ROMANIA

George Enescu International

Music Festival
ROMANIA
Bucharest – Brasov – Sibiu plus Budapest

SEPTEMBER 09-22, 2023

14 Day All Inclusive
First Class Tour

Tour Host
from USA:
Marijka Helbig

Tour limit 24 persons
First come-first serve basis!

 The George Enescu International Music Festival pays tribute to Romania’s most famous composer, George Enescu. The Festival was organized in 1958, 3 years after the composer’s death. Since 2002 the festival is held every two years in Bucharest. Some of the world’s most famous 20^th c. orchestras, singers, violinists, pianists and conductors have graced its stages.

Concert Schedule (subject to change)

Sep 11 CLUJ-NAPOCA HUNGARIAN OPERA Debussy Pelleas st Melisande, L Foster.Con

Sep 12 GEORG ENESCU PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA + CHOIR; Hannu Lintu Conductor

Sep 13 BAYRISCHES STAATSORCHESTER Wagner, Schuman, Mahler; V. Jurowski Con

Sep 17 SIBIU Performance TBA

Sep 20 BUDAPEST Performance TBA

BUCHAREST (4), BRASOV (2), SIBIU (2), BUDAPEST (4)

plus: Snagov, Sinaia, Prejmer, Viscri, Sighisoara, Esztergom, Visegrad, Szentendre

Tour cost:                   $3490 Land rate per person in double room
                                    Deposit deadline $600 by March 1, 2023
Single supplement:   $650
Gratuities:                  $160
Arriving:                     Bucharest
Departing:                  Budapest

FLIGHTS: We will assist you in obtaining your international flights from any USA or Canadian gateway city.   Land rates do not include international flights from USA.

• Hotels:  Bucharest – Hotel Capitol****’, Brasov: Hotel Spa Aro Palace***** Sibiu – Hotel Continentsl Forum **** Budapest – Erszebet Hotel****.

• Sightseeing tours at all destinations
• Tours to area towns of Lugoj and Arad
• Half Board daily + lunches on transfer days
• Dinner with a farmer’s family in Sibiel
• Winetasting in the area of Minis
• Concert tickets in CATEGORY A to opera, symphony or ballet
• English speaking, music oriented guide throughout itinerary
• Transportation in modern AC bus from Bucharest Airport to Budapest Airport

TOUR DOCUMENTS:   USA and Canadian citizens DO NOT require visas for Romania or Hungary. 

COVID – Vaccination and masks are not required since June, 2022. 

Please be at your gateway city of departure from USA or Canada
Check your baggage to Bucharest.

    Arrival in Bucharest where you will meet your Tour Guide at the airport. Group transfer to hotel.
Welcome dinner and accommodations in Bucharest.

Your day begins with a visit to the Palace of the Parliament, the largest building in Europe, currently hosting the Romanian Parliament. Also known as the People's House, this massive building is 12 stories tall and has 8 underground levels, with the last one being an anti-atomic bunker. Next, we will visit the centre of Bucharest. Walk and view Victoriei Boulevard and Magheru Street along Revolution Square, the former Royal Palace. Lipscani Street, today a commercial area, was once a place where German merchants sold their products. The ruins of the former royal court remind us of Vlad Țepeș, the Wallachian ruler who inspired the fictional character Dracula.
Dinner and accommodations in Bucharest.
 Concert: Radio Hall CLUJ-NAPOCA HUNGARIAN OPERA Debussy Pelleas st Melisande, Lawrence Foster.Conductor

Today, we explore the wonderful cultural sites around Bucharest. The Mogosoaia Palace is located in a park on the shore of the Mogosoaia Lake. Constantin Brancoveanu, prince of Wallachia, had this castle built in 1702 in an architectural style that combines Venetian and Oriental elements, which later became known as the Brancoveanu style. It was initially a place of residence and today it is one of the most magnificent secular buildings in Wallachia. In Snagov, we travel to a small church where Vlad Tepes is allegedly buried. We drive back to Bucharest.

Dinner and accomadations in Bucharest.

Concert: Grand Palace Hall GEORG ENESCU PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA + CHOIR Hannu Lintu Conductor, Iosif Ion Prunner Conductor of choir

Today we visit the Primaverii Palace, the former residence of dictator, Nicolae Ceausescu. Afterwards we visit the open air ethnographical museum.

Dinner and accommodations in Bucharest.

