Dracula and Beyond
Real Romania
September 1 - 11, 2006

BETTER THAN THE BOOK

Irish civil servant Bram Stoker developed an interest in history and horror from the stories his mother read to him when he was a sickly child often confined to bed. Through these literary pursuits he learned of an obscure, 15th century Romanian prince, Vlad Tepes (also known as Vlad the Impaler), who would later inspire him to write what would become classic horror fiction. Stoker, however, never strayed much beyond his childhood home of Dublin, or a later residence in London, so his novel was purely the stuff of invention. Published in 1897, Dracula has defined and bedeviled Romania ever since. To add insult to injury, Romania has also had to contend with the bad P.R. of a second ruthless tyrant—Communist dictator Nicolae Ceausescu.
     Romania may not be the first place that you think of when planning a vacation, as it is sometimes imagined as living up to the old Communist stereotypes of cold, gray, dull, and poverty-stricken. Bram Stoker didn’t know what he was writing about either when he described the country as having a bleak and barren landscape. Nothing could be further from the truth, and Romania is busy correcting these many misconceptions.
     The overthrow of the Ceausescu regime in 1989 started the reform process toward Western-style democracy and a market economy. These reforms benefit the world traveler in many ways: new, private, service-oriented hotels and restaurants; great access to the historical sights and cultural attractions, and the ability to interact directly with native Romanians. The occasional problems encountered in Romania’s relatively new tourism environment are greatly offset by the hospitality of the Romanians, who are no longer forbidden to speak with foreigners and eagerly engage in social interaction with tourists visiting their country.
     Romania’s greatest calling card, though, is its natural beauty. For many who have visited here, this is one of the most beautiful countries in Eastern Europe. Comparable in size to the state of Oregon, Romania has many intact medieval villages that feel like a trip back in time, with their town squares, churches, and surrounding Bavarian-style homes and shops reflecting the region’s Hungarian and German ancestry. Many enchanting Orthodox monasteries, including some from medieval times with colorful frescoes on their outside walls, characterize the remote and mountainous region of Bucovina. The rugged Carpathian Mountains form a crown in the center of the country. The capital city of Bucharest has many wide, tree-lined avenues, Beaux Arts mansions, and colossal architectural structures that once earned it the reputation as the “Paris of the East.”
     Made up of three provinces (Wallachia, Moldavia, and Transylvania), Romania is a Latin island in a sea of Slavs and Magyars since it borders the Ukraine, Moldova, Bulgaria, Serbia, and Hungary. Romania is a spicy cultural stew whose ingredients were contributed by barbaric invasions, struggles against the Turks, the Austro-Hungarian domination of Transylvania, a once large (and still existent) Gypsy population, and a strong French cultural influence. Who could ask for anything more?
     For Romania, the fact of the place will always trump the fiction about it. Join Toto Tours on this rare journey into one of Eastern Europe’s most mysterious realms to go beyond the myths and discover for yourself the Real Romania.

ITINERARY

Friday, September 1, 2006
Bound for Bucharest

Arrange your international flight to leave your home city sometime today, arriving in Bucharest, Romania tomorrow morning. (Search for flights using the airport code: OTP) As with most of our international tours, we recommend that you consider arriving one day early to get over the jet lag. We will be happy to help you with a private hotel transfer and reserve additional night(s) at our group hotel if you decide to arrive in Bucharest early.

Saturday, September 2, 2006
Arrival in Bucharest / Welcome Dinner

Because we are not flying as a group, we will scheduled one airport pick-up at the Bucharest International Airport today, timed to accommodate the greatest number of arriving tour participants. If you cannot arrange a flight that will arrive by 2:00pm today, we strongly encourage you to plan on arriving one day early. We proceed directly from the airport on a brief city orientation tour with our guide prior to check-in at the hotel. Included will be a visit to the open-air Romanian Village Museum.
     This evening we gather at the hotel for a welcome cocktail, with introductions all around. Afterwards, Toto Tours hosts a Welcome Dinner at a a very beautiful Romanian Restaurant, featuring a colorful folk show.     (Welcome Dinner included)

