ROMANIA
Klezmer and Folk Dance Tour
Bucharest, Sinaia, Brasov, Sibiu
Folk Dancing, Klezmer, Folk Music, Art, History, Culture, Adventure !
Romanian dancers
When: October 24-November 6, 2022
Led by: Jim Gold, Nancy Hoffman,
Benjy Fox-Rosen, Carl Dimow
and Lee Friedman
Featuring:
★ 4-days of Klezmer in Sibiu
★ Romanian and International folk dancing
★ See Wallachia and Transylvania
★ Jam sessions! Bring instruments
★ Castles, palaces, historic sites, and museums
★ Breathtaking scenery from mountains to sea
★ Visit villages, dance with traditional village groups
★ Price includes round trip air, city tours, transfers, hotels, two meals daily, our own private air-conditioned tour bus, all entrance and performance fees
★ See YOUTUBE tour videos
★ Romania tour a front page story!
Price: Land Only: $4495 approx
*Download Romania itinerary pdf.
I can’t wait to go! Reserve my place with my $200 deposit per person. See registration form and information below. Or register through PayPal (no PayPal account necessary)
Day 1: Monday, October 24:
Flight from USA to Bucharest on Lufthansa, or airline of your choice.
Day 2: Tuesday, October 25: BUCHAREST
Arrival in Bucharest. Meet our guide at the airport and transfer to your hotel. Check-in at the hotel. Welcome dinner at a traditional restaurant. Overnight in Bucharest .
Arrival in Bucharest. Meet our guide at the airport and transfer to your hotel. Check-in at the hotel. Welcome dinner at a traditional restaurant. Overnight in Bucharest .
Day 3-4: Wednesday-Thursday, October 26-27: BUCHAREST
Half day sightseeing tour of Bucharest is a perfect way to familiarize yourself with the five-century-old capital of Romania. Stopover in the Revolution Square and in the Constitution Square, in front of the Palace of Parliament, Ceausescu’s huge dream house, second largest building in the world, surpassed only by the Pentagon building in Washington. We’ll include visits to the Metropolitan Church Patriarchal Church, to the Synagogue/Coral Temple, to the Village and Folk Art Museum Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. Afternoon meeting with Romanian folk choreographer and dancers. Dinner at the hotel. Overnight in Bucharest.
Half day sightseeing tour of Bucharest is a perfect way to familiarize yourself with the five-century-old capital of Romania. Stopover in the Revolution Square and in the Constitution Square, in front of the Palace of Parliament, Ceausescu’s huge dream house, second largest building in the world, surpassed only by the Pentagon building in Washington. We’ll include visits to the Metropolitan Church Patriarchal Church, to the Synagogue/Coral Temple, to the Village and Folk Art Museum Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. Afternoon meeting with Romanian folk choreographer and dancers. Dinner at the hotel. Overnight in Bucharest.
Day 5: Friday. October 28: BUCHAREST – SINAIA – BRAN – BRASOV
Your Romanian countryside experience will start with a couple of hours drive north to Sinaia; stop-over in this beautiful mountain resort, well-known as the “Pearl of the Carpathians”. Situated on the outskirts of this resort city, amidst lovely sculpture gardens and fountains, surrounded by mountains, Peles Royal Castle is an exquisitely detailed landmark, a masterpiece of German New-Renaissance architecture. Rivaling the castle itself is the beautiful natural setting in which it stands. Once the summer residence of Romania’s kings, this spectacular castle, built at the end of the 19th century, is now one of Romania’s most beautiful museums, displaying priceless collections of weaponry, hand woven silk rugs and furniture, ceramics and sculptures. Lunch en route. A late afternoon drive will have you crossing the beautiful Southern Carpathian Mountains, through Prahova Valley, to Transylvania, to the mediaeval city of Brasov for check-in to your hotel.
