Treasures of & Romania Escorted tours discovering the cultural riches of Moldova & Romania Orheiul Vechi Bucovina

Bessarabia & Beyond A unique escorted tour of Moldova and Bucovina 8th to 17th September 2016 & 11th to 20th May 2017

here are few places left in the world, especially in Europe, that can be legitimately referred to as ‘off the beaten track’ but Moldova is certainly a country that can lay claim to the description. Our in-depth escortedT tour of this fascinating country with its rich cultural heritage will explore a wealth of fascinating sites including Medieval fortresses, magnificent wineries, the autonomous territory of Transnistria with its Soviet architecture and crossing into Romania we will admire the superb painted monasteries. Along the way we will admire the beautiful, untouched countryside where traditional ways of life are still very much adhered to and of course enjoy local food and the splendid wines of the region. The Itinerary Day 1 London Stansted to Chisinau, Moldova. Day 3 Cricova Winery - Orheiul Vechi – Curchi. Fly by scheduled flight. Arrive in Chisinau, the In recent years Moldova has become renowned Soroca capital of Moldova, this evening and on arrival we for her wines and this morning we will visit one Bucovina will transfer to the Radisson Blu Leogrand Hotel, of the most popular cellars at Cricova which Transnistria our base for the next six nights. After freshening produces some of the country’s best sparkling Gura Humorului MOLDOVA up we will meet tonight for dinner in the hotel. wines. We will learn about the production Curchi Orhei Vechi methods, which follows the French system ROMANIA Iasi Cricova Day 2 Chisinau, Capriana Monastery & Hincu very closely, before exploring the huge cellar Chisinau Monastery. After breakfast in the hotel we will network. Situated 80 metres underground and Hincesti Causeni enjoy a walking tour of Chisinau including the stretching out for a total of 120 kilometres, these Central Cathedral, Parliament building and the cellars are used by both the vineyard and many ‘Alley of the Classics’ sculptural complex located wine aficionados as a personal vault. After a in the Stefan cel Mare Park and including busts tasting we will continue our journey to Butuceni of Alexander Pushkin and other Romanian where we enjoy lunch in a pension with national capital of Transnistria. On a city tour we will literary figures and Moldovan political leaders. Moldovan dishes. This afternoon continue to see the monument of Lenin outside the Our tour will end at the Alexander Pushkin Orhei Vechi, Moldova’s most important historical Presidential Palace and the Second World House and Museum located in the cottage site. Visit the impressive 13th century Cave War tanks as well as the unique and typically where Pushkin resided in exile between 1820 Monastery carved into the limestone rock, Soviet architecture. We will enjoy a Ukrainian and 1823 and where he wrote, amongst others, see the ruins of the Geto Dacian fortress and lunch before continuing our tour of Tiraspol “The Prisoner of the Caucasus”. Continue visit the ethnographic museum. We will return at the Kvint distillery. Here we will learn about to Dolna where we see the Ralli Abore family to Chisinau via one of the oldest Moldovan their production and visit the museum before mansion which contains many 19th century monasteries - Monastery Curchi, which was enjoying a tasting of the wine, brandy and items of furniture and was another house where founded in 1773 and known as one of the most vodka made here. Enjoy dinner in Chisinau this Pushkin stayed during his exile. After lunch in a beautiful pieces of Bessarabian architecture. evening. local restaurant we will enjoy a scenic drive to Return to Chisinau for dinner this evening. the picturesque Codri Forest, part of the oldest Day 5 Manuc Bei & Milestii Mici Winery. After a nature reserve in Moldova. We will visit the Hincu Day 4 Transnistria. Situated to the east of leisurely breakfast we will journey to The Manuc Monastery, built in 1678 by Mihai Hincu, situated Chisinau on the Ukrainian border is the state Bei estate and manor house which is located in in the heart of the forest, and the 15th century of Transnistria. Officially part of Moldova it is Hincesti. Manuc Bei (1769-1817) was a wealthy Capriana Monastery which is the residence of run as an autonomous territory and clings to merchant, diplomat, and inn-keeper during the metropolitan bishop and has been the base its Soviet roots. Statues of Lenin overlook the the period of the . In 1812 he for many rulers of Moldova including Stefan the streets and Russian is the official language played a major role in negotiating the signing of Great. Both monasteries were closed during whilst the hammer and sickle flag flies from the Treaty of between the Russian and the Soviet rule but were re-opened in the early the buildings. We will start our day in Tighina Ottoman empires. Towards the end of his life, 1990s. We return to Chisinau this evening and seeing the impressive 15th century Ottoman he retired to his estate of Hinceşti where his son enjoy dinner in a local restaurant. fortress before transferring to Tiraspol, the later built the manor house which was designed

