W I N E fine food april 2018
a luxury wine & fine culinary experience to
BULGARIA
Exclusively designed for and accompanied by
christy canterbury
presented by
Donatello
A meal without wine is like a day without sunshine. Jean Anthelme Brillat-Savarin
bulgarian wine & culinary adventure experience exclusively designed for
Christy Canterbury
plus an extension to the painted monasteries of moldavia 10 days - april, 2018
Space on this thought-provoking and creative journey is limited, so be sure to contact me in case we have awakened your interest. I hope to have the pleasure of your company
Day 1 » Arrival in Sofia » Upon arrival, we will provide a private transfer to the Zornitza Family Estate (3H) in a luxury and comfortable sedan. Enjoy a bottle of wine, selected by Christy and gourmet nibbles from your deluxe picnic basket. Evening wine reception and dinner with Christy. Two nights. Day 2 » The Melnik Wine Trail » We start our program with a visit to Villa Melnik, where we taste the terrific wines from the 2009 vintage in one of the most beautiful tasting rooms in the country.
The delightful Zlaten winery is next, where we try their Sandanski Misket and Rosè from 2014; and their Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and full-bodied Syrah, all from 2013. Delicious local appetizers are served with the wines including Bulgarian Banitsa. A traditional Bulgarian food in the börek family prepared by layering a mixture of whisked eggs and pieces of cheese between filo pastry.
We take a break from our wine tour to visit the to the Rozhen Monastery. The biggest monastery in the Pirin Mountains and one of the best preserved medieval monasteries in the world.
We finish our day with a visit to the Orbelus Organic Winery, producing high quality red and white wines in a nature conscious manner, guaranteeing its products’ ecological purity. We taste their Orelek Chardonnay & Viognier 2014 and their Orbelus Getika 2010, among others. Return to our hotel for dinner.
Day 3 » Plovdiv » Early morning drive to Plovdiv (4H) where we settle in our charming hotel right at the heart of the Old Town. Our expert lecturer will take us on a stroll around the city to admire its famous and ornate Bulgarian Renaissance architecture. We visit the imposing Roman Amphitheater (built during the reign of Emperor Trajan), the stadium and the Odeon. Lunch with local wines will be at one of the best Cafes in the city overlooking the River Maritsa. One night.
a bulgarian luxury wine experience plus the moldavia monasteries
oin me for a one-ofa-kind delectable journey into the incandescent world of Bulgarian wines and culinary poetry. During this unique journey, specially designed for me, we will take you beyond the standard tourist itineraries to the places associated with the production of the best wines in Bulgaria and to a three-day adventure to the remote and beautiful Monasteries of Moldavia, in northern Romania. We will delight you with gastronomic and wine explorations led by expert chefs and I will be your guide to the superb wines being produced today in this stunning country: Bulgaria.
Christy Canterbury
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Day 4 » Exploring the Plovdiv Wine Region » This morning, after delicious Bulgarian breakfast including Mekitsas with feta cheese, we explore the Plovdiv Wine Region. We start with a visit to the Dragomir Winery Estate where we taste the results of one of the youngest team of winemakers in the country. The Villa Yustina follows, with their excellent Blanc “Villa Justina” 2013, Chardonnay “Monogram” 2011 and their Rosè 2013. A special treat to accompany these wines will be an array of organic and artisan bread, including white bread from durum wheat with olive oil and Rye bread with seeds and nuts. Continuation to the Edoardo Miroglio Hotel (2H), where we enjoy dinner and taste their magnificent sparkling wines, including their famous Brut 2008. Three nights. Day 5 » The wines of Eastern Thrace Today we suggest a relaxing day at our luxury property, where you may join a Bulgarian yogurt class or taste more wines from their cellars on a tasting arranged in their dramatic tasting room. Lunch is included. We offer an optional archaeology tour to the Thracian city of Kabile ($75 including lunch). A late afternoon visit to the Minkov Brothers winery closes our day. The winery holds one-tenth of the world’s gold medals. Need we say more?