Romanian gypsy musicians 1
Your Romanian countryside experience will start with a couple of hours drive north to Sinaia; stop-over in this beautiful mountain resort, well-known as the “Pearl of the Carpathians”. Situated on the outskirts of this resort city, amidst lovely sculpture gardens and fountains, surrounded by mountains, Peles Royal Castle is an exquisitely detailed landmark, a masterpiece of German New-Renaissance architecture. Rivaling the castle itself is the beautiful natural setting in which it stands. Once the summer residence of Romania’s kings, this spectacular castle, built at the end of the 19th century, is now one of Romania’s most beautiful museums, displaying priceless collections of weaponry, hand woven silk rugs and furniture, ceramics and sculptures. Lunch en route. A late afternoon drive will have you crossing the beautiful Southern Carpathian Mountains, through Prahova Valley, to Transylvania, to the mediaeval city of Brasov for check-in to your hotel.
Dracula’s castle
Day 6: Saturday, October 29: BRASOV – POIANA BRASOV
After breakfast, a morning walking tour of this medieval town. Nested in the Central Carpathians, Brasov is the meeting point of the three Romanian regions: Wallachia, Moldavia and Transylvania. We’ll visit the Council Square, famous Black Church, largest Gothic Church between Vienna and Istanbul, the Synagogue, and stroll through cobbled streets and alleys packed with boutiques, cafes, shops, and cafeterias. Lunch. Then on to
Bran Castle, widely known as Dracula’s Castle, after Bram Stoker’s famous novel inspired by the Castle and our harsh ruler, Vlad the Impaler. It was built at the beginning of the 13th century by Knight Dietrich of the Teutonic Order, having a strategic mission being at the border between Transylvania and Wallachia. In the XX century, the Castle became a royal residence. Now it is open for visitors eager to broaden their history knowledge and thirsty of fabulous legends. Return to Brasov. Enjoy a scenic drive overlooking Brasov to the most Romanian ski mountain resort, Poiana Brasov, for a traditional dinner at a native restaurant with folk music or at a native restaurant in Brasov. Meeting with local Romanian folk dance group. Overnight in Brasov.
Day 7: Sunday, October 30:
Morning free in Brasov. Afternoon departure for Sibiu.
KLEZMER PROGRAM IN SIBIU Day 8: Monday, October 31:
Morning tour of Sibiu. Lunch at hotel.
1:00-2:00 p.m. HOW KLEZMER WORKS – Carl Dimow offers the basics of Klezmer music. Its history and some of the distinctive characteristics of Klezmer. Listening to historic recordings from some of the Klezmer greats such as Naftule Brandwein and Dave Tarras, we will be able to hear the way that the sound was first recorded in the early 1900s.
2:30-3:30 p.m. MARUMURES SONGS from Max Eiskovits’ fieldwork in Viseu de Sus 1938 – 1939. Benjy Fox-Rosen will discuss and demonstrate the amazing collection of Yiddish songs collected by folklorist Max Eiskovits in the final moments before the outbreak of WW2.
4:00-5:00 p.m. DANCE CLASS Lee, Nancy and/or Jim teach Yiddish dances to live music.
5:30 – 7:30 – Dinner followed by an EVENING CONCERT /DANCE PARTY
Morning tour of Sibiu. Lunch at hotel.
1:00-2:00 p.m. HOW KLEZMER WORKS – Carl Dimow offers the basics of Klezmer music. Its history and some of the distinctive characteristics of Klezmer. Listening to historic recordings from some of the Klezmer greats such as Naftule Brandwein and Dave Tarras, we will be able to hear the way that the sound was first recorded in the early 1900s.
2:30-3:30 p.m. MARUMURES SONGS from Max Eiskovits’ fieldwork in Viseu de Sus 1938 – 1939. Benjy Fox-Rosen will discuss and demonstrate the amazing collection of Yiddish songs collected by folklorist Max Eiskovits in the final moments before the outbreak of WW2.
4:00-5:00 p.m. DANCE CLASS Lee, Nancy and/or Jim teach Yiddish dances to live music.