www.noble-caledonia.co.uk Vineyards, Cricova Capriana Monastery, Chisinau

Manuc Bey

lasi

by famed architect Alexander Bernardazzi in the Day 7 Soroca & Gura Humorului, Romania. After and amongst the images we see a magnificent style of a French chateau, now a museum with an early breakfast we will leave Chisinau and depiction of the “Ladder to Paradise”. Return to more than 20,000 artefacts which we will explore head north towards Soroca near the Ukrainian the hotel this evening for dinner. with our guide. After our visit we continue to border. We will visit a Medieval fortress which the Milesti Mici Winery which is renowned played an important and key role in defensive Day 9 Iasi & Chisinau, Moldova. After breakfast as having the largest cellar in the world with battle against the Turks and was one of the we will start our journey back to Moldova nearly 200 kilometres of caves situated 80 “stone belt of fortresses” built to protect stopping at Iasi, the most important political, metres underground. There are now over one Moldova. Also visit “the Candle of Gratitude” economic and cultural centre of the province million bottles stored here and we will explore monument situated on the outskirts of the city. of as well as one of the oldest cities the cellars and have a tasting whilst enjoying We will enjoy a traditional Russian lunch in the in Romania. We will visit the Monastery of the lunch at the vineyard. Return to the hotel this village of Pokrovka before crossing the border Three Hierarchs, constructed between 1637 and afternoon and enjoy some free time before into Romania and continuing by road to Gura 1639 in honour of three saints. In 1640 it was here meeting for dinner this evening. Humorului. In the early evening we will arrive at that Prince Vasile Lupu set up the first printing the Best Western Bucovina Hotel for a two night press in Moldovia and also the Vasilian College. Day 6 Causeni - Purcari & Et Cetera Winery. Our stay. Enjoy dinner at the hotel. The church is renowned for the extraordinary tour today takes us to Causeni where we will visit decoration and lacery in the stone which adorns the 17th century Assumption of our Lady church. Day 8 Bucovina. Today we will explore the the façade. After our visit we enjoy lunch before The church preserves the only Medieval fresco Bucovina region famed for the large number of continuing our journey back to Chisinau where in Moldova, designed by Walachian painters in a painted monasteries which are listed by UNESCO we will check into the Radisson Blu Leogrand late Byzantine-Romanian style whilst the interiors World Heritage. Our first call is perhaps the most Hotel for an overnight stay. We enjoy a Moldovan feature religious scenes and iconography in famous, the Voronet Monastery which is also dinner tonight in a local restaurant. vibrant reds, gold and blues. Later this morning known as the “Sistine Chapel of the East”, due we continue our appreciation of the local wines to its interior and exterior wall paintings. Built in Day 10 Chisinau to London Stansted. After with a visit to the Purcari Winery. Here a unique 1487 to celebrate victory over the Turks it offers breakfast we will check-out of the hotel and micro-climate, the location of the vineyards on an abundance of frescoes featuring biblical transfer to the airport for our return scheduled the south-western and south-eastern slopes, scenes in an intense shade of blue commonly flight to London Stansted. proximity to the Black sea and closeness to known as “Voronet blue”. We will continue to the Nistru River offer ideal conditions for the the 16th century Moldovita Monastery. The creation of high quality wines. Enjoy a tour of predominantly gold and deep blue paintings Prices per person the cellars, the oldest in Moldova, unchanged on the exterior walls were completed in 1537 Based on double occupancy since 1827, and a tasting before continuing to with the large and vivid Siege of Constantinople Twin: £2295 Single: £2595 the nearby Et Cetera Winery where we will enjoy one of the highlights of the frescoes. We will Economy class scheduled air travel, lunch. This small family run vineyard offers a stop for lunch before continuing our journey Price Includes: seven nights hotel accommodation in Chisinau and different perspective of wine production with to Sucevita, the heart of Bucovina. We will visit two nights accommodation in Bucovina on a bed a mix of well-known and local grape varieties. Sucevita Monastery, built between 1582 and 1584 and breakfast basis, lunch and dinner daily, transfers, We will learn about the family’s production with heavily buttressed defensive towers giving all excursions, all gratuities, English speaking guide techniques and enjoy a tasting before returning an appearance of a fortress. This was the last throughout, Noble Caledonia Tour Manager. to Chisnau this evening. of the painted churches of Bucovina to be built Not Included: Travel Insurance, visas. Sinaia Voronet Monastery, Bucovina

