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Danube's
Delta - Wildlife Paradise
Medieval Romania
Moldavia's Monasteries
Ornithology
Day
1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5
Day 6
Day 7
Day 8
Day 9
Day 10
Services
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The
Danube Delta, witness of eventful, century-old history of Romanian people,
huge, amazing spread of water, reed and sun, of a unique wealth, biological
value, exuberance and variety, is a major target of tourist interest
in nowadays Romania. The Danube Delta was included in the UNESCO Project
as a Reservation of the Biosphere because its peculiar features and
the originality and variety of the ecosystems (more than 25 types of
natural ecosystems). There are settled 16 areas strictly protected where
no economical activities are allowed, then areas for ecological rehabilitation
and, finally, buffer and economical areas, where tourist activities
are permitted under the circumstances of protection and maintenance
of the environment. At the end of the great river Danube's journey through
Europe to the Black Sea there spreads out a natural paradise unique
in Europe, where channels, lakes, reed islands, pastures and sand dunes
cover over 5,165sq km (2,000sq miles). In the long run, deposition of
million tons of alluvia linked the three branches of the Danube: Chilia,
Sulina and Sf. Gheorghe.
This
amazing wetland shelters over 310 species of birds countless fish from
royal sturgeon down to carp and perch, while its 1,150 kinds of plants
range from sinuous lianas suggesting tropical forests to gently blossoming
water lilies.
It
is small wonder that UNESCO has designated the Delta a "Reservation
of the Biosphere". Only 15,000 people make their living from fishing,
livestock breeding, and reed harvesting in this vast area. Their villages,
lapped by the waterways, seem untouched by time. The starting point
for a Delta adventure is usually the ancient city of Tulcea, with modern
tourist hotels and special small cruise ships, plus a worthwhile museum
devoted to the natural history of the Delta. It is 72 km (45 miles)
by boat from the almost equally old settlement of Sulina at the other
end of the Sulina channel and cruises between the two offering passengers
a panoramic view of wildlife. You will see pelicans and cormorants,
eagles and vultures.
Local
fishermen make their own version of Russian bortsch over an open fire.
At restaurants you can sample Danube herring, croquettes of zander,
or sturgeon steak, tastly washed down with Aligote, Muscat or Merlot
wines. In every way a Delta trip is a memorable experience.
Wherever
you look, you can see floating islets covered by rush and reed, lians
like in tropical woods, lakes with muddy depths but with surfaces like
carpets of water lilies hiding a puzzling under-water world. The silent
boats of fishermen stir numberless pelicans and flocks of cormorants
and moor hens from their nests beyond the reed curtains.
This
tour will help you as well, to discover the Romanian legends like that
of Count Dracula by visiting the turreted castles and high-roofed wooden
churches of Transylvania. We prepared for you a tourist program, which
lasts 10 days / 9 nights, based on exploring the reservation of the
Danube Delta's biosphere.
ORNITHOLOGY
IN THE DANUBE'S DELTA
The
ornithological fauna of the Danube Delta includes 310 species among
which:
· about 60% of the world number of small cormorants;
· the greatest part of the European colonies of white pelicans and Dalmatian
pelicans;
· during winter time, almost half of the world number of red-breasted-geese.
Beyond
the native species here come to hatch 80 species of birds from Asia,
Africa and Northern areas of Europe. Red-breasted-geese, long tailed
ducks, whooper swans, black-throated divers etc. spend winters here.
By spring time come pelicans, egrets, purple herons, spoonbills, curlews
and others. White fronted geese, ospreys, cranes, red-legged geese etc
pass in their way through the Danube Delta. Here are also some rare
or near extincted species such as: the griffon vulture, the teal, the
sheld duck and the ruddy sheld duck. The Dalmatian pelican and the white
pelican, the sheld duck and the ruddy sheld duck, the curlew, the bee-eater,
the roller, the white-tailed eagle, the black-winged stilt, the great
white egret, the spoonbill, the cormorant, the eagle, the falcon, the
black-throated diver, the eagle-owl, the mute swan and the whooper swan
are species protected by the law.
DAY
1
- Transfer Airport Otopeni - Bucharest
- Lodging- hotel 3*/ Bucharest
DAY
2
- Breakfast hotel Bucharest
- Bucharest Sightseeing - The Romania's capital, Bucharest was founded
500 years ago. It is a natural starting point for visits to the country.
During the 1930's its tree-lined boulevards and "fin de siecle" architecture
earned it the nickname "the Little Paris of the East": it even has
an "Arc de Triomphe"! The tour contains visits to the Cotroceni Palace,
The Parliament House - the second largest building in the world, after
Pentagon, and the "Curtea Veche" (The Old Court) with its ornate remains
of "Dracula's" 15th century palace.
