Dear BBers,

Thank you for your patience whilst we work on your tour. Our tour designers have read through all the posts and regarding the tour and would firstly like to pass on their thanks to all the members who took the time to contribute.

The suggested 19 day Balkans itinerary appears to be the clear favourite, however our designers have had to make a few small changes as follows along with their comments:

At the start, instead of overnights in Bucharest x 1, Brasov x 1, Bucharest x 1. We have changed to Bucharest x 2 – Veliko Turnovo x 1. Two reasons, it gives 2 nights at the start to recover from the flight, and it saves on backtracking to the same hotel and unwarranted unpacking etc. It means we can’t fit in Sighisoara, but we think the addition of Veliko Turnovo in Bulgaria makes up for this. Also, Bucharest to Sofia is a long day on the coach, so the addition of Veliko Turnovo breaks this up.

We have cut a night from Korcula and a night from Pecs. Now 17 days long instead of 19. The main reason for this is cost. It would be lovely to have the luxury of extra nights here, but must try and keep this tour as accessible as possible.

The suggested addition of Pecs in south-western Hungary was a master stroke! It is designated as a European city of culture for 2010 and the town will be a great place to visit.

There is no provision for sightseeing in Budapest. This is because members had previously visited here already or thought it a bit passé. Some did express an interest in the hydrofoil from Budapest to Vienna. Budapest sightseeing, accommodation and the hydrofoil can be arranged if we get sufficient interest.

September 2010 seems to be the most popular time for travel for BB members and we will now work on contracting hotels for this period. Once hotels have been built in to the itinerary we will be able to provide prices and booking procedures.

Our designers would like to pass on their congratulations to all the Bulletin Board Members for coming up with this superb itinerary.

Kind Regards
John
Moderator

President's Tour 2010

DAY 1 – ARRIVE BUCHAREST
Welcome to Romania! On arrival at Henri Coandă International Airport, you are met and transferred to your tour hotel. Relax and settle in before renewing old friendships over a welcome drink this evening.
Hotel: Xxxxxxxxxxxx. (D)

DAY 2 – BRAN CASTLE EXCURSION
Head north from Bucharest and follow the Prahova Valley to the elegant alpine resort of Sinaia, where you visit Peles Castle, the former summer residence of Romania's first royal family. After some time to admire the lavish rooms filled with art, armour and tapestries continue into the Transylvanian Alps. Now imagine a horse and carriage careering up a wet mountainous road – thunder and lightning illuminating the imposing medieval castle guarding the Transylvanian border. Discover if this popular image of Dracula’s castle is true or, like the vampire story itself, only a myth, as you visit Bran Castle – said to be the inspiration for Bram Stoker’s book. Return to Bucharest late afternoon. (BB)

DAY 3 – BUCHAREST – VELIKA TURNOVO
The tree-lined boulevards and wonderful late 19th century architecture have given the Romanian capital Bucharest the nickname "Paris on the Danube". The highlights of your sightseeing tour include the immense Parliament Palace, one of the largest buildings in the world, University Square and former Communist Headquarters. Now it’s on to Bulgaria! Cross the Danube at Ruse and continue to Velika Turnovo, the “City of the Tsars", where the houses cling to the cliffs of the river Yantra making it one of the country’s the most beautiful towns. Hotel:xxxxxxxxxxxx. (BB,D)

DAY 4 – VELIKA TURNOVO – SOFIA
This morning enjoy a tour with a local guide. Stroll along Gurko Street with its cascade of restored old houses overlooking over the river, including the delightful Sarafkina house. Enjoy unparalleled views down to the Monument of the Assens - symbol of the city. In Main Street is the Mother Bulgaria Monument and amusingly titled ‘House of the Monkey’. But the highlight is an included visit to the Tsaravets Fortress, housing a host of archeological remains and a reminder of the town’s former imperial status. Later cross the Balkan Mountains and continue over the plains to the Bulgaria’s capital city of Sophia. (BB,D) Hotel:xxxxxxxxxxxx.

DAY 5 – SOFIA SIGHTSEEING
Sightseeing with a local guide takes in the St Sofia Church across the square from the golden domed St Alexander Nevsky Cathedral and the archeological complex, dominated by St George’s Church.The afternoon is at leisure to shop or continue sightseeing. Perhaps visit Sofia’s National Museum of History or take an optional excursion to the most important symbol of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church, the magnificent Rila Monastery. (BB)

DAY 6 – SOFIA – OHRID
Cross the border this morning and head for the Macedonian capital. Skopje is an ultra modern city with an ancient bazaar where Turkish influences can still be seen and felt. Enjoy a guided walk through these enchanting streets to see the churches, mosques and old Turkish buildings. Then continue south to the lakeside resort of Ohrid where you can wander the cobblestone streets of the old town. Hotel:xxxxxxxxxxxx. (BB,D)

DAY 7 – OHRID – TIRANA
Cross into Albania and drive to the capital of Tirana for a guided sightseeing tour before heading to your hotel. Hotel:xxxxxxxxxxxx. (BB,D)

DAY 8 – TIRANA – DUBROVNIK
Travel to the northern Albanian city of Shkodra, during its long history the city has played a very important role in Albanian culture and history. Then cross over to the Montenegro coast in former Yugoslavia to visit the old town of Kotor, perched beside the only European fjord outside of Norway. Tonight stay on the glorious Dalmatian coast overlooking the Adriatic Sea. Hotel:xxxxxxxxxxxx. (BB,D)

DAY 9 – DUBROVNIK SIGHTSEEING
A guided sightseeing tour in the Old Town explores the stone-paved streets inside the 16th century bastions. See Onofrio’s fountain and the Rector’s Palace, the city walls, as well as the Franciscan and Dominican monasteries. This afternoon is at leisure. (BB)

