Romania (Revolution Opera) and Hungary Tour Dec. 10-20, 2019
Below is a detailed itinerary. You may also download it as a printable pdf below.
DAY 1 - Tuesday, Dec. 10 (D)
We start our journey with a private bus taking us to Dulles Airport. Pickup locations will be SML, Lynchburg, and Roanoke. We are flying British Airways through London Heathrow to Budapest, Hungary, on flights 216 and 868.
DAY 2 - Wednesday, Dec. 11 (B,D)
After arriving in Budapest, we check into the hotel and each tourist will be provided with a 48-hour bus & boat hop on and hop off ticket. This is an excellent way to see many of the sites in Budapest. You may tour on your own or let Aaron lead you around - your choice! Of note: Budapest has one of the best Christmas markets in Europe. We will stay in deluxe rooms in the legendary Hotel Astoria Budapest that opened in 1914 as one of the city's most elegant hotels and to this day remains true to its original character.
Lodging: Danubius Hotel Astoria - danubiushotels.com/en/our-hotels-budapest/danubius-hotel-astoria
DAY 3 - Thursday, Dec. 12 (B)
You can continue to explore Budapest with your hop on and hop off pass. Complimentary walking tours are included on both the Buda and Pest sides and so is a night tour. Dinner is on your own.
Lodging: Danubius Hotel Astoria
DAY 4 - Friday, Dec. 13 (B,D)
Emil, a native of Romania and my brother-in-law, joins us today as we go to Timisoara, Romania where we visit the Victory and Union Squares plus the Metropolitan Cathedral. We also visit the site where the 1989 Revolution began (Emil was there at the very start of the revolution).
*Please note that during our stay in Timisoara, we may also spend time with the Romanian Rotarians. They are the ones who asked Aaron to compose the full opera about the revolution.
Lodging: Casa del Sole, Timisoara - hotel.casadelsole.ro
DAY 5 - Saturday, Dec. 14 (B,D)
We visit the 1989 Revolution Museum where we learn about the events leading up to the revolution, as well as about the revolution itself. More TBA.
Lodging: Casa del Sole, Timisoara
DAY 6 - Sunday, Dec. 15 (B,D)
Joining Emil for a Romanian church service in the morning is suggested. More TBA and then the OPERA PREMIERE in the Timisoara Opera House. It is on the balcony of this opera house that many important moments of the revolution occurred.
Lodging: Casa del Sole, Timisoara
DAY 7 - Monday, Dec. 16 (B,D)
We say goodbye to Timisoara as we head east and visit the mammoth Hunedoara Castle, also known as Corvin's Castle. This is a 14th century Gothic-style castle complete with drawbridge and towers. It was at this castle that Vlad Dracul, the father of Vlad Tepes or Dracula, was imprisoned for several years. We keep going east to the Sibiu area where we will enjoy a wonderful, traditional Romanian dinner.
Lodging: TBD in the Sibiu area
DAY 8 - Tuesday, Dec. 17 (B,D)
We tour downtown Sibiu, crowned the European Capital of Culture in 2007. Sibiu is the former center of the Transylvanian Saxons, and the old city of Sibiu was ranked as "Europe's 8th most idyllic place to live" by Forbes. There is much to see and do in this fabulous city that dates back to at least 1191. Next we visit the Biertan fortified church, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The church was built between 1486 and 1524. Then it is on to the citadel in Sighisoara, another UNESCO World Heritage Site. This 12th Century Saxon citadel is the only inhabited citadel still remaining in Europe! You will feel like you are taking a step way back in time as Emil takes us on a tour within the citadel walls.
Lodging: TBD in the Sighisoara area
DAY 9 - Wednesday, Dec. 18 (B,D)
You have free time to explore and have lunch on your own in Sighisoara. The Clock Tower and "Church on the Hill" are recommended Then we travel to Bran Castle (Dracula's Castle). This medieval dwelling dates back to the year 1211. We next head to the resort town of Sinaia where we will spend the night.
