- a part of history PROGRAM DAY 1 - Saturday Meeting at Hotel Capital Plaza****/Bucharest (54,Iancu de Hunedoara Blvd); at 7:00 PM o’clock for cocktail in the lobby; The guide will make a presentation about the tour trip “Romania a Part of History “ Accommodation and dinner at hotel Capital Plaza****/Bucharest ( www.capitalplaza.ro )

Triumph Arch from Bucharest

Day 2 - Sunday After breakfast, the group will leave the Hotel Capital Plaza around 09.30 o’clock and departure to Parliament House for visit - an immense edifice, a last piece of work of the Romanian people under the Communist dictatorship and an extremely large building situated in centre of Bucharest. First, it was named as “House of the folk” (Casa Poporului), but the people were only the workers, and the real property owner was the dictator and his family. The colossus's construction started at the beginning of the second last decade of the twentieth century and was ended in 1997. In 1989 when Ceausescu died, only the facade of the house was finished. Statistically, the palace is the second-biggest edifice of the world, after the Pentagon Buildings;

After the visit the trip continue on highway to Bucharest - Pitesti – Ramnicu Valcea – Olt Valley – Sibiu;

The Olt Valley is one of the most spectacular and beautiful areas in Romania. The panoramic view of the Olt Valley is fascinating both in summer and winter time. Olt is a county of Romania, in the historical region of Oltenia, with the capital city at Slatina. Either a legend, or a miracle working icon, or the relics of a saint are always connected with a church.

Accommodation and dinner at Hotel Continental Forum****/Sibiu ( www.continentalhotels.ro )

The Big Square from Sibiu Day 3 – Monday Breakfast and after city tour Sibiu with visit at the Brukenthal Museum - Parts of the old fortifications remains and many of the medieval houses within the walls are historical monuments. The Brukenthal Museum was founded by Samuel Brukenthal, governor of (1777–87), in his own Austrian Baroque residence with his collection of paintings, antiques, engravings, and books; it also houses important collections in ethnography

Further will be visit the Open Air Museum - Astra Museum - The ASTRA Museum is the owner of a unique ethnographical patrimony (folk architecture, pre-industrial technical monuments, and ethnographical objects).

Sibiel Church

Dinner in Sibiel village (near Sibiu) – at peasant’s houses; Accommodation at Hotel Continental Forum****/Sibiu (www.continentalhotels.ro )

Day 4 – Tuesday Breakfast and departure to Medias – – Sighisoara – visit Sighisoara Fortress Today will be visited some fortified churches from Transylvania

Medias - one of the most impressive symbols of the town is the Tower of the Buglers, which is about 70 meters tall. Its construction started in the 13th century. In the 15th century it was raised to 5 tiers. The St. Margaret Church was finished at about the same time. Later, 3 more tiers were added in only 2 months. The roof consists of colored vitrified tiles, and 4 turrets were built. The tower had a guard, who would sound his bugle whenever an enemy approached. Therefore the tower has this name. The tower has in its South-Western corner (between the clocks) a small wooden man who rings a bell, thus announcing in advance when the clock will ring on the hour. The heavy pressure of the tower on the sandy soil is the reason why the tower is slightly tilted to the North. Between 1927 and 1930, and later in 1972, the tower was consolidated. The tilt of the tip compared with the base is 2.32 m. The city lies in the middle of the area which was inhabited by and in an area of 20 km around it there are dozens of fortified churches

Biertan - The church was mentioned for the first time in 1402; most likely a Gothic basilica, it was completely demolished. The only remains of the original church are some stone vault ribs and a few bosses. Today’s church is a hall-shaped church with a chief nave and two side-aisles. The four-bay church has a 5/8 apse and was built between 1500 and 1525, during the time of Priest “Baccalaureus Johannis”. The church has net-shaped brick-ribbed vaults over its entire ceiling. Late-Gothic and Renaissance stone masonry is also preserved, including doorways, brackets, the pulpit, and other items. The wooden furniture, the doors, and the folding triptych date back to the beginning of the 16th century. The EUROPA NOSTRA restoration from 1978 to 1991 revealed parts of the former paintings and inscriptions. On the southern part of the upper plateau, the "Catholic Tower" contains preserved fresco paintings from the mid-15th century. The two shielding walls, which partially lie on arches, are strengthened by many towers and a bastion. To reach the upper plateau of the fortress, one must pass four gate-towers. The outer wall, situated mostly at the base of the hill, is strengthened to the west and south by two fortified “zwingers” with gate towers. Since 1993 the whole church complex is on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Biertan

Built in first part of XIII century on a hill and protected by many towers and walls, Sighisoara is a very picturesque medieval fortress including "Vlad Dracul house", the birth place of Vlad Tepes, “Dracula”, many churches and civil buildings. The entire fortress is UNESCO – patrimony.