Tonight, as our tour in Bulgaria comes to an end, we will enjoy an open-fire dinner party of traditional Bulgarian dishes, followed by a tasting of Bulgarian sweet wines from the Chernomorski region (Muscat Blanc a Petit Grains). Day 7 » Sofia Thracian Gold Rooms at the National History Museum » Flight to Romania » Today you may want to enjoy a leisurely breakfast and morning at the pool of our luxury hotel, followed by a transfer to the airport in Sofia, or join an early departure to the capital to allow time for the visit of the rooms of the Panagyurishte Treasure at the National Museum of History. The museum director has curated our visit and will act as our lecturer. The Panagyurishte treasure, named after a tongue-twisting town in Bulgaria, is a masterpiece of Thracian workmanship. It consists of a phiale, an amphora and seven rhytons, all made of solid 24-carat gold. The treasure weighs a total of 6.164 kg (13.5 pounds) and is arguably the single most valuable set of artifacts ever found on the territory of Bulgaria.
Day 8 » Humor, Răsca & Voronet » The interior frescoes of the church at Humor (1530) are unsurpassed and brilliantly depict the Siege of Constantinople. At the Răsca Monastery, we learn more about the daily life in a working monastery, and admire the frescoes of the Ladder of St John on its South wall. The Voronet Monastery (constructed by Stephen the Great in 1488), is next and is considered by many to be the most splendid in Bucovina, and offers a magnificent Last Judgement. Day 9 » Arbore, Sucevita & Moldovitsa » Today we visit the Arbore Monastery (1501) with superbly executed frescoes depicting the Lives of St Nicholas, St George and St Paraskeva, by Dragos Coman, one of the greatest 16th century mural painters of Romania. Lunch today will include an array of local dishes at one of our favorite restaurants in the country: Popas, where our friend Helena, prepares a menu of fresh fish for our group (carnivore options available)
After lunch and in bucolic surroundings, the Suceviţa Monastery (1595) offers beautifully preserved frescoes. Last on our program today, The Tree of Jesse frescoes at Moldovitsa’s Monastery (1532). Founded as a protective barrier against the Muslim Ottoman conquerors.
Christy Canterbury
Located in one of the most gracious areas for growing grapes in Bulgaria and Europe, Katarzyna Estate follows on our program and delight us with a tasting of their different brands. The Bratanov Family Winery ends our day with their Young 2013 Merlot, and their Red blends Syrah & Cabernet Franc and Merlot & Cabernet Franc.
We all meet at Sofia International for a 7:10 pm. flight to Suceva (via Bucharest) arriving at 10:40 pm. We transfer to our charming hotel in Gura Humorului.
a bulgarian luxury wine experience plus the moldavia monasteries
Day 6 » Exploring Sakar & Eastern Rhodopes » Full day visiting the Castra Rubra Winery, where Plamena Kostova and Anton Dimitrov welcome our group to taste their awardwinning wines.
In Putna, (1466 / 1481), the final resting place of Stefan the Great we enter the museum to admire the superb 16thcentury embroideries and intricate ecclesiastical treasures. Free time for souvenir shopping this afternoon prior to our flight back to Bucharest. Overnight at an airport hotel. Day 11 » Individual transfers to the airport » Homebound flights.