Sunday, September 3, 2006
Sightseeing Tour of Bucharest / Sibiu

Despite decades of neglect, Bucharest is now actively working to reclaim its reputation as the “Paris of the East.” In addition to its landscaped parks and broad boulevards, this morning’s sightseeing tour will include stops at Revolution Square, the enormous and opulent Palace of Parliament (the world’s second largest building after the Pentagon), the Old Princely Court and Church, Bucharest University, and Victory Square.
     Afterwards, depart Bucharest for the Olt Valley, visiting the fortified 14th century Cozia Monastery. After arriving in Sibiu (designated the European Capital of Culture for 2007), the remainder of the day is free.     (Breakfast)

Monday, September 4, 2006
Sibiu to Sighisoara

Sibiu is a medieval Saxon town situated in the province of Transylvania, surrounded by the Carpathian mountains. Its reputation is internationally recognized for its medieval buildings (such as the Brukenthal Art Museum) and its high schools and universities. On a morning sightseeing tour, visit the Upper Old Town with its Big and Little Squares, Clock Tower, and Old Traders Houses. Afterwards, drive to the German village of Biertan to see the Fortified Church, a jewel of medieval architecture protected by UNESCO. In the afternoon tour Sighisoara, a medieval town made famous by its 14th century architecture. Enjoy dinner in the fortress home where Vlad the Impaler was born.     (Breakfast / Dinner)

Tuesday, September 5, 2006
Transylvania

Today travel through the Carpathian Mountains to Borgo Pass, the place where Jonathan Harker, the fictional hero of Bram Stoker’s novel, arrived for the first time in Transylvania to meet Dracula. Along the way our stops include Targu Mures to visit the beautiful Culture Palace, and Bistrita to photograph the high-towered Saxon Evangelic Church. Tonight dine with the devil at an amusing Dracula-themed dinner at our Dracula Castle Hotel.     (Breakfast / Dinner)

Wednesday, September 6, 2006
Painted Monasteries

Today drive to the world-famous painted monasteries of Bucovina, with their amazing exterior frescoes of Moldavia.All of them are UNESCO World Heritage sites. The first visited monastery will be Moldovita, the biggest of all, built in 1532 and famous for its yellow colored frescoes. The next one is Sucevita, a large square fortress with a church in the center of the fortified yard covered with paintings inside and out. Tonight sample a traditional Romanian dinner in the rustic restaurant Ancuta’s Inn.     (Breakfast / Dinner)

Thursday, September 7, 2006
Carpathian Mountains / Poiana Brasov

This morning drive through the eastern Carpathian Mountains, stopping at Prejmer, the fortified 14th century double-walled complex. Drive along a winding road through the picturesque (and incredibly narrow) 9-mile Bicaz Gorge. Continue on to the majestic natural stronghold of Poiana Brasov, located high in the mountains. It is now one of the most beautiful winter resorts in Romania.     (Breakfast / Dinner)

Friday, September 8, 2006
Dracula Castle / Brasov / Sinaia

This morning we drive to Bran to visit the “Dracula Castle,” a border fortress from the 14th century that Vlad Tepes used as his base of operations. Afterwards drive to the town of Brasov for a walking tour of the Old Town, including the old City Hall and the famed Black Church. Our day ends in Sinaia for dinner and overnight.     (Breakfast / Dinner)

Saturday, September 9, 2006
Sinaia / Return to Bucharest

Enjoy a morning tour of Sinaia, one of the finest mountain resorts in all Europe, visiting the ornate Sinaia Monastery and Peles Castle, former Royal Residence of the first Romanian King, Carol I, built in German Renaissance style. Return to Bucharest this afternoon to enjoy a free evening in the Capital City.     (Breakfast)

Sunday, September 10, 2006
Free Day / Farewell Dinner

Today is entirely free to explore Bucharest in more depth, perhaps revisiting the gargantuan Palace of the Parliament or strolling along the old stately boulevards. Tonight the group gathers again in our hotel lobby and heads for a local restaurant in the city center to celebrate the end of our Romania adventure with a Farewell dinner.     (Breakfast / Dinner)

Monday, September 11, 2006
Departure

The tour ends officially after breakfast. Arrange your international flight to depart anytime today. We provide one group transfer to the airport, timed to accommodate the greatest number of departing tour participants. If this transfer does not meet your needs, we will assist you in arranging a private transfer to the airport.     (Breakfast)