5:30 – 7:30 – Dinner followed by an EVENING CONCERT /DANCE PARTY
Day 9: Tuesday, November 1::
Morning trip to see the Open AirASTRA Museum of Folkloric Traditional Civilization situated in the Dumbrava Forest; marvel at the unique old houses with genuine furniture and handmade rugs, clothes wooden craft objects in exquisite colors made by skilled artisans. A short drive from here will take you to Sibiel village for visiting the Museum of icons painted. Lunch at peasant house in Sibiel Village where local musicians and dancers will greet us. Return to hotel.
Morning trip to see the Open AirASTRA Museum of Folkloric Traditional Civilization situated in the Dumbrava Forest; marvel at the unique old houses with genuine furniture and handmade rugs, clothes wooden craft objects in exquisite colors made by skilled artisans. A short drive from here will take you to Sibiel village for visiting the Museum of icons painted. Lunch at peasant house in Sibiel Village where local musicians and dancers will greet us. Return to hotel.
1:00 – 2:00 p.m. Basic Klezmer styling. The scales and rhythms that give Klezmer its distinctive sound and quality. Nancy and Carl offer the details of Klezmer music through musical examples that they play with Benjy. Bring your instruments if you have them, and join in the exploration of Ahava Raba (Freygish), and Mi shebeirach scales, plus the rhythms of Doinas, Zhoks and Bulgars.
2:00 – 3:00 – Yiddish songs to sing and play – Nancy 3. Hoffman offers some Yiddish songs that are easy to learn and sing along with. Favorite themes in Yiddish folk songs, theater songs and songs of the diaspora. Songs with simple niggunim (chant-like phrases) or repeated chorus sections which you can join in on or listen to. “Roumania, Roumania” can be included, too.
3:30 – 4:30 p.m. MAMELIGE, KARNATZLECH UN VAYN: Yiddish Songs featuring Romanian foods. Benjy-Fox Rosen demonstrates/teaches Yiddish and Roumanian songs about food.
5:30 – 9:30 p.m. Dinner at German Restaurant with EVENING CONCERT/JAM SESSION/DANCE PARTY
Morning departure for Medias Synagogue (arranged by Mr. Benjy Fox-Rosen.) See the carefully archived collection researched by Benjy’s wife Julie and others. Volunteers guide us through the history and current situation of this unrestored structure.
1:15 – 4:00 – Lunch at peasant house in Sibiel Village. Local musicians and dancers greet us and we sample regional delicacies. Return to hotel.
6:00 – 7:30 dinner
8:00 – 10:00 – EVENING – same location as dinner: Re-enactment of Traditional Jewish Wedding Ceremony with Dancing and Music. Specific dances, rituals and customs of the Traditional Jewish Wedding presented by the Klezmer staff, with everyone’s participation. Instruments and costumes welcome.
6:00 – 7:30 dinner
8:00 – 10:00 – EVENING – same location as dinner: Re-enactment of Traditional Jewish Wedding Ceremony with Dancing and Music. Specific dances, rituals and customs of the Traditional Jewish Wedding presented by the Klezmer staff, with everyone’s participation. Instruments and costumes welcome.
Traveling in Sibiu
DAY 11: Thursday, November 3:
Morning departure to Sighisoara,. the most beautiful and best preserved, still inhabited, medieval citadel in the central and South-Eastern Europe, listed as UNESCO World Heritage Site. Walking tour of Sighisoara. Wander through the town’s narrow streets with beautiful original architecture, pass by the Antler House, the Venetian House, original towers and secluded squares; you will feel that, due to the quiet, peaceful atmosphere, time seems to stand still here, trapped in the Middle Ages. Lunch in Sighisoara.
8:00 – 10:00 – EVENING The music staff will offer a final “show and kvell” playing a diversity of old time klezmer tunes and highlighting the inner workings and details of what makes Yiddish music Yiddish. Ornamentation and variations on Klezmer themes will be demonstrated and discussed. How much is improvised? What kinds of ornaments are used? What is traditional and what is not? Join in the lively musical and verbal counterpoint that will incorporate many of the topics from the 3 day Klezmer Workshop.
