Balkan Trails S.R.L. 29 Mihail Sebastian St. 050784 Bucharest, Romania Tour operator license #757 Citadels of Transylvania & UNESCO painted monasteries (7 nights) Tour Description: Your exploration of the priceless treasures of old Romania begins at the opulent 19th-century Peles Castle, famous for its sumptuous décor. In Brasov’s medieval Old Town, admire the Black Church, the Old Town Square, and St. Nicholas Church. Proceed to Bran Castle, a former military fortress lovingly renovated in the 1920s by Maria, second queen of Romania. Visit the famous UNESCO World Heritage painted monasteries, renowned for their kaleidoscopic frescoes. Continue your journey along the magnificent Bicaz Gorges and discover the ancient art of egg painting. In the living citadel of Sighisoara, take in the magnificent view from the 800-year-old Clock Tower. Ascend to the Gothic Church on the Hill via a covered staircase built in the 1600s. Later, stop for coffee at the birthplace of Vlad the Impaler. You’ll visit the home of a family of gypsies—an uncommon opportunity experienced by a select few. In Sibiu, tour the most secure of the region’s Saxon strongholds. At its height, Sibiu boasted seven protective walls around the city. The Saxons also built Biertan and other “peasant fortified churches” to protect themselves during the tumultuous Middle Ages. At Curtea de Arges, visit the breathtaking 14th-century monastery teeming with tales of desperation and human sacrifice. Finally, climb the steep steps to Vlad the Impaler’s Poienari Fortress, which provides the ultimate strategic view over the landscape below. Tour Highlights: • explore the charming medieval towns of Brasov, Sighisoara and Sibiu • tour Romania’s two most famous castles: Peles and Bran • discover the world famous painted monasteries of Bucovina and learn of their crucial role in the history of the Romanians • visit a family of Transylvanian Gypsies in their home, a great opportunity to learn more about their culture and lifestyle • learn about the ancient art of egg-painting in Bucovina • 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, meet up with your guide, and rejuvenate after your flight at the sleek Berthelot hotel, situated right in the center of town. It’s a wonderful starting point for an investigation of the deep history and diverse culture of the city. Traditionally a center for intellectualism, the arts, and avant-garde thought, Bucharest experienced a significant interruption with the advent of Communism in Romania. The present-day capital still holds obvious remnants of this epoch in the form of Ceausescu-related monuments constructed on a grand scale. Surviving French-influenced architecture exists side-by-side with cool, modern office buildings to complete Bucharest’s current incarnation. Follow your guide on a city tour, and glean an exclusive perspective on the daily life of this outstanding 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 – Peles Castle - Sinaia monastery - Brasov After breakfast, depart directly for Transylvania. Stop off at Peles Castle, the magnificent 19th-century royal palace. The original outfitting of the décor left no stone unturned, and today, it remains exactly as it was: dripping with marble, crystal, and priceless accoutrements carved of exotic wood. Next, take a small side trip to view the Sinaia monastery, the Romanian Orthodox church that inspired the name of this high resort town. Next, discover the picturesque city center of Brasov on a guided walk through the Old Town. Explore the vast Black Church and the Old Town square, surrounded by beautifully-preserved medieval houses. A visit to the old city walls and fortifications completes your experience; spend the remainder the day and evening at your leisure, perhaps sipping tea in one of the city’s excellent cafés. Overnight in Brasov, Hotel Armatti*** (located in the Old Town) Day 3: Brasov - Bran Castle - Bicaz Gorges - Gura Humorului This morning, you’ll have the chance to tour one of Romania’s most loved and renowned sites: the breathtaking Bran Castle (widely associated with the fictional Dracula, despite the warm 1920s décor instituted by Queen Marie). After your tour, be sure to check out the wares of the souvenir merchants surrounding the castle and sample some of the culinary specialties of the region: cheeses, pálinka (plum and pear brandy), and meats preserved in the traditional way. Next, press on to Bucovina by way of the heart-stopping Bicaz Gorges. The view is truly unbelievable, and you may stop along the way to peruse the offerings of the local souvenir shops. Arrive in Gura Humorului in the late afternoon. Overnight in Gura Humorului, Hotel Casa Humor**** Day 4: Full day