Classical Tour of Romania 2009 / Transylvania & The Monasteries of Bucovina

Saturday

Transfer to your hotel. Check-in. In the afternoon guided walking tour of Bucharest city centre (subject to the flight schedule).

Dinner and accommodation - 3* hotel.

Sunday

In the morning panoramic sightseeing tour of Bucharest with a stop at the Cathedral of the Patriarchate, then departure to Curtea de Arges, former capital of Wallachia . Visit the Episcopal Church where the Romanian Kings are buried. Lunch en route. Drive along the picturesque Olt Valley to Cozia Monastery (visit) and Sibiu, one of the oldest towns in Transylvania - formerly Hermannstadt - founded by the Saxon colonists. Guided walking tour of the medieval town (the Main Square , the Evangelical Church and the Liar’s Bridge etc.). Dinner and accommodation in a 3-star hotel in Sibiu.

Monday

Morning drive to Biertan to visit the impressive fortified church. Drive on to Sighisoara, birthplace of Vlad the Impaler (“Dracula”). Visit the medieval citadel (the “ Upper Town ”): the Clock Tower, the Church on the Hill etc. and lunch. Continue to Târgu Mures - visit of the elegant city centre well known for its architecture. Drive on to Bistrita - one of the 7 main medieval towns of “Siebenbürgen” (the German name for Transylvania ). Dinner and accommodation in a 3-star hotel in Bistrita.

Tuesday

Departure towards Maramures - a region most famous for its woodwork traditions and the unspoiled rural life. A trip to Maramures is in all seasons a superb adventure in the Picturesque Kingdom : visit the picturesque villages of Sacel, Bogdan Voda and Rozavlea, with their wooden churches and porches. Visit the impressive monastery of Barsana and lunch at the monastery. In the afternoon drive across the Carpathians into Bucovina , with a stop in the Prislop Pass to enjoy the breathtaking scenery.

Typical dinner with local dishes at the Sura Bucovineana restaurant and

Accommodation in a 3-star hotel in Câmpulung Moldovenesc.

Wed.

Full day in Bucovina – land of the unique painted monasteries belonging to the UNESCO World Heritage. Visit the Moldovita and Sucevita monasteries with outside frescoes. Lunch en route, and then visit the famous monastery of Voronet, “the Sistine Chapel of the Orient”. Late afternoon drive south to visit the Agapia monastery.

Dinner and accommodation in a 3-star hotel in Piatra Neamt .

Day 6 Thursday

Departure across the mountains to Brasov through the spectacular Bicaz Gorges - the Red Lake - Miercurea Ciuc. Lunch en route. Visit the beautiful fortified church of Prejmer . Arrival in Brasov or Poiana Brasov.

Check-in in a 3-star hotel. Dinner in a typical restaurant. Accommodation.

Friday

Panoramic sightseeing tour and guided walking tour in the historical centre of Brasov (formerly Kronstadt), including a visit to the Black Church, then departure to Bran for a visit to “Dracula’s Castle”. Drive across the mountains to Sinaia. Lunch. Visit the Sinaia Monastery (1695) and the fabulous Peles Castle - former summer residence of the Royal family. Late afternoon drive to Bucharest . Upon arrival visit the outdoor Village Museum . Farewell dinner in a typical restaurant.

Accommodation in a 3-star hotel.

Saturday

In the morning free time in central Bucharest for Visits and shopping (subject to flight schedule) or transfer to the airport. Bucharest – Heathrow.