Day 12: Friday, November 4:
Breakfast at the hotel. Depart from Sibiu for Bucharest. En route visit scenic Curtea de Arges Monastery
and dramatic Vidraru dam lake high in the mountains.
Day 12: Friday, November 4:
Breakfast at the hotel. Depart from Sibiu for Bucharest. En route visit scenic Curtea de Arges Monastery
and dramatic Vidraru dam lake high in the mountains.
Day 13: Saturday November 5: Bucharest
Sightseeing tour of Bucharest is a perfect way to familiarize yourself with the five-century-old capital of Romania. Stopover in the Revolution Square and in the Constitution Square. Visit the Palace of Parliament, Ceausescu’s huge dream, now reality due to the enormous sacrifices of the Romanian people, the second largest building in the world, being surpassed only by the Pentagon building in Washington (in case the Palace of Parliament due to conferences etc. is closed for visiting another museum will be visited instead.) and the Village and Folk Art Museum – the largest in Europe, containing over 110 houses and old wooden churches and 11,000 objects of folk art, transported from all over the country.Farewell dinner with show. Overnight at a 4* hotel in Bucharest.
Sightseeing tour of Bucharest is a perfect way to familiarize yourself with the five-century-old capital of Romania. Stopover in the Revolution Square and in the Constitution Square. Visit the Palace of Parliament, Ceausescu’s huge dream, now reality due to the enormous sacrifices of the Romanian people, the second largest building in the world, being surpassed only by the Pentagon building in Washington (in case the Palace of Parliament due to conferences etc. is closed for visiting another museum will be visited instead.) and the Village and Folk Art Museum – the largest in Europe, containing over 110 houses and old wooden churches and 11,000 objects of folk art, transported from all over the country.Farewell dinner with show. Overnight at a 4* hotel in Bucharest.
Day 14: Sunday, November 6: Departure airport transfer for the flight back home.
REGISTRATION FORM: I can’t wait to go! Enclosed is my registration deposit of $200 per person. Single supplement: $695. Additional charges: Service charges: $145. Gratuities and drinks during meals not included. Program subject to change without notice. Total refund if cancellation is 90 days prior to departure: Less than 90 days: No refund Travel insurance always recommended. Total balance due June 5, 2022
Name________________________________________________________________
Address_____________________________________________________________
No. of people_______Phone_(_____)_______________________________________
Make checks payable to: Jim Gold International, 497 Cumberland Avenue, Teaneck, NJ 07666 U.S.A Phone (201) 836-0362. Web site: www.jimgold.com E-mail:jimgold@jimgold.com
Address_____________________________________________________________
No. of people_______Phone_(_____)_______________________________________
Make checks payable to: Jim Gold International, 497 Cumberland Avenue, Teaneck, NJ 07666 U.S.A Phone (201) 836-0362. Web site: www.jimgold.com E-mail:jimgold@jimgold.com
JIM GOLD INTERNATIONAL: TERMS AND CONDITIONS
Air Transportation: International air not included except as noted.
Rates: Tour rates are subject to change in the event of currency fluctuations or increase in costs. Inclusive tour rates are per person in double occupancy. In case of computer or human billing errors, we reserve the right to reinvoice clients with corrected billing.
Reservations: Deposits and Payments: Deposit of $200 per person is required at time of reservation. Balance is due 90 days prior to departure date.
Changes: Prices and program subject to change without notice
Baggage: One baggage per person and a carry on is allowed.
Cancellations: Cancellations 90 days prior to departure: Total refund. Less than 90 days: No refund. Additionally, any cancellation fees imposed by the respective hotels, airlines, tour companies and cruise lines will be charged. Travel Insurance is non-refundable as are unused services.
Gratuities: Tipping to guides, drivers, transfer personnel and hotel staff is left to the discretion of the participants and is not included.
