Road to Bucharest 141105-1

Air & Sea Travel Center
E-mail: [email protected]
Phone: 951-9800
Toll Free: 1-877-951-3888
Road to Bucharest
8 Countries: Croatia, Slovenia, Bosnia, Montenegro, Albania, Macedonia, Bulgaria, and Romania
May 11 – 27, 2015 (17 Days)
Mostar Old Stone Bridge
Covering cities: Zagreb, Ljubljana, Bled, Postojna, Plitvice National Park, Zadar, Sibenik, Trogir,
Split, Mostar, Dubrovnik, Kotor, Podgorica, Kruja, Tirana, Ohrid, Skopje, Rila, Sofia, Kazanlak,
Gabrovo, Veliko Tarnovo,Bucharest, Bran Castle, Brasov, and Sinaia.
Tour Package Includes
* International Flight from San Francisco
* Deluxe Hotels
* All Meals & Admissions as Stated
* Daily Bottle Water
* Headphone System
* Tips and gratuities are included
* Visit UNESCO World Heritage Cities: Trogir, Dubrovnik,
and Kotor
* Visit UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Plitvice Lakes
National Park, Sibenik Cathedral, Diocletian’s Palace,
Cable Car to
Mostar Old Stone Bridge, Lake Ohrid, and Rila Mountains Mount Tampa Brasov
* Funicular Railway to the Ljubljana Castle
* Bled Pletna Boat Ride
* Double Track Train in Postojna Caves
* Plitvice Lakes National Park Boat Ride
* Mini-Cruise on Lake Ohrid
* Folklore Dinner and Show
Price per person:
Postojna Cave
Rose Valley
$ 6,688
Incl: Tax & Fuel Surcharge
Single Supp: $ 1,120
50 S. Beretania Street, Suite C - 211B, Honolulu, HI 96813
www.airseatvl.com
(Optional)** May 10 Honolulu – San Francisco
We start our vacation by boarding a domestic flight to San Francisco. Stay overnight in San Francisco.
Hotel Accommodation: Hilton San Francisco Airport or Similar
San Francisco – Zagreb, Croatia
Day 1*May 11
Today we fly from San Francisco to Zagreb, the capital and largest city of the Republic of Croatia. Overnight
onboard.
Day 2*May 12
Zagreb, Croatia
(L, D)
Welcome to Zagreb; following customs, immigration formalities, and baggage collection, we will be greeted by an
Air and Sea Travel representative, and start our journey by city tour. The city of Zagreb, with its cultural and
historical legacy and significance, is one of the most vital cities in Europe. Join us on our romantic walk through the
oldest parts of the City and we will have a chance to explore some mystical places from the middle ages. The story
of the old part of Zagreb, the so-called Upper Town, begins at the Stone Gate, one of the most recognizable
symbols of Zagreb. The Stone Gate is part of the remains of the city walls that once stood around the old town. Pass
by Gothic Cathedral, Archbishop Mansion, and Capitol, we will see the National Theater. Feel everyday
Zagreb on Dolac Market while we sense a scent of more than one hundred kinds of fresh fruits and vegetables.
Continue our tour to The Church of St. Mark, the parish church of old Zagreb, located in St. Mark's Square
and stroll in Marshal Tito’s Square in Lower Town.
Hotel Accommodation: Doubletree by Hilton Zagreb or similar
Day 3*May 13
Zagreb, Croatia – Ljubljana, Slovenia – Bled, Slovenia
(B, L, D)
After Breakfast, transfer to Ljubljana, the capital and largest city and now the cultural, educational, economic, political
and administrative center of Slovenia, independent since 1991. Our Panoramic tour will include viewing of Central
Square, Town Hall, and Plaza Mayor. We will also visit neighboring St. Francis Xavier Church and
St. Nicholas Cathedral. We will catch the Funicular Railway from the Triple Bridge to the Ljubljana
Castle; it is located at the Castle Hill overlooking the old town. After lunch, we will visit Bled, the most picturesque
town in Slovenia, with an emerald-green lake. We will take Bled’s typical “pletna” boat to visit St. Maria’s
Church, a church on the island in the middle of the lake. A medieval castle from the 11th century on a cliff above
the lake, Bled Castle offers the finest view of the Bled Island, the town of Bled and of the wider countryside of the
Gorenjska region. Experience the picturesque architecture of the castle and the museum collection, representing
the historical development of Bled, its culture and its population.
