HIDDEN ROMANIA : The Flavor of Old Europe

Painted monasteries of Bukovina (northern part of Moldavia)

With their painted exterior walls, decorated with 15th- and 16th-century frescoes that are considered masterpieces of Byzantine art, these seven churches in northern Moldavia are unique in Europe. Far from being merely wall decorations, the paintings represent complete cycles of religious murals on all facades. Their outstanding composition, elegant outline and harmonious colours blend perfectly with the surrounding landscape.

A ten day study tour

Day 1 : BUCHAREST ARRIVAL

AM - Arrive in Bucharest - Transfer to a 3-4* hotel central Bucharest. Free time PM - Welcome dinner Overnight in Bucharest Dinner

Day 2, Wednesday : BUCHAREST

AM - Sightseeing tour including Revolution Square (stop) with Romanian Athenaeum, Fine Art Museum (former Royal Palace), Bucharest University Library and Kretulescu Church, ruins of the Old Princely Court and Church (stop), Manuc's Inn, Palace of Parliament (visit), Metropolitan Church (visit), Bucharest University, Romana Square, Victory Square PM - Lunch. Conclude your afternoon at the Village Museum Overnight in Bucharest Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3, Thursday : BUCHAREST – POIANA BRASOV

AM - Breakfast. Depart for Brasov through Sinaia and Bran - Visits to Peles Castle and Sinaia Monastery PM - Lunch at Bran - Visit Bran Medieval Castle - Sightseeing old Brasov including Black Church, Council Square, Town Hall, Weavers' Bastion, Schei Church and First Romanian School in Transylvania. Possibly organ concert in Black Church - Lodging and dinner at a 3 star hotel at Poiana Brasov Overnight at Poiana Brasov Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4, Friday : POIANA BRASOV – SIBIU

AM - Breakfast - Depart to Sibiu through Fagaras. Brief stop at Fagaras Fortress PM - Lodging and lunch at a 3 star hotel in Sibiu - Walking tour old Sibiu including Baroque Brukenthal Palace and Museum (stop and visit), Council Tower, Evangelical Church, Catholic Church, Orthodox Cathedral, Passage of Stairs, Lies' Bridge - Dinner Overnight in Sibiu Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5, Saturday : SIBIU – TARGU MURES

AM - Breakfast. Depart for Targu Mures through Medias and Sighisoara - Visit Biertan Fortified Church PM - Lunch at Biertan. Depart for Sighisoara. Walking tour old citadel including Clock Tower (visit), Citadel Square, Monastery Church, Venetian House, House with Antlers, Dracula's Birthplace, Wooden Covered Stairway - Arrival and lodging at a 3-4 star hotel at Târgu Mures - Dinner at hotel restaurant Overnight at Târgu Mures Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6, Sunday : TARGU MURES – GURA HUMORULUI

AM - Breakfast. Sightseeing Targu Mures including Palace of Culture, County Council, Roman - Catholic Church, Orthodox Cathedral, Reformed Church and Medieval Fortress, Teleky Library (visit) - Depart to Gura Humorului through Bistrita PM - Lunch at Bistrita. Sightseeing tour Bistrita including St Mary's Evangelical Church and Sugalete Passage - Pass the Carpathian Mountains through Borgo Pass - Arrival and lodging at a 3-4 star hotel at Gura Humorului - Dinner Overnight at Gura Humorului Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7, Monday : Painted Monasteries OF BUKOVINA

AM - Breakfast. Visits to Moldovita and Sucevita Painted Monasteries - Marginea and the Black Pottery Workshop PM - Lunch at Radauti - Visits to Humor and Voronet Painted Monasteries - Dinner Overnight at Gura Humorului Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 8, Tuesday : GURA HUMORULUI – IASI

AM - Breakfast. Depart to Iasi through Suceava - Visit Dragomirna Monastery. Sightseeing tour Suceava including ruins of the Princely Court, Monastery of St John the New, Princely Citadel PM - Lunch at Suceava. - Arrival and lodging at a 3-4 star hotel in Iasi - Sightseeing tour of Iasi including Palace of Culture, Metropolitan Cathedral (Holy Relics of Saint Parascheva, protector of Moldavia), Church of the Three Hierarchs, Golia Monastery and Copou Park Overnight in Iasi Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 9, Wednesday : IASI – BUCHAREST

AM - Breakfast. Depart for Bucharest through Roman, Bacau, Focsani, Buzau PM - Wine tasting and lunch at Panciu Vineyards - Arrival and lodging at a 3-4 star hotel central Bucharest - Farewell dinner with folk show Overnight in Bucharest Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 10 / Thursday, May 27 : BUCHAREST DEPARTURE

AM : Breakfast. Transfer to Otopeni Airport

HIGHLIGHTS

- Peles Castle, former royal residence at Sinaia
- Black Church in Brasov, largest Gothic church in south-eastern Europe
- Bran Castle, relating to Dracula's legend
- Medieval towns in Transylvania : Brasov, Sibiu, Medias, Sighisoara (UNESCO World Heritage Site) and Bistrita
- Biertan fortified church (UNESCO World Heritage Sites)
- Painted monasteries of Bukovina (UNESCO World Heritage Sites)
- Dragomirna fortified monastery and its Gothic architecture
- Iasi, the cultural capital of Moldavia
- Wine-tasting at the old cellars of Panciu
- Gems of Romanian folk art and creativity: Village Museum in Bucharest, black pottery workshop at Marginea
- Rural life and civilization of Romanian villages
- Palace of Parliament in Bucharest, second largest building in the world after the Pentagon in US

PRICE

895 Euro/person (suppl. single 250 Euro/person) in double room including accommodation at 3-4 star hotels, full board, local transportation by mini-van, driver and guide services, entrance fees

Valid for 10-15 persons at this price.
Tariffs for a different number of persons will be calculated accordingly.