CULTURE AND TRADITION IN ROMANIA

with FriendsTravel.com

Including the Moldovita train

Day 1: BUCHAREST

Arrive in Bucharest, Romanian’s center of cultural and economic life; once called “Little Paris” because of its tree-lined boulevards and “fin de siècle” architecture. We’ll have a panoramic tour of the city, including visits to: the Village Museum – an open air museum of old houses from villages all over the country, meticulously reassembled in a huge city park – and voted the European Museum of the Year in 1996, the People’s House (the second largest building in the world – after the Pentagon), the former dictator Ceausescu’s last building project. Dinner and overnight at the Continental Hotel, a first class located in the center of town near the former Royal Palace. If time permitting, an opera performance this evening.

Day 2: SINAIA / BRASOV

By deluxe private coach we will drive north via the beautiful Prahova Valley to Sinaia. Called “the pearl of the Carpathians”, Sinaia is one of the most beautiful towns in the region and also a luxurious spa. Here we visit an architectural jewel – the Peles Castle, one of the best-preserved royal palaces in Europe. It served as the summer residence and final resting place for several Romanian monarchs including King Carol I. Then, on our way to Brasov, we’ll tour Bran Castle (also known as Dracula’s Castle), which inspired Bram Stoker to write the famous novel about Count Dracula. The evening will end with dinner and a symphonic orchestra and ballet performance at the citadel. Overnight in Brasov at the Aro Palace Hotel, a first class hotel with a beautiful art-deco façade.

Day 3: BRASOV / SIGHISOARA

In Brasov, one of the best preserved Saxon fortresses, we will visit the magnificent Black Church – the largest gothic style church between Vienna and Istanbul., and the medieval city center. Then we will be transported back in time when we continue to Sighisoara, overlooking a picturesque valley of ancient villages and boasting a fantastic fortress church. In this perfectly preserved medieval town, we will see the famous Clock Tower Museum and its torture room, and the Evangelical church. Since Sighisoara is also the place where prince Vlad the Impaler, alias Dracula, was born in 1431, we will have lunch at the prince’s birthplace, now a lovely restaurant. Dinner and overnight at Hotel Sighisoara, located in the center of the old town.

Day 4: PIATRA NEAMT

Today travel to north-eastern Romania – Moldavia. We will stop for lunch at Lacu Rosu (the Red Lake), a natural dam lake with a very strange look; before the lake formed, there was a forest here that is now covered with water. All over the lake’s surface you can still see tree stumps jutting out of the water. We will continue our journey via the Bicaz Gorges, towards one of the prettiest towns in Moldavia, Piatra Neamt. On the way, we will visit the oldest monastery in the area, dating from the 14th century – Bistrita Monastery. Finally we arrive in the town whose history is linked to the great medieval personality of Stephen the Great, who built the church of St. John, here in 1497. The church is a lovely example of Moladvian architecture. Dinner and overnight Central Hotel, located in the city center.

Day 5: GURA HUMORULUI

Following breakfast, we will visit tow centers of spirituality, Agapia and Varatec monasteries, which house the largest community of nuns in the world! (Nearly 2,500 nuns – more than Meteora in Greece). Visit the workshop of the nuns to see them at work making carpets for export. Continue to Gura Humorului for dinner accompanied by a folklore show and overnight at the first class Bucovina Hotel.

Day 6: MOLDOVITA / SUCEVITA / VORONET

Today we discover the fabulous painted monasteries of Moldovita, Sucevita & Voronet. The monasteries have been included in UNESCO’s World Heritage list and are exquisite and uniquely beautiful gems. We will tour the first two monasteries, Moldovita & Sucevita, richly decorated “albums” of fresco art that have survived the elements since the 15th century. Then we’ll stop to see the black pottery center at Marginea, to see how the pottery is made and for an opportunity to purchase pieces if we like. Then we will continue to Voronet monastery – called the Sistine Chapel of Eastern Europe, famous world wide for it original blue, known as the “blue of Voronet”. Dinner and overnight in Gura Humorului at the Bucovina Hotel.

Day 7: MOLDOVITA NARROW GAUGE STEAM TRAIN

As a special treat on our final day we’ll enjoy a trip on our privately chartered narrow gauge steam train on the forestry railway in Moldovita and a picnic lunch along the banks of the Moldovita River. This evening a special good-bye dinner in a traditional Romanian restaurant, then we board an overnight train with 1st class sleeping compartments for our journey back to Bucharest.

Day 8: BREAKFAST / DEPART

At arrival in Bucharest we’ll have breakfast in a restaurant near the North Railway Station and then transfer to the airport for our flight home. Larger and smaller groups are possible and priced upon request. Private limo transfers can be  pre-arranged.  EMAIL FriendsTravel@earthlink.net

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