exploration of the painted monasteries; home hosted lunch After breakfast, set out to discover Romania’s kaleidoscopic painted monasteries, each celebrated for the use of a certain predominating color. Begin at the monasteries of Humor, celebrated for its vibrant reds; and Voronet, where you’ll learn about Saint Daniil the Hermit. At midday, you'll stop at a local museum, established by a world-renowned egg-painting artist. This for of art, exacting and complex, remains one of the most important traditional art forms in Bucovina. You’ll discover how to identify both secular influences and religious symbolism within the intricate designs. Later in the day, you’ll tour the remaining two monasteries: Moldovita, dominated by the use of yellow, and Sucevita, featuring extensive medieval fortifications. Return to Gura Humorului in the afternoon. Overnight in Gura Humorului, Hotel Casa Humor**** Day 5: Gura Humorului - Popa Ethnographical Museum - Gypsy home visit - Sighisoara Before leaving Bucovina, diverge from the beaten path to discover the extraordinary Nicolae Popa Ethnographic Museum, located in the home of the renowned Naïve sculptor. The incredible collections document Romanian peasant tradition, and represent a cultural labor of love carried out by the artist. Next, you’ll set out in the direction of southern Transylvania. On the way, stop for a fascinating cultural adventure in a Roma (Gypsy) village. Learn more about these enigmatic, sometimes misconstrued nomads as you are welcomed at the home of the Gabor family. It is truly uncommon for Gypsies to open their lives to outsiders, but you will be given the exclusive opportunity to discover the details of their cultural history, day-to-day lives, customs, and traditional costume—which you’ll be invited to try on. As the afternoon progresses, you may find yourself deep in conversation over coffee and cake as you receive explanations to all of your queries about Gypsy life. Following this rare and wonderful experience, proceed to medieval Sighisoara, where you’ll be taken on an abbreviated orientation walk before dinner. Overnight in Sighisoara, Hotel Sighisoara*** (located inside the Citadel) Day 6: Sighisoara - Biertan fortified church - Sibiu When you awaken, delight in a guided walk through the center of the UNESCO World Heritage Old Town in Sighisoara. You’ll find yourself in the middle of a perfectly-preserved medieval citadel, surrounded by fortifications and filled with the secrets of the past. Visit the History Museum inside the Clock Tower, and climb the unusual, centuries-old covered staircase to the Church on the Hill, a lovely surviving example of the Gothic architecture of the Middle Ages. Sighisoara is also known as the 1431 birthplace of Vlad the Impaler, merciless warlord and fierce defender of Transylvania against the Ottoman Turks. Next, take an engrossing tour of the Biertan Church, a significant UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Saxon townspeople did not skip steps when it came to the protection of their villages, and through a complex system of fortifications, thick doors, and multiple locks, they were able to successfully secure both themselves and their valuables. Today, you’ll explore Biertan, a gorgeous example of the “peasant fortified church” and the very last of its kind. Afterwards, drive on to exquisite Sibiu, arriving in the late afternoon. After you check into your hotel, meet your guide for a relaxed walking tour of the medieval old town, the most heavily fortified of all Saxon cities. As a critical trading post, Sibiu experienced frequent assaults, and the townspeople responded ingeniously. Overnight in Sibiu, Hotel Casa Levoslav**** (located in the Old Town) Day 7: Sibiu - Transfagarasan road - Poienari fortress - Curtea de Arges monastery - Bucharest Today, you’ll strike out for Bucharest - you'll travel along the breathtaking Transfagarasan road, which crosses the Carpathians at an altitude of over 2000 m (6000 ft) - making two fascinating stops along the way. First, climb more than a thousand steps to the ruins of Poenari Castle, the evocative cliff-side home of Vlad the Impaler. The cruel prince of Wallachia chose the location for its inaccessibility, used forced hard labor to fortify it, and ended up with an eagle’s eye view of any oncoming attacker. Next, take a small expedition to the monastery at Curtea de Arges, a living architectural phenomenon and the dreamlike inspiration for local archetypes, myths, and legends. Continue to Bucharest, arriving in the afternoon. *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 Bucharest, Hotel Berthelot**** (centrally located) Day 8: Bucharest, departure This will be your last day in Romania.