Country & People In Eastern Europe Tour

Romania is one of the newest welcomed countries in the European Union, but in fact, it is an old country in the Balkans. During our trip, you will discover a country in full development. Besides the important cultural objectives and the UNESCO- world cultural heritage we organized for your meetings with locals from each region you will visit, but also dinners with local families so that you will find out more about the country and the people living here.

Let us surprise you!!!

Itinerary:

Day 1: Arrival in Bucharest- City tour in Bucharest (50 km)

The journey begins and ends in Bucharest. Meet with the English-speaking guide at the airport/ train station and transfer to the hotel in Bucharest. A refreshing break follows the city tour with the visitation of Bucharest`s main touristic attractions: Press House, the Kisselef boulevard, the Arch of Triumph, Victory square, the Victoriei boulevard, Revolution square, the Cotroceni palace, the Palace of Parliament, and of course the old streets like the Lipscani street. Dinner with Romanian specialties.

Day 2: Bucharest - Ploiesti - Sinaia - Brasov (190 km)

After visiting the Palace of Parliament, the second largest building in the world after the Pentagon we head north towards Brasov. On our way, we will see the well-known oil fields in Ploiesti. For lunch, we stop in Sinaia. After lunch, we visit the summer residence of the Romanian royal family. A modern palace was built at the end of the 19th century, which is the main attraction in Sinaia. The kings were Prussian Germans from the Hohenzollern von Singmaringen family. In the afternoon we arrive in Brasov. Dinner and overnight accommodation in the "City of the Crown".

Day 3: The Middle-Aged City Brasov and Citadels of the Bârsa Land (60 km)

After breakfast, we begin our city tour in Brasov (almost 3 hours on foot). You get to see the main touristic features of this middle-aged city inside the Carpathian Arch: the council hall, the Black Church (inside visitation included), the Weaver`s Bastion (inside visitation included), the Black and the White Tower, the Schei quarter, etc. Lunch break in the old center of the city. In the afternoon we drive to Bran where we will visit Dracula Castle. Next, we will visit the peasant`s citadel in Rasnov. Dinner in Brasov with Transylvanian-Saxon specialties.

Day 4: Fortified churches and citadels in the Carpathian Arch - the gateway to Moldavia (250 km)

After breakfast, we head northeast. First, we will visit the fortified church in Prejmer the most important and best-preserved fortified church in Transylvania. After a short walk on the battlement parapet and after seeing the famous "Death Organ" we are invited for coffee and cake at one of the local families.

Next, we drive through Miercurea Ciuc and Gheorgheni in Moldavia to Piatra Neamt. On our way, we pass through the spectacular Bicaz Gorge. Dinner and overnight accommodation in Piatra Neamt.

Day 5: Monasteries in Moldavia and in Bukovina : Varatec - Agapia - Voronet - Humor (150 km)

Today we will find out more about Moldavia and Bucovina (the northern part of Moldavia). First, we visit the nuns` monastery at Varatec. After a short walk through the woods we will arrive at the Agapia monastery, the largest nuns` monastery in Romania. Here the church still has a unique fresco on the inside.

Next, we will visit the "the Sixteen Chapel of the east in blue"- The monastery at Voronet, one of the best-preserved monasteries from the 15th century which holds an amazing blue-toned fresco on the outside. Late in the afternoon, we will also visit the monastery in Humor, founded by a noble family. Dinner and overnight accommodation in Gura Humorului.

Day 6: UNESCO-World cultural heritage in Bucovina: Sucevita - Moldovita - Viseu de Sus (210 km)

After breakfast, we get ready to visit the UNESCO monasteries in Bucovina and in Moldavia. First, we visit Arbore. Passing through the ceramics workshop at Marginea we go to Sucevita to visit the so-called "Pearl of the Moldavian monasteries".

Next, we will visit the Moldovita monastery where one of the nuns will tell us more about the everyday life of the nuns here at the monastery. In the afternoon we cross the Carpathians and arrive in Maramures. Overnight accommodation in Viseu de Sus. Dinner at a "Zippzer" family (Zippzer -German minority in northern Romania).

Day 7: The wood architecture of Maramures: Ieud - Barsane - Sapanta - Sighetu (100 km)

We dedicate today to the amazing wood architecture here in Maramures. We visit the 16th-17th-century monasteries in Bogdan Voda, Ieud Barsane und Rozalvea. The tall wooden gates complement today`s scenery. Next, we will also visit the famous "merry cemetery" in Sapanta and a wooden sculpture workshop. Dinner and overnight accommodation in Sighetu Marmatiei.

Day 8: Sighetu Marmatiei - Baia Mare - Cluj Napoca (210 km)

Firstly we will visit the Memorandum, a museum built in an old jail for political prisoners. Here we will understand better Communism and all of its impact on Romania. Drive to Baia Mare and visitation of the beautiful city center. In the afternoon city tour in Cluj Napoca, the old capital of Transylvania. Dinner and overnight accommodation in Cluj Napoca.

Day 9: Cluj Napoca - Alba Iulia - Sibiu (170 km)

Early in the morning, we drive to Alba Iulia- historically the most important city in Romania, it is the city where Romania as a country was founded. City tour and lunch break. Next, we drive to Sibiu. City tour in the European Cultural Capital 2007 (almost 3 hours). Overnight accommodation in Sibiu.

Day 10: Sibiu - Bucharest; Return Voyage (270 km)

After breakfast, we drive through Valea Oltului and Pitesti to the airport/ train station in Bucharest. Here you say goodbye to the guide. Return voyage.

Included Services:

Trip in Romania from/to Bucharest

An English-speaking guide from/to Bucharest

Modern air-conditioned coach from/to Bucharest

9 x overnight accommodation in very nice middle-class hotels/pensions (double room with own bath)

Half board 9 x breakfast, 9 x dinner

Entrance tickets according to the program

Meetings with locals (peasants, nuns, manufacturers, etc.)

One free place starting with 20 participants

Not included (Optional):

Single room supplement

Arrival/departure by flight or bus

Lunch

Photo fees

Trip cancellation insurance

Alcoholic drinks or other private costs (souvenirs etc.)