Insurance: Tour participants are strongly recommended to purchase insurance for trip cancellation, trip interruption, accident, sickness and/or loss of baggage and personal effects.
Dispute Resolution: The sole and exclusive method of resolving any dispute which might rise under this agreement and any agreement between Jim Gold International, Inc., and another party (ies), the brochure or website and deemed to arise in the United States of America, shall be by arbitration before the American Arbitration Association in New York City pursuant to the Association’s rules then in effect. Any such arbitration must take place in N.Y.C., N.Y. In any such arbitration, the substantive law of N.Y. will apply. In the event a tour participant should find a service or hotel unacceptable, it should be reported immediately to the local representative and to Jim Gold International, Inc. upon their immediate return. No claim shall be deemed legitimate if not reported to the local representative and if reported after the scheduled service or after departure from the hotel.
Responsibility: Jim Gold International, Inc. Of 497 Cumberland Avenue, Teaneck, NJ 07666 U.S.A acts solely in its capacity as marketing agent on behalf of its suppliers such as air carriers, ground operator, taxi suppliers, motor coach suppliers, excursion or tour companies and hotels identified on documents supplied in connection with purchase of the tours. Jim Gold International, Inc. shall not be held responsible for any wrongful or negligent acts or omissions by any supplier or other party not directly owned or exclusively controlled by Jim Gold International, Inc. or by the failure of any equipment operated by any such supplier or other party. Jim Gold International, Inc. shall not be liable for any loss, injury or damage to person, property or otherwise, in connection with any accommodations, transportation, or other services, resulting directly or indirectly from any acts of God, dangerous incident to the sea, fire, breakdown of machinery or equipment, acts of government or other authorities, wars whether or not declared, hostilities, civil disturbances, strikes, riots, thefts, pilferage, epidemics, quarantines, medical or customs regulations, defaults, delays or cancellations of or changes to itineraries or schedules, or from any causes resulting from insufficient or improperly issued passports, visas, or other documents passports, visas, or other documents.
Neither Jim Gold International, Inc. nor any of its affiliates or subsidiaries shall be or become liable or responsible for any additional expenses or liability sustained or incurred by the tour member as a result of any of the aforementioned causes. Tour participant agrees that any claim against Jim Gold International, Inc. is subject only to the jurisdiction of the courts of the country in which the cause of action arose. The right is reserved to substitute hotels and to alter itineraries. The right is also reserved to cancel the tour prior to departure. If any tour is canceled prior to departure, Jim Gold International, Inc. will be responsible only up to the amount of monies Jim Gold International, Inc. received less any cancellation fee applied by a supplier as defined above. Travel Insurance is recommended.
Jim Gold International, Inc. is not responsible or liable for defaults of those not directly under the exclusive control of Jim Gold International, Inc.
All tickets and vouchers issued for transportation and services are subject to the terms and conditions under which such transportation and services are provided to the participant by the owners or contractors. The traveler assumes full responsibility for, and hereby releases Jim Gold International, Inc. from any duty of checking and verifying any and all passport, visa, vaccination or other entry requirements for each destination, and all safety and security conditions during the length of the proposed travel. Should any clause contained here in be determined void by any court of law, such a finding shall not affect the other clauses contained herein; each clause is a covenant which stand on its own. The receipt of your deposit and/or final payment will indicate that you have read these Terms and Conditions, and that you have agreed to them. Prices are subject to change.
Air Transportation: International air not included except as noted.
Rates: Tour rates are subject to change in the event of currency fluctuations or increase in costs. Inclusive tour rates are per person in double occupancy. In case of computer or human billing errors, we reserve the right to reinvoice clients with corrected billing.
Reservations: Deposits and Payments: Deposit of $200 per person is required at time of reservation. Balance is due 90 days prior to departure date.
Changes: Prices and program subject to change without notice
Baggage: One baggage per person and a carry on is allowed.
