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13-Nights Heart of the East: Romania & Moldova Adventure - Classic from $3,144
G Adventures
OFFER ID 1688127
Heart of the East: Romania & Moldova Adventure
Discover the hidden gems of Eastern Europe on this 14-day adventure through Romania and Moldova. From Bustling capitals to village life, some of the most interesting nature and wildlife out there, with a sprinkle of Vlad the Impaler and extensive wine production, this tour won't disappoint. Romania being something of a tourist hub paired with Moldova, one of the least visited countries in Europe, provides a simply magical juxtaposition.
Highlights
Step into Dracula's legend at Bran Castle - home of Vlad the Impaler, Explore the canals of the Danube Delta by boat on the lookout for birds and wildlife, Explore the dynamic capitals of Bucharest and Chi?inau on local walking tours, Taste your way through Moldova's local wine and cheeses, Be immersed in traditional culture in Moldova's Gaugazia region
Accomodation
It is important to note that accommodation in Europe tend to be quite different to other areas of the world you may have travelled in. Buildings and rooms are generally old and may not have been renovated or maintained to the highest standard. Downtown hotels in Europe were not build to be hotels but rich owners houses, which have been changed into hotels. Therefore unusual room sizes are common as large rooms have been partitioned in the past, resulting in rather "thin" walls. Reception areas, rooms and bathrooms tend to be very small as they were often added into an existing room, and may have a hand nozzle rather than a conventional shower head. In one or two locations we use accommodation with shared bathrooms.
Staff can occasionally demonstrate less than perfect customer service. As accommodation is in short supply, especially during the summer months, hotels can charge a premium and there is sometimes little motivation to improve facilities.
On this trip you can expect to stay in small family-run hotels or pensions (with the exception of the start and finish hotels, which are often larger city hotels), which will vary a little in standard and facilities: some may not have elevators, air-conditioning or English-speaking staff, but most importantly all are locally-run, with some traditional character, and in excellent central locations to give you maximum time for exploring the sights. You can expect to find clean, safe, simple accommodation in convenient locations.
Note that most accommodation in Europe does not have air conditioning units in rooms. Air conditioning is not routinely installed in European homes and workplaces. However, nearly all hotels will provide a standing or desk fan for your room on hot nights. If you do not already have one in your room, please ask your CEO to organize one for you with reception.
Group Leader
This G Adventures group trip is accompanied by one of our group leaders. The aim of the group leader is to take the hassle out of your travels and to help you have the best trip possible. They will provide information on the places you are travelling through, offer suggestions for things to do and see, recommend great local eating venues and introduce you to our local friends. While not being guides in the traditional sense you can expect them to have a broad general knowledge of the countries visited on the trip, including historical, cultural, religious and social aspects. We also use local guides where we think more specific knowledge will add to the enjoyment of the places we are visiting - we think it's the best of both worlds.
Group Size Notes
Max 16, avg 12
Meals Included
14 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 3 dinners
What's Included
Your Welcome Moment: Meet Your CEO and Group
Your Local Living Moment: Fromage - Made in Moldova, Rezina
Your Foodie Moment: Cooking class in Trebujeni - Green Villa, Trebujeni
Your Local Living Moment: Gagauz Sofrasi Meal and Experience, Congaz.
Visit the town of Sinaia. Bran Castle entrance ticket. Free time in Brasov. Visit to the Berca Mud Volcanoes. CEO-led orientation walk in Mila 23. Full-day guided tour of the Danube Delta by speedboat. Chisinau orientation walk. Guided walking tour of Chisinau. Cricova Winery tour and tasting. Saharna Monastery visit. 'Fromage - Made in Moldova' project visit and light lunch. Orheiul Vechi Hike. Trebujeni cooking class. Guided National Gagauz History and Ethnographic Museum visit with cultural presentation. Comrat winery tour and tasting. Gagauz Sofrasi cultural and culinary complex visit with dinner. All transport between destinations and to/from included activities
13 nights from $3,144 per person
G Adventures: Heart of the East: Romania & Moldova Adventure
Day 1: Bucharest
Arrive at any time. After a welcome briefing, set off with your CEO on an evening orientation walk on the way to an optional group dinner.
Day 2: Brasov
Explore the famous Transylvania region today, beginning in Sinaia, home to the iconic Peles Castle. Tour the castle on your own and spend time in the gardens before moving on to Bran Castle. Located on a rocky promontory and owned by Vlad the Impaler himself, this medieval castle is what you picture when you think of Bram Stoker's Dracula, a space shrouded by mystery and legend. Continue onward to Brasov and join your CEO on a late afternoon walk.
Day 3: Brasov
Discover Brasov today with free time. Wander through the medieval streets and visit some of the city's most iconic sites to get the most of the region's beautiful architecture and vibrant history.
Day 4: Buzau
Depart from Brasov this morning and drive to the lesser-known region of Buzau. Settle in to your guesthouse then continue on to the Berca Mud Volcanoes, a geological and botanical reserve located a short distance from the city. Take in the unique lunar landscapes and watch for eruptions before returning to Buzau for the night.
Day 5: Danube Delta
After breakfast, head east to Tulcea, the gateway to the Danube Delta, and board a speedboat to the remote fishing village of Mila 23 - accessible only by water. Check in to your new home away from home and enjoy lunch on your own before setting out on foot with your CEO to explore the town. End the day surrounded by nature in one of Europe's last truly wild places.
