TREASURES OF THE BALKANS and TRANSYLVANIA (67102010)

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TREASURES OF THE BALKANS and TRANSYLVANIA (67102010)
A 14-Day tour starting from $1,795

Live, experienced travel consultants available:
1-800-942-3301
Monday-Friday 9AM - 6:30PM Eastern Time
9AM - 2PM Saturdays

Tour Length:	14 Days
Tour Type:	Other Cosmos Tours
Tour Category:	VALUE VACATION
Tour Operator:	Cosmos Tours
Tour Code:	6710-2010

About This Tour

Vacation Overview
Discover the treasures of the Balkans on this adventure that starts and ends in Budapest, the lively city on the Danube. Guided sightseeing introduces you to the highlights, including the Royal Castle, Parliament, and Fishermen’s Bastion. Next, head south through ever-changing landscapes to Novi Sad, famous for its citadel, then Serbia’s capital of Belgrade and the breathtaking gorges leading into Bulgaria. Explore Sofia with its ornate orthodox churches; visit Rila Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage Site; and explore Plovdiv’s charming Old Town and Roman Amphitheater. Continue to medieval Veliko Târnovo and Arbanassi before arriving in beautiful Bucharest, Romania, for two overnights. On to the picturesque mountains, fortified villages, and castles of Transylvania. Visit Sinaia Monastery and Bran Castle, the medieval dwelling of legendary Count Dracula. Enjoy additional stops in enchanting Sighisoara and Cluj Napoca and return to Budapest for the finale of this outstanding vacation.

What's Included?

Transportation
Scheduled transatlantic flights and airport transfers in Budapest if Cosmos issues the air tickets. Touring by private first-class air-conditioned motorcoach.

Guides
Local Guides for city sightseeing in Budapest, Sofia, Bucharest, Peles Castle; services of a professional Tour Director while touring

Hotels

Budapest
Mercure Duna (ST),

Belgrade
Best Western Hotel M (F),

Sofia
Princess (F),

Veliko TÂrnovo
Yantra Grand (F),

Bucharest
Pullman Bucharest (F),

Brasov
Aro Palace (F),

Cluj-Napoca
Belvedere (F),

Budapest
Flamenco Park (F)

Meals
Buffet breakfasts (B); 4 dinners (D)

Sightseeing / Highlights

City Highlights
Visits to Novi Sad, Belgrade, Rila Monastery, Plovdiv, Veliko Târnovo, Arbanassi village, Sinaia Monastery, Brasov, Bran Castle, Sighisoara.

Scenic Highlights
Stara Planina Mountains, Southern Carpathia, Transylvania

Your Itinerary

Day 1:
Mon. BOARD YOUR OVERNIGHT TRANSATLANTIC FLIGHT.

Day 2:
Tue. ARRIVE IN BUDAPEST, HUNGARY. Check into your hotel. The rest of the day is free. Tonight, meet your Tour Director and fellow travelers.

Day 3:
Wed. BUDAPEST. Included sightseeing with a Local Guide features Buda Castle, which dominates the twin cities of Buda and Pest, separated by the broad ribbon of the Danube. Also see Heroes’ Square, which typifies the modern capital, as well as the old inns and wine cellars along the riverbank, the Royal Castle, Parliament, Margaret Island, Fishermen’s Bastion, and Matthias Coronation Church. (B)

Day 4:
Thu. BUDAPEST–NOVI SAD, SERBIA–BELGRADE. This morning, travel southwards at first along the motorway to the border town of Szeged to cross into the province of Vojvodina in Serbia. Stop in Novi Sad, the capital of the province, situated on the River Danube and famous for its Petrovaradin Citadel, known in the west as the “Gibraltar of the Danube.” Drive along the motorway into Belgrade, the capital of Serbia. (B)

Day 5:
Fri. BELGRADE–SOFIA, BULGARIA. A comfortable drive this morning southeast by way of Nis; then, across the border into Bulgaria. Arrive in Sofia, its capital, for sightseeing with a Local Guide, which will include such highlights as the Parliament building, Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, the Boyana Church, the National Theater, and St. Sofia Church. The locals will tell you that Sofia is growing all the time, yet never aging. (B,D)

Day 6:
Sat. SOFIA. EXCURSION TO RILA MONASTERY. This morning, drive to Rila to visit its Monastery (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), the most famous in the country. It has a checkered history that goes way back to Ivan Rilski, a hermit who founded it in 927. During the very long Turkish rule over the country, the monastery became a beacon of Bulgarian culture. Return to Sofia. Tonight, maybe join an optional folklore dinner. (B)

