ITINERARY

DAY 1 | TUESDAY 16 SEPTEMBER 2025

1ST OF 6 NIGHTS AT INTERCONTINENTAL ATHÉNÉE PALACE BUCHAREST

ARRIVE BUCHAREST AND WELCOME DINNER (D):

Arrive at our hotel, the luxurious InterContinental Athénée Palace Bucharest, conveniently located in the heart of the city, opposite the Royal Palace and the Romanian Athenaeum, and within easy access to local attractions, including theatres, shops and cafés. Hotel check-in is at 3:00pm and we recommend arriving at the hotel at this time.

We meet for a welcome drinks reception at the hotel, before heading out for dinner at a local restaurant specialising in Romanian classics with a modern twist to get to know our fellow guests, and our Tour Leader Graham Abbott.

DAY 2 | WEDNESDAY 17 SEPTEMBER 2025

2ND OF 6 NIGHTS AT INTERCONTINENTAL ATHÉNÉE PALACE BUCHAREST

WALKING TOUR OF BUCHAREST AND GEORGE ENESCU FESTIVAL (B):

We begin today with a talk by Graham Abbott about today’s festival performances.

Following our morning talk, we are then introduced to Bucharest with a guided stroll, which will include: Unirii Square, one of the largest squares in central Bucharest; popular Manuc's Inn, the oldest operating hotel building; Stavropoleos Monastery, one of the oldest surviving monasteries in Bucharest; and University and Revolution Square. We also walk along Calea Victoriei, which passes by decorated buildings from the Belle Epoque period.

The afternoon is free. In the evening, we attend two performances in the George Enescu Festival. The first of our concerts takes place at the Romanian Athenaeum. The Athenaeum (Ateneul Român), which opened in 1888, is an ornate, circular building and has a 41m high dome which is a landmark in Bucharest. Scenes from Romanian history are featured on the fresco inside the Big Hall on the 1st floor. It is the city's main concert hall and home of the George Enescu Philharmonic.

CONCERT 1 - THE ROMANIAN ATHENAEUM, 5:00pm

Chamber Orchestra Of Europe
András Schiff piano and conductor

Mozart Piano Concerto No. 23 in A major, K.488
Dvořák Serenade for Strings in E major, Op. 22
Dvořák Serenade for wind instruments, cello and double bass in D minor, Op. 44
Mozart Piano Concerto No. 20 in D minor, K.466

Following our first concert at the Festival, time is allowed for an independent dinner. We then attend our second concert, this time at the grand Palace Hall.

CONCERT 2 - THE PALACE HALL, 8:00pm

Budapest Festival Orchestra & the Eva Duda Dance Company
Ivan Fischer conductor
Carmen Lidia Vidu multimedia director

Bartok The Miraculous Mandarin, Sz. 73
Bartok Duke Bluebeard’s Castle, Sz. 48

DAY 3 | THURSDAY 18 SEPTEMBER 2025

3RD OF 6 NIGHTS AT INTERCONTINENTAL ATHÉNÉE PALACE BUCHAREST

PALACE OF PARLIAMENT AND GEORGE ENESCU FESTIVAL (B, L):

This morning we enjoy an informative talk by Graham Abbott about this evening’s performance.

After the talk we will go on a guided tour of the Palace of Parliament, the second largest administrative building in the world after the Pentagon, and the creation of former dictator Nicolae Ceauşescu, who ironically named it ‘The People's Palace’. Begun in 1984 and still not finished, the 330,000-sq-metre building has more than 3,000 rooms. The country's parliament and associated offices are located in the building, however, much of it is unused. It is a spectacular edifice both outside and inside, and among marble halls and ornate ceilings, there are twin marble stairways, which were rebuilt three times before Ceauşescu was satisfied with their height. The tour includes an ethnographic display of traditional Romanian costumes.

Following our guided tour, we enjoy a delicious lunch together, before returning to the hotel for a restful afternoon ahead of our concert this evening.

