discover 2 romanias

7/28/2019 Discover 2 Romanias

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APRIL 2013 Discover 2 RomaniasIntroduction and tour portfolio

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Come meet us at Discover 2 Romanias. We will show you the most beautiful part of

Romania, in a friendly atmosphere with pleasant surprises and the most amazing stories.

We offer :

The best accommodation options for yourself, your family or your group (through ourpartners)

Transportation services with brand new vehicles and Rent-a-car services Different interesting trip packages, the ability to create your own trip, the way you

want it

We are proud to show and share with you the timeless countryside, the magnificentlandscapes and the rich and full of history country named Romania. I am specialized on

incoming private and small groups, focused to provide you the best service you can get,

customizing the tours as you request, introducing a new meaning in Romanian tourism.

Our guides speak 8 languages : English, French, Italian, Spanish, German, Hindi,Japanese, Turkish

We are available 24/7 to be reached by phone or through the website

You can discover one side of Romania - Danube Delta, the Carpathians, vineyards,superb landscapes and unique places

And another Romania, equally charming, with traditions, old customs, legends, cultureand history of thousands of years

And if you loved Romania, we can help you study or work here ! Become a part ofRomania, a part of Europe!

You come as a tourist and leave as a friend !

Check out our available tours below and dont forget, everything can be

customized to fit your needs.

Also, always check back at our website atwww.discover2romanias.com

We have BIG surprises coming up !
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Pour les connaisseurs special tour.

Discover the good tastes of Iasi.

Drink some wine from our city's seven hills (like Rome, Italy) and taste the traditional food of

Moldova region, served by the most cheerful and friendly people of Romania. Wine making and

serving is a zonal attraction, Iasi city being considered the Wine Capital of Romania. Give it a try !

DAY ONE

To get better acquainted with Iasi's wine tradition, the best way to start a day after breakfast is to

take a walk through the old center where we can admire the National Theater (first of its kind from

Romania). Next to this impressive building is the monument dedicated to the First Jewish theater in

the world - build here by Avram Goldfaden in 1876. Nearby, we can see the Metropolitan Cathedral,

near it being UNESCO monument holy Three Hierarchs, a stone jewel, once covered in gold

Then we get to the Cultural Palace, which harbors 5 museums.

After that, we can see the Royal Church of St Nicholas - where the oldest church of Iasi was built -

and the Dosoftei house, the museum of Romanian literature.

After this cultural "intro", we are going to have a good old traditional meal.

Lunch - Traditional cooked beef or chicken barbecue with the owners of Visani winery.

At Visani winery, we will have a professional wine tasting with cheese and black bread, visit the

cellars, tell tales of our legends and admire Iasi city panorama from the south.

After visiting this beautiful area, we will head at Plopii fara Sot, a unique style restaurant, century old,

great food, traditional romanian music, food and house wine tasting. We will then take you to Unirea

hotel for the night.


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DAY TWO

After visiting this beautiful area, we will head at Plopii fara Sot, a unique style restaurant, century old,

great food, traditional romanian music, food and house wine tasting. We will then take you to Unirea

hotel for the night. We will start by visiting Frumoasa monastery, where the last public hangings took

place, we can see the actual place where they took place. Also you hear about the last executioner ofIasi.

Following this, we will have a wine tasting at Cetatuia Monastery while admiring the city from this

side. The view will leave you speechless. For groups that are made of less than 10 persons, we will

continue the wine tasting at the Bucium monastery, then visit the Botanical Garden and the "Lost

Steps" hall from Romania's oldest university - Alexandru Ioan Cuza.

For groups larger than 10 people, we offer trips to the Cotnari Winery : Here the wine comes to age

patiently in oak barrels, sheltered in cool cellars. With more than 1 million bottles, many older than

the cellar, it is impressive the range of the collection. The wines in this area whisper the secrets of

the old tradition and outline the past from the perspective of the present.With plenty of sun,

vineyards are protected by cold currents of air, which make the grapes sweeter.

