Most important things to know about the rural Romania

If you wish becoming an expert in Romanian problems, or think you are already, you must have noticed the regional differences between the Romanians from Moldavia, Wallachia or Transilvania, due to the historic occupations from different people.

The Romanian churches are a good place to gather the locals on every Sunday

Everything is set now, we made peace with our historic enemies, we love and esteem them whether they still live in Romania or have gone in other countries searching their happiness. The Romanians are deeply tolerant, and have an overwhelming force to assimilate other people. The most important thing for you is briefly this: you are welcomed! The people will enjoy your company, will try to speak to you and will probably invite you to lunch or dinner. You can accept or refuse, they will be not upset.

A welcoming wine tasting room

Less than 5 % of the Romanian village population is to fear, and those are not necessary the poorest. You are supposed to feel these dangerous people and avoid them, if you are really a world traveler, as I assume. If you aren't, take big care, and maybe the best thing for you is booking through an established incoming agency, e.g. Karpaten.

If you insist knowing Romania by your own, you can still book your flight over Internet to get a good price., but once in Romania use the local buses or train, they are perfect for this choice. They will observe, despite your desperate try to dress and look like a local (probably you don't speak Romanian perfect!). Most probably, the invitations will start to fall, and you are not ought to accept the first. Anyway, take a look to the room and ask about the price, it is totally normal. If you still want to stay on an adventure budget travel, you can even cook by yourself  your local specialties, inviting your host to join. They will appreciate very much this way of socializing, and will totally adopt and love you.

Country landscape in Romania, with a good fresh air

In some remote parts of the country, e.g Maramures or Danube Delta, you can simply seduce the locals giving them cigarettes and alcohol, but broadly speaking the Romanians are becoming more sophisticated. Try to visit the local gathering points, e.g. the church and the pub. Be very careful about the proper decent suit during the Sunday service in the village church. To the pub don't take such severe precautions anymore. Visit also the local markets (flea market, vegetable market) and you will surely find many interesting things.

In some remote regions, e.g. Danube Delta, is usually a good idea giving to the locals  cigarettes and alcohol

Even to the countryside you have good opportunities to discover Romania in style. In many regions with an intense touristic circulation four stars pensions or hotels will be happy to welcome you, even in the middle of nowhere. Enjoy your senses in a fancy restaurant or to the spa.

Whether in style or on a budget, discover your piece of Rural Romania, counting on the locals welcoming you. With the unavoidable exceptions, they are friendly, polite, have good manners, and the big wish to help their guests. Give them something back, learning a few elementary words and phrases of the Romanian language. And drink a glass of Romanian wine with them.

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Best Romania tour for seniors

A senior is in my approach  a 55+ person, which have worked all life long and now has reliable means for entertainment, providing a still good physical and mental shape.

If you belong to this category, be sure to rely on me, as I have been guiding elderly people in Romania for 30 years. I know the best corners for them, as also the best tips and tricks. I am myself not so young anymore (47) and that's why I am sure to be able helping you! My tourists came from Norway, Germany and all world!

If it is possible to gather more people together, I would recommend a bus trip. It is nice for socializing, costs effective and you have all the time someone pampering you! I already made a selection with the best highlights of Romania, so I have this unique proposition.

Itinerary: Bucharest Tour – Sibiu & Huniady Castle – Maramures Exclusive Programme – Bucovina Exterior Frescoed Monasteries – Bicaz Gorges – Transylvanian Highlights: Sighisoara & Brasov – Peles and Bran Castles
Duration: 11 Days

Tour Overview

This is an original, premium quality Romanian tour baseded on thorough investigations and many years of touring Romania.  The tour is meant to be a Window into the Romanian Culture. The itinerary encompasses all of the historic regions of the country with a focus on Transylvania, Maramures and Bucovina. Conveniently paced, with centrally located and full of character hotels, including meeting with local artists and artisans, exclusive talks, music and local dining, no less than two folklore shows, you go “behind the scenes” to experience the customs, color, traditions and daily life of this beautiful country. The tour is further customizable to fit your needs, time and interests. Guaranteed departures with a minimum of one traveler.