Day 6: Danube Delta
Today is dedicated to discovering the natural beauty of the Danube Delta. Board a speedboat on a guided excursion through the intricate network of canals, lakes, and reed beds that make up this ecological wonder. Keep an eye out for pelicans, herons, and egrets, as well as a variety of fish and plant life, and learn about the unique ecosystem and traditions of the Lipovan community. Visit the town and beaches of Sulina on the Black Sea before returning to the guesthouse for the evening.
Day 7: Bucharest
Wave goodbye to the beautiful Danube Delta this morning and set off across the water, back to Tulcea. Transfer to a private vehicle and watch the world go by as you head back to Bucharest for the night.
Day 8: Bucharest/Chisinau
Transfer to the airport for the flight to Chisinau, Moldova's capital city. In the evening, join your CEO for a short orientation walk on the way to an optional dinner out, before settling in for the next leg of the adventure.
Day 9: Chisinau
Set out this morning with a local guide on a walking tour of Chisinau. Pass by some of the city's main sights and historical landmarks like the Parliament building and gaze at the beautiful architecture of the City Hall and St. Pantelimon Church. In the afternoon, visit Cricova Winery for a tour of the underground wine cellars and enjoy a tasting of some of the wines Moldova is famous for. Return to Chisinau for a free evening and optional dinner out with the group.
Day 10: Chisinau/Butuceni
This morning, depart Chisinau for the North of Moldova. Stop at the Monastery of Saharna, a picturesque complex where you can relax in the shadow of a cascading waterfall, paired with ancient relics and deep history. Next, transfer to a local cheese factory in a small village for a light lunch sampling fresh cheeses, jams and wine. Learn how the initiative serves to support the community by providing employment and preserving Moldovan traditions. Continue to Butuceni Village for the evening.
Day 11: Butuceni
This morning enjoy some light hiking to Orheiul Vechi, an area of natural beauty shaped by the river Raut as it cuts into the rocky hills of central Moldova. In medieval times, the river Raut served as a travel route for merchants from as far away as Greece. After free time in the village, join a cooking class at an agro-pension in Trebujeni, then stroll back to the eco resort in Butuceni. Enjoy the rest of the afternoon free to explore or relax.
Day 12: Butuceni/Congaz
Embark on a day of cultural immersion into the Gaugazia region of Moldova. Start at the National Gagauz History and Ethnographic Museum and learn of the local wedding traditions with an interactive presentation. Continue on to Comrat for a winery tour and tasting, then visit Gagauz Sofrasi, a cultural and culinary complex where you'll learn about local traditions and indulge in a traditional Gagauz feast, featuring locally sourced ingredients and expertly crafted wines.
Day 13: Congaz/Chisinau
Wave goodbye to Congaz this morning and depart for the drive back to Chisinau. The remainder of the day is free to explore Moldova's capital city before regrouping in the evening for an optional final dinner out with the group.
Day 14: Chisinau
Depart at any time.
Vacation Details
* This departure has been designated a guaranteed departure by the operator, meaning that the minimum number of guests has been met, although still subject to weather and other conditions.
Moderate facilities have modest enhancements to amenities and décor. These hotels or resorts are dependable, comfortable and some may offer standard features, such as select business services, Continental breakfast or coffee service and may have a swimming pool or small fitness center on-site. Guestrooms are comfortable, moderately spacious, in-room telephones, televisions and limited amenities. Moderate establishments provide suitable accommodations and service for budget-minded travelers.
If required all local flights are included in the cost of your tours unless otherwise noted. It is important that we have your passport information at the time of booking in order to process these tickets. Internal flight tickets are issued locally and will be given to you prior to the flight departure.
Dossier Disclaimer
The information in this trip details document has been compiled with care and is provided in good faith. However it is subject to change, and does not form part of the contract between the client and the operator. The itinerary featured is correct at time of printing. It may differ slightly to the one in the brochure. Occasionally our itineraries change as we make improvements that stem from past travellers, comments and our own research. Sometimes it can be a small change like adding an extra meal along the itinerary. Sometimes the change may result in us altering the tour for the coming year. Ultimately, our goal is to provide you with the most rewarding experience. Please note that our brochure is usually released in November each year. If you have booked from the previous brochure you may find there have been some changes to the itinerary. VERY IMPORTANT: Please ensure that you print a final copy of your Trip Details to review a couple of days prior to travel, in case there have been changes that affect your plans.
Itinerary Disclaimer
While it is our intention to adhere to the route described below, there is a certain amount of flexibility built into the itinerary and on occasion it may be necessary, or desirable to make alterations. The itinerary is brief, as we never know exactly where our journey will take us. Due to our style of travel and the regions we visit, travel can be unpredictable. The Trip Details document is a general guide to the tour and region and any mention of specific destinations or wildlife is by no means a guarantee that they will be visited or encountered. Aboard expedition trips visits to research stations depend on final permission. Additionally, any travel times listed are approximations only and subject to vary due to local circumstances.
All fares are quoted in US Dollars.
Reference this number when contacting our agency so we may better serve you. Also keeping this number handy will allow you to locate this document again quickly.
Lindstrom Travel
5970 Guilford Rd.
Rockford, IL 61107
USA
(815) 398-8888
(800) 824-3164