CULTURE, TRADITION &THE PAINTED MONASTERIES            5 nights / 6 days

This tour will take us through all three provinces that formed modern Romania in the 19th century – Wallachia, Transylvania and Moldavia. Religion has played a leading role in the tumultuous history of Romania. The Daces, the ancestors of Romanians, were worshippers of Zamolxis, a pagan god, and believed in the immortality of soul. During the last century of Roman rule the Romanians became Christians (the 3rd century).

Throughout Romania there are churches and monasteries, of various religions, as proof of the cultural diversity and tolerance of Romanians.

We will visit the Patriarchal Church in Bucharest. Going north you will visit the Neamt Monastery. Entering deeper into Moldavia the tour will continue with the painted monasteries of Southern Bucovina, Moldovita, Sucevita, Humor and Voronet, with their splendid, medieval frescoes of redemption and damnation. The tour will also include Bran Castle, known as Dracula’s Castle because Vlad Tepes had been imprisoned there for a short period of time, and Peles Castle in Sinaia.

Day 1:  BUCHAREST – BRASOV – MIERCUREA CIUC                                                        Morning sightseeing tour of Bucharest, including The Patriarchal Church (built 1655-1668). Departure to Brasov and a visit to its medieval centre. We then continue to Miercurea Ciuc.   Day 2:  MIERCUREA CIUC – PIATRA NEAMT – BUCOVINA                                                    After breakfast departure to Piatra Neamt passing through the breath-taking Bicaz Gorge. We continue with a visit to Neamt monastery, the oldest in Moldova and the largest male monastery in Romania. Then on to Bucovina, the land of the painted monasteries. We will visit Voronet . Its superb frescoes have led to Voronet being named the “Oriental Sistine Chapel”. The colours and in particular, the “Voronet blue”, are most intense on a rainy day, just before sunset.                                                                                                                               Day 3:  BUCOVINA                                                                                                                                  Breakfast. This day is dedicated to the visit of the Humor, Moldovita and Sucevita monasteries.                                                                                                                                        Day 4:   BUCOVINA – BISTRITA - SIGHISOARA                                                              Breakfast. We leave Bucovina passing through Paso Borgo (stop at Hotel Dracula). After a short stop in Bistrita, a town that still preserves its medieval buildings, we continue to Tirgu Mures – know as “the city of the roses”. We end the day in Sighisoara.
Day 5:   SIGHISOARA - BRAN - BRASOV
Breakfast. Visit to the medieval citadel with its mighty Clock Tower and the house where Vlad Tepes (Dracula) was born. We continue to Bran and visit  the famous "Dracula's" Castle before arriving in Brasov.
Day 6:   BRASOV -  SINAIA - BUCHAREST
Departure to Sinaia. Visit to Peles Castle and the monastery before returning to Bucharest.

Departure dates from Bucharest - 2006:
27 Aug, 03 Sep, 17 Sep, 01 Oct & 15 Oct

Tour prices: 495 Euros per person (equiv. £323)
Single room supplement: add 105 Euros (equiv. £71)

Included in tour price:

  • 5 nights bed & breakfast in quality hotels

  • English-speaking guide

  • De luxe coach on the tour

  • Visits as per the programme

Remember to add-on; flights, transfers and Bucharest hotels if required.

For reservations, information or assistance, please contact:

Email: james@justromania.co.uk    Tel: 01243 536323

or the agency in Bucharest: Email: fantastic@fantastictours.ro