Day 7:
Sun. SOFIA–PLOVDIV–VELIKO TÂRNOVO. This morning, head eastwards to Plovdiv, Bulgaria’s second-largest city, located along the banks of the River Maritsa. Stop here to visit the charming Old Town and the Roman Amphitheater. Journey northwards through fine scenery over the Stara Planina Mountains to Veliko Târnovo. (B,D)

Day 8:
Mon. VELIKO TÂRNOVO–BUCHAREST, ROMANIA. Today, time to see some of the highlights of Veliko Târnovo, located on the Yantra River. During the Middle Ages, it was Bulgaria’s capital and, although now a modern town, it still retains some of its most attractive medieval features. Later, drive to nearby Arbanassi, world famous for its type of house, which is a cross between a dwelling and a fortress. The village is known as an architectural and historic reserve and was at one time the summer residence of Bulgarian kings. One of the highlights of the visit is the Church of the Nativity, built in 1637. In the afternoon, journey north to Rousse and cross the Danube to reach Bucharest. (B,D)

Day 9:
Tue. BUCHAREST. Flower-festooned parks, gardens, and wide boulevards shaded by century-old trees contribute to Bucharest’s beauty. The highlight of your sightseeing tour is a visit to the open-air Village Museum, a unique collection of traditional farmhouses, cottages, wind and watermills, and artisans’ workshops from all parts of the country. The Local Guide will also show you other places of interest, including the Government Victoria Palace, the Royal Palace, and the Savings Palace. There is also an afternoon optional visit to the Romanian Parliament, known as the House of the People. (B)

Day 10:
Wed. BUCHAREST–SINAIA–BRASOV. Leave this morning for a stop in Sinaia in the Prahova Valley. This is a lovely ski resort, almost 3,300 feet above sea level. While in Sinaia there will be time to visit the Sinaia Monastery and Peles Castle, considered among the most romantic in the world. Only a few more miles and you reach Brasov, a lovely medieval town famous for its town square filled with baroque architecture and outdoor cafés. This evening, enjoy an optional folklore dinner in a typical Transylvanian restaurant. (B)

Day 11:
Thu. BRASOV. This morning a walking orientation of the Old Town of Brasov will include a visit to the Black Church and leisure time. In the afternoon, leave for Bran and visit its castle, built in 1377 and inhabited by Vlad the Impaler—better known as Dracula. (B)

Day 12:
Fri. BRASOV–SIGHISOARA–CLUJ-NAPOCA. Head northwards for a stop in Sighisoara, a medieval town with 11 towers within the city walls, which surround cobblestone streets, ancient houses, and churches—it is one of Romania’s prettiest towns. Legend has it that it is also the birthplace of the notorious Vlad (Dracula). Continue the journey north by way of Tirgu Mures on to Cluj-Napoca in the heart of Transylvania. (B,D)

Day 13:
Sat. CLUJ-NAPOCA–BUDAPEST, HUNGARY. Travel westwards today by way of Oradea into Hungary and return to Budapest. In the evening, enjoy an optional Danube dinner cruise. (B)

Day 14:
Sun. YOUR HOMEBOUND FLIGHT ARRIVES THE SAME DAY. (B)

Dates & Prices

To speak to one of our live, experienced travel consultants, Call us now at 1-800-942-3301. Airfare Disclaimer A NOTE ABOUT AIRFARE: We encourage you to buy your airfare from the tour operator, because if your tour cancels then your airlines tickets will be covered. Purchasing flights separately at a lesser rate and incorporating it with a Non-Guaranteed Departure Date can result in loss of total cost of your flight investment. Depending on the fare rules, flights may be Non-Refundable and/or Non-Transferable. Neither the tour operator and/or Atlas Cruises & Tours will be held responsible for loss if a tour is cancelled for Lack of Participation. Documents TRAVEL DOCUMENTS: Necessary Travel Documents such as Passports and Visas is the responsibility of the traveler. Passports must be valid six months from your return travel date

Starting Date	Ending Date	Land Only	Land + Air
9/13/2010	9/26/2010	$1,815	Call (800) 942-3301
9/20/2010	10/3/2010	$1,815	Call (800) 942-3301
10/4/2010	10/17/2010	$1,795	Call (800) 942-3301

Additional Information

Price Details US
Single room supplement: $540No triple room reduction.

Important Note:
All prices are per person, double occupancy, subject to availability. These pages are not endorsed or supported by the tour operator in any way. All information presented is based on promotional material provided by the tour operator. All prices, itineraries, accommodations and dates are subject to change without notice and at any time by the tour operators. Availability is limited and must be reconfirmed at time of booking. The prices on this website are not guaranteed. We are not responsible for errors, omissions, or changes in pricing. Please call us toll free at 1-800-942-3301 to confirm availability and pricing.