Best of Romania (8 Nights)

Balkan Trails S.R.L. 29 Mihail Sebastian St. 050784 Bucharest, Romania Tour operator license #757 Best of Romania (8 nights) Tour Description: Begin your tour in Bucharest and drive into the wild Transylvanian landscape, immersing yourself in traditional culture and medieval lore. At Curtea de Arges, visit the 14th-century monastery haunted by tales of sorrow. At Poienari Castle, ascend to the throne of Vlad the Impaler, who forced captured nobility into hard labor to rebuild his fortress. Visit the heavily-fortified Saxon city of Sibiu, then proceed to Sighisoara, a gorgeous inhabited citadel. Take a detailed walking tour of the Old Town, have coffee at the birthplace of Vlad the Impaler and end the day in the historically significant town of Alba Iulia. Next, discover Surdesti, among the tallest wooden churches in the world; tour the ancient salt mines at Turda; and visit the modern urban and academic center of Cluj Napoca. Cross the Carpathians to Maramures, and experience a living medieval landscape. Tour the bright Merry Cemetery, visit the home of the woodcarver, and learn all about his unique generational trade. In Vadu Izei, you’ll be treated to an exclusive show of folkloric song and dance. Visit the famous UNESCO World Heritage painted monasteries, famous for their color schemes and priceless frescoes. Journey through the spectacular Bicaz Gorges, a seven - kilometer stretch with towering cliffs on both sides of the road. In Brasov, admire the Black Church, the Old Town Square, and the legendary St. Nicholas Church. Proceed to Bran Castle, renovated in full 1920s style by Maria, Queen of Romania. Witness the royal opulence of the 19th-century Peles Castle, and wind down your tour at the 17th-century Sinaia Monastery. Tour Highlights: • explore Bucharest, the Romanian capital • discover the charming medieval cities of Sibiu, Sighisoara and Brasov • tour Romania's two most famous castles, Peles and Bran • visit the stunning, ancient salt mines at Turda • explore Maramures, the area where ancient traditions are still preserved and marvel at the famous wooden churches the region is known for • dance and sing along with the locals of Maramures over home cooked food and home brewed “horinca” (local brandy) • visit the UNESCO painted monasteries of Bucovina, and learn about the crucial role they played in Romania's history • explore 7 of Romania's UNESCO World Heritage sites • enjoy the services of a private, licensed tour guide, who will uncover the best sights along your route • overnight in centrally located, quaint, locally-owned 3 and 4 star hotels, perfect for exploring on own Day-by-Day Itinerary Day 1: Arrival in Bucharest, city tour Arrive in Bucharest and settle into the modern, comfortable Berthelot Hotel. You’ll meet your guide and find everything you need to rest, recoup, and prepare for your Romanian adventure. Bucharest, capital and cultural heart of Romania, offers a vibrant, energized, urban start to your tour. This buzzing Eastern European hub features stark architectural contrasts, an international art scene, dynamic nightlife, and cutting-edge performing arts. Your guide will take you on an exciting city tour, giving you an insider’s glimpse into the unique soul of this remarkable city. *should you travel to Bucharest on a flight that arrives late in the afternoon or evening, the city tour can also be done the next morning Overnight in Bucharest, Hotel Berthelot**** (centrally located) Day 2: Bucharest – Curtea de Arges - Poienari castle - Transfagarasan road - Sibiu Today, you’ll journey to the medieval Transylvanian city of Sibiu. On the way, make a stop at the Cathedral of Curtea de Arges, an architectural wonder featuring cupolas that seem to lean and twist at impossible angles. Its construction in the early 1500s, marred by obstacles and delays, resulted in the legendary sacrifice of Ana, wife of the head architect; she is said to rest within the walls of the cathedral. Next, drive north into the wild Carpathian Mountains to ascend 1,480 steps to the 13th-century Poenari Castle, famed stronghold of Vlad the Impaler. Its enormous size, impossibly high cliffs, and strategic location provided him with the perfect vantage point for maintaining power and control. During an infamous siege by the Turks, Vlad’s wife, Jusztina of Moldavia, flung herself from the steep precipice to avoid being taken prisoner by her enemies. On your voyage to Sibiu, you’ll drive on the renowned (and relatively new) Transfagarasan Road. The route traverses the Carpathian Mountains at 6000 feet, and the views—miles of misty cliffs and hairpin turns—are spectacular. No wonder it’s considered by the BBC Top Gear team to be “the best road in the world.” After your journey, arrive in the idyllic Saxon settlement of Sibiu. Your guide will take you on a walking tour of the medieval Old Town, historic center of the most heavily protected of all Saxon cities. Visit the iron-cast Bridge of Lies, the extensive, labyrinthine