Danube Delta in Summer  Romania 2014

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We'll get amazing eye-level views of many great wetland species such as Dalmatian Pelican (János Oláh)

Saturday 7th June - Saturday 14th June 2014
(8 days)
 
Group Size Limit: 4
This fantastic eight-day tour focuses on the Danube-Delta and Dobrodgea area of Romania which is an amazingly diverse breeding and migration hotspot of Europe! The tour combines hide-photography and stalking photography, though these two will merge together in our special photo-boat inside the delta allowing superb possibilities getting close to birds!




Potential photographic highlights:

• Fantastic selection of waterbirds from a specially designed photo-boat inside the delta
• White and Dalmatian Pelicans
• Breeding plumaged Red-necked and Black-necked Grebes
• European Herons and Egrets
• Possibility of breeding plumaged Pallas’s Gull, a rare European species
• Whiskered Tern and Collared Pratincole colonies
• Drinking hides in the Macin Mountain National Park
• Delightful Souslik photography
   

About your boat: This 6,5 m long very stable flat bottomed boat was designed for photographers. It has four seats in the middle of the boat which are removable so when needed photography takes place from cushions allowing the lowest possible angle. The boat is installed with special photo-through glass – the same as in our hides in Hungary – on both side and also with a curtain system. The windows are turn able so photography also possible through the curtains only. The boat can be used in all weather as it has a removable roof as well.

Itinerary:

Day 1  The tour begins at Bucharest, from where we will transfer to Tulcea – the gateway to the Sulina arm of the Danube-Delta. Upon arrival we will board our special photo-boat and travel to Mila 23 which will be our base for the next 3 nights. If time allows we will spend this first afternoon with photography.

The Danube Delta is the European capital of the stately White Pelican

Days 2 - 3  We will have two full days of photography inside the Danube-Delta. This will allow us to enjoy a variety of subjects in this last wilderness of Europe. The exact programme will be determined by the available subjects and the desires of the photographers. We will have two photo sessions daily.

 We usually start 30 minutes before sunrise and return to our accommodation for lunch and rest. The afternoon session will last until sunset.

Bee-eaters are common and offer good chances of flight shots

Day 4  After a last morning session we will sadly leave the Danube-Delta behind and travel back to Tulcea for an overnight.

Little Bitterns are more elusive but with luck you will get one in the frame!

Days 5 - 6  Early this morning we leave for the Macin Mountain National Park where we have a photo hide for drinking birds. This rather dry habitat support a lot of scarce birds and our drinking pool will most probably be visited by many species. Two people will spend the morning in the hide while our guide will take the other two clients to photograph Souslik and various steppe bird species. If any suitable subject found dog-house type blinds can be used any time. In the afternoon the other two photographers will use the drinking hide. The following day is the same but vice versa. One night will be spent in Macin. On the second day we will transfer to Constanta for a two night stay.

Days 7  A full day will be spent around Constanta where we will concentrate our efforts on Steppe species. We will be doing mainly stalking photography but blinds can be used if required.

Squacco Herons are common throughout the delta and offer great photo opportunites

Day 8  After an early morning photography we will return to Bucharest where the tour will end.

Accommodation & Road Transport: The hotels are of a good standard for most of the tour. In the Macin area slightly lower standard but it is clean (one night). Road transport is by minibus and roads are generally good.

Walking: The walking effort is mostly easy throughout the tour.

The Borzás and sunset over the delta

Climate: In June most days are warm, dry and sunny and temperature is up to 30C. We will focus on the early morning and late afternoon hours however so it will not be inconvenient.

Recommended equipment: All sort of lenses can be used but a larger 400 or 500 mm lens is recommended on this tour. We will supply special beanbags in the boat. These are useful when photographing through the curtain or without. Tripods are essential to bring for the tour. It is possible to use them in the boat as well when the special windows installed.

Tour Price: £1770, €2090, $2690. Bucharest/Bucharest. Price includes all transportation, all accommodations, all meals, all excursions, all entrance fees, use of hides, leader services. Tips at hotels/guesthouses are not included.

Single Room Supplement: £105, €124, $160.
Deposit: 10% (excluding any single supplement).
Air Travel To & From The Tour: Our in-house IATA ticket agency can arrange your air travel in connection with the tour from a departure point anywhere in the world, or you may arrange your own air travel if you prefer. We can tailor-make your itinerary to your personal requirements, so if you would like to travel in advance of the tour (and spend a night in an hotel so you will feel fresh when the tour starts), or return later than the end of the tour, or make a side trip to some other destination, or travel business class rather than economy, we will be happy to assist. Please contact us about your air travel requirements.