After enjoying this experience, we will head back to Iasi.

Price : The price for this tour is 200 euros and contains one night at the 4 stars Unirea Hotel,breakfast and two lunches, car and driver and all the wine tastings (six wines each).


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1. Iasi One Day ClassicTake a ride through Romania's second largest city, enjoy our blend of history, culture and

everyday life. Our one day tour of Iasi will show you how is it to take a walk through a

city like you've never seen before.

It all starts at 09:30 in the morning, when we will leave from the hotel where you are

staying. Our first stop is at the Botanical Garden which is a special place taking setting up

in 1856 in Iasi, also the first Botanical Garden in Romania, near the University of

Medicine and Pharmacy. In 1963, it is decided to move the garden to its current location

on Copou Hill, to satisfy the requests of education. Today, the Botanical Garden of Iasi

covers about 100 hectares.

The area with greenhouses comprises 12 departments, each of them with its specific:

Mediterranean plants, tropical, subtropical (cacti, palm trees, banana, citrus, etc.), many

ornamental flowers (azalea, camellia, orchids, etc.) and a collection of cicadaceae (alive

fossils). Enjoy and study nature as it freely reveals to you.

Then we shall go to see the National Theater, which is built in Iasi, on the location of the

old city hall, between 1894 and 1896, the building of the National Theatre is considered

to be the oldest and the most beautiful of this type in the country The National Theater.

A short walk from the Theater through the park, takes us to the Metropolitan Cathedral,

the largest orthodox church in Romania.Its structure and size are truly impressive, many

pilgrims come to pray for Health and Salvation, the atmosphere is unique.MMB

Very close by, we have the Monastery St Three Hyerarchs- UNESCO monument

It is the most beautiful monastery founded by Vasile Lupu, a symphony of arts in prayer,

built between 1637 and 1639. It has been restored by the architect Andre Lecomte de Nouy,

who gave it its current appearance. It used to be covered in gold; however Turkish army set

it on fire to melt the gold. Now only the 30 belts of stone can be seen. It is a charming

building.

Right across the street there is the Palace of Culture. It is a symbol of Iasi, built between 1906

and 1925 in the area of the former Court of the medieval era. It used to be the Administrative and

Justice Palace. In 1955, it was changed into a cultural one. You can visit several museums inside the

building: Museum of History, Ethnography, Art, Science, Music.

Our next objective is the Dosoftei House, it is an old building, dating from 1677. It is located in the

centre of the city, between the Palace of Culture and the Royal Church of St Nicholas - which is also

on our itinerary. There is a museum of old literature inside the building and the church is where the

Moldavian Royal families had their religious services. Nowadays it's a sanctuary where many young

people choose to get married. There are still pieces from the original wall from the Royal courtyard

dating back in 1400.


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After the lunch, we are going to visit the oldest synagogue in all Romania mentioned in a document

as early as in 1682. Its exterior is simple, without ornaments, made in stone. The interior is

sophisticated though, and has objects of great value: chandeliers, candle holders, various Bible

decorations.

Our next objective is the Cetatuia Monastery, offering a great panoramic view of Iasi city from the

south. It was founded by Gheorghe Duca, and built between 1669 and 1672. The tower and the

massive walls prove that the monastery was also thought as a refuge in case of emergency. There

used to be a printing room here, with Greek letters, brought from Venice. Its cellars offer wine

tasting, very appreciated by tourists.

That being said and done, we expect that at around 6 PM we should arrive back to the Hotel. If you

choose so, we can take you to one of our city's finest restaurants in order to have dinner, the

traditional Romanian way, or to a more modern place, where the food is just as good, all of itdepending on your tastes. The tour includes the entrance fees for all the objectives and the car and

driver. The price for this tour is 75 euros. The good time is guaranteed. The experience is one of the

kind.


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2. Jewish Heritage - RomaniaCome and see the place of the first Jewish theater and the second oldest synagogue in Europe.

Are you interested in one of the most important community during the history?