CONCERT 3 - THE PALACE HALL, 8:00pm

Orchestre National de France
George Enescu Philharmonic Choir
Cristian Măcelaru conductor
Anne-Sophie Mutter violin
Nona Ciobanu multimedia director

Adès Air for Violin and Orchestra
Mozart Violin Concerto No. 1 in B-flat major, K. 207
Ravel Daphnis et Chloé, M.57

DAY 4 | FRIDAY 19 SEPTEMBER 2025

4TH OF 6 NIGHTS AT INTERCONTINENTAL ATHÉNÉE PALACE BUCHAREST

NATIONAL MUSEUM OF ART OF ROMANIA AND GEORGE ENESCU FESTIVAL (B):

This morning we continue our privilege of hearing an informative talk by Graham about today’s two performances.

After the talk we will go on a guided tour of the National Museum of Art of Romania, which is housed in the Royal Palace in Revolution Square. Our private guided tour will include significant works from the gallery’s collection. It incorporates medieval and modern Romanian art, as well as the international collection assembled by the Romanian royal family, which features works by El Greco, Rembrandt, Bruegel the Elder, Rubens, Tintoretto, van Eyck and Veneziano.

The rest of the afternoon is free. You might enjoy continuing your exploration of the museum, or returning to the hotel to rest, but if you wish to continue exploring Bucharest, here is a place you could visit that will help you to learn more about Bucharest and Romania. The most visited cultural venue in Romania, attracting more than 500,000 visitors annually, is the Dimitrie Gusti National Village Museum, an open-air ethnographic museum in the King Michael I Park, which exhibits traditional Romanian village life. Covering an extensive area of 14 hectares, the museum presents 272 authentic peasant farms and houses from all over Romania.

Later this afternoon, we attend our second concert at the Romanian Athenaeum.

CONCERT 4 - THE ROMANIAN ATHENAEUM, 4:30pm

Scottish Chamber Orchestra
Maxim Emelyanychev conductor
Colin Currie percussion

Beethoven Excerpts from Die Geschöpfe des Prometheus
Macmillan Concerto for Percussion and Orchestra Veni, Veni Emmanuel
Beethoven Symphony No. 5 in C minor, Op. 67

We then attend our fifth concert as part of our visit to this year’s George Enescu Festival.

CONCERT 5 - THE PALACE HALL, 7:30pm

Orchestre National de France
Cristian Măcelaru conductor
Rudolf Buchbinder piano

Enescu Romanian Rhapsody No. 2, Op. 11
Gershwin Piano Concerto in F
Ravel Piano Trio in A minor, M.67 (orch. Yan Pascal Tortellier)
Ravel La Valse, M.72

DAY 5 | SATURDAY 20 SEPTEMBER 2025

5TH OF 6 NIGHTS AT INTERCONTINENTAL ATHÉNÉE PALACE BUCHAREST

GEORGE ENESCU FESTIVAL (B, L):

This morning we have a talk by Graham Abbott about this evening’s concert.

Following our morning talk, we travel to a nearby restaurant for a gourmet group lunch together, to mark the coming to an end of our time in the beautiful city of Bucharest.

We then return to our hotel to rest ahead of this evening’s concert.

CONCERT 6 - THE PALACE HALL, 7:30pm

Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra
Klaus Mäkelä conductor

Berio/Schubert Rendering
Mahler Symphony No. 5

DAY 6 | SUNDAY 21 SEPTEMBER 2025

6TH OF 6 NIGHTS INTERCONTINENTAL ATHÉNÉE PALACE BUCHAREST

GEORGE ENESCU FESTIVAL (B):

This morning we have a talk by Graham Abbott about the performances we will attend on our final day in Bucharest, which is also the final day of the George Enescu Festival 2025.

The first takes place in the Auditorium of the National Museum of the Art of Romania, a stunning modern concert hall.

CONCERT 7 - AUDITORIUM OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF ART OF ROMANIA, 11:00am

Hans Christian Aavik violin
Karolina Aavik piano

Enescu Violin Sonata No. 1 in D major, Op. 2
Enescu Violin Sonata No. 2 in F minor, Op. 6
Enescu Violin Sonata No. 3 in A minor, Op. 25, In Romanian Folk Style

Time is then allowed for lunch, before our matinee performance this afternoon.

CONCERT 8 - THE ROMANIAN ATHENAEUM, 4:30pm

National Radio Orchestra
Pretty Yende soprano

Enescu Sept Chansons de Clément Marot, Op. 15 (orch. Theodor Grigoriu)
Other Works TBA

We then attend the final performance in this year’s program, and one guaranteed to finish the 2025 George Enescu Festival with a bang.

