Photo by: I. Goean
Location: Romania

PHOTOGRAPHY TOUR

Romania and the Danube Delta

Limited to twelve tour participants.
Travel with photo instructor, naturalist, and a local Romanian tour guide.
Architecture from Bucharest Palace of Parliament at sunset, and the old town neighborhoods of the city with winding cobblestone streets.
UNESCO World Heritage Danube Delta, photograph the channels, lakes, forests, villages, and the diverse wildlife from boats and blinds for seven days.
The town of Tulcea houses an exhibition about the delta where you will start your exploration of the best-preserved delta.
Photograph the traditional fishing houses in preserved villages in this amazing region, along with meeting the fishermen and families.
A donation will be made on your behalf to the Houston Audubon Society.

Region

Eastern Europe

Destination

Romania

Dates

May 31-Jun 11 2023

Duration

11 days

$4695

per person, double occupancy*

Reserve this Tour

*U.S. dollars based upon minimum of 8 participants. There is a small group surcharge of $400 if 5-7 participants. We try to accommodate travelers who request single accommodations, as well as travelers who are looking for a roommate. If a single room is requested (subject to availability), or if we are unable to find a suitable roommate, there is a single room surcharge of $595.

Overview

Photos

Testimonials

Itinerary

Tour Overview

Europe’s best preserved delta, the Danube Delta in Romania is one of the world’s most beautiful reserves and included in the prestigious UNESCO World Heritage. Rich with self-sufficient farmers and fisherman, they still work like they did centuries ago, keeping their traditions alive. It will make you feel like you are stepping back in time. This is the prime time to be in the delta, where the region is coming to life – it is truly a spectacular time to be here. Cross the labyrinth of lakes and channels to spot the birds migrating over this rich land and water. Photograph them and the many species of fauna. This photo tour will take you to the best places and hides from where you can spot the different species of birds in the Danube Delta and you will also have the opportunity to discover Romania’s quaint fishing villages of the delta and Bucharest, the capital of Romania. What to expect: This tour is outdoor oriented and there will be a moderate amount of walking involved as well as traveling in boats along the Danube Delta. Some of the paths are off-track and we recommend waterproof walking shoes. There may be a limited amount of uphill walking. If clients have health issues they should tell us in advance so we can plan activities for them with an easier level of walking. Romania is a very safe country, and you will find the people very welcoming. The days will be long in the field, with photo discussions and lectures in the evening when given time. Accommodations We have chosen all locations with the most important thing in mind – getting to the right location at the right time. Guesthouses are available in the Danube Delta to be at these prime locations. Accommodations outside of Bucharest do NOT have elevators. Each participant will need to be prepared to handle his or her own luggage, and camera gear. Food While on the Danube Delta majority of lunches and dinners will be fish based. Those whose diet needs to exclude fish we will note vegetarian meals or you may wish to take a bit of food from stores in Bucharest with you.

Accommodations We have chosen all locations with the most important thing in mind – getting to the right location at the right time. Clients literally just walk out of your lodge and start taking photos. Due to the regions included in the itinerary the lodges outside of Bucharest do NOT have elevators. Each participant will need to be prepared to handle his or her own luggage, and camera gear. They will range from 3* to a 4 in Cluj & Bucharest.

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Photo Leader

Kathy Adams Clark

Photo Gallery

Kathy is the best. So patient and kind with beginners, as well as helping those with lots of experience at the same time. Every night she helped with processing photos and explaining different programs. She is just a wonderful instructor. And Romania was a wonderful trip!! Worth every penny!

— K Tirlia

Really great trip to Romania. I enjoyed the itinerary and had a fantastic time. Great instructor and very knoledgeable and good about working with all people in the group. I really enjoyed what the local guides added to the trip as well.

— M Stanton

Many highlights to the tour. My favorite parts were probably the cities in Transylvania. Local guides showed us a couple of cool spots to shoot and was able to get locals to pose for us. Accommodations were great and some good – but all great for photogprahy opportunities.

