Fortresses of Wine: Dragasani, Jidvei, Pietroasele, Odobesti, Panciu, Niculitel, Murfatlar


TOURS Medieval Cities and Maramures Grand Tour Diamonds Necklace Dracula Dracula classical tour Castles, Legends, Monasteries Fortresses of Wine Gardens of Eden Jewels of Bucovina Medieval Cities Birds in space Romanian Legends
	As legend has it, the god of wine, Dionysos, was Thracian born, in what is today the territory of Romania. Wine has been produced in the area since the 7^th century BC. The abundance and fame of the Dacian wines were so well known that in order to put an end to the migratory people’s incursions, the Dacian king Burebista (1^st century BC) ordered all the vineyards destroyed. Not all the vineyards were uprooted and soon many of them were replanted. After part of Dacia territory was conquered by the Romans (106 AD), all coins issued by the victors were minted with the new Roman province represented as a woman to whom two children were offering grapes, a symbol of the regions main riches. At the beginning of first millennium, the wine culture was flourishing. Ancient ceremonies included the rituals of wine. Red or Withe or Rose, the wines and vineyards are important part of our life. *Our tour invites you for a week through the Romanian Fortresses of wine.*
	PROGRAM 7 days - 6 nights *BUCURESTI – Dragasani– SIBIU – Jidvei* – SIGHISOARA –BRASOV – BRAN – SINAIA – Pietroasele - FOCSANI – Odobesti – Panciu –TECUCI – GALATI –** Niculitel – CONSTANTA - MAMAIA – Murfatlar - BUCURESTI

	Hightlights: ROYAL VINEYARD of DRAGASANI and SIBIU the CITY of CULTURE 2007 Route: Bucuresti – Pitesti – Dragasani – Sibiu ( 340 km)
Grapes for wine Dragasani vineyard Wine cellar Sighisoara Peles Castle Mamaia Beach	The vineyard of Dragasani has the royal origin. The family of Prince Ştirbey has owned vineyards in the Dragasani wine region in southern Romania since the 18th century. Ştirbey wines - synonymous with outstanding quality - were well known and appreciated in Romania and all over Europe. Tasting this white, red and rose wines, we invite you to experience the traditions of Prince Ştirbey's Walachia family as well as the perfumes and tastes from the yet undiscovered nature of Romania. Sibiu, established in the 12^th century, one of the most fascinating cities of Romania, astonishing its visitors with its mediaeval look: narrow and crooked streets, old Gothic houses with triangle gables and pointed roofs. Walking sightseeing tour of Mediaeval Sibiu including the historic city center, the Main Square and the Little Square, the Old Town Hall's Tower, the Ladder Tower, Maria Kirche Teutsch (Evangelical church), Council Hall's Tower. Overnight in Sibiu.

	Hightlights: DACIAN FORTRESS CETATEA DE BALTA and ITS VINEYARD JIDVEI Route: Sibiu – Jidvei – Sighisoara ( 200 km)
	Jidvei is on the Tarnava river valley. The wines of the TÂRNAVE vineyard provide a perfect blend of acid, alcohol and flavour. They seem to have gathered together the strong fragrance of pine resin, the smell of lime blossom, and the transparency and sweetness of acacia honey. Jidvei vineyards produce white wine and special sparkling wine. The sparkling wine is the Romanian equivalent of champagne (do not mistake it with the frothy wine). Special lunch with wine tasting( Riesling) and traditional show by Capalna Girls at dacian Fortress – Cetatea de Balta (1st century B.C.-1st century A.D.), Castle Bethlen (1570-1580). Arrival Sighisoara citadel. Walk on the medieval streets. Overnight in Sighisoara

	Hightlights: ONLY MEDIEVAL FORTRESSES Route: Sighisoara – Brasov – Prejmer - Bran ( 180 km)
	Sightseeing tour of Brasov, the largest city in Mediaeval Transylvania, a beautiful 800-year-old city at the foot of the Sub-Carpathian Mountains. Visit the Prejmer Fortress. Visit the famous Castle of Count Dracula. Overnight in Bran.

	Hightlights: ROCKY WINE and VISIGOTH KING ATANARIC Route: Bran – Sinaia - Ploiesti – Urlati - Pietroasele – Cotesti – Focsani ( 321 km)
	Visit the Peles Castle, Residence of the Romanian royalty in the last century, monument built in a German Renaissance style. Wine tasting at Urlati and lunch tasting at Pietroasele (The Rocky). The sweet wine is the perfect to celebrate the day. Pietroasa is a secret palce where, in the year 376 AD the Visigoth king Atanaric hid the treasure "The brood-hen with golden chicken" At Another treasury – the vineyards – covered the sunny hills of Pietroasa. Dinner and Cotesti wine tasting at Focsani. Overnight in Focsani.

	Hightlights: ROYAL CELLAR of PANCIU Route: Focsani – Odobesti – Panciu – Tecuci – Galati – Niculitel – Tulcea – Constanta - Mamaia (392 km)
	Wine tasting at Odobesti wine cellar. Next stop to Panciu Royal Cellar. It is an impressive cellar: depth 24 m, galleries long 2000 m, 36 gallery cross the longest one (560 m) The history of cellar began 5 century ago, during the reign of Stefan the Great of Moldova. Special tasting at Panciu wine cellar. Lunch and wine tasting at Niculitel.The Niculitel vineyard is renowned for its red wines, whereas the white wine of Aligoté is considered to be the best of its kind in the country. It is a high quality wine, dry, strong and properly acidulated; it has a pleasant taste and a special bouquet. Overnight in Mamaia, on the Black Sea Coast.

	Hightlights: ON THE BEACH Route: Mamaia
	Full day on the beach and overnight in Mamaia.

	Hightlights: LATIN POET OVIDIU and MURFATLAR VINEYARD Route: Mamaia – Murfatlar – Bucuresti (230 km)
	Murfatlar would be a last stop of our Route of wines in Romania. The Murfatlar vineyard was first mentioned in the writings of the Latin poet Ovidiu. The vineyard is renowned for its sweet wines made of grapes whose contents are highly sugared as they are reaped after they have dried up. The sorts of wines produced by the Murfatlar vineyard: Pinot gris, Sauvignon, Italian Riesling, Chardonnay, Muscat Ottonel, Pinot noir, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon. At world wine contests, the Murfatlar vintage has been awarded no less than 350 golden medals. Wine tasting & lunch at Murfatlar before our way back to Bucuresti.
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Route: Bucuresti – Pitesti – Dragasani – Sibiu ( 340 km)