- Lunch at "Caru' cu Bere" Restaurant ("The Beer Wagon") , historical
monument (built in 1879). It is placed in the historical center of
Bucharest, behind the National Museum of History. It was restored
in its initial German style, a few years ago. *Alternative: lunch
at "Hanu' lui Manuc" Restaurant ("The Manuc's Inn"), with Romanian
menu, placed on an ancient commercial street.
- Transfer to Constantza (the most important city and harbor to the
Black Sea)
- Visit, dinner and wine tasting to Murfatlar vineyard - one of the
pearls of the Romanian Wines
- Lodging at Eforie Sud resort - on the Black Sea Coast, close to
Constantza.
DAY
3
- Breakfast and departure to Constanta
- Sightseeing tour of Constantza, including visits to the Aquarium,
to the Blue Mosque and to the Roman mosaic built in the 3rd century.
Departure for Tulcea
- Lunch in Tulcea City, the starting point for Delta adventure
- Transfer to Murighiol, village situated on one of the Danube's arm
( St. George)
- Transfer by pneumatic boat to " Cormoran" Hotel ( * * * ) - situated
in the middle of the Delta
- Lodging and dinner at Cormoran Hotel
DAY
4
- Visiting Program in Danube Delta
- Lodging and full board - Cormoran Hotel
DAY
5
- Visiting
Program in Danube Delta
- Lodging
and full board - Cormoran Hotel
DAY
6
- Visiting
Program in Danube Delta
- Lodging
and full board - Cormoran Hotel
DAY
7
- Breakfast
- Transfer to Murighiol
- Departure to Cumpana chalet (nearby the biggest dam of Romania,
situated on Vidraru Lake, in the Carpathians Mountains
- Stop for lunch in Targoviste, old city who was in the Middle Age
the capital of Walachia.
- Visit to "Curtea Domneasca" ("The Royal Court") Targoviste - a building
complex with ruins of Prince Vlad Dracula's residence, including the
tower called "Turnul Chindiei" ("The Chindia Tower" - 17th century),
still well-preserved.
- Lodging and dinner at Cumpana chalet - situated in the Carpathians
Mountains at 1,000 m altitude, surrounded by forests on the bank of
Vidraru Lake; it is a good opportunity for observing " the forest's
life": birds, mammals, trees, or for enjoy some fishing on the lake.
DAY
8
- Program for observing the birds, the animals and the landscapes
around the chalet or nearby, up to 2000 m altitude in the mountains
- Lodging and full board - Cumpana chalet
DAY
9
- Breakfast
- Departure for Sibiu, in Transylvania, via the most spectacular road
named "Transfagarasan"(at 2,000m altitude, it crosses Fagaras Mountains)
- City-tour in Sibiu: - Visit to "Brukenthal Museum"- founded in 1870,
it is the oldest museum in our country; its name recalls its creator,
the ex-governor of Transylvania: Samuel Brukenthal- one of the most
famous collectors of antiques. Visit to Evangelical Church- built
in several stages between 14th-15th centuries in Gothic style; it
contains a commanding tower, where you can view the entire city.
- Lunch at Sibiu Vechi Restaurant
- Transfer to Brasov
- Visit to Biserica Neagra - the biggest construction in Gothic style
in Romania, built between 1384-1477, with 89m length and 38m wide;
its name (Black Church) comes from the great fire in 1689 that provoked
some serious damages and made its walls black; it is remarkable by
the decorative elements of Renaissance and Baroque influence, a grate
number of statues and one of the oldest organ in our country.
- Visit to St. Nicholas' Church - initially a church in wood, it was
rebuilt between 15th-16th centuries in Gothic style; now it belongs
to Romanian orthodox community.
- Lunch and lodging at Poiana Brasov, 13 km from the city of Brasov,
the well-known Romanian's ski resort
DAY
10
- Breakfast
- Transfer to Sinaia-nice resort to stay for its glorious mountain
scenery
- Visit to Peles Castle- an old royal-residence, today a famous museum.
It is the highlight of Sinaia and one of the most precious monuments
in Romania; built between 1875-1883, the castle is a mixture of many
architectural styles, but prevalent is the German style. It is placed
in the middle of a splendid park with beautiful terraces and includes
160 rooms with valuables decorative elements.
- Transfer to the Otopeni Airport near Bucharest. End of program.
- Departure from Romania
The
following services are included during
the tour:
- Accommodation in
Bucharest - one night | 3* hotel
Eforie Sud- one night | 3* villa
Delta - 4 nights | Cormoran Hotel - 3*
Cumpana - 2 nights | Cumpana Chalet 2*
Poiana Brasov - one night | 3* hotel
- Transportation
by car/van as scheduled (2036 km)
- English
speaking escort guide
- 3
meals / day on full board basis
- Specialist
in ornithology
- Boat
transportation & rental in Danube's Delta
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tours:
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