White Pelican - they can usually be approached quite closely

Our purpose-built photography motor launch, the 'Borzás', which translated means 'shaggy'(!), although this refers to the Hungarian name of Dalmatian Pelican

A pelican's eye view of the Borzás, with its photo-through glass screens raised

Castles and Ancient Towns Tour

7 days/6nts tour begins & ends Bucharest: 1nt Bucharest,2nts Sibiel, 1nt Sighisoara, 2nts Brasov

The  escorted tour takes you to some of the Romania’s most exciting locations, starting in  Bucharest. After a one-night stop in Bucharest  you’ll make the first leg of your coach journey, across to Olt Valley, with the visit to Curtea de Arges Monastery, Poienari Castle(the real Castle of Vlad the Impaler). Next up you’ll head through the Olt Valley to to visit Cozia Monastery wich is one of the most valuable monuments of national middle age art and arhitecture in Romania and is located  in one of the most beautiful carpathian landscapes

With a stay of two nights Sibiel we visit Calnic Castle wich is UNESCO world heritages and the Hunyad’s Castle, the most representative castle in this part of Transylvania wich was built in 14^th century and became famous as a property of Iancu of Hunedoara, the great ruller and fighter against the Ottoman Empire at that time. Next we’ll visit the city of the Romania’s Union – Alba Iulia and Sighisoara – the Pearl of Transylvania, one of the very few Middle Age citadels still enhabited and it’s included in UNESCO World Heritages. Sighisoara it’s also the birthplace of Vlad the Impaler, also called Vlad Dracula after the legend. Spend the night in a hotel in the heart of citadel.

Last days are dedicated to visit Brasov area, one of the most important cities of Transylvania and Romania and maybe the biggest tourism center of Romania. It’s history starts in XIII century and the walls, towers and a lot of buildings from the mediaeval times are still preserved. In the surroundings of Brasov we’ll find the famous Bran Castle – also known as Dracula’s Castle, Rasnov Fortress and Peles Castle – the former royal residence. Last days are dedicated to visit Brasov area, one of the most important cities of Transylvania and Romania and maybe the biggest tourism center of Romania. It’s history starts in XIII century and the walls, towers and a lot of buildings from the Middle Age times are still preserved. In the surroundings of Brasov we’ll find the famous Bran Castle – also known as Dracula’s Castle, Rasnov Fortress and Peles Castle – the former royal residance.

Day 1. ARRIVAL IN BUCHAREST
After you meet your tour guide at the airport, you head towards Bucharest for a city  tour. Visit the Parliament House, the second largest builging in the world, visit the the old center. Overnight in Bucharest.
Day 2. BUCHAREST-CURTEA DE ARGES-POIENARI CASTLE-VIDRARU DAM COZIA – SIBIU-SIBIEL
After your breakfast, we leave Bucharest behind. Visit Curtea de Arges Monastery, an architectural masterpiece unique in Romania. We visit Poienari Castle wichis the real Castle of Vlad The Impaler, then we will enjoy the extraordinary landscape of Vidraru Dam and Cozia Monastery until we arrive in Sibiel, an authentic romanian village. Overnight in Guest House in Sibiel.

Day 3. SIBIU –CALNIC CASTLE- SEBES – DEVA – HUNEDOARA – ALBA IULIA – SIBIU-SIBIEL
After breakfast, we make a tour of Sibiu old town. Sibiu was the European Capital of Culture in 2007. The Big Square, the Small Square, the Ursuline Church, The Franciscan Church, The staircase Tower, the Tanners Tower, the Liers’ Bridge, the House of the Butcher’s Guild and  Bruckenthal Museum are the most important sights. Before we arrive in Hunedoara, we make a stop to Calnic Castle. We visit Hunyad’s Castle, the most representative castle in this part of Transylvania wich was built in 14^th century and became famous as a property of Iancu of Hunedoara, the greatest ruller and fighter against the Ottoman Empire at that time.
In Alba Iulia we visit objectives unique in Europe, the Route of the Three Fortifications wich offers the visitors the opportunity of a journey in time through two millennia among the vestiges of three fortifications belonging to three different periods , successively constructed on the same location each new fortress including the former one : The Roman Camp (106 AD), The Middle Age  Fortress (16th – 17th centuries) and Vauban Fortification (the beginning of the 18th century

Day 4. SIBIU-MEDIAS-BIERTAN-SIGHISOARA
Today we visit one of the most beautiful fortified church from Transylvania. Built it between the 15th and16th century, Biertan Fortified Church is included in the UNESCO world heritade list and looks like a miniature Gothic cathedral.
Visit the citadel of Sighisoara, one of the most preserved Middle Age city from Europe, also UNESCO world heritage and one of the top tourist attraction in Romania. Overnight in Sighisoara.

