Tour highlights:

• enjoy the services of a private, experienced guide, always available and ready to answer your questions and uncover Bulgaria and Romania for you, and the flexibility that only a private tour can offer
• discover 15 of Bulgaria and Romania’s UNESCO World Heritage sites
• take the unique opportunity of meeting a family of Transylvanian Gypsies in their own home and discover their particular culture and traditions over a home hosted meal
• learn about the ancient art of egg – painting from a local Bucovina artist
• dance and sing along with the locals of Maramures over home cooked food and home brewed drinks
• take the time to visit some local markets along your route, a great opportunity to chat with locals and taste their products

Day 1 - arrival in Sofia. Transfer to the hotel, followed by city tour.

O/N in Sofia, Hotel Niky*** (centrally located)

Day 2 - leave Sofia, headed for Plovdiv. On the way, visit the Rila Monastery (UNESCO World Heritage Site). Arrival in Plovdiv in the afternoon, guided walk in the Old Town.

O/N in Plovdiv, Hotel Alafrangite*** (located in the heart of the Old Town)

Day 3 - for today, we offer you a choice regarding the sights you want to visit, depending on your interests:

• option 1: day trip to the Rhodopi mountains, where you will visit the rock formation called “Miraculous Bridges”. Then drive to Snezhanka Peak (1962 meters high), from where you can enjoy breathtaking views over the mountains.
• option 2: visit the town of Hissarya, famous for its well – preserved Roman ruins. Then visit the impressive Thracian shrine of Chetinyova Mogila, located in the village of Starosel. In spite of its age (2400 years), it’s in remarkably good condition.

O/N in Plovdiv, Hotel Alafrangite*** (located in the heart of the Old Town)

Day 4 - leave Plovdiv, headed for Nessebar. Visit the Thracian tomb in Kazanlak (UNESCO World Heritage Site). Upon arrival in Nessebar, guided walk in the Old Town (UNESCO World Heritage Site).

O/N in Nessebar, Hotel Nessebar Royal Palace*** (located in the heart of the Old Town)

Day 5 - head north along the Black Sea coast. Visit the Botanical Gardens and Palace in Balchik, then return to Varna, where you will visit the Archaeological museum, where some of the oldest gold items are located, and enjoy a panoramic tour of Varna.

O/N in Varna, Hotel Splendid**** (centrally located)

Day 6 - head for central Bulgaria. Visit the Madara Horseman (UNESCO World Heritage Site). End the day in Veliko Tarnovo, where you will visit the Tsarevets fortress and also enjoy a walk on the Samovodene (Craftsmen’s) street.

O/N in Veliko Tarnovo, Hotel Bolyarski**** (located next to the Craftsmen’s street)

Day 7 - start the day by exploring the nearby village of Arbanassi, where you will visit the Nativity Church and the Konstantsalieva House. Then head to Bucharest. On the way, visit the Ivanovo Rock Churches (UNESCO World Heritage Site). Panoramic city tour of Bucharest upon arrival.

O/N in Bucharest, Hotel Ramada Majestic**** (centrally located)

Day 8 - depart Bucharest, headed for Brasov, Transylvania. Visit Peles Castle and Sinaia Monastery. Guided walk in Brasov’s Old Town upon arrival.

O/N in Brasov, Hotel Casa Wagner***, located right on the Old Town Square.

Day 9 - Visit Bran Castle (Dracula’s Castle) in the morning, then continue to Sighisoara. Guided visits of the History Museum (located in the Clock Tower) and the Arms museum, as well as a guided walk of the Old Town (UNESCO World Heritage Site). In the evening, meet a family of Transylvanian Gypsies for a unique home hosted dinner experience.

O/N in Sighisoara, Hotel Sighisoara***, located in the heart of the old town citadel.

Day 10 - Visit the Biertan fortified church (UNESCO World Heritage Site) in the morning, then head for Bucovina, through the picturesque Bicaz Gorges. Arrival in Gura Humorului in the late afternoon.

O/N in Gura Humorului, Hotel Best Western**** (centrally located)

Day 11 - Full day exploring of the famous painted monasteries of Voronet, Humor, Sucevita and Moldovita (all of them UNESCO World Heritage Sites). Enjoy a home hosted lunch at a local artist’s house and discover the ancient art of egg – painting.

O/N in Gura Humorului, Hotel Best Western**** (centrally located)

Day 12 - Leave Bucovina in the morning, headed for Maramures over the Prislop pass. Photo stop on the way in the village of Ciocanesti, famous for its decorated houses. Guided visits of the Barsana Monastery and Ieud wooden church (UNESCO World Heritage Site).

O/N in Vadu Izei, in a family run guesthouse, home cooked dinner included

Day 13 - Full day spent discovering Maramures. Stop by a local animal market in the morning, a great chance to interact with locals (*availability depending on the day of the week you are there). Then continue to Sapanta’s Merry Cemetery and the workshop of the artist who still makes the colorful crosses. Visit the Memorial Museum to the Victims of Communism in Sighetu Marmatiei. End the day with a private folk show with music and dances from Maramures.

O/N in Vadu Izei, in a family run guesthouse, home cooked dinner with folk show included

Day 14 - Head back to Transylvania in the morning. Before leaving Maramures, visit the Surdesti wooden church (UNESCO World Heritage Site). Then continue to Turda, where you will visit the astounding salt mines there. End the day in Cluj Napoca, where the guide will accompany you for a guided stroll in the central area.

