Romania, Bulgaria & Greece Holiday

Welcome to Romanias capital city, Bucharest. The tour starts in the old historical center and continues with the former residential palace of Ceausescu, The House of the People, the second largest building in the world. Traditional Romanian Dinner with folk show.

Breakfast First visit of the day Peles Castle, one of the most exquisite travel attractions in Romania, boasting a fabulous architecture and a valuable heritage. Lunch on Prahova Valley inside the Cantacuzino Castle. The Castle was built by Prince Cantacuzino also known as the Nabab due to its fabulous richness, being the the largest owner of land in Romania at that time. Next stop Bran Castle, most famously known as the Castle of Dracula. Arrival in Brasov, charmed by the market Square, Piata Sfatului, dominated by the Black Church, a renowned Gothic cathedral built in the XIV century. Wine-tasting dinner at Rhein- Azuga. About Rhein- Azuga Built in 1892, the Rhein Azuga Cellar was the former Supplier of Romanias Royal Court, and since April 2006 has been designated Supplier of His Majesty King Michael the First. The cellar is considered the oldest at which sparkling wine is produced using the traditional method. The Rhein Pension is located in the midst of the majestic Carpathian Mountains

Breakfast Today we ll delve into a genuine Romanian village whose present-day customs and traditions go back to the Middle Ages. Next, we visit two important monuments under UNESCO protection Sighisoara whose medieval fortress has been constantly inhabited since the XIII century. German colonists were brought here in the 12th century in order to defend the empires Eastern borders the city was first mentioned in a document much later, in 1280. Once the visitors step through the fortress gate, they are transported back in time as they wander through the narrow winding cobbled lanes, listening to the calls of the town crier, who to this day announces the towns events, accompanied by his drum

Breakfast The wine region Dealu Mare (Big hill) is one of the most famous and oldest wine-growing districts in Romania and said to be the Tuscany of Romania. Indeed it is situated on the same latitude as Northern Italy. Dealu Mare offers more than 3.000 years of history, a Mediterranean climate from April to October and excellent wines from sunny southward hills. We will visit two of Romanias best wineries, learn about wine production and taste internationally awarded Romanian premium wine. Lunch at Urlateanu Manor, a charming villa on the top of the hill in Urlati with wine storage capacity in oak barrels. The beautiful landscape and the fresh rural air invite visitors to relax and to enjoy the small things in life like a nice glass of wine. Evening night in Bucharest, you can choose between a night in casino or, for those who like partying, an exciting night in one Bucharests coolest clubs About Lacerta The winery is located in Fintesti, near the town of Buzau. The winery also includes a mansion, built in 1901, called Dorobantul, based on the plans of Romanian architect Ion Mincu. The hilly location offers a wonderful view of the vineyards. LacertAs wine assortments, winners of numerous gold medals at specialty contests, are now housed within a new, modern cellar, ready for visits on the vineyards domain. Vine Varieties Rheinriesling, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Muscat Ottonel, Pinot Gris, Feteasca Alba, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Blaufraenkisch. About Budureasca Located in Dealu Mare area, Budureasca Winery occupies a total surface area of approx. 5300mp and is one of the largest wineries in Dealu Mare. White wines, and especially the aromatic wines, those made from Tamioasa Romaneasca or Muscat Ottonel varieties are also favoured by the great competitive advantages due to natural conditions in Budureasca Vineyards - southern positiong, long period of sunshine and soils consisting of chernozem and limestone. We produce white wines from grape varieties such as Sauvignon Blanc, Feteasca Regala, Tamaioasa Romaneasca, Chardonnay, Feteasca Alba, Pinot Gris, Riesling and Muscat Ottonel. Vine varieties Feteasca Alba, Feteasca regala, Chardonnay, Riesling de Rhein, Riesling Italian, Sauvignon Blanc, Tamaioasa Romaneasca, Pinot Gris, Muscat Ottonel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Feteasca Neagra, Shiraz, Busuioaca de Bohotin

Today we ll go exploring the Presidency headquarters Cotroceni Palace is a former royal palace and a historical monument representative for a thriving era. Bucharest shopping time- Our proposal for commercial center AFI Palace Cotroceni, the biggest mall from Romania with 300 shops. In the afternoon we ll take a stroll through the charming historical center (the old town), a place full with terraces and restaurants.

