08.05.2025, 00:00 A.M.
This year’s IGS tour to Romania has been enhanced, as it now covers more of Transylvania than we were able to visit in 2024, and the flight times allow for more time in the fascinating towns of Cluj and Targu Mures, where we have added a visit to the Teleki Library. We will make the same visits in the fascinating city of Bucharest, including to the private home of the former Royal Family, which has been returned to them, and then continue via a diverse set of houses to the mountain resort of Siniaia, which has the royal summer palaces, full of treasures. We will enjoy one night at Zabola, with drinks and discussion with the Mikes family to whom it has been restituted. In Transylvania itself we will visit some of the fortress churches, and have lunch with the Kalnoky family, another one of the few to come back and restore their property. On this version of the tour we have opted to finish with two nights in the very attractive town of Sibiu, at the heart of Transylvania, and from there we will go to visits at the Malancrav Manor, and to some of the villages nearby.
We will not be running this tour again, so this is the last chance to join . . .
To register your interest RSVP to Yuliia Parkhomenko, IGS Membership Events Coordinator yuliia@igs.ie
Please note: There is a considerable amount of walking during this tour which some may find challenging. It is important for both you and your fellow travellers that you assess your ability to participate in the trip in advance of booking.
Itinerary
Thursday 8 May
Early afternoon arrival in Bucharest and transfer to the Moxa Hotel
Dinner at Zexe restaurant
Friday 9 May
Visit the Cotroceni Palace (1888) once home to Prince Ferdinand and Princess Marie and now the seat of the Romanian presidency and a museum
Visit the National Museum in the Royal Palace
Visit the Elisabeth Palace, built in 1937 for their daughter and now back in the hands of the Royal Family (to be confirmed)
Lunch at Casa Doina
Architectural tour (on foot) to include Theodor Aman Villa, Petrascu Museum and the exterior of the Storck Villa (1911-13)
Dinner independently
Saturday 10 May
Visit Mogosoaia Palace
Continue to Ploiesti to visit Hagi Prodan House
Lunch at the Vinalia Manor restaurant in the village of Ceptura
Visit Bellu Manor, a well-preserved estate with the original furniture and decoration
Continue to Sinaia, a mountain health resort which became the Royal summer residence in 1870
Overnight at Hotel Palace in Sinaia
Dinner (on foot) in the town
Sunday 11 May
Visit Peles Castle, built as a Bavarian Schloss between 1875-83 for Carol I, the Hohenzollern monarch, and his wife Elisabeta, who decorated it in eclectic style.
Visit nearby Pelisor Palace, built 1899-1903 for Carol’s heirs, Ferdinand and Marie. This building has a Neo-Renaissance exterior and an Art Nouveau interior, with many fine objects.
Contunue for lunch and a visit the Cantacuzino Palace in Busteni
Continue to Zabola to stay a night at a country house returned to the Mikes family, one of the few to come back and restore their property
Dinner at the restaurant
Monday 12 May
Visit the fortress church of Harman
Continue to Miclosoara for a visit to the restored manor house belonging to the Kalnoky family, with lunch on site
Continue to visit the town of Sighisoara
Continue to stay at the Hotel Continental Forum in Sibiu for 2 nights
Dinner at the hotel / nearby
Tuesday 13 May
Visits in Sibiu to include the Brukenthal Palace
Continue for lunch at the Apafi Manor in Malancrav
Visit the villages of Biertan and Alma Vii to see their churches
Return to Sibiu
Dinner independently
Wednesday 14 May
Visit the Palace of Culture and the Teleki Library
Lunch at the Petry Bistro
Continue (1.45 hours) to visit the great country house at Bontida
Time to explore the city of Cluj
Dinner at Zama restaurant
Continue to the airport
Midnight back to Dublin
*Please note that the itinerary is subject to amendment, and any updates will be communicated to you promptly.
PRICE INFORMATION:
Cost per person sharing €1954 (Single supplement €360)
Cost includes 6 nights bed and breakfast in 4* hotels; private coach; entries to museums and houses; 5 dinners and 6 lunches; guides; includes contribution of €250 to IGS.
**Flights are not included and must be booked separately once your place(s) are confirmed. Harriet has listed the recommended flights from/to Dublin and will be meeting guests off the stated arrival flight.
Please note:
· Booking is only available on a first come, first served basis.
· The trip will go ahead if a minimum number of bookings is reached.
· Those with places on this trip will be contacted by IGS in the coming days to confirm your place and process your non-refundable deposit payment of €500 per person - suitable travel insurance must be in place from time of booking.
· All travelling must be members of the Irish Georgian Society.
· Once balance payments are made, we can only provide a balance refund if your place can be filled by another member. Otherwise, we suggest claiming from your travel insurance where applicable.