Day 5. SIGHISOARA – PREJMER – BRASOV
Today we go head to Brasov, a beautiful city  which has many places to show. Before your arrival in Brasov, we stop to visit the biggest fortified church in Transylvania wich is located in Prejmer Village. We visit Brasov old town and see its turist attraction: Black Church,Schei and Ecaterina Gates, White and Black Towers, Rope Street, Council House. Take the cable car to the top of Tampa Mountain for a view over the city.
Overnight in Brasov.

Day 6. BRASOV – SINAIA (PELES CASTLE)– DRACULA’S BRAN CASTLE – RASNOV FORTRESS - BRASOV
Visit the the famous Bran Castle – also known as Dracula’s Castle and the most visited tourist plaice in Romania, Rasnov Fortress and Peles Castle – the former royal residence.
Day 7. BRASOV – BUCHAREST AIRPORT
Transfer to the airport.

Bucovina Tour – THE PAINTED MONASTERIES

5 days/4nts Tour Begins and Ends in Bucharest: 3nts Gura Humorului, 1nt Bucharest

Bucovina – the land of outdoor painted monasteries. Bucovina is a historical region situated in the north-eastern side of Romania, a place where the Romanian history and tradition are mostly expressed.
The landmarks of Bucovina are the outdoor painted monateries, each one with it’s own history, legends and colors. Our tour will guide you to the most important ones: Voronet, Moldovita, Sucevita, Humor, each one having a unique background color. The blue from Voronet is the famoust because it can’t be reproduced. We are strongly advise you to try the local food and drinks which are a proud of Romanian cuisine.

Day 1. BUCHAREST – GURA HUMORULUI
We begin our Transylvanian adventure from Bucharest. Our guide picks you up from the airport and presents to you the beautiful scenery unfolding before you. Leave Bucharest in our way to the north region of Romania – Bucovina, the land of painted monasteries and traditions. We’ll end our journey in Gura Humorului, dinner and accommodation in an exquisite environment.

Day 2. GURA HUMORULUI – MOLDOVITA – SUCEVITA- MARGINEA- PUTNA – GURA HUMORULUI
Good morning Moldavia! Discover today the treasures of North Romania. Start with Moldovita Monastery, fine example of Moldavian architecture and painting.The Church of the monastery has a UNESCO World Heritage Site status. The most spectacular fresco of Moldovita is considered The Fall of Constantinople. Continue with Sucevita Monastery the largest monastery in Bucovina and the last one built. The monastery is located in a beautiful green valley and is fortified like a citadel. Green is the predominant colour. Next stop is the renowned Black Pottery Center in Marginea, an excellent place to shop for genuine souvenirs. To complete your experience with the Moldavian’s monasteries we visit Putna Monastery.The beginnings of Putna Monastery, the most important religious, cultural and artistic centre in medieval Moldavia, take us back to the year 1466 when, upon the initiative of Prince Stephen the Great. Return to Gura Humoului Guest House for dinner and accommodatin.The mouth-watering Moldavian specialities  is not something you should miss.

Day 3. GURA HUMORULUI –VORONET- SUCEAVA – GURA HUMORULUI
The most accomplished example of Moldavian painting and architecture, a UNESCO World Heritage site, considered the Sistine Chapel of the East – Voronet Monastery is on your schedule this morning. The magnificent frescoes are set against an incredible blue background, colour which has made the monastery famous worldwide. Further more “Voronet Blue” was added to the lexicon of art alongside colours like “Titian Red”. We continue the trip by visiting Suceava, the former capital of Moldova in medieval ages. Here we visit Suceava Citadel, which was built during the rule of the Prince Petru I Musat (1375-1391), having 10 m high and 2 m thick defense walls and a defense tower in every corner, the entrance into the citadel being realized by crossing a bridge with piers. Here died Stephen the Great. One of the first of Bucovina’s monastery will open its gates for you, Humor Monastery. It is one of the best preserved monasteries in Bucovina boasting frescos from 1535. The predominant colour is reddish brown. Return to Gura Humorului guest house for dinner and accommodation.