Breakfast Departure for Bulgaria. Meeting with the group in Bucharest and departure to Ruse (Bucharest - Ruse - 80 km). Sightseeing tour of the city of Ruse (the fifth biggest city in Bulgaria). Ruse is also known as the Little Vienna, because of the architecture of its monuments in baroque, rococo, secession and neoclassicism styles. In the center of Ruse one can find the most beautiful city houses in Bulgaria, built after the Liberation (1878). Lunch in Ruse. Departure to Veliko Tarnovo (Ruse - Veliko Tarnovo - 110 km). Visit to the historical village of Arbanasi - the Konstantsalievs House - one of the biggest and most lavishly decorated houses of the Bulgarian National Revival and at the Church of the Nativity of Christ, the oldest church in Arbanasi, unique with its frescoes. /Ruse - Arbanasi - 110 km - 1h50 min/ Sightseeing tour of Veliko Tarnovo - Tsarevets hill, Samovodska Charshia.

Breakfast. Departure for Kazanlak (Veliko Tarnovo - Kazanlak 90 km). Sightseeing tour of Kazanlak - the city of artists, roses and Thracian kings. A visit to the Rose Museum, which has unique exhibits relevant to the production of rose oil from the year 1660 until today Iskra Museum of History (the most recently discovered gold, silver and bronze findings from the Thracian mounds are on display in the new treasury) and the Thracian Tomb of Kazanlak. The tomb is part of a great Thracian necropolis and dates back to the 4th century BC. It has been part of the UNESCO List of World Cultural Heritage since 1979. Lunch in Kazanlak. Departure for Plovdiv - one of Europes most ancient cities, older than Athens, Rome and Constantinople. (Kazanlak - Plovdiv - 130 km). Arrival. Sightseeing tour of Plovdiv - a tour of the old town which consists of one of the most spectacular ensembles of town houses from the period of the Bulgarian National Revival. Visit to Saints Constantine and Helena Church, Roman Theatre, Regional Ethnographic Museum. Dinner and wine tasting in the village of Brestovitsa or Plovdiv - one of the most respected wine regions in Bulgaria.

Breakfast. Departure to Rila Monastery (Plovdiv - Rila Monastery - 225 km) A visit of Rila Monastery - the biggest monastery in Bulgaria, founded in the 10th century by the monk and hermit St. John of Rila, patron and protector of Bulgaria. The monastery served as the center for cultural and spiritual life of the Bulgarian people, during the centuries of foreign enslavement. The tour includes a visit to the monastery, the main church and the monastery museum. Lunch. Departure for Sofia (Rila Monastery - Sofia - 120 km). Arrival.

Breakfast. Guided tour of Sofia - St. Nedelya cathedral, St. George rotunda, Russian church St. Nicholas, St. Alexander Nevsky cathedral, St. Sofia church, Ivan Vazov National Theater. Lunch. A visit to the National Museum of History and the Boyana Church. The Boyana Church is included in the UNESCO List of World Cultural Heritage and has preserved frescoes of an unknown artist, which date back to the year 1259. The frescoes impress with the spirituality and expressiveness of their images, created 7 years before the birth of Giotto di Bondone, considered to be the first Renaissance artist.

Breakfast In Sofia your group will be met at 08:00 by our tour assistant and will depart for Thessaloniki on board our deluxe coach. Upon arrival City Tour and lunch at a selected restaurant, enjoying local delicacies and wines. Rest of the day at leisure to enjoy the city at ease.

After breakfast, our tour takes us to the traditional village of Trikala, where the best Tsipouro spirit from Moschato grapes is produced. Visit to the distillery and tasting seminar followed by lunch merging local delicacies. Continue our trip to Meteora where we will visit the breathtaking monasteries perched on top of high rocks.

After breakfast our drive takes us to Thermopyles, where King Leonidas of Sparta was killed (short photo stop). Departure towards Delphi at the foot of Mount Parnassus. Visit the Sanctuary and temple of Apollo, the spiritual centre of the Greek world. Visit the Museum of Delphi with its famous Charioteer. Lunch in a local taverna tasting local delicacies and wines. Return to Athens early in the evening. Panoramic tour of Athens by night followed by dinner in the traditional Plaka neighbourhood, under the Acropolis.

After breakfast at 07.00 a.m. Transfer to the port to embark on the full day cruise visiting the islands of Hydra - Poros - Aegina (lunch on board included). Elegant vessels, delicious food, live music, dancing and entertainment on a wonderful voyage to the Greek Islands. Arrival at 7.15 p.m. and transfer a reknown Wine Restaurant to enjoy a perfect marriage of Greek delicacies and wines. Transfer to your hotel in Athens.

After breakfast start the guided Athens City Tour, follow the steps of Socrates to the Acropolis and visit the new museum. After the visit enjoy a Greek wine tasting seminar, including four different kinds of wine and learning Greek wine history, geographical areas and varieties with a choice of light bits before our tour assistant will transfer you to the airport for your departure.