Prices per person Sharing $3950 Single room occupancy $4550 » Private car transfer from Sofia to the Zornitza Family Estate with gourmet picnic basket and wine
» All transportation from day 2 to the end of the program on a deluxe bus
» Hotel accommodation at the Zornitza Family Estate (2) Seven Hills (1) Edoardo Miroglio (3) Deluxe Club Bucovina (3) Best Western Bucharest Airport (1)
» Breakfast and lunch (or dinner) daily » Expert guides for sightseeing and all entry fees
» Winery visits with tastings to all wineries on the program
» Flight from Sofia to Suceava and back to Bucharest
» Expert guides and lecturers throughout
our promises to you
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We aim to be fair, reasonable and sympathetic in all our dealings with clients, and to act always with integrity. We will meet all our legal and regulatory responsibilities, often going beyond the minimum obligations. We aim to provide full and accurate information about our holidays. If there are changes, we will tell you promptly. If something does go wrong, we will try to put it right. Our overriding aim is to ensure that every client is satisfied with our services all we ask of you is that you read the information we send to you air travel to sofia& back from bucharest We suggest working with Lufthansa or a United Airlines / Lufthansa combination on a one connection round trip to Sofia (SOF) and back from Bucharest (OTP) Prices at the time of printing Economy Class........ $780 Economy Plus.......... $1950 Business Class.......... $3800 We advise for a flight arriving in Sofia no later than 2:00pm PLEASE NOTE This schedule, although “final,” remains open to change
the short version of the program day 1 »
arrival in sofia » transfer to the hotel
day 2 »
struma valley wineries
day 3 »
transfer to plovdiv
day 4 »
transfer to the thracian valley
day 5 »
thracian valley wineries
day 6 » day 7
sakar & eastern rhodopes
»
transfer to sofia with national museum flight to suceava, via bucharest
day 8, 9 10 » visit to the moldavia monasteries day 11 »
Christy Canterbury
Our hotels in Bulgaria are three of the best in the country and our hotel in Romania is the best in the region: The Zornitza Family Estate (2 nights) » Seven Hills (1 night) » Edoardo Miroglio (3 nights) » Club Bucovina (3 nights) » Bucharest Airport (1 night)
bulgaria luxury wine experience with moldavia monasteries
Day 10 » The Dragomirna Community of nuns » flight back to Bucharest » This morning we visit the Dragomirna community of nuns. Founded in 1608 by Anastasie Crimca whose legacy of writing and illumination can be seen in the museum where an expert guide escorts our visit.
homebound flights
Value for money | the price covers nearly everything, including wine with meals and most tips. Some other tips (not included) will be calculated and collected prior to the tour and will be distributed on your behalf to the providers, freeing you of these calculations while on tour.
First-rate lecturers | experienced gastronome leaders and are a key ingredient in our tours and events. Enriched by local sports leaders, academics, museum curators, writers, broadcasters, other food experts and researchers, they are selected not only for their knowledge but also for their ability to communicate clearly and engagingly to a lay audience.
Their brief is to enlighten and stimulate, not merely to inform. And they also have to be good traveling companions. We select our lecturers through reputation, interview, and audition, and provide them with guidance and training. All of our tours are also accompanied by a trained tour manager who unobtrusively attends to administrative matters. Original itineraries | rooted in knowledge of the destination and of the subject matter of the tour, the outcome of assiduous research and reconnaissance, and underpinned by twenty years of thought and experience, our itineraries are second to none. They are original and imaginative, well-paced and carefully balanced. Meticulous attention to practical matters ensures a smooth-running as well as an enriching experience.
Special arrangements feature on nearly all our tours – for admission to places not generally open to travelers, for access outside public hours, for private concerts and extraordinary events. In innumerable ways, large and small, we lift our clients’ experience far above standards which are regarded as normal for tourists. Meticulous planning | the planning of every tour involves thorough research and meticulous attention to detail. Special access is a feature of many tours. The work of planning a tour does not cease once it is published in the brochure. We are continually making slight adjustments to take into account changing circumstances. Small groups | most of our tours run with between ten and twenty participants. We strictly limit numbers, specifying the applicable maximum in each tour description. The higher costs of smaller numbers are outweighed by the benefits of manoeuvrability,
Not the least attractive aspect of traveling with is that you are highly likely to find yourself in congenial company, self-selected by common interests and endorsement of the company’s ethos. Travelling in comfort | the hotels we use are usually rated as 4-star, with most of the rest being 5-star. We select our hotels with great care. Nearly all the hotels we use have been visited — and often stayed in — by a member of our staff. Hundreds of others have been seen and rejected. Obviously, comfort ranks high among our criteria, together with good service and warmth of welcome. We also set high priority on charm and style, and location is also an important consideration. We invest similar efforts in the selection of restaurants, menus and wines, aided by staff with a specialist knowledge of these areas.