O/N in Cluj Napoca, Hotel Capitolina*** (centrally located)

Day 15 - Drive to Sibiu and spend almost a full day in this magnificent medieval city. The guide will show you around the Old Town center, and then you can either relax and explore on your own, or join the guide for some more discovering of some of the excellent museums Sibiu has to offer.

O/N in Sibiu, Hotel Casa Luxemburg*** (located on the Old Town Square)

Day 16 - Discover some more of Transylvania in the morning. Visit the Hunyad Castle, Romania’s most impressive Gothic building, and the Densus church (UNESCO World Heritage Site), the oldest church in Romania. Then continue along the Jiu river valley to Targu Jiu.

O/N in Targu Jiu, Hotel Antique*** (centrally located)

Day 17 - Explore Targu Jiu in the morning, the place where some of the best sculptures of world – famous artist Constantin Brancusi are located. Then start driving to Bucharest, with a few stops along the way: the Horezu Monastery (UNESCO World Heritage Site), the Curtea de Arges Monastery and the Poienari fortress (the actual castle built by Dracula). Arrival in Bucharest in the late afternoon.

O/N in Bucharest, Hotel Ramada Majestic**** (centrally located)

Day 18 - Departure, transfer to the airport.

Detailed itinerary:

Day 1 – arrival in Sofia, city tour

Upon your arrival at the airport, you’ll be met by your private tour guide and taken to the hotel. After check in at your hotel you can start exploring Bulgaria’s capital city. Sofia will offer you a blend of West and East, of new and old, of modern and antique. It is a city with rich history, which waits to be discovered, and also a city trying to achieve a modern European outlook.

Sofia was a small town until 1879 when it was chosen to be the capital of the newly liberated Bulgarian state. Since then the city grew to more than 1.2 million inhabitants. It lies at the foot of the Vitosha Mountain which is the favorite place of the city’s residents for hiking and skiing.

As you enjoy a guided walk along the central area of the town you will discover traces from the Roman and Thracian times as well as beautiful examples of the 19th and early 20th century European architecture – usually the work of German, Austrian or Italian architects. They coexist with some monstrous concrete buildings inherited from the Communist past of the country.

Your stroll along the area of “yellow paving stones” once marking the Palace district will start with the impressive Alexander Nevski Cathedral. It is one the country’s landmarks and Sofia’s top attraction. Its gold-plated domes dominate the skyline of the city center. Built to commemorate the Russian and Ukrainian soldiers who fought in the Russo-Turkish Wars 1877- 1878, this large Eastern Orthodox Cathedral is a gallery of the best Russian and Bulgarian artists at the turn of the 20th century.

Nearby you will also see one of the most valuable examples of early Christian architecture in South Eastern Europe – the 14th century Hagia Sophia church that also gave the name of the Bulgarian capital. 
If you enjoy treasure-hunting, you might want to stop at the little flea market opposite the church where you can find a large variety of little souvenirs and antiques, including also some memorabilia from the country’s communist history and way of life.

Walking further, you will be fascinated by the golden onion-shaped domes and vibrant colors of the Russian church – the official church of the Russian embassy in 1882. Then it will be time for something more European as you will have reached the former Royal Palace, the work of 2 Austrian architects and home of the Bulgarian Royal family. Nowadays it houses the National Art Gallery. Passing by the National Theater, another lovely piece of work of Viennese architects and also the place where the mausoleum of the communist leader Georgi Dimitrov once stood, you will get to the Presidency building. Take a peak through the gate and you will discover the charming 4th century Rotunda St. George, hiding in the courtyard of the presidency and the Sheraton hotel. The surrounding area was the heart of the ancient town of Serdica and in the underpass next to the Presidency you can see some more traces of the Roman and Thracian times – the old city gates and fortification walls.

If you are interested you can also see and visit The Synagogue, which was recently beautifully restored and is the center of community life for the Jewish people in the capital. Next to it is the restored building of the covered food market.

One of the highlights of the city is the Boyana church (UNESCO World Heritage Site) set in one of the green suburbs of the city. The church dates from the 11th c. and has 3 layers of frescos, the most remarkable ones from the 13th century. They are a precios example of Medieval art in our lands and display individuality and vitality, not typical for that period.

O/N in Sofia, Hotel Niky*** (centrally located)
 

Day 2 – Sofia – Rila Monastery – Plovdiv

In the morning, we depart from Sofia and head for south western part of Bulgaria where you will discover the Rila Monastery (UNESCO World Heritage Site). The monastery lies in the heart of Rila mountain at 1147 meters (3,763 ft) above sea level, and is regarded as the holiest place in Bulgaria. It is no doubt the most popular tourist site among all monasteries in Bulgaria equally for its size, natural surroundings, architecture, wall paintings and ancient history. It is believed that the hermit John of Rila founded the monastery in the 10th century. His ascetic dwelling and tomb became a holy site and were transformed into a monastic complex that played an important role in the spiritual and social life of medieval Bulgaria. In the main church of the monastery you can see beautiful examples of frescoes and icons of the prominent icon-painters of the 19th century – the brother Dimitar and Zahari Zograf. The monastery museum has also some interesting items and valuable items among which is Rafail’s cross – a wooden cross, made from a whole piece of wood (81×43 cm) and recreating 104 religious scenes and 650 miniature figures.