Bucharest

Bucharest downtown has fancy boutiques, and is easy comparable with Paris

 The Village museum is one of the first ethnographic museums in the world and the second ethnographic museum placed outdoors in the world.

Day 1: Bucharest, Romania
Arrival to Coanda International Airport in Bucharest. Meet and greet by your professional English speaking tour guide right after you exit Customs. Transfer to your downtown Bucharest hotel with a short orientation tour. Afternoon at leisure. In the evening enjoy a Welcome Dinner and a Folklore Show.
T D Accommodation in Bucharest at Hotel Berthelot **** (centrally located boutique hotel)

Day 2: Bucharest Tour – Olt River Valley & Gorge – Cozia – Sibiu
Hot and cold buffet breakfast at hotel. This morning take an Architectural Tour of Bucharest including the Revolution Square, the Parliament Palace – the second largest building in the world after the Pentagon, Cotroceni Quarter for its representative architecture, The Village Museum – one of the world’s most interesting open air museums with century old original peasant households from all parts of Romania. Before leaving for Sibiu visit a typical 1930s downtown Bucharest Residence: an authentic example of the pre war architecture and city life style. On route later, make a short stop to the 14th century Cozia monastery built by Prince Mircea the Old. Drive along the Olt River Canyon  crossing the mountains into Transylvania. Reach Sibiu. Brief orientation tour on the way to the hotel. Overnight in Sibiu’s famous Romans’ Emperor Hotel, first built at the end of the 18th century. Dinner on own. Suggested is Crama Sibiul Vechi, best cellar – restaurants in town, serving Transylvanian fares and excellent local wines.

Sibiu

Central Big square from Sibiu/Hermannstadt/NagySzeben

B Accommodation in Sibiu at Imparatul Romanilor Hotel ****
Hotel Imparatul Romanilor, located in the old part of Sibiu near the main square, in a 16th century building built in traditional Transylvanian Renaissance style, a former merchant’s hall transformed into hotel in the 18th century, with many famous guests: Emperor Franz Joseph II, composers Franz Liszt, Johann Strauss as well as Prince Charles and many others.

Day 3: Sibiu Walking Tour – Huniady (Corvin) Castle – Cluj Napoca
Hot and cold buffet breakfast at hotel. Start your day with a leisurely walking tour of Sibiu (Hermannstadt), formerly the chief city of the Transylvanian Germans. The Great and Lesser Squares are the landmarks of the Old Town with the many merchant houses fearuring “”the sleepy eye” dormers. View the old surrounding defense walls and the remaining towers belonging to the merchant guilds. One of the landmarks of Sibiu is the Bruckenthal Museum assembled by Baron Bruckenthal, governor of Transylvania at the beginning of the 19th century and the second museum to ever open in Europe after the National Galley in London. Next is the Evangelical Cathedral completed in its actual shape in 1520 and featuring an exquisite fresco of the Crucifixion on the north wall of the choir dating from 1445. The tour ends with the original Pharmacy Museum located in a 15th century pharmacy.

Huniady Castle (Corvinilor Castle) – one of the most well preserved Gothic castles of Transylvania.

Before noon depart for Hunedoara for a guided tour of Huniady Castle – one of the most well preserved Gothic castles of Transylvania and home to the mighty Huniady royal family. This is one of the less visited castles of Transylvania but a gem of Gothic architecture. Late afternoon arrival to Cluj Napoca. Orientation tour followed by hotel check in.
B Accommodation in Cluj at Hotel Capitolina *** (or similar)

Cluj Napoca and its wonderful downtown at night

Day 4: Cluj Napoca City Tour – Baia Mare – Maramures
Hot and cold buffet breakfast at hotel. This morning you will have a choice between a stroll in the Botanical Gardens of Cluj and a guided tour of the Ethnographic Museum. Later drive north towards Baia Mare and reach the splendid region of Maramures (northern Transylvania). Due to the relative isolation of their land, the people of Maramures developed a particularly strong community with a unique personality, traditions, culture, fashion and lifestyle unspoiled for centuries. Make a first visit to the early 1720′s Church of Surdesti, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and until recently the tallest wooden structure in Europe. This is a good opportunity to learn about theUniate Church (Greek Catholic). Then stop in the villages of Giulesti to learn about the local dowry tradition and Mara for the wonderfully carved wooden gates. Accommodation in a private house (not a B& B) in the village of Iza. Dinner (and plum brandy) is included so that people get deeper into the local culture. Our hosts will join for dinner, this being a first hand cultural interchange.

