A 10 days tour to the north of Romania, which includes visits to the painted churches in Bucovina and the wooden churches in Maramures. The visits are not made just hopping in and out of the car, but walking through the hills and mountains to reach a new church or a remote hamlet.
The tour is focused on admiring the nature and landscape, talking with locals and taste de home made and home grown products of our hosts.
Day 1:
Late after noon flight to Iasi. Accommodation to 4* hotel, central location. Dinner independent.
Day 2:
10.00 A small stroll in town, before departure to Bucovina. Stop on the way to visit one church (the first one to be painted). Accommodation in Bucovina. Casa Felicia, Sucevita.
Diner and accommodation with village families for the next 4 nights.
Day 3:
Walk from your accommodation to visit Sucevita painted church. Continue a 4 hours walk through a beautiful forest to Putna monastery. Return by car to the accommodation.
Picnic lunch. Dinner with our hosts. Same overnight accommodation.
Day 4:
We walk today to Moldovita painted church (6 hours walk). During the walk we have wonderful views over the mountains and hamlets.
Moldovita, build in 1532 and painted in 1537, is known for the specialists as the yellow painted church.
Picnic lunch. Dinner with our hosts. Same overnight accommodation.
Day 5:
We visit in the morning the peasant market in Marginea, where locals sell their livestock and vegetables.
Then we do a small walk (2 hours) over the hills and through the villages to reach Humor painted church. The small church of Humor is designed as the red one and it has similarities with the church of Moldovita.
Before the dusk visit Voronet, the Sistine Chapel of Orient and understand the famous painting of the Last Judgment.
Picnic lunch. Dinner with our hosts. Same overnight accommodation.
Day 6:
Today we cross Carpathians to reach Maramures, the land of wood. Maramures is a region up north Romania, surrounded by mountains and with picturesque meadows and valleys, where people still wear their traditional clothes everyday. The region is also famous for the small timber houses, with huge wooden entrance gates and for the wooden churches competing to reach the sky.
Independent lunch, on the way. Dinner and overnight accommodation with village families, for the next 4 nights, Pensiunea Marioara, in Breb.
Day 7:
Today is a challenge for walking, to climb Gutai mountain. We will be driven to the starting point, then we start an easy hike, before taking the path to the peak (2 ½ hours hike). We descend from the peak to continue our hike back to village (3 ½ hours walk). 6 hour walking. Picnic.
Day 8:
Around 10.30 we go to the church to see people coming in their Sunday best. After the service, we walk today from village to village to explore the countryside. During the walk we have the chance to visit a traditional wooden church, UNESCO heritage.
Picnic lunch. Dinner with our hosts. Same overnight accommodation.
Day 9:
Drive to a Monday peasant market, on Iza valley. After the market, we visit Ieud Unesco heritage church and start from there a beautiful walk over the hills, with stunning views. 4 hours walk. A rug workshop can be visited in Botiza.
Day 10:
With visits on the way, we descend south towards Cluj Napoca for your flight with Wizzair at 18:05 Lunch independent, on the way.
Cost of the tour:
Included: comfortable accommodation everywhere, with dinners and breakfasts, as mentioned above; transport by minibus in Romania, with services of English-speaking guide.
Not included: return flights; lunches (see above); drinks; entrance fees; tips; insurance.
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