Do you want to know which was the inspiring factor for Naftali Herz Imber to compose the lyrics forthe hymn Hatikva?

Take advantage of our touristic program and you can explore the poignant reminders of Romania's

Jewish heritage and roots. Our country is unique in Eastern and Central Europe for its scores of well-

maintained synagogues (nearly 100, of which half are still used for worship) and more than 800

cemeteries scattered throughout Romania.

Here's what we have prepared for you :

Day ONE

Accommodation: Hotel Unirea Iasi

Walk on Alexandru Lapusneanu street, in the historic center of Iasi. We will admire Traian Hotel, built

according to the plans of the French architect Gustave Eiffel, which belonged to the Jewish family

Teitler, Braunstein Palace and Neuschor Palace, currently Select Hotel.

The first Jewish theatre in the world was founded in Iasi, which is also the origin of the first

newspaper in Yiddish, Korot Haitim.


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Day TWO

Breakfast: 8.00 9.30

Before World War II it was an important cultural center so, the city of Iasi gives you the opportunityto admire the oldest synagogue in Romania. The Big Synagogue couldnt be higher than Metropolitan

Cathedral, so it was built in the ground. During the rehabilitation works of this important building,

the religious ceremonies are taking place in the Jewish Community Building. The previous one can be

admired only from outside.

The Five Ways House is a historical monument situated near to this well-known synagogue.

Although the First Jewish Theater in the world was demolished by the communist authorities, you

can observe the place and the tribute in honor of the theater's founder: Avram Goldfaden.

This visit is followed by a visit to the Jewish Cemetery, the Holocaust Museum and the holy tomb of

the Rabbi of Stefanesti, famous for his cures, miracles and teachings.

The Iasi Jewish Cemetery, in the back of the Pacurari, has more than 140,000 tombs, with a

monument symbolizing a train in memorial to the transports.

If you are interested to know which is the common element between Iasi and Paris, you are in the

suitable place to admire Traian Hotel in the center of the city. This building, and the Braunstein

Museum had a Jewish owner, both are still functional even if there were floods, bombing or

earthquake.

The city where started the writing of the Hatikva hymn offers to you the chance to see an imposing

cemetery, The Apple-men Synagogue, Shoemakers Synagogue (these are used nowadays in adifferent way).

Then we leave towards Botosani where we have accommodation at a four stars hotel - Rapsodia

Dinner: 19:00 20.30


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Day THREE

Breakfast: 8:00 9.30

Visit the Great Synagogue in Botosani, (Oiche Shul), built in 1834.

Meeting with the Botosani Jewish Community President.

A Jewish community of historical importance, Botosani is now home to 80 Jews and an

exceptional synagogue that dates back to 1834.

In December 1940, Botosanis Jewish men between the ages of 15 and 70 were forced into

hard labour. Eight thousand Jews were put on forced labour, half of them outside the city.

Romanian authorities deported 42 Jews to Transnistria on suspicion of communism, most

of whom were murdered shortly afterward. The total number of Botosani Jews deported to

Transnistria rose to 148, some being accused of anti-government agitation or propagating

emigration.

After the war, when the evacuees from the villages in the area and those who returned from

Transnistria settled in the city, Botosanis total Jewish population numbered 19,550 (1947). A

few years later most of the population settled in Israel, leaving 500 families and four

synagogues in 1969.

Then, we will go to Suceava, a major city, close to Botosani, in order to reach the Suceava

Gah Synagogue.

The Gah Synagogue was founded by the Gemilut Hasidim mutual aid society in 1870 when

there were 8,000 jewish residents in Suceava. Re-modeleld in 1910, restored in 1929, 1975and 1983. Suceava was a major center of Moldavian Jewry.

Then we go to Piatra Neamt, where we have dinner and accomodation at Grand Hotel

Ceahlau (***)

Dinner: 19.00 20.30


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Day FOUR

Breakfast: 8.00 - 9.30

Meeting with the President of the Neamt Jewish Community.

