DANCE AND CULTURAL TOURS TO ROMANIA 2006

The prices includes:

• Transfer from Bucharest to final destination and return.
• Full board in a double or triple bedroom with bath/shower and toilet (supplement for a single room: EUR 84.-/week April & October tours, EUR156.- July tour).
• Dancing-lessons from Romanian dancing-teachers accompanied by live music.
• Excursions by touring-car. Participation in a variety of activities such as: meeting and dancing with dance ensembles, visiting museums, participating in village festivities, etc.
• Free entrance to the museums and exhibitions named in the programme.
• Accompaniment by Silviu Ciuciumiş and an English speaking guide/interpreter.

Not included:

• Return-flight Amsterdam-Bucharest. On request Stichting DOINA will arrange your flight for you. Price indication: from EUR 315,- onwards.
  With regard to the large interest in these tours and the advantageous tickets on early booking, we advise that you to register as soon as possible.
  Of course you are free to arrange your own flights to Bucharest from Schiphol, Amsterdam or another airport if preferred.
• Cancellation insurance 5%, airport + security tax (will be included in final invoice).
• Travel insurance (you are requested to make personal arrangements).
• Personal spending, spending on alcoholic drinks, etc.

SUBJECT TO MODIFICATIONS 

TOUR TO SFANTU GHEORGHE AND PLOIEŞTI 29 April- 6 May 2006

Saturday 29 April

• Flight to Otopeni, Bucharest. Transfer by touring-car to Sfântu Gheorghe (four overnight stays)

Sunday 30 April

• Dancing-lessons* (Romanian and Hungarian). Visit to the places of interest of Sfântu Gheorghe: Székely-museum, old city centre, Sunday market, orthodox, Roman Catholic and Unitarian churches.
• Excursion to the village of Zagon**: visit to the Sfântu Ilie (Holy Elias) church and feet washing in Izvorul tămăduirii (therapeutic spring), the old castle, old traditional houses, meeting with the local.
• Romanian folklore group (dance, song, bagpipe players), performance, party together.

Monday 1 May

• Dancing-lessons (Romanian and Hungarian). Visit to the Müvez Ház (technical school) in Sfântu Gheorghe (a.o. costumes, musical instruments, ceramics, toys, folklore dolls, wood carving).
• Concert by the choir of the community centre of Covasna. Romanian and Hungarian songs.
• Performance/rehearsal by the professional ensemble Háromszek (Hungarian, Romanian, gipsy).

Tuesday 2 May

• Dancing-lessons (Romanian and Hungarian). Visit to the open-air museum and Museum for popular technology (a.o. painting on wooden furniture) in the village of Cernat. In Balvanyos: citadel and thermal baths, vulcanic lake Sfânta Ana (1301 m). In Sânzieni: old church, traditional houses, meeting with the local Hungarian group (winter customs). Performance, dancing together.

Wednesday 3 May

• In Prejmer: fortified church, built by German knights (13th century), 4 floors - 1st apartment building in Romania. Excursion through the mountains (2500) along the Prahova-river: castle of Peleş (summer residence of a former Romanian king, magnificent architecture and exceptional art collection) and medieval convent in Sinaia (1695, Brâncovan-style, with medieval art collection)
• In the mountain city of Câmpina: museum for R. flora and fauna, castle Iulia Haşdeu, museum Nicolae Grigorescu (the greatest R. painter from the 19th century), dancing-classes. meeting with ensemble Ghiocelul, old songs by Florica Jinca, party. Transfer to Ploie~ti (3 overnight stays).

Thursday 4 May

• Dancing-lessons. In Ploieşti: clock museum (2000 clocks from all Europe 17th/18th century), ethnographic museum with special section for Romanian carpets, royal church (1639), market halls.
• Excursion through the fabulous region along the Doftana-river. In Brebu: convent (1650). In Valea Doftanei: mini-ethnographical museum. visit to a sheep fold, folklore group of shepherds.
• In the mountain city of Breaza meeting with the ensemble Ca la Breaza, performance, party.

Friday 5 May

• Dancing-lessons, dance notation, video-recording. In Valenii de munte: ethnographic collection
• In Slănic: open-air museum. salt museum (salt sculptures), Baia Baciului (salt lake), Grota miresii (bride's cave), visit to the mine (320 m deep), underground dome with salt church, dancing-lessons
• In Vărbilâu: performers of old songs, instrument builder Vasile Daneş (bagpipe, flutes, tuns)
• Monastery of Zamfira painted by Nicolae Grigorescu. Paintings on glass from Lucia Gheorghe
• Party with ensemble Corala Armonia and Salba Prahovei from Plopeni (Romanian and Hungarian)

Saturday 6 May

• Transfer to Bucharest. In Snagov: in the middle of the lake, on the island, in the convent, the grave of Vlad Tepeş alias Dracula. Flight from Otoeni, Bucharest

* Spring-tour: dancing-lessons by József Jánosi (Romanian and Hungarian) and Nicolae Chiriţa (Romanian and gipsy).

