TOUR TO ROMANIA 11TH - 18TH October 2021 As we look to emerge from the Covid pandemic and travel returns to being a normal activity, we invite you to join us to explore Romania and its agricultural economy. Naturally, the final itinerary will be subject to confirmation prior to departure but be assured our programme will offer the traveller an enjoyable and diverse experience. Romania, famous as the land of the Carpathian Mountains, Dracula and wolves, is a young country having evolved from three separate states of Moldavia, Walachia and Transylvania who sought unification in the late 19th century. They fought the Germans during WWI and found themselves ruled by the Rus- sians at the end of WWII. The period under communism was one of abject poverty except for those in the ruling communist party who enjoyed a life of luxury. In 1989 and end of communist rule, the country was bankrupt with many people living in the countryside on a subsistence life- style, scratching a living from a small piece of land. Our tour will explore the evolution of the agricultural economy to correct that imbalance. The farming contrast can be stark with vast tracks of excellent farming land now owned by international corporations, who are able to make the necessary investment to modernise and transform agriculture. Land that was once part of state owned farms has been returned to the original owners. While some have elected to farm many have sold off the land to investors. There is growing quality in the farming in Romania underpinned by the benefits of European subsidies. The tour begins in Bucharest where we spend 2 nights looking at local farms supplying the city and exploring the historical sites and then follow the wonderful Olt Valley and the River Danube, which stretches between the Carpathian and Farag Mountain ranges. We will visit beef, dairy, sheep, organic and cereal operations both large and small. The historical sites include the Saxon fortified towns that were built by Saxon immigrants invited in by the Romanian leaders to defend against invaders in the 12th Century and which have been beautifully preserved. We will then travel to Transylvania to explore the mythical figure of Dracula and enjoy the hospitality of the local people. Romania Country Information The Country Romania is located in southeast Europe and has been a member of NATO since 2004 and of the EU since 2007. The country covers an area of 92,000 square miles, almost the same size as Germany. It has the largest remaining forested area in Europe with 27% of the land still covered, offering a natural wilderness still inhabited by bears and wolves. With several high mountain ranges, vast natural plains and substan- tial river sources, including the Danube, the country is rich in natural resources and has established 13 national parks. Economically, Romania is now one of the most successful countries in Europe, with year on year growth of 2% since 2000. Prior to then, the economy was trying to recover from the legacy of the Communist era, when it was virtually bankrupt. An ambitious development of the industrial base and the modernisation of financial institutions has resulted in a strong entrepreneurial economy capable of sustaining a developing national wealth. Following the fall of communism, the country introduced a demo- cratic voting system and a free enterprise economy. The Agriculture In 2006 agriculture in Romania was in the doldrums through lack of investment, poor farming practices and outdated ageing technology. Since then the agricultural economy has changed and in 2018 the country was the 3rd leading producer of cereals behind Germany and France and the highest producer of maize in the EU. The wine production is also growing significantly to match the output of other EU producers. Much of this change has been brought about by the investments made by large international companies and by EU subsidies. However, the supply chains that are needed to transport vegetables and other farm produce remain imma- ture, with no trade associations or co-ops to aid the farmer to sell products and with many still selling at markets or at the front gate. As of 2016 228,000 ha of land were being cultivated with a further 138,000 ha producing fruit. The Weather The weather in October is similar to that of the UK with average daily temperatures of 15ºC and 5ºC in the evening. Temperatures in the mountains and valleys may be cooler. Bright sunny days are common, but a warm jumper or fleece is useful for night time activity. At this time of year occasional showers are possible. The People The population of Romania is circa 19.5 million of which 89% are ethnic Romanians, with the next largest minority Hungarian at 8%. As a result of the extreme poverty that existed in Romania post 1989, many Romanians moved abroad to work and send money home to their family. As many as 20% of the working population currently work outside of Romania. The country has not suffered the city migrations that most western countries have experienced and 75% of the people continue to live in the countryside. 