Care for our clients | we aim for faultless administration from your first encounter with us to the end of the tour, with personal service as a hallmark. And if anything does go wrong, we will put it right or compensate appropriately. We want you to come back again and again — as most of our clients do. Your financial protection | we will provide you with financial protection by way of a bond held by ABTA. For further information, visit the ABTA website. We are a Member of ABTA and maintain their standards of service.
responsibilities
Neither IE ADVENTURES Travel Services, Limited., or the promoter sponsoring this tours, d.b.a. XXPROMOTER, its affiliated entities and its and their employees, shareholders, officers, directors, successors, agents, and assigns (collectively “IE ADVENTURES” and “THEPROMOTER”), own or operate any person or entity which is to or does provide goods or services for these trips. Because IE ADVENTURES and THEPROMOTER do not maintain control or operate the personnel, equipment, or operations of the suppliers it uses and as such IE ADVENTURES and THEPROMOTER assume no responsibility for and cannot be held liable for any personal injury, death, property damage or other loss accident, delay, inconvenience, or irregularity which may be
ie adventures 2637 e atlantic blvd., 1st floor pompano beach, fl 33062 ietravel@usa.com DONATELLO EVENTS is a brand of and IE ADVENTURES limited which is a registered company at both, the Chamber of Commerce of Florida and the Warsaw Travel Trade Union in Poland CST#2064856-20 and UBN601246745 No. 2003027931047344 with VAT registration number PL895764958B01
occasioned by reason of (1) any wrongful, negligent, willful or unauthorized acts or omissions on the part of any of the suppliers or other employees or agents; (2) any defect in or failure of any vehicle, equipment, or instrument owned, operated or otherwise used by any of these suppliers; or (3) any wrongful, willful or negligent act of or omission on the part of any other party not under the supervision and control of IE ADVENTURES and XXPROMOTER. Additionally, IE ADVENTURES and XXPROMOTER waive any and all liability for losses or expenses due to sickness, lack of appropriate medical facilities or practitioners, weather, strikes, theft or other criminal acts, war, terrorism, computer problems, acts of God, or other such causes. All services and accommodations are subject to the laws of the country in which they are provided. IE ADVENTURES reserves the right to make changes in the published itinerary whenever, in their sole judgment, conditions warrant, or if IE ADVENTURES deems it necessary for the comfort, convenience, or the safety of the tour. IE ADVENTURES reserves the right to withdraw any tour at any time. IE ADVENTURES reserves the right to decline to accept any person as a member of the tour, or to require any participant to withdraw from the tour at any time, when such action is determined by the tour manager to be in the best interests of the health, safety, and general welfare of the tour group or of the individual participant. IE ADVENTURES and XXPROMOTER do not accept liability for any carrier’s cancellation penalty incurred by the purchase of a nonrefundable airline or other ticket to the tour departure city and return or otherwise. Baggage and personal effects are the sole responsibility of the passenger at all times. Passengers may be photographed for the promotional purposes of IE ADVENTURES. Payment of the deposit to IE ADVENTURES constitutes acceptance of these terms and conditions. I agree that any dispute concerning, relating, or referring to this contract, the brochure or any other literature concerning my trip, or the trip itself, shall be resolved exclusively by binding arbitration according to the then existing rules of the American Arbitration Association in Florida. Such proceedings will be governed by and in accordance with substantive Florida law. The arbitrator and not any federal, state, or local court or agency shall have exclusive authority to resolve any dispute relating to the interpretation, applicability, enforceability, conscionability, or formation of this contract, including but not limited to any claim that all or any part of this contract is void or voidable. IE ADVENTURES is a brand of IE ADVENTURES Travel Services Limited, a Florida based corporation with operations in Warsaw, Poland. The information in these brochure is given in good faith. Where differences exist between the brochure and our current brochure or website, the brochure supersede the other documents and website information. All holidays can be subject to unexpected changes; in order to enjoy them you should be prepared to be flexible where necessary. Occasionally, as stated in our brochure, it may not be possible to follow the itinerary as planned. This may be for a variety of reasons climatic, political, physical or other. In these circumstances we will make the best possible alternative arrangements that maintain the integrity of the original itinerary. As fuel prices, airport taxes and exchange rates fluctuate, and airlines manage their rates to match demand, it is proving harder than ever to guarantee our Flight Inclusive prices. Although we endeavor to keep our website as accurate as possible, daily fluctuations mean that our Flight Inclusive price may be out of date. We liaise closely with them and adhere to their travel advise. For up to date advise on all countries. Should there be any change to advise prior to or during travel, we may have to cancel or curtail a tour at short notice, or re route an itinerary part way through. Prices and exchange rates were correct at the time of publication. The most up to date prices can be found on our website. © IE ADVENTURES Ltd.