DAY 10 – DUBROVNIK – KORCULA
After breakfast drive along the beautiful southern slopes of the Peljesac peninsula. Stop amid the age-old vines to see how wine is produced and enjoy a taste. Now take the short ferry crossing to Korcula, an island of exceptional grace, history and culture. Upon arrival, explore Korcula town with its ramparts and well known legends. Your walking tour takes you to the Cathedral, the town museum and the Bishop’s Palace. The locals also claim Marco Polo was born here and you see his ruined house next. Hotel: Xxxxxxxxxxxx. (BB,D)

DAY 11 – KORCULA – SARAJEVO
Return to the mainland and follow the marvellous gorge of the River Neretva to Mostar. Here you can walk across the famous Stari Most (Old Bridge), recently reconstructed after being almost completely destroyed during the war. The cobbled old town stretches on both sides of the bridge and is filled with shops selling Turkish style souvenirs. Now it’s on to Sarajevo - a city that has attracted its fair share of international attention over the years. In 1914 it was the site of the assassination that sparked WWI and more recently, it endured the longest siege in modern military history. Hotel: Xxxxxxxxxxxx. (BB,D)

DAY 12 – SARAJEVO SIGHTSEEING
This morning your guided sightseeing tour shows you the Bacarsija, the cobbled old town market where the city was founded by the Ottomans in the 15th century. Admire Gazi Husrev-beg's Mosque and the Olympic Stadium before visiting the Sarajevo War Tunnel Museum, revered by the locals as an inanimate war hero. The afternoon is at leisure to try the Bosnian coffee and shop for traditional & hand crafted wares in the Turkish quarter. (BB)

DAY 13 – SARAJEVO – BELGRADE
Your route today winds northwards through the remote villages and spa resorts which nestle in the forested Bosnian mountains. Your destination is Belgrade. On arrival transfer to your hotel and relax before dinner. Hotel: Xxxxxxxxxxxx. (BB,D)

DAY 14 – BELGRADE SIGHTSEEING
Your morning sightseeing tour with a local guide shows you the city's main attractions: St Sava Church, the third largest Orthodox Church in Europe, Terazije Street, the National Museum and National Theatre in Republic Square. Finish your tour at the imposing Kalemegdan Fortress, dramatically situated at the confluence of the Sava and Danube Rivers. The afternoon is at leisure. Tonight, why not enjoy dinner with local live music in a typical national restaurant in the old bohemian quarter of Skadarlija? (BB)

DAY 15 – BELGRADE – PÉCS
Leave Belgrade and take the motorway north, soon reaching the town of Novi Sad. Visit the historic Petrovaradin Fortress, built high on the banks of the River Danube, offering stunning views over the city. Now cross the Hungarian border and continue to Pecs which in 2010 is designated a European Capital of Culture! Hotel: Xxxxxxxxxxxx. (BB,D)

DAY 16 – PÉCS – BUDAPEST
A range of events and festivals are being planned by the city’s historic sites and buildings. From Roman times, visit the early Christian burial chambers which date to the fourth century. Also check out the Inner City Parish Church, a former Turkish mosque complete with Islamic prayer nook and even faded verses from the Koran on the wall! Also there will certainly be lots going on in the pedestrianised Kiraly utca with its brightly coloured town houses, cafes and restaurants. Leaving the vibrant university town, head north to Budapest. Tonight enjoy a farewell dinner to celebrate the culmination of a wonderful tour. (BB,HD)

DAY 17 – DEPART BUDAPEST
Time to bid farewell to your friends and tour director. Transfers will be made to the airport and also to the ferry port for those catching the hydrofoil to Vienna. (BB)

Thanks for listening to us all.

It looks great! Now if we can only crack Madam's Visas!

This looks great, I wish I could go (alas employment gets in the way - I should be thankful to have a job). I look forward to following its development with envy.

Looking forward to meeting you all...Bellbird aka Katrina

Looks great.
Thanks for listenning to us.
Now only have to wait for the price and the final dates.

It looks great to us as well, shall look forward to the cost.

Tupps

The revised BB tour (17 days) in Sepetmber 2010 looks so much better, now that Insight finally put someone to work on it, who actually looked at the BB suggestions.

Donald Trump would and should fire those who came up with the real short tour that had nothing to do with what "WE" wanted. If they worked for me at Boeing, I would fire them.

We will toss our hats into the ring as they say and will consider it for 2010.

Suggestion: Make sure we get to "VISIT" more places than "SEE" more places. Many of us hate the drive by stuff.


Cat's Inheritance

Map of 2010 President's Tour



Legend:

A - Bucharest, Romania
B - Sinaia, Romania
C - Bran Castle, Romania
E - Velika Turnovo, Bulgaria
F - Sofia, Bulgaria
G - Skopje, F.Y.R.O. Macedonia
H - Ohrid, F.Y.R.O. Macedonia
I - Tirana, Albania
J - Shkodra, Albania
K - Dubrovnik, Croatia
L - Korcula, Croatia
M - Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
N - Belgrade, Republic of Serbia
O - Budapest, Hungary

This message has been edited. Last edited by: PatrickC,

Map_of_President's_Tour_2010.JPG (95 KB, 329 downloads) Map of 2010 President's Tour

Oh yes please more visits than see this

Hey cats does this mean you are thinking of coming this time?

Tupps

Absolutely nothing to do with the President's Tour, but I thought some of you might like to see an unexpected visitor we had this morning.

Now safe in the local Zoo.

Snake_07A.jpg (218 KB, 42 downloads)