Hotel Accommodation: Golf Hotel Bled or Similar
Day 4*May 14
Bled, Slovenia – Postojna, Slovenia – Plitvice National Park, Croatia
(B, L, D)
This morning, we will visit Postojna, a home of the remarkably huge Postojna Caves. Postojna Cave is the
best-known cave and one of the world's largest karst monuments. As the only cave in the world offering a unique and
adventurous ride with a special double track train, which will take us under spectacular underground arches, which
are embellished with chandelier look-alike stalactites, through a beautiful subterranean world full of playful limestone
sculptures. At the end, continue our trip to Plitvice Lakes National Park and stay overnight.
Hotel Accommodation: Hotel Jezero or Similar
Day 5*May 15
Plitvice National Park, Croatia – Zadar, Croatia
(B, L, D)
The Plitvice Lakes National Park, Croatia's most popular tourist attraction, was granted UNESCO World Heritage
status in 1979. The beauty of the National Park lies in its 16 lakes, inter-connected by a series of waterfalls, and
set in deep woodland populated by deer, bears, wolves, boars and rare bird species. The National Park covers a
total area of 300 square kilometres, whilst the lakes join together over a distance of eight kilometres. Today, we
will take a boat ride to explore the beauty of the park, then we continue our journey to Zadar, a city in Croatia on
the Adriatic Sea. Zadar is a historical center of Dalmatia as well as the seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese
of Zadar. Upon arrival, we will start our City Tour by visiting St. Donat’s Church. This pre-Romanesque, early 9th
century church was built on the location of the former Roman forum. The remains of the forum can be seen in
front of the church. The Sea organ is an architectural object located in Zadar and an experimental musical instrument
which plays music by way of sea waves and tubes located underneath a set of large marble steps. In 2006, the
Sea Organ was awarded with the prize ex-aequo of the fourth edition of the European Prize for Urban Public Space.
Hotel Accommodation: Falkensteiner Hotel & Spa ladera or Similar
Day 6*May 16
Zadar, Croatia – Sibenik, Croatia – Trogir, Croatia – Split, Croatia
(B, L, D)
After breakfast, transfer to Sibenik, a historic town in Croatia. The first stop for today is Sibenik Cathedral, the
most important architectural monument of the Renaissance in the entire country, and granted UNESCO World Heritage
Site in 2000. Here we can also see the Lions Gate and Republic Square. Afterwards, we continue our trip to
Trogir, a historic town and harbor on the Adriatic coast in Split-Dalmatia County. Since 1997, the historic centre of
Trogir has been included in the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites. Entrance to Trogir’s Cathedral of
St. Laurence, a Roman Catholic triple-nave basilica constructed in Romanesque-Gothic and it serves now as the
most imposing monument in the city of Trogir. We will have the honor to visit the Treasure Room and Bell Tower.
Transfer to Split, the second-largest city of Croatia and the largest city of the region of Dalmatia, centered on the Roman
Palace of the Emperor Diocletian. Please enjoy the City-Orientation Tour of Split, including the view of City HALL.
Hotel Accommodation: Hotel Dalmina or Similar
Day 7*May 17
Split, Croatia – Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina – Dubrovnik, Croatia (B, L, D)
This morning, the highlight is the Diocletian’s Palace, an ancient palace built by the Roman Emperor Diocletian at
the turn of the fourth century CE. It is referred to as a “Palace” because of its intended use as the retirement residence
of Diocletian. In 1997, it was granted UNESCO World Heritage Site. We will have the chance to explore the Peristile
and Cellar Rooms as well as Vestibule and Hall. After lunch, we will drive through the marvelous gorge of
Neretva River past the Bosnian border to Mostar. Please relax and enjoy our City Tour. We will see the most
recognizable landmarks of the city; Old Stone Bridge built in the 16th century, and is considered one of the most
exemplary pieces of Islamic architecture in the Balkans. It became the UNESCO list of World Heritage Site in 2005.