The wooden churches and gates are a landmark of  Maramures

B D Home stay accommodation (modern villa) or Casa Maramures **** in Sighet (on request) two nights
Family home, with one section renovated into a modern villa with all modern facilities. The location is excellent, in a small village, quiet neighborhood, far away from the main street. The terraces offer a beautiful view on the village. Excellent home cooking.

The worldwide fame of Sapanta is due to the unique cemetery that has become an important tourist attraction. The original character of the cemetery is first of all suggested by its name: Cimitirul Vesel that means The Merry Cemetery.

Day 5: Maramures: Iza Village Walking Tour – Sighetul Marmatiei – Sapinta Village
After breakfast, take an exclusively designed walking tour of the village of Iza including an icon-on-glass workshop (learn about the technique), the local ancient type plum brandy distillery and a typical whirlpool still used by the local women to wash heavy woolen blankets. Enter the new Orthodox church of the village which in 2011/2012, will still be in the process of getting painted in fresco. Then drive to the nearby town of Sighetto mingle with the locals at the colorful fruit and vegetable market where you will have the oportunity to sample various produce from cheeses to sausage. Continue to the Anti Communist Memorial – a political prison in the Communist times. This is one of the main memorial sites of the continent, alongside Auschwitz Museum and the Peace Memorial in Normandy. The visit here provides a direct connection to Romania’s most recent history. Next is the house of Nobel Prize Winner, Elie Wiesel who was born in town. Continue west along Tisa River (very close to the Ukrainian border) and reach the village ofSapinta world famous for its “Merry Cemetery“. Here each wooden cross carries a funny epitaph about the person’s life. Before returning to Iza view what is the tallest wooden church in the world: Sapinta Pari. Late in the afternoon return dinner on an exclusively organized Maramures folklore show and accommodation.
B D Home stay accommodation (or hotel on request)

Day 6: Maramures: Iza Valley, Barsana & Ieud – Ciocanesti – Campulung – Gura Humorului (Bucovina)
Following breakfast continue exploringMaramures along the picturesque Iza Valley – an excellent oportunity to witness daily life in this corner of Europe and also meet locals. Stop in the village of Rozavlea for a visit to a famous master carver in his own workshop. He represented Romania at the 1999 Smithsonian World Folk Festival in Washington, DC. Next is the exquisiteBarsana Nunnery, a great example of Maramures wooden church architecture. Visit Ieud, the oldest wooden church there is dating back from the 14th century. Depending on the day of the week, visit a local animal market. In the village of Dragomiresti tour the local museum located in a 235 year old house. Cross the Carpathian Mountains through the picturesque Prislop Pass into the northern part of Moldavia called Bucovina and driving throught the village of Ciocanesti, famous for its unique house decoration. In the town of Campulung enjoy an exclusively organized interactive egg-painting demonstration by a local artist in her own home, this being one of the local traditions of the area. You will also have the chance to admire painted eggs from all over the world. After arriving in Gura Humorului, check into the hotel. Evening at leisure.
B Accommodation in Gura Humorului at Hotel Best Western Bucovina **** (two nights)

Orthodox church in Suceava

Day 7: Bucovina Painted Monasteries Excursion (UNESCO World Heritage Sites)
A la carte breakfast at hotel. Bucovina monasteries are gems of medieval Moldavian architecture and artistry. Begin your day with Voronet, the most famous out of all, known as the Sistine Chapel of the East and featuring one the best Last Judgment fresco in this part of the World. The newly open Customs and Traditions Museum of Gura Humorului is a must. Next is Moldovita Monastery where the UNESCO Golden Apple Award given to the painted churches in 1975, is kept. As a cultural connection, enjoy a traditional Bucovina lunch in the picturesque village of Sucevita. Later continue to the nearby Sucevita Monastery, which is the largest of all, looking more like a mighty fortress than a monastery. The Ladder of John of Sinai is considered one of the best of the frescoes of Sucevita, rarely present in medieval Romanian art. In the village of Marginea visit the black pottery workshop – they use a technique called “oxygen reduction”, there is the same technique in Mexico only! End your day with the Monastery of Humor, the only one without a belfry tower. Return to the hotel.