The mountainous surroundings of the monastery will appeal to those of you who love nature and if time and weather allow it, you can take a short hike to the dwelling place of the hermit John of Rila.

After the visit of the monastery, continue to Plovdiv. Originally Plovdiv was a Thracian settlement before becoming a major city ruled by Greeks and Romans. The city is located on both banks of the Maritsa River and historically has developed on 7 hills. It is abundant of monuments from different historical periods – Antiquity, Middle Ages, and the Ottoman rule, The National revival. Plovdiv has also a unique artistic atmosphere with its many prominent artists, galleries and cozy bistros where the local Bohemians gather.

During our guided walk we will admire some of the highlights of Plovdiv. As we discover the Old Town we will get the Antique theater (entrance included). Built in the early 2nd century A.D. by the Roman Emperor Traianus (98-117), the theatre was one of the most important public buildings in Trimontium, remarkable with its architectural impressiveness and splendor.

The Ancient Theatre seated 5 to 7 thousand. It still is the center of the cultural life in Plovdiv. Another trace from the Roman times is the Roman stadium under the main street in town. It is believed to have been built during the reign of Septimus Severus (193-211) and had a capacity to seat 30 000 spectators. Now the larger part of it remains still underground but the stadium is visible from the Dzhumayata Square. The Old Town of Plovdiv will offer us the possibility to admire also the Bulgarian Renaissance architecture with a few houses that are masterpieces of the local architectural tradition. Nowadays many of them are galleries, museums; some are turned into restaurants and cozy hotels.

O/N in Plovdiv, Hotel Alafrangite*** (located in the heart of the Old Town)
 

Day 3 – Plovdiv – choice tour

Today is your second day in Plovdiv and we offer you 2 choices for day trips (they are both included, but the choice is all yours):

Option 1: An easy and relaxed day out of Plovdiv combining a medieval fortress and the second largest monastery in Bulgaria.

About an hour ride to the south of Plovdiv will take you to the town of Assenovgrad. You will visit the Asenova fortress perched on a high rocky ridge of the Rhodopi Mountains. It was a Thracian settlement at first. Then it changed hands to Byzantines and Romans, eventually Bulgarians took over the control of the fortification. It used to guard the road from Plovdiv to the Aegean Sea. The importance of the fortress grew in the Middle Ages and is connected with the name of the Bulgarian king Ivan Asen the 2^nd. One of the best preserved features of the fortress is the Church dedicated to the Holy Mother of God.

Further south from Asenova fortress lies Bachkovo Monastery. It is a unique  monument of Byzantine, Georgian and Bulgarian architecture and culture. The church keeps several frescoes which are representative and rare example of Orthodox art. The monastery church is also know for keeping the wonder-working icon of Virgin Mary which is attracting thousands of pilgrims.

After a relaxed sightseeing morning we return to Plovdiv and you can enjoy some time on your own to explore the city and its numerous treasures.
 
 
Option 2: if you are fascinated by the rich history of the country and you simply can’t get enough we suggest you explore the area further.

Today you can go to Hissarya, a small town north of Plovdiv, which was an important Roman town in the past. Nowadays Roman ruins of public buildings, small amphitheater, Roman garrison, etc, can be seen. The largest preserved fortress gate from the Roman period can also be found there. The town is also known for its mineral springs – they were the reason for the establishment of the town.

Next stop will be the village of Starosel, which became widely known only in the year 2000 when a team of Bulgarian archaeologists led by Prof. Kitov made one of the biggest discoveries in their career – an impressive Thracian shrine known as the Chetinyova Mogila. Formed in the shape of a hill, the mogila has a grand view of the Pyasuchnik River Valley and is clearly the achievment of a powerful king. Some suggest it is the final resting place of Sitalkes, who during his brief life of 20 years extended the Thracian empire from the Danube River to the Aegean Sea. The historical details are uncertain, yet the magnificent dry stone construction remains in good shape after 2400 years of wear. If you wish you can also stop in a local wine cellar for lunch and some excellent Bulgarian wine. When you return in Plovdiv you will still have some free time to enjoy the city on own.

O/N in Plovdiv, Hotel Alafrangite*** (located in the Old Town)
 

Day 4 – Plovdiv – Kazanlak – Nessebar

Today you will drive for the Black Sea Coast. On the way, we stop at Kazanlak – the town located in the Valley of the Roses and the Thracian kings. Together we will visit the Thracian tomb (UNESCO World Heritage Site) – we will visit the copy as visits to the original are rarely possible. Discovered in 1944, this tomb dates from the Hellenistic period, around the end of the 4th century BC. It is located near Seutopolis, the capital city of the Thracian king Seutes III, and is part of a large Thracian necropolis. The tomb has a narrow corridor and a round burial chamber, both decorated with murals representing Thracian burial rituals and culture. These paintings are Bulgaria’s best-preserved artistic masterpieces from the Hellenistic period.