Walking through the old part of the city where we will see the remains of the Turkish quarter. We will then, stop at
Koski Mehmed Pasha Mosque for photos. Transfer to Dubrovnik, the city on UNESCO list of World Heritage
Sites from 1979. The old city, also known as the “Pearl of the Adriatic”, was an important Mediterranean Sea power
from the 13th century onwards. Dubrovnik is a remarkably well-preserved example of a late-Medieval walled city with
its Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque churches, monasteries, palaces and fountains. Our tour of the Old City begins
at the Pile Gate, where we will find ourselves at the beginning of the famous main street, the Stradun. A walk along
the Stradun will show us a few of Dubrovnik's Renaissance buildings that survived the earthquake of 1667, and will
give us an idea of the city's architectural heritage.
Hotel Accommodation: Dubrovnik Palace or Similar
Day 8*May 18
Dubrovnik, Croatia – Kotor, Montenegro – Podgorica, Montenegro
(B, L, D)
After breakfast, we enter the top of the City Walls. After that, we will visit the Franciscan Monastery which is
considered to be a masterpiece of architecture in Dubrovnik, as well as the Old Pharmacy. We will have photo taking
opportunity at a 16th-century palace, Sponza Palace, which was built in a mixed Gothic and Renaissance style. Then
entrance to the Cathedral, also known as Church of the Assumption. We then transfer to Kotor, a coastal
town in Montenegro. It is located in a secluded part of the Gulf of Kotor. It has one of the best preserved medieval old
towns in the Adriatic and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We then enter St. Tryphon's Cathedral, which is one
of two Roman Catholic cathedrals in Montenegro. It contains a rich collection of artifacts and older than many famous
churches and cathedrals in Europe. We will also visit Main Square and view the St. Luca Church. Transfer to
Podgorica, the capital and largest city of Montenegro. In contemporary history, the city was also known as Titograd
from 1946 to 1992 during the existence of SFR Yugoslavia.
Hotel Accommodation: Best Western Premier or Similar
Day 9*May 19
Podgorica, Montenegro – Kruja, Albania – Tirana, Albania
(B, L, D)
Today we will have an outside view of the Serbian Orthodox Church of Resurrection, Republic Square,
National Theater, Millennium Bridge, Molaka River, University, Old Palace Pool Hall and Parliament
Building. After that, we will visit the Church of Baptist Jesus where the right hand bone of St. John has been
mummified. We then transfer to Kruja; it is a town in north central Albania and the capital of the municipality and the
Kruja District, located between Mt. Kruja and the Ishem River. We will visit Skanderbeg Museum, which honors
George Kastrioti Skanderbeg, a national hero of Albania. Transfer to Tirana, which is the capital and largest city of
Albania.
Hotel Accommodation: Sheraton Tirana or Similar
Day 10*May 20
Tirana, Albania – Ohrid, Macedonia
(B, L, D)
After we enjoy our hotel breakfast, we enter the National History Museum; it is the country’s largest museum.
We will then have an outside view of En Senmei Mosque, Palace of Culture, Pyramid Mother Theresa
Statue, and Martyrs Monument to get to know this country better. Next transfer to Ohrid, which is the largest
city on Lake Ohrid and the eighth-largest city of the Republic of Macedonia. Ohrid is notable for once having had 365
churches, one for each day of the year, and has been referred to as a “Jerusalem (of the Balkans)”. Here we enter the
old and new St. Clement Church and the Samuil Fortress, which is a fortress in the old town of Ohrid. It was
the capital of the First Bulgarian Empire during the rule of Samuil in the middle-age. We will have a Mini-Cruise
on Lake Ohrid, which was accepted as a Cultural and Natural World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1980.