CONCERT 9 - THE PALACE HALL, 7:30pm

Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra
Klaus Mäkelä conductor
Jean-Yves Thibaudet piano

Enescu Romanian Rhapsody No. 1, Op. 11
Saint-Saëns Piano Concerto No. 5 in F major, Op. 103, The Egyptian
Stravinsky The Rite of Spring

DAY 7 | MONDAY 22 SEPTEMBER 2025

1ST OF 2 NIGHTS AT CONTINENTAL FORUM SIBIU

BUCHAREST TO SIBIU, VIA CURTEA DE ARGEȘ MONASTERY (B, L, D):

We set out this morning to discover some of the treasures of Romania, including its beautiful countryside. On our journey to Sibiu, we enjoy the spectacular scenery of the Argeș River Valley, and we stop to visit the Curtea de Argeș Monastery on our way. This cathedral and monastery complex is considered one of the country's most important ecclesiastical sights. The church was originally built by Wallachian ruler Neagoe Basarab, with marble and tiles brought in from Constantinople. The monastery is an important royal mausoleum, with the white marble tombstones of King Carol I (1839-1914) and his wife Elizabeth (1853-1916) located in the church's entrance hall. Neagoe Basarab and his wife are also buried here.

Following our visit, we enjoy a quick group lunch together, before continuing on our journey to Sibiu.

After our journey we arrive in Sibiu. After checking in to our hotel, and enjoying a brief period of rest, we embark on our walking tour of the historic sites of Sibiu. The city is renowned for the Germanic architecture in the Old Town, a legacy of 12th-century Saxon settlers. We see the extensive and elegant Greater Square and the Lesser Squares, which together form the main hub of Sibiu’s Old Town, an area full of impressive architecture. We see the remains of the remarkable medieval walls and towers, the Baroque gem that is Bruckenthal Palace, and the Evangelical Cathedral completed in 1520 with its ancient, beautiful fresco of the Crucifixion on the north wall of the choir.

We conclude our walking tour at one of Sibiu’s welcoming restaurants for a relaxed group dinner.

DAY 8 | TUESDAY 23 SEPTEMBER 2025

2ND OF 2 NIGHTS AT CONTINENTAL FORUM SIBIU

SIBIU, ALBA CAROLINA CITADEL & CORVIN CASTLE (B):

This morning, continuing our exploration of Romania’s treasures and their history, we travel to Alba Carolina Citadel, the massive 18th-century star shaped fortification at the heart of the city of Alba lulia, built to consolidate power after the Habsburg domination in Transylvania and for defence of the Empire against the Ottomans. It served as a citadel, residence of a bishopric, capital of a principality, and a military garrison, and consequently inside its massive walls are some of the most important buildings of Alba Iulia, including the cathedral, university and the remains of the Roman legionary camp.

Time is allowed for an independent lunch in the grounds of the citadel, before we continue our exploration of Transylvania.

This afternoon, we travel to the imposing, Gothic-Renaissance Corvin Castle, also known as Hunyadi Castle, or Hunedoara Castle. Constructed in the 15th-century as part of a system of defence against the Ottomans, it is one of the most beautiful castles in Romania and one of the largest in Europe. We enjoy a private guided tour, crossing the drawbridge, exploring the interior, seeing many of the fascinating artefacts and hearing tales from the castle’s enthralling past. Like many historic buildings in Romania it has been connected to Vlad the Impaler, with the suggestion that he was imprisoned here during his exile.

Following our guided tour, time is allowed for some additional exploration and to enjoy the views of the surrounding countryside, before we return to Sibiu.

DAY 9 | WEDNESDAY 24 SEPTEMBER 2025

1ST OF 3 NIGHTS AT RADISSON BLU AURUM HOTEL, BRASOV

SIBIU TO BRAȘOV, WITH BIERTAN, RICHIȘ & SIGHIȘOARA (B, L):

Today, we depart from Sibiu and travel to Biertan, located in a stunningly beautiful valley and surrounded by fields and vineyards. There we have a guided tour of the 15th-century fortified church, a UNESCO heritage site and one of the largest and most impressive medieval strongholds in Transylvania. It sits on a hill at the centre of the village, where the encircling three tiers of high defensive walls connected by towers and gates made it impossible to conquer. The church itself is impressive with its late-gothic architecture, heavy doors and double exterior walls.