Christy Canterbury
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bulgaria luxury wine experience with moldavia monasteries
more about
social cohesion and access to the lecturer. The small-group principle is diluted when there are private events or several speakers exclusively for our clients.
PRICING DETAILS & RESERVATION FORM To reserve any of your tours, complete, electronically sign and return this form along with your deposit payment confirmation from (click) EVENTBRITE (click) to “ietravel@usa.com” PRICES PER PERSON
ROOM TYPE
n Sharing a double room $3950 n On a single room supplement $4550
SINGLE ROOM DOUBLE ROOM 2 BEDS
If you wish to arrive one day earlier (March 27) you we will be happy to book your Hotel and to arrange your transfer on that day.
PARTICIPANT 1
INCLUSIONS n Airport transfers upon arrival and departure by chauffeured private car n All deluxe bus transfers to, from, and during sightseeing sessions n All entry fees to museums & sightseeing sites n PhD-level guides n Nine nights of accommodations. Zornitza Family Estate (2) Seven Hills (1) Edoardo Miroglio (3) Deluxe Club Bucovina (3) Best Western Bucharest Airport (1) n Buffet breakfast daily n Welcome brunch and farewell dinner cruise n Seven more meals n Flight from Sofia to Suceva and back to Bucharest n Tips to waiters and porters at the hotel No visas required for US and Canadian citizens. Passports must be valid for 6 months from entry date into Bulgaria. CANCELLATION POLICIES If cancellation email arrives
DOUBLE ROOM 1 BED I NEED A ROOMMATE
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Date of birth - Passport Number - Expiration Date FULL ADDRESS (including zip code if applicable, and country)
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n Before the final payment is due, a charge of $650 will be forfeited.
Best time of the day to call you, if necessary
n Between 14 and 9 weeks of departure, we will forfeit any nonrefundable charges made by the hotels, plus $650.
from: ................................................. TO:...................................................
n Between 8 and 6 weeks of departure, we will forfeit any nonrefundable charges made by the hotels, plus $650.
NEXT OF KIN NAME and PHONE NUMBER
n No refunds will be made, if your cancellation arrives within 5 weeks of departure, unless new participants take over your seats. Cancellations should be emailed to us and you must produce a confirmation from our office (please attach) The accommodations and other services provided in England are based on British currency. The prices in US Dollars were calculated in October 2017 at the then current rate of exchange. Any substantial variation in the rate of exchange could result in an adjustment in the quoted price of the packages.
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Group should have 12 participants to operate and a maximum of 25 Schedule of payments 2017/2018
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Deposit of $1250 with reservation Final Payment: January 5 Final payment can be done by check or credit card, please indicate your preference below. Deposit is only payable via “EVENTBRITE” Telephone / Email (where a person is likely to answer)
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