Day 4. GURA HUMORULUI – NEAMT – BUCHAREST
Leave the Bucovina area and we are going on the route to visit the Neamt Citadel, one of the oldest and most important medieval fortresses from Romania. The citadel was built in 14^th century on a high cliff assuring a perfect defensive location. Recently restored the Neamt Citadel present to its visitors the old defensive system and an interesting medieval collection.With a lot of memories and surely some regrets  and drive to the capital city of Bucharest.In the afternoon arrive at Bucharest. Overnight in Bucharest.

Day 5. BUCHAREST – AIRPORT
Breakfast. Accorging to your flight we can make a tour of Bucharest ol center and a visit to the Parliament House, the second largest building in the world! Transfer to the Bucharest International Airport for your departure flight.

 

Dracula tour in Transylvania 2014

Dracula tour in Transylvania 2014

6 days Tour Begins & Ends Bucharest: 2nts Sibiel, 1nt Borgo Pass, 1nt Sighisoara, 1nt Brasov

A private Dracula Tour in Transylvania departing from Bucharest. The tour includes historical and legendary places related with Dracula’s life and death: Vlad Dracula’s birth place in the medieval citadel of Sighisoara, Hunyad’s Castle, Dracula’s Castle in Borgo Pass, built according to Bram Stocker’s imagination, the ruins of the Poienari Fortress – Dracula’s refugee place, Arefu village and Dracula’s tomb in Snagov Monastery. Enjoy a mysterious trip in Dracula’s Realm!
Bran Castle - also known as Dracula’s Castle, a legendary Transylvanian fortress dating back to 1377.
Sighisoara Citadel - the best preserved and still inhabited  citadel in Europe, a UNESCO World Heritage site and Vlad the Impaler’s birth place.

Rasnov Citadel – the best preserved rural fortification in Transylvania and the largest one in Eastern Europe.

Snagov Monastery - where, according to the legend, Vlad was buried after his assassination.

The Old City of Brasov – a city with an outstanding  atmosphere which has played a vital role in Romania’s history, both old and new.

Day 1. BUCHAREST – CURTEA DE ARGES –POIENARI CASTLE- VIDRARU DAM-COZIA-SIBIU-SIBIEL. Welcome to the Romania! Our English speaking guide welcomes you at Bucharest Airport. Drive to Curtea de Arges to visit Curtea de Arges Monastery. Close by is the Poienari Castle. Standing on a cliff but now in ruins this is known as the real castle of Dracula (Vlad Tepes). To get to the top you must climb up its almost 1500 steps (takes approx. 1 hour). Once you arrive to the top of the Citadel you will find that the citadel is surprisingly small, one third has collapsed down the mountainside in 1888. Next stop is at Vidraru Dam, one of the largest man-made lakes from Romania. Before arriving in Sibiel we visit the fascinating Cozia Monastery, one of the most beautiful and most beloved monasteries in Romania. Overnight Sibiel Guest House, dinner and breakfast included in the accommdation price.

Day 2. SIBIU – HUNEDOARA – ALBA IULIA-DENSUS- SIBIEL. After brakfast we continue our tour in Transylvania by visiting Hunyad’s Castle in Hunedoara town, the residence of the brave Transylvanian Governor – John Hunyad (Iancu de Hunedoara). The castle built in XV century is the biggest  castle from Romania and it’s also considered one of the most haunted places from Europe. Next stop will be at Alba Iulia. Having its origins back in 2^nd century from Roman time, the city of Alba Iulia offers a journey through the history of Transylvania from ancient times to middle age and modern days. We’ll visit the ruins of the Roman town, the old fortifications, the modern fortifications made in Vauban style, the Cathoilc Cathedral – the oldest from Transylvania and the Reunion Cathedral which commemorates the Union of all Romanian provinces ina single country. Before we return to Sibiel, we drive to Densus to visit a strange and small  church, with its origin back in 4 th century. Overnight in Sibiel Guest house.