Hotel Accommodation: Metropol Lake Resort or Similar
Day 11*May 21
Ohrid, Macedonia – Skopje, Macedonia
(B, L, D)
After breakfast, transfer to Skopje, the capital and largest city of the Republic of Macedonia. It is the country’s political,
cultural, economic, and academic center. It was known in the Roman period under the name Scupi. We then enter
Kale Fortress, which is a historic fortress located in the old town of Skopje. It is situated on the highest point in the
city overlooking the modern city and the Vardar River. St. Spas Church whose intricate beauty on the inside of the
iconostasis on the eastern side displays beautiful detailed scenes from the bible. After that, we will have an outside
view of Mustafa Mosque, Town District Turkish Market, Old Turkish Bath, Stone Bridge and Mother
Teresa Monument.
Hotel Accommodation: Holiday Inn Skopje or Similar
Day 12*May 22
Skopje, Macedonia – Rila, Bulgaria – Sofia, Bulgaria
(B, L, D)
This morning, travel the 182-km road through tranquil countryside to the heart of Rila Mountains – the highest
mountain on the Balkan. The legends, history, beautiful nature and art are all abundant in and around Rila Monastery,
the largest and most famous Eastern Orthodox monastery in Bulgaria and became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983.
We will also enter the Holyvirgin Church and our guide will trace and illustrate the history of the biggest Bulgarian
monastic complex with a lecture on the Monastery Museum. Proceed to Sofia, the capital and largest city of Bulgaria
and take a panoramic sightseeing tour and stop inside the St. Petka Church, a small one-nave building partially dug into
the ground located in the very centre of both the modern and the antique city. The church features a semi-cylindrical vault,
a hemispherical apse, and a crypt discovered during excavations after the Second World War. We will also visit St. Sofia
Church, the second oldest church in Sofia and The Alexander Nevsky Church. St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral
builds in Neo-Byzantine style, and it serves as the cathedral church of the Patriarch of Bulgaria. It is also one of the
largest Eastern Orthodox cathedrals in the world, as well as one of Sofia’s symbols and primary tourist attractions.
Hotel Accommodation: Hilton Sofia or Similar
Day 13*May 23
Sofia, Bulgaria – Kazanlak, Bulgaria – Gabrovo, Bulgaria – Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria (B, L, D)
After breakfast, transfer to Kazanlak, a Bulgarian town located at the foot of the Balkan mountain range, at the
eastern end of Rose Valley. It is the center of rose oil extraction in Bulgaria and the oil-producing rose of Kazanlak
which is also one of the most widely recognizable national symbols. Of course, we will visit The Museum of
the Rose Industry to know everything about the most beautiful flower – Rose. Then, transfer to Gabrovo, which
is situated at the foot of the central Balkan Mountains, in the valley of the Yantra River. It is also known as the longest
city in Bulgaria, stretching over 25km along the Yantra. The House of Humour and Satire in Gabrovo is unique
in its nature. It is the only museum in the world devoted to humour. Today it is an international cultural centre that
successfully combines the features of a museum and a busy gallery where examples of the art of humour and satire
from all around the world are gathered together. The motto of the museum is: “The World Survived Because It
Laughed.” End of today, we transfer to Veliko Tarnovo, often referred to as the “City of the Tsars” which is
located on the Yantra River and is famous as the historical capital of the Second Bulgarian Empire.
Hotel Accommodation: Yantra Grand Hotel or Similar
Day 14*May 24
Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria – Bucharest, Romania
(B, L, D)
After we enjoy our hotel breakfast, a sightseeing tour will begin. Castle Hill is an impressive sight with medieval
fortifications and dramatic architecture. Veliko Tarnovo – Situated on 4 hills; the houses are at the foot of the hills,
perched one above the other, crowning steep streets with their gables; preserved remains of the old fortress built
around the banks of the Yantra River lay here. We will be walking through Old Orthodox Cathedral as well. At
the end, we will be going to Bucharest, the capital municipality, and cultural, industrial, and financial centre of
Romania. We will stay overnight here.