Then you will continue to the town of Nessebar. The old town (UNESCO World Heritage Sote) is more than 9000 years old and is situated on a tiny peninsula, and a narrow strip of land connects this small jewel to the mainland. Nessebar not only has many layers of history, beautiful old churches and houses but also the charm of a fishermen settlement, narrow cobbled stoned streets, lovely little restaurants overlooking the sea and the smell of the salty sea water in the air. Your guide will take you on a guided walk to show you the hidden treasures of Nessebar, and then you will enjoy some free time for further exploring on your own.

O/N in Nessebar, Hotel Nessebar Royal Palace*** (located in the heart of the Old Town)
 

Day 5 – Nessebar – Varna – Balchik – Varna

You will spend the day exploring the beauty of the Black sea coast. For the morning you will drive to Varna, passing the city, and start with the pretty little town of Balchik and its highlight – the Summer Residence and Gardens of the Romanian Queen Maria. The complex was built between 1926 and 1937 during the Romanian domination of the region. It was the natural beauty of the area that Queen Maria fell in love with and then turned into her dream place – a green oasis where she found peace and happiness. The Quiet Nest, as the official name of the residence is, contains summer villas for the Queen and her children, a chapel, a wine cellar, several springs, and a park that is today a state-run botanical garden.

In the afternoon, you will drive to Varna. Once you arrive at the “summer capital” of Bulgaria you can take a short stroll along the pedestrian street where you will find a number of lovely cafes and small restaurants for lunch. As you are exploring the city with your guide you will pass by the Train station – the first in the country to connect the port of Varna with the town of Ruse on the Danube and provide a commercial link between Europe and Istanbul. You will also have a short stop at the port area to enjoy the view of the bay and the port. Then along the beautiful Sea Garden, the favorite park of the locals, you will drive by the Maritime Museum, the former Greek neighborhood in town, the ruins of the Roman baths. You will visit the Archaeological Museum (depends on the day of the week your visit takes place) to see the Varna Necropolis and its unique findings – some of the gold items were dated 4000 years BC. The museum takes us on a trip through the history of Odessos, the ancient name of the town, revealing layer after layer. You can visit the Orthodox cathedral The Dormition of the Theotokos, dominating the main square in town and rightfully deserving to be one of the city’s landmarks.

After the sightseeing you will have the time to explore the central part of Varna on your own and enjoy a delicious dinner in one of the numerous local restaurants.

O/N in Varna, Hotel Splendid**** (centrally located)
 

Day 6 – Varna – Madara Horseman – Veliko Tarnovo

In the morning, you can spend some free time in Varna and enjoy the beach and the sea, if you are interested.

Then you will drive to the medieval capital of Bulgaria – the town of Veliko Tarnovo. Along the way you will take a short detour to the village of Madara and see another monument from UNESCO’s world heritage list – the Madara Horseman. It is dated to 8th century, the era of the early history of the Bulgarians. It is a relief cut in vertical rocks and depicting a rider on a horse. The horseman is thrusting his spear in a lion at his horse’s feet, there is a dog running behind him and an eagle flying ahead of him. It possibly represents a military victory or a Thracian god. The Madara Horseman is seen as one of the symbols of the Bulgarian State.

After this stop you will continue to drive to Veliko Tarnovo or “the town of noblemen” as it is called in Bulgaria. You will take a stroll along the historical Samovodene street in the Old Town. There you will find a charming handicraft shops and get acquainted with some traditional local crafts like icon-painting, wood-carving, weaving, copper-smithing, silver-smithing, etc. You can even enjoy a cup of Turkish coffee made on hot sand the way it was prepared for the craftsmen and tradesmen 100 years ago.

 

Then you will discover the symbol of the city – the Tsarevets fortification, which was the seat of the kings and the Bulgarian patriarch during the Second Bulgarian Kingdom. The fortress walls and watchtowers, as well as the Patriarch’s church on top of the hill can still be seen. You will also see the so-called Baldwin Tower surrounded by legends and myths where supposedly one of the most prominent leaders of the Fourth Crusade, Baldwin of Flanders was imprisoned and died.

O/N in Veliko Tarnovo, Hotel Bolyarski**** (located right on the Craftsmens’ Street)
 

Day 7 – Veliko Tarnovo – Arbanassi – Ivanovo Rock Churches – Bucharest

You will start the day by exploring the village of Arbanassi, a small architectural gem with houses and churches from the 17th and 18th centuries. The village enjoyed some privileges from the Ottoman sultan and was the residence of rich merchants in the past. Now it is a great and beloved place for both locals and tourists. The most famous church is the Nativity church where you can admire the beautiful fresco depicting the circle of life. Depending on the day of the week you can also see the Konstantzalieva house and learn about the way of life in the 17th century of a wealthy local family. The village offers spectacular views over the town of Veliko Tarnovo.

You will then continue north, for the Romanian border. As you approach the Danube river, you will make your last discovery in Bulgaria: the Ivanovo Rock churches (UNESCO World Heritage), located just outside Ruse. In contrast with the traditional monastery complex which consists of 1-2 churches and a residential part, the Ivanovo cloister represents a network of small churches chapels and cells hewn into the rocks, some 32 meters above the waters of the picturesque canyon of the Rusenski Lom river. The Ivanovo monastery is famous for the beautiful and well-preserved paintings.

After the visit of the churches, you will cross the border and drive for about an hour to the capital city of Romania, Bucharest.