Spend all afternoon in Sighisoara fortress. Dinner at Restaurant “Vlad Dracul“ Accommodation at Hotel Casa Wagner***/Sighisoara ( www.casa-wagner.com )

Clock Tower from Sighisoara

Day 5 – Wednesday Breakfast. Sighisoara Fortress – Transylvania plateau – Bran – Brasov After we leave Sighisoara fortress and cross Transylvania hills to Meridional Carpathians mountains, we will visit Bran Castle also called Dracula Castle, and return to historical city Brasov and visit Black Church

Bran Castle

The medieval castle of Bran is one of the most popular castles not only in Romania but also in the Eastern European region. Bran Castle is often called as Dracula Castle and is referred as the home of Vlad Tepes (Dracula), the former ruler of Walachia region and the main character of Bram Stoker's Dracula film. In fact, there is no evidence that Vlad Tepes lived here; it is supposed that he was kept in the dungeon of the castle for two days. Bran Castle was built by the Saxons of Brasov in 1377 under King Louis I of Hungary. The fortress was built to overlook and guard the Bran pass; and it was part of the defensive system of Transylvania’s southern borderlands.

Black Church- is one of the most important and doubtlessly the most imposing monument built by the German people from Transylvania in Their 850 years of history. The name "Black Church" was conferred to the main Evangelic - Lutheran Church of from Brasov after the catastrophic fire in 1689, when the whole city was actually burnt. The flames and the smoke blackened its walls, but the sumptuousness and the greatness of the church couldn't be destroyed.

Accommodation and dinner at Hotel Gott***/Brasov ( www.hotelgott.ro )

Black Church and the square from Brasov

Day 6 – Thursday After breakfast leave Brasov city, following Prahova valley surrounded by impressive mountains. We arrive in Sinaia and visit one of the most charming castles of Carpathian mountain area - Peles Castle

Located in Sinaia (121 km far from Bucharest), Peles Castle is considered by many one of the most beautiful castles in all Europe. It was the final resting place for several Romanian monarchs including King Carol I, who died here in 1914. The building of the castle began in 1873 under the direct order of the Viennese architect Wilhem Doderer and was continued in 1876 by his assistant, Johann Schultz de Lemberg. During 1877-1879 because of the war they abandoned work. That's why the castle was inaugurated only on October 7, 1883. The location for the castle was chosen by the German prince Carol I de Hohenzollern, who was to become a king and it draws its name from the neighboring brooks which passes through the courtyard

Peles Castle from Sinaia

After Sinaia we will continue the trip to the capital of Romania - Bucharest – the starting point of our journey. Farewell dinner in a Romanian Restaurant with folk show Accommodation at Hotel Capital Plaza****/Bucharest ( www.capitalplaza.ro )

Day 7 - Friday Breakfast and check out from the hotel TRIP DETAILS

All THE INFORMATIONS WILL BE IN ENGLISH Price : Sharing a Double/HB : 697 euro/person SGL supplement : 152 euro For children 0-2 years old in bed with parents is free For children 2-12 years old with extra bed the price is 307 euro – including HB and entrances Rates include: • VAT and city taxes • accommodation 6 nights in 3*** and 4**** hotels with breakfast buffet; hotels are centrally located in each city • half pension for 4 days – without alcoholic drinks • 1 traditional dinner in 5th night in local houses near Sibiu – all products are home made • 1 dinner with folklore and traditional dancers in Bucharest in the last night – without alcoholic drinks • Entrance tickets for: Parliament House in Bucharest; Brukenthal Museum in Sibiu; Astra – Open Air Museum in Sibiu; Sighisoara Fortress, including visit of the Clock Tower; Bran Castle; Black Church in Brasov; Peles Castle in Sinaia. • Professional English guide assistance during the whole tour • Transport by modern bus / mini-bus with professional driver for entire tour, including driver’s expenses

Rates do not include: • Tips • Porterage • Transfer from airport on first day to hotel in Bucharest and on the last day from hotel to airport • Photo tax and video tax at the visited sightseeing spots • Extra charges (minibar, phones bill, taxi, extra meals, s.a.) Extension with an extra night in Bucharest

Extra day: City tour of Bucharest with visit at Village Museum and free time Accommodation and dinner at Hotel Capital Plaza****/Bucharest ( www.capitalplaza.ro ) Price : Sharing a Double/HB : 798 euro/person SGL supplement : 176 euro For children 0-2 years old in bed with parents is free For children 2-12 years old with extra bed the price is 360 euro – including HB and entrances Rates include: • VAT and city taxes • Accommodation 7 nights in 3*** and 4**** hotels with breakfast buffet; hotels are centrally located in each city • half pension for 5 days – without alcoholic drinks • 1 traditional dinner in 5th night in local houses near Sibiu – all products are home made • 1 dinner with folklore and traditional dancers in Bucharest in the last night – without alcoholic drinks • Entrance tickets for: Parliament House in Bucharest; Brukenthal Museum in Sibiu; Astra – Open Air Museum in Sibiu; Sighisoara Fortress, including visit of the Clock Tower; Bran Castle; Black Church in Brasov; Peles Castle in Sinaia; Village Museum in Bucharest • Professional English guide assistance during the whole tour • Transport by modern bus / mini-bus with professional driver for entire tour, including driver’s expenses

Rates do not include: • Tips • Porterage • Transfer from airport on first day to hotel in Bucharest and on the last day from hotel to airport • Photo tax and video tax at the visited sightseeing spots • Extra charges (minibar, phones bill, taxi, extra meals, s.a.)