fortifications, and the Passage of Stairs. *please note the Transfagarasan road is open only between June and September. If your tour takes place outside this period, you will travel on the road going along the Olt river valley Overnight in Sibiu, Hotel Casa Levoslav**** (located in the Old Town) Day 3: Day trip to the Biertan fortified church and Sighisoara Today, set out for a day trip to Sighisoara. On the way, stop to view the 16th-century Biertan Church (UNESCO World Heritage Site), the last “peasant fortified church” ever built. The door of the sacristy features an elaborate system of locks, securing its valuables with a system of thirteen points blocking the door. Next, the citadel of Sighisoara beckons; you’ll have the chance to explore the 12th-century citadel, the oldest in Europe continuously inhabited since it construction. Take a guided walk through the Old Town (UNESCO World Heritage Site) and visit the 14th-century clock tower—the citadel’s main gate and original home of the city council—which now houses a history museum. From the top, a magnificent view of the Old Town spreads out before you. Ascend the long, covered Scholars’ Staircase, built in 1642, to the Church on the Hill, a beautiful Gothic landmark marking the southern end of the citadel. Sighisoara takes its place in history as the birthplace of Vlad the Impaler, ruthless and bloodthirsty warrior and Prince of Wallachia. The house where he was born in 1431 now serves as a restaurant and café. Return to Sibiu in the late afternoon. In the afternoon, drive to Alba Iulia, seat of the Roman Catholic diocese in Transylvania. The union of Transylvania with the rest of the country was proclaimed here on December 1, 1918 (Romania’s National Holiday). The town’s most impressive feature is its fortress, beautifully restored in recent years. Overnight in Sibiu, Hotel Transilvania**** (located near the citadel) Day 4: Sibiu - Turda salt mines - Cluj Napoca - Surdesti wooden church - Vadu Izei Today, drive toward Maramures, an area where local traditions and culture have scarcely altered over the centuries. On the way, visit Salina Turda, one of the oldest salt mines in the region. This vast, highly unusual underground landmark is characterised by stalactites, a subterranean lake, and enormous, illuminated machinery. Your next stop is the city of Cluj Napoca, a young, vivacious metropolitan center. One of Romania’s foremost universities is located here, making for a fun, energised street vibe. Join your guide for a stroll in the central area of Cluj. After your tour, head north to see the famed wooden architecture and carved gates of Maramures, a region immediately surrounded by untamed wilderness and vast reserves of wildlife. Visit the towering 18th- century wooden church at Surdesti (UNESCO World Heritage Site), which is devoted to Archangels Michael and Gabriel. Spend tonight at a family-run guesthouse in the village of Vadu Izei. Home-cooked dinner included. Overnight in Vadu Izei, in a family run guesthouse, home cooked dinner included Day 5: Full day in Maramures Experience the luxury of devoting a full day to cultural exploration of Maramures. Its traditions and medieval landscape are virtually untouched by the passage of time. Check out the local market, filled with culinary delicacies and convivial exchanges between neighbors; then visit the Merry Cemetery in Sapanta. Here, an explosion of festive color belies the existence of a graveyard, unabashedly celebrating the lives of those who have passed. Hand-painted imagery in the naïve style depicts significant life events, providing an alternate view of death that may have its roots in the era of the Dacians, the ancestors of the Romanians. You’ll even visit the studio of the woodcarver, and hear all about this cheerful, unexpected artistic tradition. Next, tour the tallest wooden structure in existence: the iconic Peri Monastery. Towering over the landscape at 250 feet, the monument exemplifies the incredibly high standards of living traditional craftsmanship. Next, proceed to the nearby city of Sighetu Marmatiei, where you’ll tour the Memorial to the Victims of Communism. The Communist era, decidedly forceful and oppressive, dominated the psyche of everyone it touched, effectively changing the way people were allowed to think and approach their lives. Tonight, release all remembrances of difficult times at an exclusive folkloric show—an exceedingly rare opportunity to glimpse local traditions of song and dance passed down through the generations. Overnight in Vadu Izei, in a family run guesthouse, home cooked dinner included Day 6: Vadu Izei - Barsana monastery - Borgo pass - monasteries at Sucevita & Moldovita - Gura Humorului Today, you’ll drive to the Bucovina region in the northeastern Carpathian Mountains, renowned for its treasured UNESCO World Heritage Painted Monasteries. Along the way, enjoy the unparalleled open countryside and discover the beautiful wooden church in Barsana.

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