Piatra Neamta big jewish community, with approximately 200 jewish people. The Great

Temple, known as Leipziger Bet ha-Midrash Temple, is a big, newer, synagogue, dating from

1839. The first stop will be in the city where, at the first mention, was lived by Jewish, too.

The Leipziger Synagogue. Was built in 1850 and it is an architectural monument.

The Piatra Neamt Cathedral synagogue, a historic monument, is the oldest wooden

synagogue still standing in Romania. Its design is strongly influenced by local architectural

tradition, sharing an evident family resemblance to the timber synagogues of Poland and

Bohemia.

The present wooden building was founded in 1766. Some specialists believe that the oldbuilding made from stone was founded in the 15th century. The golden altar is 250 years old,

with the original ritual objects in fine condition.

Visit the Jewish Cemetery, split into 2 parts, the old part with tombs dating, some of them

from 17 century, and the new part.

Departure towards Iasi.

Visit the Tailors Synagogue in Roman.

The Tailors Synagogue is a medium type edifice erected in 1898. The Jewish Community in

Roman is at least four centuries old, as is demonstrated by the tombstones and documents.

Departure to Iasi, via TirguFrumosPodu Iloaiei.

Stop at Tirgu-Frumos Cemetery.

After we pay our respects to all the innocent victims of the Holocaust, we return to Iasi.

The price for this tour is 390 euros.


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3. Tracing DraculaEverybody heard about Dracula, right ? You know, the famous undead count that travels all over

Transylvania, in search of fresh blood. Well, some experts say that Transylvania sits on one of the

strongest magnetic fields on our planet, thus people have extra-sensory perception. Care to check

this out ? Or are you afraid of the vampires that are told to haunt this realm, appearing to manypeople on St. George's Day ( April 23 ) and on the eve of St. Andrew ( November 29).

We will take you through the dense, dark, ancient forests of the historical region of Transylvania,

over the mountain passes to see what inspired the Irish writer Bram Stoker to write his tale of

ghoulishness that still gets printed today. Come and visit what he named the "whirlpool for the

imagination".

Day One

Breakfast first, the most important meal of the day : 8:30 - 9:30

We leave to Brasov, heading southwest, and our first stop is at the Miclauseni palace. What

better way to start tracking a count if not seeing a royal neogothic style palace, to get in the

mood. Sturdza Castle dates from around 1752 and is a historical and secular architecture,

being a copy of western feudal castles. Western cultural influences are present in the

decorations, such as: Gothic towers, manege halls, medieval armors, latin dicta written on the

walls, entrance tower with a bridge over the water ditch. The palace is surrounded by a

beautiful bridge. It's just great, really.

We then approach the Carpathian Garden, enjoying a breathtaking view and a good lunch atthe Magura Complex, a restaurant known for its beautiful panoramic view and great service.

What better way to continue our trip but to see a dark, 787 feet deep cave used as a salt mine ?

There, you can purify your soul, praying at The Saint Varvara Orthodox church is the only

church in Europe that is inside the salt mine portion of a mountain. Keep in touch with the

present by enjoying the new and modern treatment area, located on Level 9 of the Salina

salt mine, offering tourists the opportunity to relax and fine treatments for various respiratory

ailments such as asthma or bronchitis.

We cross the mountains afterwards, through the Oituz pass, which has 866m in height.

Then, we will visit the center ofTargu Secuiesc, a very old city (first mentioned in 1407).

The oval shaped center market has a unique style in all Europe, it's like a sun, with its rays

being the so called "udvarterek" - in Hungarian - some small streets. There are many legends

related to these streets and we don't want to spoil the surprise now, do we ?

After learning about the stories of this place we go to the very heart of Romania, the Brasov

city, which is amazing, surrounded by mountains, still guarded by the seven bastions built by

the Saxons. There are many things to be told about this great city, but it has been a busy day.

So we will rest at a four star hotel in the area.


