TRANSYLVANIA AND THE BLACK SEA

Arrival at Kogalniceanu airport in Constanta, reception by the Romanian tour guide and transfer to the hotel in Venus.

 

After breakfast we travel through Wallachia to Bucharest. During a short city tour you will get a first impression of the Romanian capital. Your destination for the day is the resort of Predeal at an altitude of 1,000 m. 350 km.

 

In the morning you drive to Sinaia, where the picturesque Peles Castle, the former summer residence of the Romanian royal family, is located. A walk takes you to the Sinaia Monastery, which gave its name to today's winter sports resort on the Bucegi Mountains. In the afternoon you visit the "Dracula Castle", Bran Castle. A horse-drawn carriage takes you to the village of Moeciu, where a rustic dinner ends the day.

 

In Brasov you will visit the largest Gothic sacred building in Eastern Europe, the Black Church. You walk through the old town with the baroque town hall and the many colorful roofs. We continue to Sighisoara. The most beautiful Transylvanian-Saxon city rises on a wooded hill and is often referred to as Romania's Rothenburg because of the many half-timbered houses. From the late Gothic Church on the Hill you have a breathtaking view of the city. 190 km.

 

From Sighisoara you drive to the market town of Biertan. Through the weekly and fair market law, the community became the center of the Saxon area in Transylvania. As the bishop's seat of the Transylvanian regional church, one of the most beautiful fortified churches has been built here, in the middle of which there is a late Gothic hall church with a well-preserved star-net vault. In the old town of Medias, the Margaret Church with the large winged altar from the 15th century is well worth seeing. In the late afternoon you will reach Bazna. 60 km.

 

After breakfast, take a walking tour of Bazna. The Bazna, founded by German settlers, grew rich through viticulture and cattle breeding. The iodine-bromine sources, which are used for healing purposes, have also provided additional income since 1842. The stone fortified church is located on a mountain nose above the village. Then take a horse-drawn carriage to Boian. The imposing fortified church here is a fairytale-like sight with its covered battlements. A typical lunch with a farming family gives you an insight into the living conditions of the Transylvanian rural population today.

 

After breakfast you drive to Nemsa. Pottery and hemp from Nemsa  were famous throughout Transylvania. Even today you can find the hand-painted, light blue, stylized plant ornaments on pots and plates in many households. We continue to the large community of Mosna , where, in addition to the Saxon church, there is also a Romanian church. Stop for lunch in the former rectory. During the subsequent wine tasting in a winery in Seuca, you can taste the local wines. 80 km.

 

Today a full day trip takes you to Cluj - Napoca , the vibrant capital of Transylvania and the most important city of the Hungarian minority in Romania. You start your city tour at the Gothic St. Michael's Church with its valuable interior decoration. In front of it rises the equestrian statue of the Hungarian King Matthias Corvinius, who was born in Cluj in 1443. Not far from there is the classical Banffy Palace, once a city palace for nobles of Hungarian descent, today a museum with interesting collections of icons and weapons. Passing the Babes Bolyai University you will come to the Reformed Church, one of the largest Gothic hall churches in Transylvania. 240 km.

 

Your today's destination is Sibiu. It's fun to stroll through the medieval-looking center. The pastel-colored houses on the Great Ring with the arcades and the displays of today's shops are pretty to look at. You visit the Protestant town church, today the seat of the Romanian bishops. 70 km. In the evening you visit the glass icon museum in Sibiel, afterwards you can enjoy a cheerful dinner at home with the mountain farmers.

 

The day begins with a visit to Romania's largest open air village museum, Astra Museum. It takes the visitor into the past of the Romanian village in a fascinating way: with thatched-roof farmhouses, artistically carved courtyard gates and rustic oil mills. The fortified church of Cisnadioara towers over the meadows and gardens of the area on a steep mountain. With the crossing of the Southern Carpathians you come back to Wallachia. Before you reach Pitesti in the evening, visit the Cozia Monastery, which is surrounded by strong fortress walls and is one of the oldest monuments in the region. 175 km.

 

During a detailed city tour in Bucharest you will see the Romanian Athenaeum, the neo-classical royal palace and also the monstrous "House of the People". On the way to your hotel in Venus on the Black Sea, make a detour to Murfatlar, the largest wine-growing region in Romania. Among other things, you will taste the Muscatel Ottonell, which is also known in Germany. 280 km.

 

After a free morning, a city tour in Constanta is on your program. Around the statue of the Roman poet Ovidius you can still discover ancient remains of the former Tomis in the old town. You can get interesting insights into the rich cultural history of Dobrogea in the Archaeological Museum. From the minaret of the Great Mosque you have a beautiful view of the city and the harbor. The Orthodox Cathedral of St. Peter and Paul impresses with its simple facade, which is only structured by yellow and white layers.

 

Today you can spend a day on the beach or take part in a full-day excursion to the Danube Delta (optional). Take the bus to Tulcea. A ship takes you through the Sulina arm of the Danube into the delta. Whitewashed, reed-roofed village houses from the sea of leaves shine on the shore. The Furtuna Lake is one of the countless large Danube lakes. A multitude of intertwining plants form floating vegetation islands on which pelicans and other birds nest. Enjoy the impressive natural spectacle over lunch on board the ship.

 

Today you have the whole day to relax on the Black Sea or for last individual activities .

 

Today it is time to say goodbye to Romania. Your plane will take you back to Germany.

 

At least people		5 pax	10 pax	15 pax	20 pax	25 pax
30.05-13.06	Place in double room /half board	1020 €	820 €	745 €	740 €	730 €
	EZ-Z	205 €	205 €	205 €	205 €	205 €
13.06-27.06 22.08-05.09	Place in double room / half board	1050 €	835 €	795 €	780 €	770 €
	EZ-Z	220 €	220 €	220 €	220 €	220 €
27.06-11.07 11.07-25.07 25.07-08.08 08.08-22.08	Place in double room / half board	1125 €	925 €	915 €	890 €	860 €
	EZ-Z	245 €	245 €	245 €	245 €	245 €

• 14 nights;