B L Accommodation in Gura Humorului at Hotel Best Western Bucovina ****

The Bicaz Canyon is part of the National Park “Bicaz Canyon”, which includes actually the following protected areas: The Red Lake, The Bicaz Canyon and The Hasmasu Mare Mountain.

Day 8: Gura Humorului – Piatra Neamt – Bicaz Gorges & Red Lake – Sighisoara
A la carte breakfast at hotel. Begin your day with a drive south to Piatra Neamtfor a tour of the only wooden synagoguein Romania (dating back from the 17th century) and built half underground. The same morning take a cable car ride from the town to Cozla Mountain. Later reachBicaz Gorges where the surroundings are dramatic. Oportunity for a short hike. Next is the Red LAke, former by a mountain sliding in the 1830s. Optional lunch in the resort (restaurants here specialize in naturally grown trout). Once passing the Red Lake you are back to Transylvania passing through an area inhabited mostly by the Hungarian Szeklers community, which actively maintains its peculiar culture and even script. In the village of Praid tour the local salt mine (the mine has an easy access by vehicle). Afternoon arrival to Sighisoara – World Heritage Site and the only still inhabited medieval citadel in Europe. Accommodation in either one of the three hotels in the Upper Town. Suggestion for dinner: the Birthplace of Vlad Dracula.
B Accommodation at Hotel Sighisoara *** OR The House with Antler *** (two nights)

Sighisoara.

Day 9: Sighisoara & Biertan – Gypsy Village Tour and Home Visit
Before starting your walking tour of oldSighisoara attend an exclusive lecture on Vlad the Impaler – Dracula, what is truth and what is fiction. Sighisoara is one of a kind. It was developed by the German settlers as of late 12th century. It stands on a network of tunnels and catacombs and, according to one version of the myth; this is where the Pied Piper brought the children of Hamelin after their ungrateful parents refused to pay him his due. The walking tour includes the two squares of the Citadel (Upper Town), the Scholars’ Staircase, the House with Antler, the Tower with Clock (climb up for a great view), the Torture Chamber and the Weapon Museum. Sighisoara is the place where the Vlad the Impaler Dracula was born in 1431. The Birthplace is one of the main tourist attractions. Then driverive to the fortified church of Biertan, a World Heritage Site for a visit of the former Seat of the Lutheran Bishops.Afternoon Optional Trip: Exclusive Visit a Gypsy village followed by a home hosted dinner in a Gypsy home: this is an unique opportunity to learn about this less known yet controversial ethnic group, about its culture, identity and lifestyle. You will have the chance to try fares of the Gypsy cuisine as well as get acquainted to their traditional costumes.
B Accommodation in Sighisoara

Bran Castle – Dracula’s Castle.

Day 10: Sighisoara – Brasov – Dracula’s Castle in Bran – Sinaia
Hot and cold buffet breakfast at hotel. Leave Sighisoara in the morning. Journey south through the picturesque Transylvanian Plateau for a tour of medieval Brasov to admire the 14th century Black Church with its 4,000 pipe organ and over a hundred Anatolian prayer rugs given to the church as gifts by the rich Brasov merchants. Visit Schei Quarter and the First School in the Romanian language. Brasov has a wonderful pedestrian area around its Council Square. Time at leisure. Drive to the nearby village of Bran and enjoy cheese tasting. The locals are famous for the various types of cheeses from the smoked one to the cheese in wood bark. The attraction of the afternoon is Bran Castle also known as Dracula Castle. Initially a fortress by the Teutonic Knights, the castle was built in 1377 to safeguard the trading route between Transylvania and Wallachia, enlarged and restored a few times to become a royal residence for Queen Marie of Romania as of the 1920s. Later continue to Sinaia mountain resort. Named after St. Catherine Monastery on Mount Sinai, Sinaia became the unofficial capital of the Kingdom of Romania towards the end of the 19th century. The orientation tour of the resort includes a view of the famous Casino, inspired by the one in Monte Carlo. Evening at leisure in the resort.
B Accommodation in Sinaia at Palace Hotel **** (or similar)

Peles Castle, the most famous royal residence in Romania.