Upon your arrival, you will start discovering the city right away. With a population of just over 2 million, Bucharest is the largest city between Berlin and Athens. Nicknamed “The little Paris” between the two World Wars, Bucharest is, nowadays, a city of contrasts. 45 years of Communist rule changed the aspect of the city dramatically, but still, traces of the old, bohemian times can be found, especially in the French architecture of the residential districts and the famous churches that still survive throughout the Romanian capital.

 

The city tour will give you the opportunity to admire some of the landmarks of Bucharest, such as the Arch of Triumph (inspired by the one in Paris), the Atheneum (Romania’s most famous concert hall), the Revolution Square (where the 1989 anti – Communist revolt went nationwide) ,the Romanian Patriarch’s Church and the Palace of Parliament (also known as the House of the People, the second largest building in the world, after the U.S. Pentagon)

O/N in Bucharest, Hotel Ramada Majestic**** (centrally located)
 

Day 8 – Bucharest – Sinaia – Brasov

In the morning, we depart from Bucharest and head for the mountains of Transylvania. After a 2 hours drive, we arrive in Sinaia, a little town which has always been linked to the Romanian Royal family. Here we visit Peles Castle, an astounding Royal residence, built by Carol I, Romania’s first king, at the end of the 19th century. The King chose the location himself, and the construction took 39 years until the residence was completed. At the time of its building, the castle was one of the most modern buildings in Europe, with electricity, a central vacuum cleaning system and central heating. No expenses were spared in building it, and some of the most famous craftsmen and architects of Europe were employed by the King. The interior decorations are exquisite, with Carrara marble, Murano chandeliers and Venetian mirrors, and some 40 wood types were used for the wood carvings on the walls.

Next, you’ll have your first encounter with the Orthodox faith and Romanian church architecture, by visiting the Sinaia Monastery. The old church was built by a member of the Cantacuzino noble family at the end of the 17th century. Upon returning to his country after a pilgrimage to the Holy Land, he decided to build a monastery that would remind people of Mount Sinai, hence the name Sinaia. The old monastery was the first building in the area (and gave the town its name) and a new church was added to the monastery complex later on, in the 1840′s.

 

In the afternoon, drive to the city of Brasov. Southern Transylvania is famous for its 7 cities which were founded and ruled by the Saxon merchants from the 1200′s on. Brasov is one of the largest towns of the seven, and the central area in the Old Town has a distinct Central European feel to it. You will enjoy a guided walk in the Old Town, and admire sights such as the Black Church (the largest Gothic cathedral in southeastern Europe), the Old Town Square, the old city walls and the St. Nicholas Church, the main church of the Romanian community in the Middle Ages, next to which we also find the very first Romanian language school in the country.

O/N in Brasov, Hotel Casa Wagner***, located right on the Old Town Square.
 

Day 9 – Brasov – Bran Castle – Sighisoara

After breakfast, you will depart Brasov and visit one of the most famous sights in Romania, the Bran Castle (also known as Dracula’s Castle). The castle was built as a military fortress by the merchants of Brasov, so that it could help them overlook and defend the trade route that connected the provinces of Wallachia and Transylvania. At the beginning of the 20th century the city of Brasov donated the castle to the Romanian Royal family, and it became the summer residence of the second queen of the Romanians, Maria. She is the one who renovated the castle extensively in the 1920′s, transforming it from an austere military fortress to a comfortable, yet simple residence.

After the visit, you will have some time to explore the souvenir vendors around the castle, or maybe taste some of the traditional cheeses and palinkas (plum or pear brandy) sold by the locals.

Then you will drive for some 2 hours along the Carpathians to the charming citadel – city of Sighisoara. Sighisoara is, like Brasov, one of the seven cities founded by the Saxons. It stands out, however, due to the fact that the fortification system of the upper town are still largely intact, and this makes Sighisoara the only inhabited citadel in Europe. Upon arrival, you will enjoy a guided walk through the Old Town (UNESCO World Heritage Site), and visit the History Museum (located inside the 800 years old Clock Tower, from the top of which you can enjoy a magnificent view over the whole old town) and the Arms Museum. Then you will make your way up the hill using a wooden, covered staircase built in the 1600′s to facilitate access to the Church – on – the Hill, a beautiful example of Gothic architecture of the 14th century.

Sighisoara is also famous for being the birthplace of Vlad the Impaler, the source of inspiration for the main character of Bram Stoker’s Dracula. Born here in 1431, he became famous as a king of Wallachia in the 1450′s. At the end of your walking tour, you will enjoy a coffee break in the very house where the legendary king was born, and have a look at the only remaining fresco of his father, also a Wallachian king.

Spend the rest of the afternoon on your own, enjoying the old town or taking a rest, and then in the evening, meet your guide for a unique discovery experience. You will take a short drive outside Sighisoara, to a nearby village where an important community of Roma (Gypsies) live.

Tonight, you will learn more about this fascinating, yet controversial people by enjoying a home hosted dinner with the Gabor family from the Gypsy community in the village. It is very rare that Gypsies open their homes to strangers, and that is why this is a great opportunity to discover their culture, history and traditional clothes (you can even try them on!) over an informal, cosy dinner at their place. Most interesting conversations can occur over a glass of home made brandy, as you get the answers to all your questions about this intriguing ethnic group.