For individual transfer from Airport Henry Coanda or Baneasa Airport to hotel in Bucharest, please send us: • airport of arrival and departure • flight details – date of arrival, flight number, arrival local time • number of persons for transfer The driver will wait in the airport with the name on a paper.

Rate for transfer: 20 euro/one way for car 1-3 persons

Operating dates – guaranteed departures: 12.0 12.06-18.06.2010 03.07-09.07.2010 07.08-13.08.2010 04.09-10.09.2010 19.06.25.06.2010 10.07-16.07.2010 14.08-20.08.2010 11.09-17.09.2010 17.07-23.07.2010 21.08-27.08.2010 24.07-30.07.2010 28.08-03.09.2010

RESERVATIONS • reservations can be made online on www.novatravel.ro or by mail at [email protected]

PAYMENT INFORMATIONS: • for payment by credit cards, the payment has to be done immediately • when the reservation is make by mail or if is choose another way of payment – bank transfer , a deposit in amount of 20% from the total value will be made – by bank transfer • the difference of 80% will be paid with minimum 3 weeks before arrival – by bank transfer • in case the difference of 80% will not be paid in due time, the reservation will be cancelled automatically and the amount of 20% will not be refunded

CANCELLATION TERMS: • For cancellations received in writing no later than 28 days prior to arrival - NO CANCELLATION fee and/or charge will be incurred • For cancellations and received 28 days or less days prior to arrival and up until 14 days prior to arrival to the first nigh, the tour operator will be entitled to a CANCELLATION FEE equal the deposit paid (20% from the total value of reservation) • For cancellations received less than 14 days prior to arrival, CANCELLATION FEE will be 100%. GENERAL INFORMATIONS CLIMA - Romania has a climate that is transitional between temperate and continental with four distinct seasons. The average annual temperature is 11 °C (52 °F) in the south and 8 °C (46 °F) in the north. The extreme recorded temperatures are 44.5 °C (112.1 °F) in Ion Sion 1951 and −38.5 °C (−37 °F) in Bod 1942. Spring is pleasant with cool mornings and nights and warm days. Summers are generally very warm to hot, with summer (June to August) average maximum temperatures in Bucharest being around 28 °C (82 °F) with temperatures over 35 °C (95 °F) fairly common in the lower-lying areas of the country. Minima in Bucharest and other lower-lying areas are around 16 °C (61 °F), but at higher altitudes both maxima and minima decline considerably. Autumn is dry and cool, with fields and trees producing colorful foliage. Winters can be cold, with average maxima even in lower-lying areas being no more than 2 °C (36 °F) and below −15 °C (5.0 °F) in the highest mountains, where some areas of permafrost occur on the highest peaks

LANGUAGE - The official language of Romania is Romanian, an Eastern Romance language related to Italian, French, Spanish, Portuguese and Catalan. Romanian is spoken as a first language by 91% of the population, with Hungarian and Rroma, being the most important minority languages, spoken by 6.7% and 1.1% of the population, respectively

CULTURE - Romania has its unique culture, which is the product of its geography and of its distinct historical evolution. Like Romanians themselves, it is fundamentally defined as the meeting point of three regions: Central Europe, Eastern Europe, and the Balkans, but cannot be truly included in any of them

LOCAL TIME: UTC/GMT +2 hours

LOCAL CURRENCY - The leu (Romanian pronunciation: [lew], plural lei [lej]; ISO 4217 code RON; numeric code 946) is the currency of Romania. It is subdivided into 100 bani (singular: ban). The name of the currency means "lion". On 1 July 2005, Romania underwent a currency reform, switching from the previous leu (ROL) to a new leu (RON). 1 RON is equal to 10,000 ROL. Romania joined the European Union on 1 January 2007 and it is expected to adopt the euro in 2014.; Official exchange rates can be found out on the site of National Bank of Romania: http://www.bnro.ro/ Cursul-de-schimb-524.aspx

VISAS - General information concerning Romanian visas and general conditions of traveling to Romania can be found on the site of Ministry of Foreign Affairs: www.mae.ro

HAVE A NICE TOUR !

NOVA TRAVEL SRL, Str. Reinvierii Nr. 3-5, Bucuresti, sector 2, Tel. +4021-3143002, Fax. +4021-3143025, Nr. Reg. Com: J40/506/1991, CF: RO1592741 [email protected], www.novatravel.ro , RO31 INGB 0001 0081 2682 0710 (EUR) – ING BANK BUCHAREST SWIFT code: INGBROBU ; VAT tax registration number: 1592741 THE SIDE, SENDING THE MONEY PAYS ALL BANKING TAXES AND CHARGES