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Day 2

Breakfast until 9 AM

Then we go to see the Council Square, the Saxons built massive stone walls and seven

bastions around the city that are still visible today, as well as ornate churches, elaborately

trimmed buildings and one of the finest central squares in the country, said to be the spot to

which the legendary Pied Piper led the children of Hamlin. Located at the heart of old

medieval Brasov and lined with beautiful red-roofed merchant houses, the Council Square,

known to the Saxon population as the Marktplatz, is a nice place to rest and soak in the

beautiful scenery.

In the centre of the square stands the Old Town Hall (1420), now home to Brasov's HistoryMuseum, while the southeast corner is dominated by the town's most famous landmark, the

Black Church. Around the square, you'll find the renaissance-style Merchant's House (now

the Cerbul Carpatin restaurant), the beautiful archway of the Orthodox Cathedral and the

memorial museum of the Mureseanu family. In late summer, the Golden Stag (Cerbul de Aur)

music festival takes place here.

We still stay in theme, visiting The Black Church, a celebrated Gothic site - the building

dates from 1477, when it replaced an older church (demolished around 1385). Its acquired the

name after being blackened by smoke from the 1689 great fire. It's outstanding !

Here comes the high point of our trip, surrounded by an aura of mystery and legend and

perched high atop a 200-foot-high rock, Bran Castle owes its fame to its imposing towers

and turrets as well as being the home of count Dracula. Built on the site of a Teutonic Knightsstronghold dating from 1212, the castle was first documented in an act issued by Louis I of

Hungary on November 19, 1377, giving the Saxons of Kronstadt (Brasov) the privilege to

build the Citadel. Narrow winding stairways lead through some 60 timbered rooms, many

connected by underground passages, which house collections of furniture, weapons and armordating from the 14th to the 19th centuries. The castle overlooks the picturesque village of

Bran, which offers an open-airEthnographic Museum consisting of old local-style village

houses complete with furniture, household objects and costumes.

You get the feeling that he just left.. or did he ?


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We will continue tracking him by going to his house in Sighisoara, the very place where Vlad

Tepes ( the romanian ruler more commonly known as count Dracula ) was born (now hosting

a restaurant and a small museum of medieval weapons). . Then we take a walk to see how did

the Central Sighioarapreserve in an exemplary way the features of a small medieval

fortified city, why it has been listed by the UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. Each year, a

Medieval Festival takes place in the old citadel in July.

We will spend the night here.


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Day 3

This being the last day of our walk on Dracula's steps, we head back to Iasi, stopping in the

middle of the mountains to check out this interesting lake : The Bear Lake of Sovata which

is unique in Europe, its water being helio-thermal and salty, with well-known therapeutic

effects (for chronic gynecological symptoms, severe rheumatic pains, peripheral nervoussystem and post-accidental motor diseases). You can take a bath if you'd like. That is if you

find room ! It's very busy, many many people come here for the amazing, healing water.

Next, we'll admire another well known tourist zone of Romania, the Red Lake, it's name

comes from the reddish alluvia deposited in the lake by the Red Creek. We will share you the

legends related to this place and have a good time, maybe row a boat out to enjoy the amazing

view.

We're passing then through the Bicaz Gorges, the pictures below worth more than 1000

words, this is the scenery : [ scenery photos ]

We are having lunch then at the Pastravaria Cheita, famous for its home grown fish, the

trout, cooked in a special, traditional way.

Then we head on to Piatra Neamt, enjoy the city, as it is also surrounded by mountains, the

view from Pietricica peak (reachable by cabin) will leave an unforgettable panorama in your

thought. This is the way Romania is, unforgettable. We will take a short walk on the Istoric

Center Esplanade.

And finally we head on back to Iasi to have dinner and accomodation at the hotel.

We may or may not see Dracula, who knows ?

But one thing is certain, you will have a once in a lifetime experience with the natural

beauties of Romania, see the place where it all started, enjoy the air, the mountains, the water,

the castles, the people, the culture, the nature. Enjoy Romania !

The price of this tour is 300 euros. It includes the personal guide, breakfasts and the

accomodation.


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