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TOURS
Bike and Barge on the Danube Delta
Transylvania
BIKE & BARGE ON THE DANUBE DELTA
8 day Escorted Tour
Cycling trip by hotelboat through the stunning beauty of Europe's last natural paradise the Danube Delta to mile "0", where the mighty Danube River empties into the Black Sea.
The bike tour takes you through Romania's Delta the 2nd largest and best preserved of Europe's deltas. You will travel along canals with floating reed islands, lagoons and lakes. The landscapes alternate between gently rolling hills and swamp and and prairie land and amazes one with its diversity and beauty. Life in small fishing villages is tranquil, the solitude and silence of the almost impenetrable thicket many times interrupted only by the calls of Dalmatian Pelicans, Cormorants and Egrets.
This is the place where millions of birds from different places of Earth (European, Asian, African, Mediterranean) come to lay their eggs. Under expert guidance you will discover the fauna and flora of a landscape which is also rich in history, and enjoy Romania hospitality and cuisine on board your floating hotel.
Highlights:
• Biosphere reserve Danube Delta
• Orthodox Monasteries of Celic Dere and Saon
• Greek-Romanian settlement of Argamum
• Medieval fortress of Enisala
DAY TO DAY ITINERARY
Day 1: Bucharest
Individual arrival to Bucharest/Airport; 02:00 p.m.. bustransfer (approx. 4 h.) to Tulcea in the Danube Delta. Embarkation on the comfortable Hotelboat. Dinner and overnight.
Day 2: Nufaru – Sfantu Gheorge (approx. 24 km bike)
Along the most southern Danube arm through the nature reserve Bestepe Hills. A wonderful view deep down into the Delta will make you forget some ascents. At the small fishing village Murighiol we enter by boat into a maze of channels, floating islands, dense forest and a wildernesse experience pure. Overnight Hotelboat
Day 3: Journey to mile "0" - the mouth (approx. 20 km bike)
A bumpy gravel path - the right the wide open of the Black Sea, left the lush green reeds and marsh land. In the loneliness of the Danube Delta Cormorants and Great White Egrets are our permanent companions. Mile “0” at Sulina: the Danube has reached its destination at the lighthouse and starts melding with the salt of the sea. The thought of the long journey of this mighty river let us pause. Overnight Hotelboat
Day 4: Gulf of Musura - Crisan (approx. 17 km bike)
Bike tour along the birds-paradise Musura-Bay on natural streets to the picturesque village Letea. It seems as time stands still here. The houses made of reeds and clay, lovely painted in blue, and all around a contemplative silence. Nearby the village, located on a sandbank a special natural phenomenon: a tropical forest with climbing plants and lianes. By boat we will reach the fishing village Crisan. Overnight Hotelboat
Day 5: Fauna and Flora of the Danube Delta (day of rest)
During the boat ride through a labyrinth of narrow waterways we will pass by small fishing villages and again experience very intensively the incredible diversity of the Fauna and Flora of the UNESCO World Heritage Danube Delta. Middle of the Jungle - hidden away - the small wooden Orthodox monastery of Stipoc. In the afternoon we return from a surreal dream world to the vibrant town life of Tulcea. Overnight Hotelboat
Day 6: Monasteries of Dobrogea (approx. 27-34 km bike)
Round trip through a gently rolling landscape to the Orthodoxe nunnery Celic Dere, the biggest convent of the Dobrogea territory. The romantic, dreamy abbey of Saon with its distinctive windmill, is located amidst vineyards right on the bank of the Danube. Near Parques from a ridge a fantastic view over the extensive, juicy green floodplain directly on the boarder to the Ukraine. Transfer back to Tulcea. Overnight in Tulcea guesthouse 4*
Day 7: Lagunentour bis Kap Dolosman (ca 31 km Rad)
By bus to the old, Turkish-populated village Babadag. By bike we are passing nesting sites of bee-eater colonies and reach the medieval fortress of Enisala, which is located high over the Danube. Lets take a breathtaking view over the Lagoon Razim! The nature reserve of Cape Dolosman with the Greek-Roman excarvations of Argamum seperates the Delta-lakes Golovita and Razim. Overnight in Tulcea guesthouse 4*.
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Day 8: Transfer Tulcea-Bukarest
After breakfast transfer by bus back to the Romanian capital Bucharest; arrival approx. 2 p.m. where your tour ends.
Possibility of additional nights in Tulcea or Bucharest.
AIRPORT / TRANSFERS
International flights go in/out of Bucharest. There is a regular public bus shuttle into the central city.
YOUR 4**** HOUSE BOAT
Comfortable and cozy hotelboat with restaurant (airconditioned) and spacious sundeck with deckchairs; all cabins (9 m2) with private facilities.
