Explore Hidden Romania

Easy walks, a variety of scenery, off the beaten track

Summary

Discover off the beaten track Moldavia, some of the most beautiful mountain scenery in Europe and delicious home-cooked meals on this short break to the Carpathian foothills.

START / FINISH - Bacau, Iasi or Suceava.

Activity code: ROHIKE02

Duration: 6 days

Explore a hidden corner of Romania on our walking and cultural holiday in the Carpathian foothills. This unique short holiday offers a variety of opportunities for hiking, sightseeing and experiencing the picturesque mountain scenery of Moldavia; Romanian food and traditional accommodation is also integral to this holiday. Enjoy Romania's rugged and spectacular countryside, walking through gorges, around lakes and on trails in the Ceahlau Mountains as well as visiting monasteries in Neamt County and Bucovina.

You will be based in a traditonal family-run guest house just outside the town of Piatra Neamt in southern Moldavia, overlooking the lake. There is so much to see and do in this area without travelling far - you can choose to travel on local transport, hire a car for a couple of days or pre-book day trips with local guides to visit the historical sights or walking trails, your hosts are very knowledgeable and enthusiastic about this region and ready to help.

More Information

Romania is one of the most unexplored parts of Europe, tucked away in a remote corner where few visit and fewer still have much knowledge, beyond the connection with the myth of Dracula. Much of Romania is virtually untouched countryside and follows a way of life that has long been extinguished, or at the very least dimished into very small pockets, elsewhere in Europe; the centuries old folklore and traditions still thrive in its picturesque villages.

Rediscover's recommended tours take you right into the heart of this fascinating country. We share our knowledge and the experience of our local partners to offer not just important cultural sights, dramatic scenery and historic locations but the opportunity to spend quality time in the villages, often staying in rural communities as guests of local families, where local culture is at its strongest. The guest houses and hotels in this itinerary are generally small, independent or family-run, properties which add significantly to your travel experience in this fascinating country.

Flights available to book with us through a range of airlines, from various UK airports to Romania. If we book your flights this means that your holiday will also be fully ATOL protected.

Prices shown are a guideline "from" (in UK Pounds) and are based on a travelling party of at least 2 adults. Single supplements may need to be applied to the twin/double price and discounts for children (under 12yrs) and/or a 3rd adult sharing a room are available upon request. Quoted prices for individual enquiries will depend upon your chosen accommodation, room availability and dates of travel. We always aim to match a high quality experience with exceptional value for money. Discounts will apply if there are 3 or more people in your travelling party as fixed costs such as transportation and guides will be shared equally between the group.

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Prices upon request

What's included in your Romania Short Break ?

  • Private round trip airport transfers
  • 5 nights accommodation in family-run traditional guesthouse on B&B
  • 4 home-made dinners
  • Sightseeing day trip to painted monasteries of Bucovina (with lunch)
  • Local guide & transport for Bicaz Gorge hike (with picnic lunch)
  • FREE travel app with all your documents, maps, weather and much more
  • All local taxes
  • 24/7 support

Itinerary

For this holiday the best arrival airport is Bacau; however, Iasi and Suceava are also reasonably convenient. Alternatively you may prefer to arrive from Bucharest on a pre-booked train.

We include a private transfer upon arrival to your guest house near Piatra Neamt (or you could choose one of the central hotels). A warm welcome and home-cooked dinner will be waiting for you at the traditional Ambiance Guest House (if staying at a hotel in the city centre we will provide a round trip transfer for you to enjoy this traditional meal & Moldavian welcome).

Recommended places to stay

Ambiance Guest House
Hotel Central Plaza

We can include our recommend sightseeing and guided walking as part of the holiday itinerary (details below) but if you'd prefer to spend time doing your own thing, relaxing or choosing your itinerary each day as it comes this is fine with us and your hosts.

  • Day trip with guide to Neamt and Bucovina Monasteries...

This day is dedicated to the pilgrimage of the Neamt monasteries Agapia, Varatec and Neamt. Visit the workshop of hand woven carpets and museums and continue with a visit to Nicolae Popa Museum, an original collection of masks & ceremonial costumes, coins, sculpture and paintings realized by the artist and his family. Lunch at the museum in Tarpesti. A short hike to Targu Neamt Fortress in the afternoon.

  • Guided day hike in Bicaz Gorge / Mount Ceahlau National Park.

The road through the Bicaz Gorge along 8 kilometres of ravines, often in "serpentines" with rock on one side and a sheer drop on the other, is one of the most spectacular drives in the country. Your day's hiking can be near the gorge or perhaps a little further along, just sneaking into Transylvania, at Lacu Rosa; a picnic lunch will be included, prepared with love by your hosts.

  • Half day sightseeing trip to Piatra Neamt with cable car ride and sample local cheese.

A guided walk around the city of Piatra Neamt, one of Romania's oldest settlements, followed by a climb to the Carloman peak on the old road of the forest train and to Cozla peak where you will meet the shepherds and have lunch with tasting their cheese produce. Return in the "telegondola" (cable car).

To fill in your other days or if you don't wish to take up our guided excursion offers it is very easy to travel around on local transport, we can also arrange a hire car for you to explore even further off the beaten track (with plenty of helpful advice from your hosts upon request). There are plenty of trails and lovely walks without needing transport and if you are interested in local food we can arrange for you to spend time with a local chef to learn some traditional dishes.

Transfer to Bacau Airport for your flight home [or to Iasi or Suceava].

Other transport options include an internal flight or a pre-booked first class train to Bucharest.

Flexible Tailor-Made Holidays

  • We believe passionately that no two holidays should be the same.
  • With our flexible tailor-made holiday options you can travel at your own pace.
  • Rediscover a city, a resort or an island in a weekend or longer.
  • Take a small group tour or embark upon a more adventurous trip.

Travel Knowledge

  • We have all travelled extensively and will be happy to share our experiences.
  • Personally-chosen hotels, riads, guest houses & apartments in places we know and love.
  • Individual sightseeing recommendations and route planning.
  • Add excursions, activities and food & wine experiences (one of our passions).

Trusted Service

  • ATOL cover for flight inclusive holidays.
  • One of us at Rediscover the World is very likely to have visited the hotels and travelled along the routes on your itinerary.
  • Dynamic, comprehensive travel app with all your documents, maps and much more.
  • Full financial protection for your holiday (TTA).