Day 3. SIBIU – MEDIAS – BISTRITA – BORGO PASS. Breakfast. Walking tour of the Sibiu’s Old District. Sibiu is one of the most important fortified towns in Transylvania.. The city is reminiscent of old European cities such as Nuremburg and it was founded in 1190 and grew to be the chief city of the Transylvanian Saxons. This amazing town, with the “Old Town” (The Big Square, the Small Square, the Ursuline Church, The Franciscan Church, The staircase Tower, the Tanners Tower, the Lier’s Bridge , the House of the Butcher’s Guild and last but not least with the amazing Bruckenthal Museum) is a gorgeous place to see. Next we’ll pass the city of Medias which host the impressive Margareth Cathedral and its Trompet’s Tower, one of the most slided buildings from the world. Then we’ll go on the route to Bistrita. Optional you have the possibility to serve lunch at the “Golden Crown” Restaurant – Bistrita, The hotel is outstanding in Romania and in the world, as it was described in the well known nouvel “DRACULA” by the Irishman Bram Stoker. One of the main characters in the novel, the lawyer Jonathan Harker, was also a guest of the hotel and he felt here as confortable as at home. Here the tourists can enjoy a blood taste – a unique drink: blood-red liquor, an exclusive beverage of the Golden Crown Restaurant. We pass Bistrita, the setting for much of Bram Stoker’s Dracula, at km 108, followed by Bargau Valley we will find the Hotel Castle Dracula in Piatra Fintinele. Birgau Valley has a very dramatic scenery, with huge hills draped in forests of fir trees and with villages appearing as living monuments to a way of life unchanged for centuries, with the Saxon House Museum from Livezile village, attesting a former Saxon population in this region (established here in the 12 and 13 centuries). The Borgo Pass is the border between Transylvania and Bucovina, with fantastic landscapes. The Hotel situated on a 1116m altitude with a fantastic view of the Carpathian mountains. The Hotel dates from 1983, built in the style of a medieval mansion, it was created to bring alive an authentic Dracula atmosphere.

Day 4. BORGO PASS – TARGU MURES-BIERTAN – SIGHISOARA. After breakfast we’ll go on the route to Sighisoara. On the way stop at Biertan Fortified Church, dating from XVI century and a former evanghelical bishops headquarter. In the afternoon visit the citadel of Sighisoara, . Also called “The Pearl of Transylvania” the old city is include on UNESCO’s Word Heritage. The Old Town or the Citadel is the only one still inhabited in Europe – a lost world and still so at the present! In 1431, the storey house at Museum Square 6, within the shadow of the old town’s Clock Tower, a women whose name is lost to posterity gave birth to a son called Vlad, who in later life earned the title of The Impaler , abroad better known as Dracula, derived from Dracul or the Devil – referring to his father Vlad Dracul, whom the Holy Roman Emperor Sigismund of Hungary made a knight of the order of The Dargon in 1431. The Clock Tower, the Church on the Hill, the Scholar’s Stairs, The Monastery Church, the towers of the citadel (originally fourteen), The Shoemakers Town, the Tailor’s Tower, the Tinsmiths Tower are only a few of the marvels of this place called Sighisoara. Overnight Sighisoara.

Day 5. SIGHISOARA – PREJMER FORTIFIED CHURCH – BRAN CASTLE - RASNOV FORTRESS-BRASOV

Breakfast. Drive to Brasov, once the strongest fortified city in Transylvania. First stop will be at Prejmer Fortified Church, one of the best preserved of its kind in Eastern Europe. The church is modeled after churches of Jerusalem, as well as built in the style of Early Gothic churches from the Rhineland. The concept of a fortified church as it is presented an Prejmer is unique in Europe and can be seen only in Transylvania.

From here you should take a trip to visit the famous Bran Castle, used as the summer residence of the Royal family. Visit Rasnov Fortress which is one of the best preserved peasant fortress of Transylvania and was built in 13-14 centuries by the inhabitants of the settlement with the same name, the principal purpose to defend themselves against Tartars attacks and was conquered only once around the year 1600 by Prince Gabriel Bathory. the main reason to come here is the 360 degrees beautiful view over Brasov Depression and Piatra Craiului Massif. Overnight Brasov.

Day 6. BRASOV – SINAIA – SNAGOV – BUCHAREST

After breakfast we make a short walkin tour in Brasov old center. Visit the Black Church, explore the Old  Saxon city of Brasov with its outstanding atmosphere, one of the best preserved old cities in Europe. Drive to Sinaia, the pearl of mountain resorts in Romania. Explore the main point of attraction, the royal Peles Castle, one of the best preserved and the most beautiful royal residences in Europe.Then will go to Snagov, a small village 40 km north of Bucharest, with its beautiful sixteen kilometer long lake; In the centre of the lake is an island occupied by a monastery, built in 1519. The Snagov monastery is situated on the island of the lake with the same name, we have to reach the monastery by crossing the lake by boat (If time and weather permit). Visitors come here to seek the tomb of Dracula sitting in the front of the church altar. Vlad’s murder is believed to have occurred in the forests nearby, where the monks took his body, since both Vlad and his father had both given money to the monastery. Drop off in Bucharest.