— S Litoff

This trip was more than i expected, with some really nice experiences. The breakfast visit with organiz farmer and the spontaneous encounters with gypsies working their fields were equal highlights for me. Local guide was very helful in allowing us to stop when we saw something we wanted to shoot, and facilitated our interactions with local people. The lodges were amazing and in perfect locations. This was my second trip with Strabo and locations are well chosen.

— K Bates

Chris: I had a wonderful time in Romania and enjoyed the beauty of the country but especially the people with whom I had amazing meetings, which I won’t forget.

— Chris

More Testimonials

Tour Itinerary

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May 31: Home

Your journey begins with your overnight flight to Bucharest (OTP). (meals on plane)

June 1: Bucharest

Welcome to Romania! You are in for a treat of great photography to capture the delta coming to life. The first day is a day to rest and get over jet lag. There will be an introductory meeting (time to be announced), followed by a welcome dinner. (D)

June 2-5: Tulcea-Danube Delta

Leave Bucharest behind as you travel to Tulcea, located on the edge of the Danube Delta. The town serves as a starting point for boat transfers to the channels and villages of the delta, but also a place to be introduced to the biodiversity of the region. There is a wonderful tourism center with an exhibition of the different habitats specific to the delta. Learn about the different species of birds and animals that you will be photographing over the coming week.

Continue by boat (2-2.5 hours) through the channels until you reach Mila 23, a typical fisherman village, searching for birds to photograph along the way.

Each morning you will have the option to rise early and capture sunrise, a good opportunity to photograph the birds in the warm light of the morning, after which return to the guesthouse for breakfast. Then depart on your explorations each day to capture the impressive diversity of the living habitats. The delta is mostly known for the important species of great white pelicans, pygmy cormorant, and also red-breasted goose. Over 3400 species of animals have been identified in the Danube Delta territory including rare species of birds searching for the proper environment to survive, such as the Dalmatian pelican and the white tailed eagle.

The local guide will take in to account the water levels and where the birds are feeding in order to navigate the route each day and make the most of your photographic opportunities.

Over the next couple days in addition to the birdlife there will be photography of the fauna and unique forests of Letea and Caraorman. The village of Letea has traditional fisherman houses and is the best-preserved village in the Danube Delta. The village of Caraorman has sandy beach and a bird sanctuary, which offers a very good opportunity to photograph and observe from hides. (B, L, D all days) Overnight Mila 23

June 6-8: Dunavet - Danube Delta

Continue exploration of the delta from Dunavat village. In this part of the delta you will get to see birds specific to the water from the nearby Black Sea and salty lakes. Nearby Murighiol is one of the 20 protected areas of the delta and hosts a colony of black winged stilt, pied avocet, red crested pochard and other waders’ species. Enjoy another two days with photography using mobile hides at salty lakes with black-headed gull, little ringed plover, collared pratincole, Eurasian spoonbill and many other birds.

There will be another photo opportunity at a bee-eaters’ colony where you should also see blue roller, starling, little owl, kestrel and hoopoe. Overnight Dunavat (B, L, D all days)

June 9-10: Bucharest

After seven full days in the delta, its diverse habitats, birds, landscape, animals and having many fish-based meals, time will come to leave the region and head back to Bucharest.

The next day explore the capital city of Bucharest. Called ‘the little Paris’ in the 19^thcentury, the old town of Bucharest features narrow streets with beautiful historic buildings, quaint restaurants and small shops. You will have a relaxed walk through the old town so you can feel the atmosphere of the city.

Bucharest is also an interesting combination of Romanian, Byzantine, French, communist, modern and many other types of architecture. Going through the different neighborhoods will be an interesting experience. You will pass by the former Armenian and Jewish neighborhoods and by a local market to get a glimpse of Romanian farmers produce and their stalls. For blue hour you will return to the Palace of the Parliament where you will photograph the massive building in the dim light of the twilight. In the evening we will have one more group dinner and say farewell to the group before the next day’s departure. Overnight Bucharest (B; B, D)

June 11: Bucharest - Home

If your flight schedule allows there will be time for photography this morning. Everyone will be transferred to the airport at the appropriate time for flights. (B)

Photo by: I. GoeanLocation: Romania