Day 11: Sinaia: Peles Castle – Bucharest
Hot and cold buffet breakfast at hotel. In the morning take a guided tour of thePeles Castle and Gardens in Sinaia, the royal residence of King Charles I of Romania and known as one of the most beautiful summer royal residences in Europe. After the visit drive to Bucharest Coanda Airport for your return flight OR take our BULGARIA EXTENSION OR THE BLACK SEA & DANUBE DELTA EXTENSION. The tour is further customizable on request.

Included features:

·         8 nights at three and four star hotels

·         2 nights home stay in Maramures (or three/four star hotel on request)

·         fully insured sedan/minivan with climate control, for the entire distance

·         fuel & parking fees

·         all sightseeing tours & cultural connections

·         informal talks on: Vlad the Impaler – Dracula, Ceausescu and His Times, The Gypsies and Their Journey (all by the tour guide)

·         14 meals: 10 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 3 dinners

·         a professional English speaking tour guide (driving) to accompany you throughout

·         an exclusively organized folklore show in Maramures

·         an interactive egg painting demonstration in Bucovina

·         cheese tasting in Bran

·         Bucharest city tour, including a guided tour of the Palace of the Parliament

·         all transfers

·         admissions to museums and sites as per itinerary

PPrice 1300 Euros. Booking on the site you get 10 % off, and booking this year you get another 10 % off!

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Middle Age mysteries in the Medieval fortress  Biertan

If it comes again about the fortified churches from Transilvania ( also known as peasant' fortresses) the first and most important name coming in my mind is for sure Biertan, ant the other hundreds come only on the second place!

Discover Biertan and the other fortresses starting from Sighisoara and Medias, which are little charming towns, themselves worth to be discovered in details, staying in hotel Binder Bubi. Another recommended lodging camp is also Sibiu, which is bigger, but not necessary much more interesting (my first proposal is hotel Continental, former Bulevard!). Anyway, once in the area, don't dare to miss the fortresses.

All these fortresses have been build by German Saxons ( Siebenbuerger Sachsen), which came in number in the XIIth century for defence purposes, brought by the Hungarian King Geza, which ruled the area. For these purposes and due to the many fight against invading barbarians, they build a lot of fortresses, and the one from Biertan (Bierthalm) is the biggest and best preserved.

No chance to dislike the fortified church of Biertan, I am sure!

Driving from Medias in the picturesque hilly region, once covered with vineyards, discover Biertan, nowadays a charming village which was in Middle Age the Residence of Catholic Archbishops. The village has been also an important craftsmen centre. Access in the church St. Mary is only possible after stopping in the Central Market and climbing a long covered stairs. Observe the three successive fortifications, and try to figure the way of life from the Middle Age!

Panoramic view of Biertan, with the church (view from the hill)

The church has been build within 30 years, starting from 1490, on the place of an older church. Admire to the Western entrance the coat of arms from the District Medias, called " The swearing hand". The St. Mary church is Gothic and has no less than three ships! Discover the Clock tower (the clock works starting from 1880) and enter the Lapidarium Tower, hosting the funeral stones of a few archbishops. I propose you to watch very carefully these tombs, observing and discovering the pelican feeding its cubs with blood, which is a symbol of the Templars! This symbols reminds the sacrifice of the big master Jacques de Molay.

May be is a good idea to discover Biertan by bike, it is in a picturesque hilly area

An amazing place, not exclusively for the married couples, is the eastern Tower. Here used to be send the couple wishing to divorce (a capital sin, for the Church) for a few months, sharing the same spoon, same glass (and the same bed btw) until they came back to more positive thoughts!

Inside the church observe the guilds' flags, the chairs, the superb painted altar (consisting of 28 paintings made by the Vienna school). If you ask the guardian to lock you inside, wou'll be totally amazed by the complicated locking mechanism. Inside, a bigger surprise. Notice the huge painting of one saint hanging there. watch it carefully, and observe a simple unbelievable fact: whereever you stay, or sit, the eyes of the saint are watching you, and his left foot is pointed also to you. No one can explain this illusion.

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