After dinner, return to Sighisoara.

O/N in Sighisoara, Hotel Sighisoara***, located in the heart of the old town citadel.
 

Day 10 – Sighisoara – Biertan fortified church – Bicaz gorges – Gura Humorului

In the morning discover some more of Transylvania’s architecture gems, by visiting the Biertan fortified church (UNESCO World Heritage Site). The Saxons are the ones who used this style of architecture extensively in the Transylvanian villages between the 13th and 15th centuries, as a way to protect themselves against the invasions that occurred often. This type of churches is also known as the “peasant fortified churches”, as they were built and maintained by locals. The Biertan curch is the last one to be built according to this pattern, in the early 16th century. For about 200 years after it was built it served as the seat of the Transylvanian Archbishop, thus becoming one of the most important churches in the region. The church has been beautifully restored recently, and the fortification systems are largely intact. A most interesting addition is the room used for married couples whose marriage did not go very smoothly: they would be locked in there for a while with just one spoon, one fork and one plate, and they would have no choice but to share everything and also talk their problems through.

After visiting Biertan church, start driving for the northeastern part of Romania, to the area known as Bucovina. As you drive towards the eastern Carpathians, you will pass through the so called “Szekely land”, a region inhabited mostly by Hungarian ethnics. This will be a great opportunity to learn from your guide about the part this ethnic group played in the history of the region, as well as some of the controversies related to them in Romania’s present day politics.

We’ll continue our journey following one of the most picturesque routes in Romania, through the Bicaz gorges. The gorges, some 7 km long, with mountain walls on both sides of the road measuring up to 300m in height, is not only a breathtaking view, but also a chance to do some souvenir shopping at the local shops in the area. Late in the afternoon we will reach Gura Humorului, and check in at our hotel.

O/N in Gura Humorului, Hotel Best Western**** (centrally located)
 

Day 11 – Gura Humorului – Voronet – Marginea – Sucevita – Moldovita – Gura Humor

Today, after breakfast, you will set out to discover one of Romania’s best preserved, most valuable historical and religious sites, the famous UNESCO World Heritage listed painted monasteries. Built in the 15th and 16th century, they tell us times of turmoil, when the borders of Moldavia were often threatened by the Ottoman Empire. Even though the architecture of the churches is humble, it is the frescoes that made them famous worldwide and each monastery is famous for a specific fresco and color.

The monasteries have been active, with well established, hard – working communities of nuns, ever since the political changes of 1989. Before that, during the Communist times, the monasteries were closed, a situation similar to the 17th and 18th centuries, when the Bucovina region was part of the Catholic Habsburg Empire.

You will start the day by visiting the monasteries of Humor and Voronet. Humor is famous for its vivid frescoes, with red being the predominant color, while Voronet is worldwide known for its “Last Judgement”fresco, also known as the “Sixtine of the East”.

After the morning visits, you will stop for a home hosted lunch in the immediate vicinity of Moldovita Monastery. Your host today is a world renowned egg-painting artist. Egg painting is one of the traditional forms of art in Bucovina, and it is one of the most expressive ways of mixing secular art and creativity with religious symbols and tradition. Besides the opportunity of tasting the home-made, local food of Bucovina, you will also learn more about the art of egg – painting, while watching a demonstration performed by the master herself.

In the afternoon, you will visit the remaining two monasteries at Moldovita and Sucevita.

At Moldovita, the predominant color is yellow, and the most famous fresco is the one depicting the “Siege of Constantinopole”, which took place in the 700′s. The attacking force were the Persians, but the artist painted them wearing uniforms similar to the Ottoman Turks (the image of the “enemy” at that time), while the people inside the fortress of Constantinople are dressed in traditional Moldavian clothes, and even the fortress is very similar to the one in Suceava, the capital of Moldova at that time. The fresco is good evidence on how the artists tried to convey a message addressed to the people of their times, while using important events from the past, mixed with various elements from the local culture and the times when the frescoes were painted.

The last monastery, Sucevita, the last one to be built in Bucovina according to this pattern, at the beginning of the 17th century, is also the largest, boasting an impressive fortification system. The most famous fresco here is the “Stairway to heaven”, depicting the trials a soul has to make its way through after death so that it can finally enter heaven.

Return to Gura Humorului in the afternoon.

O/N in Gura Humorului, Hotel Best Western**** (centrally located)
 

Day 12 – Gura Humor – Borsa – Vadu Izei

Today we will be leaving Moldova, and drive west, to the region called Maramures, a region where traditions and old Romanian way of life are best preserved, and wood carving is the most famous craft. The road today will be scenic, since we will be crossing the Northern Carpathians through the Prislop pass (1000 m – 3000 ft alt.).

Before leaving Bucovina, we will stop in the village of Ciocanesti. The locals here take great pride in their beautiful houses, heavily ornate with floral motifs.

 

Then, as you cross the Carpathians and enter Maramures, you will have the first encounter with the traditional wooden architecture, by visiting the wooden monastery at Barsana. Even though it was built over the last 20 years, the architecture is the traditional one, specific for the area.

After visiting one of the newest wooden monastery complex in Maramures, you will then also visit the oldest church of this type in Maramures (dating back to 1364), located in the village of Ieud, and listed on the UNESCO World Heritage list.

