| Romania & Hungary |
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and the Oberammergau Passion Play
June 19 - July 2, 2010 
With tour leader Ed Epp Come and experience the beauty of the Transylvanian Alps, walk through Count Dracula’s castle, visit the ancient painted monasteries of Moldova, see the remnants of the Ceausescu Regime which in Communist Romania was one of the most restrictive in history. Emerging from that era were young entrepreneurs, eager to work and taste their freedom. Visit with CAPA staff and with them visit the thriving micro and small business community that is driving Romania’s economy towards EU membership. CAPA, a microfinance organization, emerged with help from MEDA (Mennonite Economic Development Associates). Travel overland through Romania and into Hungary to the capital city of Budapest. From Budapest, travel through Austria on the way to Oberammergau, Germany, to see the world-famous Passion Play. This tour will be led by Ed Epp who was the MEDA project manager and Board Member for CAPA for five years, making numerous trips to Romania. Saturday & Sunday, June 19 & 20 The tour departs either from Pearson International Airport, Toronto, or Liberty International Airport, Newark, on overnight flights to Romania via Frankfurt. After changing planes in Frankfurt on Monday morning, we will arrive in Bucharest, Romania, early afternoon. We will have a city tour which includes strolling across the narrow commercial streets of the Lipscani district down to the ruins of the Princely Court and its Church of the Annuncation, the oldest edifice in Bucharest. Also here is the historic Manuc Inn, where merchants used to lodge and do business. Other city sites include Revolution Square with its Royal Palace, Romanian Athenaeum, Bucharest University Library and Senate Palace, and the Palace of Parliament. Monday, June 21 We will leave Bucharest and drive to Dracula’s Castle and hear the legend of Count Dracula. We will make a stop in Sinaia, dubbed the “Pearl of the Carpathians” for its magnificent mountain scenery and royal castle, for lunch or an afternoon break. After visiting the castle, we will travel on to Brasov for the night.  Painted Monastery of Moldova This morning we will have a guided city tour of Brasov to see the churches, including St. Bartolomeu, the oldest historical monument in Brasov which was built in 1229; First Romanian School, the Old City Hall, Ecaterina’s Gate, the Citadel and Weaver’s Tower. The highlight of the afternoon will be seeing the ancient painted monasteries of Moldova on our way to Iasi where we will stay for the night. Wednesday & Thursday, June 23 & 24 Today is our day to meet CAPA staff in Iasi and to see and learn about the projects MEDA has been in partnership with in this area. CAPA is the micro-finance partner of MEDA. In the late afternoon, we will drive on to Suceava where we will stay for two nights. On Thursday In Suceava, we will visit programs started by Leighton Martin, a Mennonite from Ontario: a dairy operation, Facos meat processing plant, the church, a village home of one of his staff and the Philadelphia Christian School, and learn about the challenges of Romania becoming part of the EU. Friday & Saturday, June 25 & 26  Two CAPA clients Sunday & Monday, June 27 & 28 On Sunday, we will need to say goodbye to Romania and head for Hungary. Just before crossing the border into Hungary, we plan to visit a Mennonite Seminary near the border. Before arriving in Budapest where we will be lodged for two nights, we want to take in one of the Horse Shows that Hungary is famous for. Monday is the day to visit the beautiful city of Budapest which is in two parts: Buda and Pest. A city tour will introduce us to Castle Hill, the Hapsburg Palace, Statue Park, Matthias Cathedral and Fisherman’s Bastion. There will be time for shopping and exploring the city on your own. We will enjoy an evening folklore dinner. Tuesday & Wednesday, June 29 & 30 We will need to leave early this morning to head towards Oberammergau. We will stop in the beautiful city of Vienna in Austria, for a brief visit with a two-hour guided city tour and some free time. In the late afternoon, we will depart for Linz, Austria, where we will stay for the night. On Wednesday, enjoy the scenery during this travel day as we continue on to the world-famous village of Oberammergau, in the Ammer Valley of Germany. Every ten years the villagers of Oberammergau perform the passion of Christ because of a solemn vow made to God in 1634. Lodging in Oberammergau for two nights. Thursday, July 1 You will have free time this morning to explore the charming village of Oberammergau or catch up on your sleep. The Passion Play will be performed in the afternoon and evening with a break for dinner. This will be a day to be long-remembered! Friday, July 2 It’s time to return home so we will drive to Munich to get our flight back to North America. You will have many new memories and stories to take home with you, as well as new friendships made. For further information regarding the complete tour fare, please This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it . We would be happy to be of assistance. |