We then travel to the nearby Saxon village of Richiș. This medieval village was first documented as far back as 1283, and was one of the richest communes in the area. Its name, meaning rich or wealthy, suggests that in its heyday it was a wealthy Saxon settlement. Before being inhabited, the area was swampy and inhospitable, and taken over by wild birds and animals. In a nod to those times, the village’s coat of arms depicts a white heron walking through an infinite pond, under a starry night. On arrival, we enjoy a relaxed lunch together of hearty traditional Romanian delicacies, all served with a local Romanian wine.

Our journey continues on to Sighișoara, an ancient walled town settled by Germans in the late 12th-century. We immerse ourselves in the city with a stroll along cobbled streets, past pastel-coloured façades and through secluded squares. We see historic places such as the 13th-century Church of St Nicholas, the 14th-century Clock Tower, the Covered Stairway, with its 365 steps enclosed in 1642, the Main Citadel Square at the heart of the historical part of the town, and the birthplace of Vlad the Impaler, notorious prince of Wallachia in the 15th-century, who is popularly identified as Bram Stoker’s fictional Dracula.

After our walk, we travel in our private coach to Brașov. We arrive in Brașov, where we settle into our hotel. The evening is free.

DAY 10 | THURSDAY 25 SEPTEMBER 2025

2ND OF 3 NIGHTS AT RADISSON BLU AURUM HOTEL, BRASOV

BRAȘOV (B):

This morning, we have a leisurely walk to introduce us to fascinating Brașov, ringed by the Southern Carpathian Mountains and impressive with its gothic, baroque and renaissance architecture. Brașov was settled by the Saxons as one of the seven walled citadels built to repel the Ottomans. On our walk we will see: the medieval Saxon walls and imposing watch towers; the towering Gothic-style Black Church; Rope Street; St Nicholas Church; and the Council Square in the cobbled Old Town, which is surrounded by colourful baroque buildings, and is home to the former town hall turned local history museum.

The remainder of the day is free. Exploring the town with its shops and cafés would be one pleasant way to pass the afternoon. Another might be to visit Mount Tampa, a small forested mountain 900 metres above Brașov, with great views over the city and adjacent region. You can walk up the mountain which takes about one and a quarter hours each way, or you can take the funicular up.

You might consider venturing into town to try traditional Romanian cooking in a family restaurant, where they serve such items as tasty hot soups, potato bread, and cabbage rolls.

DAY 11 | FRIDAY 26 SEPTEMBER 2025

3RD OF 3 NIGHTS AT RADISSON BLU AURUM HOTEL, BRASOV

BRAȘOV, BRAN CASTLE, PELEȘ CASTLE & SINAIA MONASTERY (B, D):

This morning we travel to Bran Castle. Perched dramatically on a rock above a river, the castle’s position offers panoramic views of the surrounding mountains. It was built in 1377 as a fortress to guard the trade route between Transylvania and Wallachia. In 1920 it became the royal residence of Queen Marie of Romania and its interiors feature art and furniture belonging to that period. Bran Castle, popularly promoted as Dracula's Castle, draws visitors because of its association with the bloodthirsty 15th-century ruler, Vlad the Impaler, however, the connection between the castle and the cruel despot is still under debate.

Next, we visit Peleș Castle, an opulent Neo-Renaissance castle which looks magnificent in its Carpathian mountain setting, and which offers awe inspiring vistas of the countryside from within the castle. Built between 1875 and 1915, it was used by Romania’s monarchs until 1948. Then, after being conquered by the communists, it was turned into a museum that was not opened to the public again until 1990.

We then visit Sinaia Monastery famous for its natural beauty and the rumoured medicinal properties of its mineral springs. Founded by Prince Mihail Cantacuzino in 1695 and named after the great Saint Catherine's Monastery on Mount Sinai in Egypt, the monastery contains riches such as two gold-plated thrones bearing the royal emblem, carved wooden furniture, and frescoes from the 17th and 19th centuries. A small history museum exhibits the first Romanian translation of the Bible written in the Cyrillic alphabet.

