This tour is designed to cover ones of the most famous sites in Romania, known for their cultural importance to the world heritage.
Highlights
The wooden churches
Their construction started in 1278 when the Catholic Hungarians forbade the Orthodox Romanians to built churches in stone. The churches that can be admired nowadays are extraordinary works of art produced by local artists and craftsmen in the 18th and early 19th centuries. They are unique in shapes and ornaments. Their distinct, vertical and firm architectonic lines impress the visitors.
The Merry Cemetery in Sapinta
With its grave markers painted in distinctive “Sapinta blue” and carved with merry lyrics narrating episodes from the live of the deceased.
The painted monasteries of the Southern Bucovina
Moldovita, Sucevita, Humor and Voronet, with their medieval frescoes of redemption and damnation that blaze in polychromatic splendor. The tour offers also the possibility to admire the Probota monastery and Neamt monastery.
The Bicaz Gorges
One of the most scenic passes in Europe.
Also included
Sighisoara, Biertan, Sibiu, Brasov, Peles castle and Dracula’s castle in Bran
Itinerary
Day 1 - CLUJ – SAPANTA – SIGHETU MARMATIEI
The tour starts in Cluj – Napoca. The car and guide will take you over from the airport (it is important that you arrive early in the morning) or from your hotel in Cluj. Panoramic sight-seeing of Cluj, the historical capital city of Transylvania. Departure towards Maramures, the North – West part of Romania. Visit of the wooden churches of Surdesti and Budesti. On to sapinta – visit of the Merry Cemetery. Continue to Sighetu Marmatiei – accommodation hotel 3*.
Day 2 - SIGHETU MARMATIEI – BOTIZA – MOLDOVITA – SUCEVITA
Breakfast. Departure towards Bucovina. On the way we’ll visit the village of Botiza with its wooden church. We cross the Carpathians into Bucovina and continue the day with the visit of the Moldovita and Sucevita monasteries. Accommodation in Sucevita 4* (Popas Bucovina hotel).
Day 3 - SUCEVITA – HUMOR – VORONET – PROBOTA – NEAMT – LACU ROSU
Breakfast. We’ll continue with the visit of the most important painted monasteries, Humor, Voronet and Probota. Continue with Neamt monastery, the oldest in Romania, a gorgeous synthesis of the religious architecture in Moldova. On to Lacu Rosu passing through the magnificent Bicaz Gorges. Accommodation in Lacu Rosu 3* hotel.
Day 4 - LACU ROSU – SIGHISOARA – BIERTAN – SIBIU
Breakfast. On to Sighisoara. Sight seeing tour of Sighisoara. Raised in the 13th and 14th centuries Sighisoara is one of the last medieval towns in Europe still inhabited. It is the birthplace of Vlad Tepes " The Impaler". The house where he was born is still standing. On to Biertan - built as late as 1516, this was the seat of Lutheran bishops, and their fine gravestones can be seen inside the towers. It is set up on a hill within two and a half rings of walls, linked by a splendid covered staircase. Arrival in Sibiu. Accommodation 4* (Ramada / Golden Tulip / Forum).
Day 5 - SIBIU – BRAN - BRASOV
Breakfast. Panoramic sight – seeing tour of Sibiu, one of the most beautiful towns in Romania, that preserves its medieval center. On to Bran – visit of the Dracula’s castle. It has been built between 1377 and 1382, on a 60m high rock to safeguard the vital route between Valachia and Transilvania and it is known nowadays as “Dracula Castle” because of its associations with Vlad Tepes (the Impaler). The building has four towers positioned at the four cardinal points. The walls are made of stone blocks, the rooms and narrow corridors constitute a mysterious labyrinth of secret chambers, and the well in the inner courtyard is connected to an underground network. Queen Maria of Romania, granddaughter of Queen Victoria, was perhaps the castle’s most famous resident- it is even said that her heart, kept in a silver box, was discovered in a niche of the building. Nowadays it houses a museum of feudal art, exhibiting valuable collections of furniture, weapons and armory. Departure to Brasov, a town that still preserves its medieval centre. One of the main attractions is The Black Church, so called for its blackened walls as a result of a great fire, lit by an Austrian army, that swept Brasov in 1689. The most amazing thing about this Lutheran church is that it displays a collection of Islamic prayer rugs. It is also famous for its Organ recitals on its 4000-pipe instrumen. It seems that the murderous image of Vlad Tepes is due to the Saxon merchants of Brasov that spread a lot of rumours about him in an effort to discredit him in the face of Christendom. Accommodation in Brasov – hotel Casa Wagner 3*.
Day 6 - BRASOV – SINAIA – BUCAREST
Breakfast. On to Sinaia- known as "the Pearl of the Carpathians" for its magnificent mountain scenery and architecture. The most important attractions are The Peles Castle and the Monastery. Visit of the monastery and of the Peles castle. The Castle was designed as summer Royal residence and build up between 1875 and 1883. It combines various architectural styles, notably elements of the German and gothic Renaissance. The castle has 160 rooms, opulently decorated with leather, ebony, and walnut and contains invaluable collections of art and furniture. Return to Bucharest. End of the tour.
Departure dates
The tour starts from Bucharest upon request, from April till October.
Please note that Bran Castle is closed on Monday. Peles castle is closed on Monday from May 19th till September 13th and on Tuesday also for the rest of the period.
Included services
5 nights BB acc
the visits mentioned in the programme
English speaking guide
A/C car / minibus / bus for the programme
Price
Price valid for minimum 2 persons: pax in double - 1270 €/pax
Price valid for minimum 2 persons: pax in double - 790 €/pax
sgl supl - 140 €