Hotel Accommodation: Intercontinental or Similar
Day 15*May 25
(B, L, D)
Bucharest, Romania – Brasov, Romania
Our day begins with a scenic drive to 14th century Bran Castle, known as Dracula's Castle, one of the best
preserved medieval castles in Transylvania, originally built by the Teutonic Knights. It was turned into a royal residence
under Queen Marie of Romania in the 1920s and used as such until 1947. Our journey continues north to Brasov, the
7th largest city in Romania. Brasov's most important landmark, the Black Church, the largest Gothic church between
Vienna and Istanbul, towers over Piata Sfatului and the old town. Originally dedicated to Virgin Mary the church was
Roman-Catholic for more than a century and a half and later with the reformation sweeping across Europe it became
Lutheran. Mount Tampa stands majestically over Brasov, like an ancient Saxon knight, guarding the city from potential
enemies. Cable car will take us to the top of the mountain for some amazing panoramic views of Brasov and the
surrounding valley. Tonight, a Folklore Dinner and Show is arranged; we will enjoy our 3-course dinner with
traditional Romanian music.
Hotel Accommodation: Ramada or Similar
Day 16*May 26
Brasov, Romania – Sinaia, Romania – Bucharest, Romania
(B, L, D)
Today we transfer to Sinaia, a popular hiking and winter mountain resort in Romania. The town is named after
Sinaia Monastery which the town is actually built around. Here we visit the popular tourist attraction Peles Castle
which is considered the most beautiful castle in all of Europe. It is the final resting place for several Romanian monarchs
including King Carol I. We arrive at Bucharest and enter Parliament Palace, the most famous building in
Bucharest and is also the world's second largest (after the Pentagon in Washington). The Parliament Palace was
the brainchild of the infamous hated dictator of Romania, Nicholae Ceausescu. This lavish 12-story building was
also known as the "House of the People" and it looms above the surrounding area from a man-made hill. The
Parliament Palace has over 3000 rooms, but only a few are open to the public. We will then view Bucharest
University, the second oldest university in Romania.
Hotel Accommodation: Intercontinental or Similar
Day 17*May 27
(B)
Bucharest – San Francisco
Today, we will transfer to the airport for our flight back to San Francisco.
(Optional)**May 28
San Francisco – Honolulu
After a one night stay in San Francisco, we will take our flight back to Honolulu, taking home lasting memories of
this magnificent trip.
Hotel Accommodation: Hilton San Francisco Airport or Similar
Plitvice National Park
Dubrovnik City
Dracula's Castle
We wish you a safe journey and capture many wonderful memories to share with family and friends!
B: Breakfast | L: Lunch | D: Dinner
☺
Remarks:
$500 additional if depart from and return to Honolulu (Fee incl. Honolulu – San Francisco’s round-trip add-on airfare &
2 nights SFO hotel accommodations with Twin-sharing room)
Tips and gratuities are included
Business class is available, please call your agent for price
Escorted tour with a minimum of 20 passengers
Deluxe hotel accommodations based on double occupancy
All Meals & Admissions as Stated
Local English speaking tour guide service
National English speaking tour guide service
All transfers and sightseeing by air conditioned coach
Tour price is subject to change according to any airfare increase, increase in government taxes, additional fuel
charges and fluctuation of the rate of exchange between U.S. and foreign currency
Refer to “General Condition of Grande Holiday”
We reserve the right to modify the itinerary for smooth operation
Tour price includes Fuel surcharge & government taxes and fees. The tour price shown is current at time of
listing and pricing on Oct 30, 2014.
Payment Policy:
CHECK OR CASH PAYMENT ONLY. A deposit of $ 1,500 per person is required at the time of application. The balance of
payment is due on Feb 10, 2015. In case the balance of payment is not made within the required time period, Air and Sea
Travel Center reserves the right to cancel reservations and charge a service fee for cancellation.
Written notice is required for any cancellation.
After Feb 10, 2015 to departure, the cancellation fee will be as follow:
**Feb 11 to March 10, 2015, $1,500 deposit per person is non-refundable;
**March 11 to April 10, 2015: 50% of total price plus any other service fee caused from the cancellation;
**From April 11, 2015 to departure or withdraw during the tour shall be regarded as willingly giving up all rights
concerned, 100% of the total price, and the request for other service as substitute shall not be accepted.
**Also we strongly recommend you to purchase travel insurance when you make a reservation**