80% of the population are Christian and there is a small Muslim minority in the north of the country, a legacy of the Ottoman Empire. Time Romania is UK time +2 hours Web reference: wikipedea.org.uk/Romania TOUR ITINERARY Day 1 Monday 11 October 2021 (Meals in Flight, D) Depart London Heathrow on a late morning flight to Bucharest arriving late afternoon. Meet your guide and transfer to the hotel, situated in the city centre. Enjoy a panoramic coach tour of the city before arriving at the hotel. Check in for a 2 night stay. Enjoy dinner in a city centre restaurant and overnight. Day 2 Tuesday 12 October 2021 (BLD) Breakfast. Optional tours for the morning with a visit to a machinery dealer to discuss the Romanian market, purchasing support and future trends. For those less interested in machinery there is a visit to the Botanical Gardens in Bucharest. The group comes back together and departs west towards Borcea, a vast plain along the Danube River offer- ing rich soils for the production of crops. Lunch in a restaurant on the way. Visit a 6,000 ha farm growing wheat, barley, corn, sunflower, soybean. Enjoy a tour of the operation including machinery. Late afternoon return to Bucharest. Take a walking tour in the old city and enjoy dinner in a local restaurant. Return to the hotel for overnight. Day 3 Wednesday 13 October 2021 (BL-) Breakfast and check out. Transfer to visit Agroindustriala Pantelimon, located on the edge of the city. The operation is a 500 head Holstein dairy producing more than 5,000 ltr of milk per day. The farm was started in 1973 when they bought pregnant Holsteins from Denmark. The farm sells milk from machines from several locations in Bucharest and produces yogurt and cream. The farm was a former state operation and is a good example of the successful transformation into private ownership led by a vet who worked on the farm during the communist era. Depart towards Transylvania follow- ing the beautiful Olt valley. Lunch in a restaurant on the way. The valley offers spectacular scenery sitting between the Carpathian and Fagaras mountain ranges, offering slopes where grapes have been grown for centuries. Visit the Cozia Orthodox monastery, with its main church dating to the 14th century. Late afternoon reach Sibiu and check in for a 2 night stay. Evening at leisure with dinner under own arrangements. Day 4 Thursday 14 October 2021 (BL-) Breakfast. Depart to Cartisoara, a village that has created a collective agri-tourist business to support the inhabitants . There are two livestock farms, a slaughter house and meat production factory, a trout farm, guesthouse and several restaurants. The group will visit the Angus beef and guinea fowl farms and have a tour of the abattoir, but this is subject to activity at the time of the visit. Visit the trout farm where they have two Romanian breeds of trout: Curcubeu (Rainbow) and Fantanel. Fish lunch at the trout farm. Depart to Sibiu with a stop for a tea at Palatul Bruckenthal in Avrig, a former stately palace and enjoy a look at the landscaped gardens; neglected during communist rule but being restored. Return to Sibiu late in the afternoon with the evening at leisure with dinner under own arrangements. Day 5 Friday 15 October 2021 (BL-) Breakfast and check out. Depart to Nocrich village to visit Karpaten Farm - the largest beef farm in Romania. It was founded in 2008 by two experi- enced Swiss farmers who have grown the operation to three farms. They produce high quality beef with pedigree Angus cattle fed on pasture. Their expertise in production has enabled them to obtain a premium price due to the quality of the beef. They sell in Romania and export to other European countries. Have lunch on the farm with the owners and their management team as part of the visit. Depart to Mosna village, to visit a mixed farm. The owner was a pioneer of organic farming in Romania after the communist government was ousted. Continue to Sighisoara – a medieval citadel included in the UNESCO heritage list and enjoy a walking tour of the citadel, which will include a visit to the house where Vlad the Impaler (the Romanian ruler, who inspired Bram Stoker’s character, Dracula) was born. Check in to your hotel for a for a 1 night stay. Evening at leisure with dinner under own arrangements. Day 6 Saturday 16 October 2021 (BL-) Breakfast and check out.