You will arrive in Vadu Izei (a village in Northern Maramures) in the late afternoon, and meet our hosts. This evening, we will stay in a home – run guesthouse in Vadu Izei, and enjoy a typical home cooked dinner.

O/N in Vadu Izei, in a local guesthouse, home cooked dinner included.

Day 13 – Vadu Izei – Sapanta – Sighetu Marmatiei – Vadu Izei

Today you will enjoy a full day of exploring Maramures, probably the area of Romania touched the least by modern civilization.

You will start the day by visiting a local animal market (availability depends on the day of the week you are there), a great opportunity to catch a glimpse of everyday life as it unfolds. Watch the locals bargaining over their products, taste some of the local foods on sale, and discover how hospitable and talkative people from Maramures can be!

 

Then you will visit the Sapanta Merry Cemetery. Now, you might think “merry” and “cemetery” are two terms that don’t generally go together, but that is not what Stan Ioan Patras thought, when he came up with the idea of the colorful wooden crosses and the funny and realistic epitaphs on them. The crosses are ordered and paid by the family of the deceased (or sometimes, even by the deceased himself, while he is still alive), but it’s the carver’s prerogative to come up with the epitaph, which is supposed to be an honest description of the deceased. Was he/she a hard working person? What kind of job did he/she have? Did he/she by any chance enjoy the locally made drinks a bit too much? In what way did death found them? All that, and much more, you are bound to read on the crosses.

Besides the cemetery, you will also visit the house of the carver who is still working on the crosses and epitaphs to be placed in the cemetery in the near future, and learn all about this trade which is being passed on from generation to generation.

Next, you will drive to the nearby city of Sighetu Marmatiei, a major trade center in the past. Here you will visit a museum which stands for one of Romania’s darkest times in history, the Memorial to the Victims of Communism. Communism is responsible for the death of some 100 million worldwide, and even though Romania’s dissidents are just a drop in that ocean, the museum is an excellent place to learn about the way the Communists came to power in the late 40′s, and the years of terror and people that were punished for “thought crime”

In the afternoon, we return to Vadu Izei.

Tonight, another great opportunity to discover more about the local culture awaits: a private folklore show! It will be a very different experience from folklore shows that you might see in a restaurant someplace in a big city, because tonight’s show is as authentic as it gets: the performers are actual villagers, and they will sing and dance the songs that have been passed on from one generation to the next.

O/N in Vadu Izei, in a local guesthouse. Home made dinner with folklore show
 

Day 14 – Vadu Izei – Surdesti – Cluj Napoca – Turda – Cluj Napoca

In the morning, still driving through the beautiful Maramures countryside, you will arrive at the village of Surdesti, where we will visit the wooden church, built in 1766, and until recently, the tallest wooden church in the world (54 meters or 160 ft). Since the Surdesti wooden church belongs to the congregation of the Greek – Catholics in the village, the visit will also be a great opportunity for you to find our from your guide the history of the Romanian Greek – Catholic church, which suffered a great deal under the Communist rule.

After the visit, we will continue down south and enter the area of Transylvania that, for about 1000 years, was under Hungarian rule. Especially in the Northern part of Transylvania, the Hungarian influence is still very visible in the architecture of the cities.

You will pass through the city of Cluj Napoca at around noon, and head straight for the small town of Turda, where we will visit the salt mines. Transylvania is abundant when it comes to salt, and even though there are a number of salt mines in the area, the one at Turda is among the oldest ones, since we have records of salt being mined here more than 2000 years ago. The mine developed greatly under the Austrian rule over Transylvania (the 18th and 19th centuries), and was exploited until 1932.

Recently reopened for visitors, after extensive renovation, the mine is one of the highlights in the area. Narrow corridors that lead to great halls with excellent acoustics (sometimes used for concerts) and underground lakes make these salt mines one of the most famous sights in the area. Some of the old tools are still visible in the mine, as well.

After the visit of the salt mine, you will return to the city of Cluj Napoca. The city is one of Transylvania’s major urban centers, boasting one of the best universities in Romania, hence the lively atmosphere to be found in its streets. The architecture is also different from what you will have seen on the trip so far, as this part of Transylvania was very much influenced by Hungary (and later the Habsburg Empire), so many of the buildings might remind you of Budapest or Vienna.

Join your guide for a guided walk in the central area of Cluj, including the two main cathedrals, one Orthodox and one Catholic, a testimony to the mixed culture of the city, and then enjoy some free time in the late afternoon.

O/N in Cluj Napoca, Hotel Capitolina*** (centrally located)
 

Day 15 – Cluj Napoca – Sibiu

The great medieval city of Sibiu is your destination today. The ride is pretty short (some 2 hours), so you will have almost a full day to discover the city, which, in the Middle Ages, was the most developed and fortified city of the seven that were founded and governed by the Saxons. This is where, for some time in its long history, the governors of Transylvania resided. At its heyday, Sibiu had no less than 7 concentric walls built around the city, as it was an important trading post and was often attacked by various migratory people, and later on by the Turks.

An excellent example of German Gothic architecture, Sibiu was appointed as European Cultural Capital for 2007. It is also the place where the first museum in Romania was open (The Brukenthal Museum) in 1817, only seven years after the National Gallery in London.