Sibiu

Cultural Treasures of Romania An escorted tour of , Moldavia and Bucovina 29th September to 10th October 2016 ; 5th to 16th May & 15th to 26th September 2017

oin us for a comprehensive escorted tour through central and north east Romania. Travelling amongst the plains and slopes of the Carpathian Mountains, this unique itinerary is one of contrasts, from stunning Jarchitecture to picturesque villages and an intriguing history which will be brought to life by excellent local guides. Our journey begins in Transylvania, a land of forests, lakes, castles and stunning Medieval towns. We will explore some restored Saxon villages and towns, many on the UNESCO Heritage List, visit fairytale castles and travel across the beautiful Carpathian Mountains, the landscape for the setting of Bram Stoker’s “Dracula”. We will also visit the fascinating and unique painted monasteries of Bucovina; their fine exterior and interior frescoes have been preserved since Medieval times. Highlights of our tour are endless, and this promises to be a unique journey through regions relatively untouched by mass tourism. We will stay in the best available hotels in the region. The Itinerary Day 1 London to Sibiu , Romania. Fly by indirect fertile plateau of the Tarnave Rivers, stopping scheduled flight. On arrival, transfer to the Best at the Transylvanian Saxon village of Biertan, Radauti Western Silva Sibiu hotel for a two night stay. a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Continue to Bucovina Ciocanesti This evening enjoy a welcome drink and dinner Sighisoara, a perfectly intact 15th century gem Tarpesti in the hotel. with nine towers, narrow passageways and Bicaz Gorges Piatra Neamt cobbled streets, burgher houses and ornate Targu Mures Day 2 Sibiu. This morning we will explore churches, also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Biertan ROMANIA the city of Sibiu, one of the seven walled Sighisoara is the birthplace of Vlad Dracula Brasov Sibiu cities founded by the Saxons. We will take a who inspired Bram Stoker’s fictional creation, Bran drive around the city, seeing such sights as Count Dracula. Enjoy a guided stroll and lunch Sinaia Great Square, Small Square, Liars Bridge, the before we continue further through the heart of Bucharest Orthodox Cathedral, the Brukenthal Museum Transylvania to Targu Mures and check-in to the and stop at the Lutheran Cathedral of Saint Grand Hotel or similar for an overnight stay. Mary, the most famous Gothic-style cathedral in Sibiu. After lunch in a local restaurant, enjoy Day 4 Carpathian Mountains, Ciocanesti & some free time to explore the Old Town which Radauti. After breakfast, take a drive through the local artists. Continue to Radauti and check- retains the grandeur of its earlier days when rich the scenic landscape of northern Transylvania, in to the Gerald’s Hotel or similar for a two and powerful guilds dominated regional trade. crossing the Carpathian Mountain range, the night stay. Enjoy wine tasting with our dinner This afternoon we will visit Sibiel, stopping en second longest in Europe. They provide the this evening. route in Cristian to visit the old fortified church. needed habitat for more than 6000 Carpathian Sibiel is a beautifully preserved village which Brown Bears and many other species that Day 5 Painted Monasteries of Bucovina. Today maintains many age old traditions within its would otherwise be at risk of extinction. This we have a full day tour to three of the most community. We will visit the local museum to see is the route described by Bram Stoker in his fascinating painted monasteries of Bucovina. the rich collection of glass-painted icons and novel “Dracula” as the fictional location of the The tour will begin with Voronet Monastery, the later we are all invited into a local home for a Castle of Count Dracula. We will stop at Borgo “Sistine Chapel of the East”. Here the frescoes traditional dinner. Pass for lunch in Dracula’s Castle Restaurant inside and out are painted an intense ‘Voronet and continue to the bucolic mountain village of blue’ and even after 450 years, the paintings still Day 3 Biertan, Sighisoara & Targu Mures. Ciocanesti to visit the Painted Eggs Museum, look bright and fresh. Next we visit Moldovita Today we continue to drive through the rich and and enjoy a demonstration of egg painting by Monastery, awarded the ‘Golden Apple’ trophy