** In general the dancing-groups perform, followed by a shared party with music and dance.

EXTRA: singing-lessons, live music, surprises SUBJECT TO MODIFICATIONS

PROGRAMME OF THE TOUR TO TOUR TO CLUJ 21 - 28 October 2006

• Flight to Otopeni, Bucharest In Bucharest a.o. old city centre, palace of Ceauşescu, open-air museum, palace Mogoşoaia. Transfer by night-train to Cluj (sleeping compartments), dep. 22.45 h

Sunday 22 October

• Arrival in Cluj (06.40 h). Dancing-lessons*. Visit to the open-air museum of Transylvania
  In the village of Cojocna**: visit to the typical Transylvanian house of folk artist Veturia Suciu (75) - folklore dolls. Children's ensemble Cununiţa (dance, songs and winter customs), performance
• In the village of Frata: village church, traditional houses, farmers' ensemble with the best pontăuşi of Frata and Mociu (dance, songs, customs), traditional music group Gaciu and orchestra Stângaciu

Monday 23 October

• Dancing-lessons. Visit to the convent of Nicula with a collection of icons on glass from all Romania
• In the village of Ceaba: old church (17th century), old traditional houses, palincă-brewery (tasting), and meeting with the local elderly dance-group, a traditional orchestra and performers of old songs under the guidance of Iosif Ghermant and Emil Mihai (trumpet-violin). Performance, dance an party

Tuesday 24 October

• Dancing-lessons. In Cluj: buildings from the 15th century, gothic style: St Michael's church, equestrian statue and house of Matei Corvin, tailors' bastion (part of the defence wall), Franciscan convent, Reformed church. Also: town hall, national theater, university of Babeş-Boliay, synagog
• Excursion by boat on the lake in the park. Visit to the Hungarian cultural foundation Kallos Zoltan, dance, exhibition of costumes, artefacts, tools for old crafts
• Meeting with the Hungarian ensemble Szarkalab, performance and dancing and party together

Wednesday 25 October

• Dancing-lessons. Excursion through the fabulous Gilău-mountains (1000-1826 m). Visit to the castles of Gilău and Huedin (17th century). In the village of Calata: stalls of various artisans. In the village of Beliş: park near the spa, boat trip on the Fântânele-lake (1100 m), waterfall Voalul miresii (bridal veil) in the village of Răchiţele. In the village of Mărişel (1350 m): old traditional houses, mini-ethnographic museum, folklore group with Şezatoarea and Junii (winter customs). Old style music group and performer of old songs Vasile Soporan. Performance, dancing and party together

Thursday 26 October

• Dancing-lessons. Visit to the public art school and children's centre (songs, paintings, wood carving, dancing, etc.). Performance by children's group Doina, dancing together
• Visit to the ethnographic museum in the Reduta-palace
• In the Hungarian village of Vişea: Reformed church, mini-ethnographic museum, Hungarian restaurant, performance by the local folklore group and gipsy group. Dancing and partying together in the Hungarian restaurant

Friday 27 October

• Dancing-lessons, dance notation and video-recording. Excursion through the Turzii-cleft. Visit to the salt mine. Concert in the underground dome clopot (bell), visit to the wine cellars (tasting). In the city of Turda: museum for Michael the Brave, the ruling prince who first achieved in 1600 the unification of the three Romanian countries. Also: old city centre with a.o. Reformed church (1400, gothic), Roman Catholic church (1500, gothic exterior and baroque interior from the 18th century)
• Farewell party in Cluj with the ensemble Cununa Transilvaniei
• Transfer by night-train to Bucharest in sleeping compartments, dep. 23.20 h

Saturday 28 October

• Arrival in Bucharest 07.20 h. Places of interest in Bucharest: Cişmigiu-park, farmers' museum, Romanian Episcopal church, Caşin-convent, etc. Flight from Otopeni, Bucharest

* Autumn-tour: dancing-lessons by loan Motoc (Romanian) and Jósef Both (Hungarian and gipsy). The lessons include dances from the villages we visit.

** In general the dancing-groups perform, followed by a shared party with music and dance.

EXTRA: singing-lessons, live music, surprises SUBJECT TO MODIFICATIONS

TOUR TO July 5 - July 18, TARGU JIU (OLTENIA) and CAMPINA (MUNTENIA)

Wednesday 5 July

• Arrival at Otopeni, Bucharest. Transfer by touring-car to Târgu Jiu (seven overnight stays in a hotel next to the Constantin Brâncuşi-park)

Thursday 6 July

• Dancing-lessons* (and short singing-lessons) assisted by dancers of the ensemble Rapsozii Gorjului
• Excursion to the village of Băleşti**: - Visit to the village church and traditional houses
  - Meeting with ensemble Jiuleţul: three generations of dancers and musicians, party together
  - Performance by interpreters of old songs Lică Militaru and Emilia Dragotoiu