Upon arrival, we will take a stroll in its magnificent old center, and visit places such as the Large Square, Small Square, the Catholic Church, Liars’ Bridge. You will have some free time in the afternoon, which you can spend visiting some of the museums in the city, or just relaxing over a cup of coffee or tea on the main square.

O/N in Sibiu, Hotel Casa Luxemburg*** (located on the Old Town Square)
 

Day 16 – Sibiu – Densus Church – Hunyad Castle – Targu Jiu

Today you will stray a bit off the beaten track of most tours and head further into Tranylvania. You will travel west from Sibiu, headed for the region known as Hunedoara.

The exploring of the area will start with a guided visit of the Hunyad Castle, built in the 15th century by Iancu de Hunedoara, a prominent Transylvanian noble, who was also the Regent of Hungary. He was famous for his campaigns against the Ottoman Turks (he lost his life in Zemun, Serbia, after a successful battle with the Ottomans in Belgrade). His son, Matthias, went on to become one of the most famous and revered kings in the history of Hungary.

The castle was built as a comfortable residence for the noble family, and even though it was built in Gothic style, some Renaissance elements were added later on. Some significant parts of the building include the Knights’ Hall, the Club Tower and the Diet Hall, where some of the earliest portraits of some local rulers can still be seen. Also, according to some legends, the castle was where Vlad the Impaler spent a few years as a prisoner after he was deposed in 1462.

Continue to the Densus Church, another sight listed on the UNESCO World Heritage list. It is one of the oldest churches in Romania, generally believed to have been built in the 13th century. The architecture is what makes it unique in the region, since it was built on top of an ancient Roman temple. Some sections were added later, and the stones used to build them were brought from the nearby Roman capital of Sarmisegetusa, where an important urban center had been built right after the Roman conquest in the early 1st century AD.

In the afternoon, you will take a scenic road that will take you through a gorge along the Jiu river, and you will reach today’s destination, the city of Targu Jiu, in the late afternoon. Your hotel is central, and after check in, you might want to cross the street to the main park in town, where you will be able to admire some of the best – known sculptures of Romania’s most famous artist, Constantin Brancusi.

Born in 1876, he lived most of his life in Paris, where he had his workshop, and his work became famous all over the world by the time of his death, in the 1960′s. Most of his works are abroad, but in the main park of Targu Jiu, you can admire some of his most famous sculptures, such as the “The Gate of the Kiss”, “The Table of Silence” and “The Endless Column”. The ensemble, considered to mark the apex of his artistic career, was placed in the park as a memorial to the Romanian soldiers who perished in World War I.

O/N in Targu Jiu, Hotel Antique*** (centrally located)
 

Day 17 – Targu Jiu – Horezu monastery – Curtea de Arges – Poienari – Bucharest

Bucharest is you destination for today, but before you reach it, there is some more exploring of Wallachia to be done on the way.

The first stop will be the Horezu Monastery (UNESCO World Heritage). Built at the end of the 17th century, by Constantin Brancoveanu (a great patron of art and culture), the monastery is nowadays the largest monastical complex in Romania. Even from the beginning, it became a cultural center for Wallachia, since it was here that Brancoveanu decided to also found his personal library, which at present boasts some 4000 volumes of great value.

The monastery is also the most representative example of the so called brancovenesc style of architecture, very popular at the end of the 17th and beginning of 18th centuries in Wallachia. The style is characterized by being the first one in the Romanian territories to embrace influences from Western Europe, such as elements of Renaissance or Baroque are, harmoniously blended with Romanian traditional motifs and architecture.

You will then stop at Curtea de Arges, where you will visit the monastery there. Built at the beginning of the 1500′s, its origins are surrounded by a famous legend in the area: the craftsmen who were building the church, led by a man called Manole, were working hard, but everything they built during the day would just crumble at night time. This went on for a while, and they were hardly able to make any progress until one night, Manole had a dream when he was told that the church needed a human sacrifice in order to be completed and, as such, the first woman bringing food the next morning should be buried inside the church wall. Sadly, the first woman to come in the morning was Manole’s wife, Ana, and she was the one sacrificed so that the church could be completed. The legend also says that after the church was completed, the King was so impressed with its beauty that he became worried that the craftsmen would build another similar church for somebody else, and since he wanted his church to be unique, he took away the scaffolding, leaving the craftsmen stranded on the roof. Following Manole’s idea, they built wings out of the left over wood and tried to fly down, but they crashed and perished, one by one.

This may be a legend, but just outside the church, there is a fountain which marks the supposed place where Manole fell, and in the church, the wall in which Ana was supposedly buried is also marked.

Head north for a short drive towards the Carpathians and visit the Poienari fortress, the actual castle of Vlad the Impaler. It was built right after he made it to the throne, in 1456, and the legend has it that the people who worked here were none others than the nobles whom he had arrested under charges of treason. Not many of them survived to see it completed, since the work conditions were very harsh. Nowadays, it takes a climb of some 1500 steps to make it up to the ruins.

In the afternoon, after another day full of discoveries, you will head to Bucharest. Arrival in the late afternoon, check in at your hotel.

O/N in Bucharest, Hotel Ramada Majestic**** (centrally located)
 

Day 18 – Bucharest, departure

Today, you will say good bye to Romania and the friends you made here. Your guide will escort you to the airport for your flight home.