13 1235,00 Local restaurant Dinner 110,00 13 1430,00 Hotel restaurant Accommodation 290,00 13 3770,00 single room 350,00 double room Museum passes 85,00 13 1105,00 Total 10540,00 Lei, without VAT Total in Euro = 2450 Euro plus VAT (24%) for the whole group (min 13 ppl) 8