Friday 7 July

• Dancing-lessons. Visit to the places of interest in Târgu Jiu, a.o. the sculptural complex of the world-famous sculptor Constantin Brâncuşi, including the famous sculptures The Table of Silence, The Chairs' Alley, The Gate of Kiss and The Endless Column. Visit to the monastery of Polovraci (1643) and to the workshop of costume maker Mioara Dinoiu. Visit to the Toţi Sfinţii (All Saints')-church (1748)
• Visit to the Peştera Muierii-cave (women's cave) and the Galbenului-gorge. Visit to the wood-carver's workshop with domestic objects in Baia de Fier
• Meeting with ensemble Nedeia from Novaci. Performance and party together

Saturday 8 July

• Dancing-lessons
• The church of the Holy Apostles Petru and Pavel (1777, new-Byzantine style), and the memorial house of Iosif Keber (library of art and picture-collection)
• Memorial house of Constantin Brâncuşi in Hobiţa and the monastery of Tismana (14th century)
• Meeting with a folklore group with winter customs and with singer Carmen Sarcină in the village of Cloşani-Padeş. Performance, dancing together and party

Sunday 9 July

• Dancing-lessons. Visit to the ethnographical museum in Târgu Jiu, to the workshop of potter Nicolae Retezeanu, and to the workshop of Pompiliu Giolacu (wood-carving, paintings on glass)
• Visit to the wine-cellars in Scoarta, wine-tasting. Visit to the monastery of Cămărăşeasca (1780)
• Visit to the memorial house (200+ years old) of Tudor Vladimirescu, leader of the revolution in 1821
• In the village of Târgu Cărbuneşti meeting with folklore group Gilortul: dance- and singing-group and interpreters of old songs the Piţigoi-family. Performance, dancing together, singing and party

Monday 10 July

Dancing-lessons. In Leleşti visit to the memorial house of Ion Grigoroiu

Visit to the Roman settlement. Visit to the open-air museum of the Gorj district in Curţişoara, and to the fortified boyar's mansion of the Cornoiu-family from the 18th century

Meeting in Târgu Jiu with ensemble Rapsozii Gorjului of the School for Folk Art.

Rehearsal / performance by the professional ensemble Doina Gorjului. Dancing together

Tuesday 11 July

• Dancing-lessons and special opportunity for dance notation and video-recording
• Visit to the artifical glass-factory in Târgu Jiu and to the instruments maker and inventor Ştefan Popescu
• Farewell party together with the ensemble Rapsozii Gorjului from Târgu Jiu

Wednesday 12 July

• Transfer by touring-car to Câmpina. On the way visit to the famous workshops of the potters in the village of Horezu.
• Excursion to the city of Curtea de Argeş (the first capital of Ţara Românească – the Romanian kingdom) - visit to the monastery and the church Curtea de Argeş
  - visit to the royal court from the 13nd century
• Arrival in the mountain city of Câmpina (six overnight stays)

Thursday 13 July

• Dancing-lessons
• In the mountain city of Câmpina: museum for Romanian flora and fauna, castle Iulia Haşdeu, museum Nicolae Grigorescu (the greatest Romanian painter from the 19th century), dancing-classes, meeting with ensemble Ghiocelul, old songs by Florica Jinca, party

Friday 14 July

• Dancing-lessons
• Excursion through the mountains (2500) along the Prahova-river: castle of Peleş (summer residence of a former Romanian king, magnificent architecture and exceptional art collection) and medieval convent in Sinaia (1695, Brâncovan-style, with medieval art collection)
• With the chair lift to the top of the ‘Omul’ mountains (2.000 m altitude)

Saturday 15 July

• Dancing-lessons. In Ploieşti: clock museum (2000 clocks from all Europe 17th/18th century), ethnographic museum with special section for Romanian carpets, royal church (1639), market halls
• Excursion through the fabulous region along the Doftana-river. In Brebu: convent (1650). In Valea Doftanei: mini-ethnographical museum, visit to a sheep fold, folklore group of shepherds
• In the mountain city of Breaza meeting with the ensemble Ca la Breaza, performance, party

Sunday 16 July

• Dancing-lessons. In Vălenii de munte: ethnographic collection
• In Slănic: open-air museum, salt museum (salt sculptures), Baia Baciului (salt lake), Grota miresii (bride’s cave), visit to the mine (320 m deep), underground dome with salt church, dancing-lessons

Monday 17 July

• Dancing-lessons, dance notation, video-recording
• In Vărbilău: performers of old songs, instrument builder Vasile Daneş (bagpipe, flutes, tuns)
• Monastery of Zamfira painted by Nicolae Grigorescu. Paintings on glass from Lucia Gheorghe
• Party with ensemble Corala Armonia and Salba Prahovei from Plopeni

Tuesday 18 July

• Transfer to Bucharest. On the way stopover in the village of Potigrafu: visit to a pottery workshop.
• Free time in Bucharst, opportunity for shopping
• Departure from Otopeni, Bucharest

During the tour the dancing-lessons will be given by Silviu Ciuciumiş, Julian Malea and Nicolae Chiriţă (Romanian and gipsy dances)

* The lessons include dances from the villages we visit.
** In general the dancing-groups perform, followed by a shared party with music and dance.

EXTRA: singing-lessons, live music, surprises

SUBJECT TO MODIFICATIONS