**Final dates and duration for the trip will be confirmed when flight schedules are available. Until flights are confirmed please allow a couple of days either side of the departure and arrival dates.

Gone Birding in conjunction with Diana Travel of Romania, run an 11 day tour to Romania, taking place sometime between June and August. The flight will leave from Luton airport directly to Bucharest airport. The holiday is fully inclusive and the £1800 plus flights. There will be 3 staff, an expert local guide, a Gone Birding guide who will travel out and return with the party, plus a professional driver whilst in Romania. The accommodation will be in hotels, villas and boarding houses, with en-suite facilities, as well as a 3/4 star villa/ floating hotel (dependent on numbers) in the heart of the delta- again with en-suite facilities. A deposit of £100 per person is required at the time of booking.

The Very Best of Romania

Day 1 After arriving in Bucharest, the capital city of Romania, in the afternoon, we travel east to the port town of Tulcea, the gateway to the magnificent Danube Delta. Dinner & overnight in Tulcea.

Day 2 Today we start the fabulous inland exploration of Dobrudja with a visit to the area of Parches- Celic-Dere Monastery, where we may see Sombre Tit, Middle Spotted Woodpecker, Syrian Woodpecker, Grey-headed Woodpecker and Black Woodpecker, Golden Oriole, Levant Sparrowhawk, Long-legged Buzzard, Booted Eagle and Lesser Spotted Eagle. We continue our trip to Sarinasuf-Murighiol area, where the brackish and salt lakes hold a wide range of local specialities including good numbers of Mediterranean Gull, waders, wildfowl and terns. Pallas's Gull (Great Black-headed Gull- or GBH Gull!) might be possible. Dinner and overnight in Tulcea.

Day 3 - 4 We shall spend these two full days exploring as wide a variety as possible of the habitats of the delta, either on foot or using medium sized motor boats. We cannot set the exact itinerary as it will vary according to the water level conditions, but likely sites include a several extensive lakes, wild, narrow water channels and canals and a visit to one of delta's remote villages. A diversity of birds, for example Great White Egret, Little Bittern, Glossy Ibis, terns, Ferruginous Duck, Penduline Tit, Grey-headed Woodpecker& Black Woodpecker will be seen. Rollers and Kingfishers are common in the area. Raptors will include Marsh Harrier and Red-footed Falcon, and there is always the chance to see a White-tailed Eagle. Overnight in the Delta.

Day 5 The unforgettable journey into the Danube Delta will end today at midday, when we’ll be heading south to Babadag Forest. Long-legged Buzzard, Sombre Tit, Barred Warbler & Icterine Warbler, Middle Spotted Woodpecker, Shrike species and Red-breasted Flycatcher are likely to be encountered in the forest. Reptiles, amphibians and a good selection of plants and butterflies will complete our list of species here. In the evening, we arrive at Constanta/ Mamaia, just in time for dinner. Overnight at the hotel in Constanta/ Mamaia.

Day 6 Today we explore the gorges of Dobrudja, where we are on a quest for raptors and wheatears, including Booted Eagle, Long-legged Buzzard, Short-toed Eagle, Pied Wheatear, Black-eared Wheatear and Isabelline Wheatear and more. Eastern Imperial Eagle might be possible. The spectacular scenery of the limestone gorges and a few stops for Stone Curlews & Saker Falcon will complete the hot spots of the day before dinner. Overnight at the hotel in Constanta/ Mamaia.

Day 7 Time this morning to admire the sun rise over the Black Sea and to enjoy pre-breakfast birding along the shore. After breakfast the entire day is dedicated to the outstanding coastal marshes of the Razim Lagoon. At Vadu we explore excellent sites for Black-headed Wagtail, great colonies of terns and Collared Pratincoles, pelicans, and more of the waterbird species. Red-footed Falcons, larks and pipits are likely. The finest birding site in the area, the coastal lagoon, Histria will be our next stop of the day with White Pelican & Dalmatian Pelican, Purple Heron, Spoonbill, Paddyfield Warbler and Collared Pratincoles. In the evening we return to our seaside resort in time for dinner. Overnight at the hotel in Constanta/ Mamaia.

Day 8 The day of our transfer to the mountains, we leave the Black Sea Coast early in the morning and head west, to the wonderful mountain city of Brasov, the city of bears where we'll be based for the last 4 nights. This may be substituted by the famous village of Bran- famous for its castle, where Dracula was conceived. Dinner and overnight at the hotel, in Brasov/Bran.

Day 9 The entire day is dedicated to the wildlife of Carpathians. We leave Brasov very early in the morning, travelling deep into the forest to a bear hide, with wonderful views over a forest clearing for bear-viewing and opportunities to take memorable pictures. In addition to Brown Bears, other wildlife we may also see includes Red-Fox, Wild Boar, Red Deer and Lynx. Birdlife includes raptors, woodpeckers and a number of owl species. Dinner and overnight at the hotel in town.

Day 10 Another great day of this trip will be spent in the most accessible high mountain habitat of Romania - Fagaras Mountains, where we are looking for Alpine Accentor, Crested Tit, Water Pipit and Raven. Ring Ouzel and Nutcracker are possible. We begin lower down in the woodland belt where Ravens, Ring Ouzel and Nutcracker are possible. This is a stunning alpine area, with exceptional views and birding. At lower levels we search for the rare Alpine Newt. Overnight at the hotel in Brasov/ Bran. We should also pick up Lesser Spotted Eagle on the way. Overnight at the hotel in Brasov/ Bran

Day 11 Today we dedicate our time to the surroundings of Brasov. In the morning we explore some spectacular gorges not far from town for Wallcreeper and Alpine Swift. We also expect to see Honey Buzzard and Lesser Spotted Eagle. After lunch some free time may be spent visiting Bran Castle & exploring its gardens for passerines. We pack our bags and make the 2 hour drive back to Bucharest and our early evening flight back home.