Romania |
Romania
Jack & Jill Children’s Foundation
Itinerary
Included
Application Form |
THE JACK & JILL DRACULA CHALLENGE
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‘Dracula romanticism and a country on fast-forward’
Romania has the majestic castles, medieval towns, great hiking, wildlife and brilliant skiing of much of the 'undiscovered' former Eastern Bloc but it is very different and with accession to the EU planned for 1 st January 2007 -there are all the signs that it's chasing the dreams of the rest of the West.
Horse-drawn carts jostle for space against fast cars whose drivers are talking money on mobile phones; farm workers watch Baywatch on satellite in their medieval farmhouses. Romania is clawing itself forward, slowly and surely a sloughing off the remnants of the Ceausescu era.
Transylvania –This is by far the most romantic and inspiring of the provinces in Romania - the word alone conjures up images of Dracula, haunted castles, werewolves and vampires but it has spectacular mountain ranges – the Carpathian Mountains in the east, south and west, which offer some of Romania’s best hiking which they say, can only be matched by the Swiss Alps.
The Saxon town of Sibiu , situated in the foothills of these mountains and our base for the trip, will be the European Capital of Culture in 2007 and is also an UNESCO World Heritage Site.
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Jack & Jill Chlidren's Foundation
The Jack & Jill Children's Foundation is a registered charity set up to help alleviate the very distressful suffering experienced by tiny babies born with severe developmental delay and life limiting conditions requiring intensive medical and nursing care at home until they reach the age of four years.
Today the sad reality in Ireland is that succour for children under four years of age and their families is at best underdeveloped and at worst non-existent. Most people are not aware of this distressing "age gap" in healthcare services. These tiny unhappy babies and their parents could be the forgotten people of Irish society.
The Foundation is young and fully realises it cannot provide for every need. However its ethos is to listen to its families and to have its services serve its community to the very best of its abilities. It is at all times mindful of the isolation and loneliness the families experience and pay particular attention to the needs and emotions of the healthy brothers and sisters who can so easily be overlooked.
At present the Foundation has to raise €2.0million annually to cover the cost of home nursing to their families. The Foundation receives a grant of €515,000 from the Government and it relies totally on the support of volunteers, donors and fundraising events to provide the balance of this money - in order to provide this very valuable service to the families who have come to depend on it.
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Itinerary
19 TH – 26 TH APRIL 2006
Day 1 |
Meet at Dublin or Cork Airport for the early morning Malev flight to Tg Mures (via Budapest ) in the heart of the legendary Transylvania . Arrive mid afternoon and meet our guides. Transfer to Sibiu . Accommodation in Hotel Imparatul Romanilor and dinner in a local restaurant.
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Day 2:
Stage 1 |
Full day hike in Paltinis area, meeting the shepherd’s, foresters, and a rhythm of life almost unchanged in decades. Lunch on route. Return to Sibiu for dinner and overnight accommodation.
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Day 3:
Stage 2 |
Full day hike starting at the village of Ceuas , where three ethnic
communities live together: Romanians, Hungarians and Roms. The Roms are
excellent musicians and the streets of the village will vibrate during this
day at the sound of their violins. In the afternoon we leave this "off this beaten path" and return in Sibiu for dinner and overnight.
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Day 4 |
Free day or sightseeing to Brasov and Dracula’s Castle.
Overnight in Sibiu .
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Day 5:
Stage 3 |
Full day hike in the foothills of the Southern Carpathians around the typical
village of Gura Raului . Lunch on route. Dinner this evening will be in a local village with Romanian folk musicians and dancers. After dinner return in Sibiu for overnight.
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Day 6:
Stage 4 |
Full day hike starting at the Monastery of Rimet. The Apuseni Mountains are very famous for their beautiful natural landscape and wildness. Lunch on route. Return to Sibiu for dinner and accommodation.
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Day 7
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Morning Free for last minute shopping. In the afternoon departure to the village of Sibiel for short hike with a picnic.
Ball of Vampires will take place this evening where we will have the privilege
to meet Count Dracula himself. Everyone will get some garlic and a mirror to be protected from evil spirits...Return in Sibiu for overnight.
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Day 8 |
Departure to Sighisoara to see where our host of last night, Dracula, was born
and for a light lunch and continue our way to Tg Mures Airport for the
flight back home to Dublin or Cork which arrives at about 9pm .
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Included
- 7 nights accommodation in Hotel I mparatul Romanilor in Sibiu in twin or double rooms with bath.
- All transfers and excursions as indicated in the itinerary.
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner on all walking days & drinks where applicable.
- Fully qualified guides and an Interpreter on all walking days.
- Full group travel insurance.
- All airport and departure taxes.
- Certificates and Gala Awards Dinner.
Single rooms can be arranged but at a supplement.
Not Included
- Items of a personal nature – laundry, telephone.
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Terms & Conditions
Each participant must sign the application form as confirmation that they have read, and agree with, the terms and conditions of entry.
- The person must be 18 years of age before the departure date of the Challenge or be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
- Your passport must have at least 6 months to run from the date of return to Ireland . Payment for any visa, airport tax, and gratuities are not included in the cost.
- The Jack & Jill Children’s Foundation has the right to alter the itinerary, should climatic or any other unforeseen circumstances deem this necessary.
- Full Standard Travel Insurance cover is organized for the Challenge. Four areas of cover that should be noted are as follows: Normal luggage and person effects of €2540 and a limit of any single article of €380;Cash – a limit of €635; Passports & travellers cheques - €952; Medical & additional expenses - €6 million. In the case of expensive cameras etc., it is suggested that your arrange separate or all risks cover. In the event of a claim, the participants will have to report it to the local police and will have to process the claim themselves .
- Participants must be relatively fit to take part in the Challenge and must complete the medical questionnaire provided. You may be required to have a medical form signed by your Doctor. By signing the entry form you are confirming that to the best of your knowledge, you general state of health is good and that you take full responsibility for yourself. The Jack & Jill Children’s Foundation may at its discretion refuse a participant if in their opinion he/she is medically unfit to take part.
- Passport Control and in county authorities will reserve the right to refuse entry.
- Participants take part at their own risk and agree to indemnify The Jack & Jill Children’s Foundation against claims for loss or damage to personal property, personal injury (or death), and any claim arising from the entrant’s own actions.
- Participants must comply with and are responsible for attending to any inoculation and health regulations required for the destination.
- If you are unable to meet the sponsorship requirements you will forfeit your place on the Challenge or you may choose to make up the balance yourself.
Participants must carry out all fundraising in accordance with the guidelines set out in the fundraising pack. |
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