+44 (0)20 7752 0000 Bran Castle Brasov

Bicaz Gorges Biertan

by the Federation of European Journalists. Day 8 Brasov. We have a full day to explore considered by many as the most beautiful castle Visit the main workshop before lunch at a Brasov. Founded by the Teutonic Knights in 1211 in Europe. Continue to Bucharest and check-in nearby restaurant. Continue to the largest and and settled by the Saxons as one of the seven to the Ramada Plaza Hotel for a two night stay. finest of the painted monasteries, the Sucevita walled citadels, Brasov exudes a distinct medieval Monastery. Here we see thousands of painted ambiance and has been used as a backdrop Day 11 Bucharest. Today we explore the city images on a background of emerald green. Our in many recent period films. Our city tour will of Bucharest. Our tour will include the main tour will conclude with a visit to the Catholic include the Old Town Hall Square; the Black highlights including the Former Royal Palace, Church in Cacica named “The Holy Spirit”. Built Church, the largest gothic church in Romania; the Athenaeum, Revolution Square, the town in 1903 by the Polish community, it is a replica Rope Street, the narrowest street in Europe at Hall, the Opera House, the Military Academy, an of the cathedral in Krakow. This evening we will just four feet wide; Catherine’s Gate, built in 1559 inside visit to The Romanian Parliament Building, enjoy dinner and a folklore performance at the and the only original gate to have survived from the Metropolitan Church, University Square, hotel. medieval times; and the Saint Nicholas Orthodox Charles de Gaulle Square, The Arch of Triumph, Church. After lunch enjoy some free time or join Scanteia Printing House and Kiseleff Boulevard. Day 6 Radauti, Tarpesti & Piatra Neamt. This the optional excursion to the Prejmer Fortified After lunch in a local restaurant, enjoy the morning we visit Agapia Monastery, built at the Church. Dinner tonight is at a local restaurant, afternoon at leisure. This evening we will have beginning of the 17th century. The interior of specialising in typical Romanian dishes. our farewell dinner in a local restaurant. the main church has been fully redecorated by the great Romanian painter Nicolae Grigorescu. Day 9 Brasov. Relax and enjoy another day in Day 12 Bucharest to London. After a morning Our tour continues with a visit to the first private Brasov. Meals are under your own arrangements at leisure, transfer to the airport for the return museum of Romania, located in the village of today. scheduled flight to London. Tarpesti, followed by a traditional homemade lunch in a local home. Later we will transfer to Day 10 Bran, Sinaia & Bucharest. Surrounded Piatra Neamt and check-in to the Central Plaza by an aura of mystery and legend and perched Prices per person Hotel or similar for an overnight stay and dinner. high atop a 200-foot-high rock, Bran Castle owes Based on double occupancy its fame to its imposing towers and turrets as Day 7 Bicaz Gorges & Brasov. After breakfast we well as the myth created around Bram Stoker’s 2016 2017 drive back to Transylvania via the Bicaz Gorges, “Dracula”. Built on the site of a Teutonic Knights Twin: £2295 Twin: £2395 one of the Carpathian’s deepest gorges at over stronghold dating from 1212, the castle was Single: £2695 Single: £2795 300 metres and a spectacular site. Nearby is first documented in an act issued by Louis I Red Lake (Lacu Rosu), so named because of the of Hungary on November 19, 1377, giving the Price Includes: Economy class scheduled air travel, 2 Chester Close, Belgravia, London, SW1X 7BE reddish alluvia deposited by the Red Creek. We Saxons of Kronstadt (Brasov) the privilege of 11 night’s hotel accommodation as detailed in the +44 (0)20 7752 0000 | [email protected] | www.noble-caledonia.co.uk visit Sumuleu – Ciuc Fransiscan Monastery, which building the Citadel. We continue through the itinerary, all meals (with the exception of lunch and dinner on days 9 and 12), wine, beer and soft drinks is the most important pilgrimage location for lush landscape of the Azuga-Busteni Mountains, with dinners, excursions as detailed, entrance fees, Catholics of South Eastern Europe. Lunch will be often referred to as the ‘Romanian Alps’. We will English-speaking guides, tour manager, gratuities, taken at Miercurea Ciuc before we continue to stop at the Halewood Sparkling wine company in transfers, airport taxes. Brasov for a three night stay at the Aro Palace Azuga for a tour and tasting followed by lunch. Not included: Travel Insurance, optional excursion on Hotel or similar. This afternoon we visit Peles Castle in Sinaia, day 8. Bucharest

2 Chester Close, Belgravia, London, SW1X 7BE +44 (0)20 7752 0000 | [email protected] | www.noble-caledonia.co.uk

All special offers are subject to availability. Our current booking conditions apply to all reservations and are available on request. Itinerary and hotels quoted subject to change but accommodation will be of the same standard as hotels listed. Cover image: Sucevita Monastery, Romania 100216_S