Cancellations: Cancellations 90 days prior to departure: Total refund. Less than 90 days: No refund. Additionally, any cancellation fees imposed by the respective hotels, airlines, tour companies and cruise lines will be charged. Travel Insurance is non-refundable as are unused services.
Gratuities: Tipping to guides, drivers, transfer personnel and hotel staff is left to the discretion of the participants and is not included.
Insurance: Tour participants are strongly recommended to purchase insurance for trip cancellation, trip interruption, accident, sickness and/or loss of baggage and personal effects.
Dispute Resolution: The sole and exclusive method of resolving any dispute which might rise under this agreement and any agreement between Jim Gold International, Inc., and another party (ies), the brochure or website and deemed to arise in the United States of America, shall be by arbitration before the American Arbitration Association in New York City pursuant to the Association’s rules then in effect. Any such arbitration must take place in N.Y.C., N.Y. In any such arbitration, the substantive law of N.Y. will apply. In the event a tour participant should find a service or hotel unacceptable, it should be reported immediately to the local representative and to Jim Gold International, Inc. upon their immediate return. No claim shall be deemed legitimate if not reported to the local representative and if reported after the scheduled service or after departure from the hotel.
Responsibility: Jim Gold International, Inc. Of 497 Cumberland Avenue, Teaneck, NJ 07666 U.S.A acts solely in its capacity as marketing agent on behalf of its suppliers such as air carriers, ground operator, taxi suppliers, motor coach suppliers, excursion or tour companies and hotels identified on documents supplied in connection with purchase of the tours. Jim Gold International, Inc. shall not be held responsible for any wrongful or negligent acts or omissions by any supplier or other party not directly owned or exclusively controlled by Jim Gold International, Inc. or by the failure of any equipment operated by any such supplier or other party. Jim Gold International, Inc. shall not be liable for any loss, injury or damage to person, property or otherwise, in connection with any accommodations, transportation, or other services, resulting directly or indirectly from any acts of God, dangerous incident to the sea, fire, breakdown of machinery or equipment, acts of government or other authorities, wars whether or not declared, hostilities, civil disturbances, strikes, riots, thefts, pilferage, epidemics, quarantines, medical or customs regulations, defaults, delays or cancellations of or changes to itineraries or schedules, or from any causes resulting from insufficient or improperly issued passports, visas, or other documents passports, visas, or other documents.
Neither Jim Gold International, Inc. nor any of its affiliates or subsidiaries shall be or become liable or responsible for any additional expenses or liability sustained or incurred by the tour member as a result of any of the aforementioned causes. Tour participant agrees that any claim against Jim Gold International, Inc. is subject only to the jurisdiction of the courts of the country in which the cause of action arose. The right is reserved to substitute hotels and to alter itineraries. The right is also reserved to cancel the tour prior to departure. If any tour is canceled prior to departure, Jim Gold International, Inc. will be responsible only up to the amount of monies Jim Gold International, Inc. received less any cancellation fee applied by a supplier as defined above. Travel Insurance is recommended.
Jim Gold International, Inc. is not responsible or liable for defaults of those not directly under the exclusive control of Jim Gold International, Inc.
All tickets and vouchers issued for transportation and services are subject to the terms and conditions under which such transportation and services are provided to the participant by the owners or contractors. The traveler assumes full responsibility for, and hereby releases Jim Gold International, Inc. from any duty of checking and verifying any and all passport, visa, vaccination or other entry requirements for each destination, and all safety and security conditions during the length of the proposed travel. Should any clause contained here in be determined void by any court of law, such a finding shall not affect the other clauses contained herein; each clause is a covenant which stand on its own. The receipt of your deposit and/or final payment will indicate that you have read these Terms and Conditions, and that you have agreed to them. Prices are subject to change.
Jim Gold International, Inc. 497 Cumberland Avenue, Teaneck, NJ 07666 U.S.A.
Phone: (201) 836-0362 www.jimgold.com e-mail: jimgold@jimgold.com
Phone: (201) 836-0362 www.jimgold.com e-mail: jimgold@jimgold.com
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