Concert: Grand Palace Hall: BAYRISCHES STAATSORCHESTER Wagner, Schuman, Mahler; Vladimir Jurowski Conductor, Yefim Bronfman piano, Louise Aldorf, Soprano

In the morning, we drive by the oil fields of Ploiești to Sinaia. Here, we visit the monastery with the same name and admire its valuable frescoes. Then, we visit the Peleș Palace, the summer residence of the Romanian royal family, a modern palace built at the end at the 19^th century and the main attraction in Sinaia. Its lavishly furnished rooms display among others a fresco by Gustav Klimt. Drive further to Brasov, where we explore the city with an afternoon tour.

Dinner and accommodations in Brasov.

Drive to Bran Castle, also known as the Dracula Castle. The Bran Castle Museum is located on the former border between Transylvania and Walachia. It was built in 1377 to safeguard the trading route between Transylvania and Walachia. Since then, the castle has been enlarged and restored a few times. It is known as the homestead of Vlad Țepeș (Vlad the Impaler) and the most visited attraction site in Romania. The writer Bram Stoker created the fame of the Dracula myth in our country at the beginning of the 20th century.

In the afternoon, we visit the best preserved fortified church of Transylvania in Prejmer. 

Dinner in restaurant and accommodations in Brașov.

Morning drive to Viscri. Viscri is only one of the Saxon villages of Transylvania. It is a special place due to its great fortified church which is part of UNESCO World Heritage. People say that Viscri hides the most picturesque fortified church of the Saxons in Transylvania. Traditional lunch at a local family with local food. 

Further drive to Sighișoara. Here, we take a tour to admire the most beautiful medieval townscape in Romania. We’ll see the Clock Tower, the Church on the Hill, the Citadel, the former defensive towers and walls of the town and also the birthplace of the Wallachian leader, Vlad Dracul, who later became known as Count Dracula in Gothic literature and film. Wine/ liquor tasting in Sighisoara. Drive to Sibiu.

Dinner and accommodation in Sibiu

Today we explore the villages surrounding Sibiu, situated at the foot of the Cibin mountains. Our trip takes us to Cisnadioara. In this typical Saxon village, we will visit the oldest romanic styled church in Transylvania, dating back from the 12 th century. Situated on top of a hill, it offers us a beautiful panoramic view. Afterwards we visit Cristian, a community populated in the past by the Landler, settlers of Austrian origin. We will take a walk through the center and compare the differences between the two villages. Dinner in Sibiel, on a farm. The meal will consist of traditional Romanian dishes.

Overnight stay in Sibiu.

Concert/Ballet. TBA

Morning drive along the Mures river, towards Budapest. Lunch on the way.

Dinner and accommodations in Budapest.

Panoramic walk in the city center, with an expert guide who will share the stories, legends, and secrets of Budapest and Hungary’s classical music heritage. We’ll start the sightseeing at Váci street, a popular shopping area. The tour continues on the other side of the Danube. We’ll cross the legendary Chain Bridge and arrive at the Castle Garden where astounding architecture and rich history await visitors to this spectacular city.

The bus tour includes the Heroes’ Square, Andrássy Avenue, the State Opera House, St. Stephen’s Basilica, Parliament, Fishermen’s Bastion, Matthias Church, Castle of Buda and the Citadel. Lunch in the city.

Evening Cruise, including dinner

Cruising along the „main street” of Budapest, you will enjoy the magnificent buildings on the Pest and Buda side. During this hour-long boat ride, you will get to know the bridges of the city while admiring the illuminated capital. Dinner on the boat.

Accommodation in Budapest.

This tour is an excursion into Hungary's history combined with breathtaking views of the Danube valley. Our guests will visit Esztergom, the center of the Hungarian Catholic Church and Visegrád, the former royal residence. Esztergom's main attraction is the Basilica, the largest church of Hungary, and the Treasury of the church, the richest collection of ecclesiastical art in Hungary. Free time in the afternoon.

Dinner and accommodations in Budapest.

Concert/Ballet. TBA

Free morning.

In the afternoon, we drive to the picturesque, small town of Szentendre. A short walking tour and the opportunity to visit one of the museums. We recommend the museum of ceramic artist, Margit Kovács and the diamond, jewelry manufactory. Dinner with gypsy music and wine in Szentendre. Drive back to Budapest.

Transfer to Airport.