Fairy tales of Transylvania & Painted Churches of Bucovina - PRIVATE TOUR in 8 days

UNESCO world heritage included on their list a number of 7 of the Fortified Churches and 8 of the Painted Monasteries. We can also organize a traditional lunch in a local lady`s house to make your trip complete.

Private Tour in 8 Days

 

1st Day

We begin our journey after picking you up from airport or accommodation in Bucharest heading to Peles Castle in Sinaia, built (1875 – 1883) by the Romanian Royal family as their summer residence.

Shortly thereafter we will arrive at the most famous castle in Romania, Bran Castle also known as Dracula’s Castle. The document first mentioning its existence dates back to 1377. The castle became a favorite place for Queen Maria, who put her mark on the interior’s renovation, and  was later seized by communists in 1948 after the royals’ expulsion from Romania. Being associated with the story as Dracula’s Castle - as told in the Bram Stoker’s novel of 1897, made it famous all over the world.

Our first medieval city on the list, Brasov, welcomes you now in Transylvania. Brasov is one of the seven medieval cities founded by Saxons over 800 years ago. After checking into our accommodations we shall have a relaxing walk in the Old Town. For dinner, we can go to Poiana Brasov – a well-known mountain resort in Romania very close to Brasov. Also a nice panoramic view of Brasov can be seen.

OVERNIGHT in Brasov

2nd Day

In the morning we will visit the White Tower and the Black Church – the most visited landmarks in Brasov. We head now to the magical land of Bucovina and in the late afternoon we will reach our first painted monastery, in Humor - included in UNESCO World Heritage list. Built in 1530, the painted walls were a message for encouraging the Christians in the fights against the Turkish invaders.

OVERNIGHT in Gura Humorului

3rd Day

Today we discover the profound connection between the two worlds in Bucovina, the human being and the sacred one. We visit another three UNESCO World Heritage sites: the painted monasteries in Voronet, Moldovita and Sucevita.

Often called “the Sistine Chapel of the East”, Voronet monastery still intrigues with its blue color the researches are looking to find out the chemical composition of it since it has lasted over five centuries.

Moldovita monastery was built by Voivode Petru Rares (son of Stephan the Great of Moldavia) in 1532 and its frescoes were painted 5 years later by Toma of Suceava. The yellow accents on the walls are still well preserved.

Sucevita monastery was the last one painted in 1595, also the last one included in UNESCO World Heritage list in 2010, while theother 7 were previously included in 1993.

The legend says the monasteries in Bucovina were built after Stephan III of Moldavia (or Stephan the Great) – probably the most emblematic figure of Bucovina’s history –who won 44 of the 48 battles against Hungary, Poland and the Ottoman Empire. He is perceived by the Romanian Orthodox Church as a defender of the faith and Church. Even Pope Sixtus IV named him Athleta Christi (Champion of Christ) – a title granted by Popes to men who defend Christianity.

We shall later stop at Marginea Black Pottery, which shows you the still living tradition of pottery in Marginea since 1500.

OVERNIGHT in Gura Humorului

4th Day

We head towards the amazing Bicaz Gorge, driving along Bicaz Lake – a beautiful scenery of pure wild nature. Our next stop is the spectacular Praid Salt Mine. Then we go back to Transylvania arriving in another medieval city, Sighisoara and its citadel alsoincluded in UNESCO World Heritage list.

OVERNIGHT in Sighisoara

5th Day

It is time for going deeper in Transylvania and we visit the Saxon villages of Biertan and Malancrav with their Fortified Churches. A local lady is awaiting us with a fresh made lunch in her house. In the late afternoon we will reach Sibiu – a medieval city – European cultural capital in 2007.

OVERNIGHT in Sibiu

6th Day

Today we visit and relax in Sibiu. Small and Large Squares plus Liars’ Bridge are first on the list, then we shall stop for thespectacular panoramic view of the city from Council Tower. We drive very close to Sibiu to the Astra Ethnographic museum – themost important ethno-museum institution in Romania, which welcomes you to see 300 old peasant houses.

OVERNIGHT in Sibiu

7th Day

We have two options to reach Bucharest, one is through the amazing Transfagarasan Road – Top Gear UK TV Show “favorite road in the world” and the other is the easy regular drive. Going through Transfagarasan Road will take at least 2 hours more, due mostly to the endless U turns and reaching an altitude of 2034 meters.  The Transfagarasan road is open from July to October.

OVERNIGHT in Bucharest

8th Day

Depending on the hour of your flight back , we can visit some of Bucharest landmarks.