We then return to Brașov, where we enjoy a delicious farewell meal to mark the end of our time together in Romania.

DAY 12 | SATURDAY 27 SEPTEMBER 2025

TOUR ENDS (B):

Following our final breakfast at the hotel, we depart for Bucharest. The coach will make two stops, one at Bucharest’s Henri Coandă International Airport at approximately 12:00pm, and another back at the Intercontinental Athénée Palace Bucharest at around 12:30pm, for those guests wishing to continue their time in Romania, or with other onward travel plans.

INCLUSIONS

16–27 SEPTEMBER 2025 (12 DAYS)

AUD$10,750 PER PERSON TWIN SHARE

Single supplement: AUD$1,350
Deposit payment 1: Deposit AUD$1,500 per person (due at time of booking)
Deposit payment 2: Deposit AUD$1,500 per person (due on 16 May 2025)
Final payment due: 14 July 2025

INCLUSIONS:

• Performances: Premium tickets for nine performances at the George Enescu Festival.

• Tour Leaders and Talks: Tour leadership and five exclusive private talks by Graham Abbott.

• Tour Manager: An experienced Tour Manager to accompany the group throughout the tour.

• Hotels: 11 nights' accommodation in the following hotels:

  • Six nights at the 5-star Intercontinental Athénée Palace Bucharest in a King Classic Room;

  • Two nights at the 4-star Continental Forum Sibiu in an Deluxe Room;

  • Three nights at the 5-star Radisson Blu Aurum Hotel, Brasov in a Premium Room;

  • Porterage of one piece of luggage at each hotel.

• Travel: Land travel by private air-conditioned coach throughout the tour.

• Meals/Drinks: Breakfast each morning at the hotel. Seven lunches/dinners with wine, water and tea/coffee.

• Entry Fees and Guided Tours: Entrance fees for museums, art galleries etc. as stated in your itinerary. Expert local guides will be used at some sites.

• Tips: Tips for drivers, local guides and for meals included in your itinerary.

• Information Pack: Comprehensive pre-tour information pack.

EXCLUSIONS:

• International/Domestic Travel: Hayllar Music Tours can provide you with a quote. Phone 02 9669 9181 / +61 2 9669 9181 (Australia / International) or email contact@hayllarmusictours.com

• Airport Transfers: Transfers to/from airports at the beginning and the end of the tour. These can be arranged at an additional cost. There will one transfer to Bucharest’s Henri Coandă International Airport and the Intercontinental Athénée Palace Bucharest on the final day of the tour.

• Special Taxes: Special taxes and airport levies that can only be paid in cash at the destination. We will endeavour to advise you of these charges (if any) before you depart.

• Visas: Costs associated with obtaining visas for countries visited on your tour. From mid-2025, travellers entering European countries will be required to obtain an ETIAS travel authorisation. For further information on ETIAS applications visit https://travel-europe.europa.eu/etias_en

• Travel Insurance: Please note that you are required to have comprehensive travel insurance to cover you for the duration of your tour. If you live in Australia, Hayllar Music Tours can organise your travel insurance for you. Please contact them at phone 02 9669 9181 / +61 2 9669 9181 (Australia / International) or email contact@hayllarmusictours.com

• Meals: Lunches and dinners not nominated in your itinerary.

• Personal Expenses: Personal expenses such as laundry, phone calls and mini-bar.

• Activities in Free Time: Costs associated with any activities suggested for you in your free time.

SMALL GROUP SIZE

The tour will operate with 8 people. The maximum number on the tour will be 20 people.

FITNESS LEVEL REQUIRED - LEVEL 2

All members of the tour must have the ability to:

• undertake walking tours of two-three hours duration, including using stairs and walking on uneven ground;

• stand for long periods in museum, art galleries etc;

• climb staircases of 100 or more steps;

• embark / disembark coaches, trains and other methods of transportation without assistance.

BOOKING TERMS & CONDITIONS

Please note that booking terms and conditions apply. Click here for the booking terms and conditions.

GEORGE ENESCU FESTIVAL & THE TREASURES OF ROMANIA