Lodging: Rina Sinaia - hotelsinaia.ro/english
DAY 10 - Thursday, Dec. 19 (B,D)
Today we tour Peles Palace, one of Aaron's favorite places in all of Europe. The inlaid wood, marble, and so much more have to be seen to be believed. Then we head to Bucharest, the capital of Romania, where we will tour the Palace of the Parliament, Old Town, and Revolution Square.
Lodging: TBD in the Bucharest area
DAY 11 - Friday, Dec. 20
We fly home from Bucharest to Dulles airport through London Heathrow on British Airways flights 885 and 217. Thank you for coming to support the premiere of the Romania: Revolution 1989 opera and for spending time touring Romania and Hungary! Drum bun! (farewell in Romanian)
While changes to the tour are not likely, please realize that weather and site renovations could keep the tour group from any given site. The meals that are included on the tour are specified for each date: Breakfast (B) and Dinner (D).
Tour Costs
$3,200 (per person) for a double occupancy room; single occupancy adds $400
Tour Payments
o Make a deposit of $200 per person to reserve your place on the tour.
o Final payment of $3,000 per person for a double room and $3,400 for a single room is due by September 10.
You may purchase your tour by sending a check to the address below, or you may pay by credit/debit card at internationaltourco.com/tour-payments-romania%2Fh
A 3% fee is added to all credit/debit card purchases. Please make your check payable to International Tour Company and put 2019 Romania Opera Tour on the memo line.
Mail your check to:
International Tour Company
P.O. Box 23
Cloverdale, VA 24077-0023
You need to read over the terms & conditions and complete the reservation form to send in with your deposit. This can be found at https://internationaltourco.com/important-documents
What is included:
o Roundtrip economy airfare from Dulles International Airport (one checked bag is included)
o Transportation to Dulles airport from Lynchburg/SML/Roanoke
o All lodging in 3 or 4 star hotels
o All ground transportation, including transfers to/from from the airports in Romania and Hungary
o Breakfast every morning and dinners as noted on the itinerary
o Your ticket to the premiere of the Romania: Revolution 1989 opera
o Entrance fees to the sites listed on the itinerary and the Budapest 48-hour hop on and hop off ticket.
What is not included:
o Travel insurance (highly recommended) - Aaron is an agent for Allianz Travel Insurance and will be pleased to help you find the insurance you need (cancellation and/or medical).
o Drinks other than water at meals
o Tips for the tour guide and tour driver – my recommendation is $40 for the Tour Director and $20 for the Tour Driver
Other Important Information
o I suggest bringing $300 in cash or $100 in cash if you choose to use a credit/debit card. Romania uses the Leu and Hungary uses the Forint. You can exchange money before you leave or even do this at an airport (not the best rate but we're not talking a lot of money). Visa and MasterCard should work most places on this tour. Make sure to contact your card company before you leave to let them know where you will be.
o You need a valid U.S. passport that expires no less than six months beyond our return date.
o You do not need a visa for this trip.
o No special shots or vaccines are necessary.
Tour Director Emil Toader
Emil is Aaron's brother-in-law and this is their eighth time leading a tour group together in Romania.
I have lived in Timisoara, Romania my entire life. As a native of Romania, it is always my pleasure to lead groups around my beautiful country. There is a rich history and culture in this part of the world. You may have heard about Dracula, but believe me, there is so much more to Romania. Tourists on the previous seven tours I have led with Aaron Garber have marveled at the beautiful countryside, and they have been fascinated by the variety of sites we have seen. I hope to meet you in my homeland soon.
Emil Toader, Tour Director
International Tour Company
Some of the places we will see include:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Budapest
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timisoara
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timisoara_Orthodox_Cathedral
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Romanian_National_Opera,_Timi%C8%99oara
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Romanian_Revolution_of_1989
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corvin_Castle
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sibiu
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biertan
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sighisoara
http://www.bran-castle.com/explore.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palace_of_the_Parliament
Pictures below...
Sites We Will See