The meals are traditionally with a lot of fish, meat and vegetable, plus each day lunch picnic’s or lunchpacks will be offered.
 
TOUR RATING: Easy to Moderate
You will bike in groups of 12-20 persons. The cycling routes for five days are flat on quiet side roads and Delta trails.
2 days are on asphalted country roads in a gently hilly landscape (bit of traffic).
Some of the sand and gravel paths require a bit of physical condition, but should be suitable for anyone as the daily stretches are quite short.
Longer routes are available for more experienced cyclists wherever possible.
Some stretches will be done by boat or bus.
Itinerary is subject to change – (in case of high/low water level, engine break-down)
SCHEDULE and PRICE
| DATES 2012 |
| April 11, 28 May 27 June 9, 24 August 23 September 14, 29 |
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| Price per person, double occupancy |
CAD |
$1550 |
| Single supplement: |
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$350 |
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| This tour includes: |
+ 5 nights 4 star Hotelboat in cabins with private facilities
+ 2 nights in an excellent 4 star guesthouse in Tulcea
+ all transfers according to itinerary, plus from/to Bucharest (day 1 + 8)
+ fullboard (breakfast, lunchbox or picnics, dinner)
+ rental of a 21 speed touring bike with panniers
+ bike-guide/widllife-guide
+ Support van and support boat
+ 1 travel document pack per room
+ 1 handle bar bag per room
Optional Services:
• Additional nights in Bucharest or Tulcea at $80.00 p.p./day
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TRANSYLVANIA
8 Day Independent Tour
Transylvania is a landscape as found in fairytale stories. The legend of Dracula and also the Pied Piper from Hameln has its origin here. Traps, small fortresses in every village and time which stands still form the landscape.
This diverse tour leads you along the backdrop of the Carpathian Mountains. Numerous churches which are part of UNESCO world cultural heritage and the medieval city Hermannstadt with its beautiful baroque buildings await.
Day to Day Itinerary
Day 1: Individual arrival in Sibiu / Hermannstadt
Impressive are the three large squares with their buildings and churches. Stroll through the narrow alleys and visit the colourful market. Your overnight stay is in a good hotel of 3***-level in the city centre.
Day 2: Sibiu – Avrig approx. 50 km
Your first tour leads you to Cisnadiora with its romantic ruin. Afterwards you reach Heltau, also with impressive ruins. You continue along the Fagarascher mountains until you reach Avrig, where you stay overnight in a beautiful horse farm.
Day 3: Avrig – Fagarasch approx. 45 km
After a short transfer you cycle through old Romanian terrain (terra wlachorum) and along the Transylvanian Alps to Fagarasch. The palace in renaissance style, which was the residence of the Hungarian Woiwoden dynasty is worth a visit.
Day 4: Fagarasch – Sighisoara approx. 50 – 60 km
You start again with a short transfer. Afterwards you cycle through typical Transylvanian villages, passing numerous fortresses You should visit the church in Henndorf and Trappold. Your aim of today is Sighisoara, the Romanian version of Rothenburg on the Tauber. The medieval city is awaiting you with it's tower, birth place of Dracula and the church, which is part of UNESCO world cultural heritage.
Day 5: Sighisoara – Biertan approx. 45 km
You cycle through a valley to the old diocesan town Biertan. The impressive church is also part of UNESCO world cultural heritage.
Day 6: Biertan – Nucet / Marpod approx. 55 km
Todays tour is really wild and romantic as it leads you through the lonesome valley of Harbachtal. Your overnight stay is in a beautiful and idyllic guest house near to Marpod.
Day 7: Nucet / Marpod – Sibiu Hermannstadt approx. 25 km
Today you continue to Hermannstadt. An awesome mountain panorama accompany's you to Sibiu. You have enough time to make a detour to the young forest and enjoy the old Transylvanian metropolis. Your overnight stay is in a hotel of 3*** level in the city centre of Sibiu.
Day 8: Individual departure
Tour Rating - Moderate
The daily distances range between 25 and 60 km in partly hilly landscape. Mostly on country and forest lanes, sometimes even on cobbled surfaces.
At the city entrances you cycle on roads with more traffic.
AIRPORT / TRANSFERS
International flights go in/out of Bucharest. There is regular train service from Bucharest to Sibiu.
SCHEDULE and PRICE
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| DATES 2012 |
Daily departures from May through October
Minimum number of participants for tour to proceed - 2 |
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| Price per person, double occupancy |
CAD |
$920 |
| Single supplement: |
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$220 |
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| This tour includes: |
• 7 nights accommodation in 3 star inns and country hotels. All rooms with private facilities
• breakfast each day
• 21 speed trekking bicycle with pannier.
• maps, tourist information & road guide book
• luggage transportation from hotel to hotel.
• 7 day phone service hotline
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