Beauty of Yesterday

Today you will visit the world-famous painted monasteries:

* Voronet Monastery (UNESCO), founded in 1488 by Stephen the Great. It is the most accomplished sample of artistic achievement in Moldavian architecture and painting, known as the oriental Sistine Chapel.

* Moldovita (UNESCO) dates back to 1532 and has the aspect of a fortress with imposing towers and high, thick walls.

* Sucevita, the last and the most magnificent monastic achievement among the painted monasteries in Bucovina, looks like a real fortress with towers, buttresses and watch roads. Paintings on the Sucevita monastery have been well preserved both on the outside and on the inside.

During the day your guide will also schedule visits to the fascinating painted egg museum with a demonstration and the unique Black ceramic workshop.

Return to Vama for a home-made dinner.

After breakfast you will witness the dramatic changes between Moldavia and the next region of Romania on your tour - Maramures, the land of traditions and wooden churches. This journey involves travelling via the stunning, remote and beautiful Prislop Pass.

Later, in the early afternoon, there is a short drive to Sighetu Marmatiei. Free time in Sighet for a late lunch and where you may wish to visit the Museum to the Victims of Communism, located in the town centre at the former prison (if time permits). Afterwards, leave for a visit to the little village of Sapanta with its unique Merry Cemetery, famous for its colourful tombstones with paintings describing the deceased.

Dinner & overnight in a traditional guest house in Ieud.

A fun day at a slower pace; you will experience the raw power of the steam train taking you from Viseu de Sus up through the Vaser Valley to Paltin Station. The railway line passes through the most spectacular landscape of the whole route, narrow, rock lined canyons, fast-flowing, sparkling mountain brooks and the colourful wildlife of the mixed forests. A picnic / BBQ lunch is laid on at Paltin (included).

Afterwards, the remainder of the day will then be devoted to the traditional villages, rural scenery and wooden architecture of the nearby Iza Valley, home to villages known for their historical significance and their wooden churches. The history of Maramures is told through the wood of their churches - through the centuries, the area's foreign rulers did not allow the people living here to build long-lasting stone churches, so instead, the local carpenters raised beautiful wooden churches to communicate with God. The visit concludes at Barsana Monastery, known as "Holy Mother's Entrance".

In the evening arrive back in Ieud for dinner at your guest house.

After a fabulous home-cooked breakfast drive south through southern Maramures via Nasaud and through the mountain pass to Bistrita and into Transylvania proper. You will pass through Bistrita spotting the famous Coopers' Tower and its many churches en route to Targu Mures, the city of roses, which enjoys the best of both Romanian and Hungarian cultures. Targu Mures' top attraction is located at the south end of the main square: the Culture Palace, a flamboyant early 20th-century city hall, with an outstanding stained-glass window, housing some of the city's main local museums. Lunch can be taken at a Hungarian speciality restaurant in the city centre (our recommendation).

In the afternoon a gentle drive south to the incomparable Sighisoara, that most unique but typical, in the mind's eye, of Transylvanian towns.

Dinner in a restaurant in the old town, overnight at a hotel just below the citadel.

After breakfast at your hotel just below the old town a walking visit of Sighisoara, one of the most beautiful and best-preserved mediaeval towns in Europe. Designated as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, this perfectly intact 16th Century gem with nine towers, cobbled streets, burgher houses and ornate churches rivals the historic streets of Old Prague or Vienna for atmospheric magic. It is also the birthplace of Vlad Dracula, also known as Vlad Tepes (Vlad the Impaler), who inspired Bram Stoker's fictional creation, Count Dracula. Landmarks of Sighisoara are the famous Clock Tower, hosting the History Museum and the Torture Chamber with its impressive mediaeval arms collection; the Church on the Hill is a beautiful Gothic building which dominates the hill at the southern end of the citadel.

After breakfast it is a short drive to the UNESCO protected village of Viscri; not only is Viscri renowned for its cultural heritage and natural beauty it also caught the eye of Prince Charles who now owns one of the 18th century Saxon cottages in the village. Further investigation of Viscri reveals an ancient fortified church and an array of pastel shaded houses that add to the artisan and scenic ambience of rural Transylvania. Further agricultural scenes come in the form of a horse drawn carriage ride prior to an organic lunch which you're invited to take at a family house within the village.

After lunch it is time for the main journey to the imposing city of Sibiu. A brief visit to the village of Biertan with its impressive fortifed church is included en route. Sibiu (Hermannstadt in German) was the largest and wealthiest of seven walled citadels built in the 12th Century by German settlers known as Transylvanian Saxons. Riches amassed by its guilds paid for the construction of impressive buildings and fortifications to protect them. Sibiu's old town retains its grandeur of yesteryear when these rich and powerful guilds dominated regional trade.

Dinner & overnight at a hotel on the edge of the old city.

After breakfast a visit of the mediaeval centre of Sibiu: the Great Square is the site of the Roman-Catholic church and the Brukenthal Palace, where you will find one of Romania's most important art collections. This square is linked to the Little Square by a passage beneath the Council Tower; the third square, Huet Square, is dominated by the Evangelical Cathedral.

Afternoon free time to explore the city and its many museums and galleries.

In the morning a drive along the northern edge of the Fagaras mountains to continue your tour with a visit of Brasov. Considered the heart of Romania, Brasov has one of the most secure fortresses in Europe, the architectural defensive pile being made of massive stone walls, 32 defence towers and 4 fortified gates. During your city tour you will visit the magnificent Black Church - the largest Gothic-style church between Vienna and Istanbul, and stroll around the old Council Square, lined with beautiful red roofed merchant houses. You can also admire the Black and White Towers, the Ekaterina's Gate, the Schei Gate and Rope Street - the narrowest street in Europe.

Dinner and accommodation at a guest house in Zarnesti or Bran.

After a substantial buffet breakfast of delicious home produce you will have the opportunity to see the the famous Bran Castle [Dracula's Castle]. Your morning will also include a visit to the bear sanctuary in Zarnesti. In the afternoon you have the choice of relaxing at your lovely guest house, exploring the village or going for a relatively short walk in the nearby gorge.

Continue your trip through the Bucegi Mountains to the highest town in Romanaia, Predeal and then on to Sinaia. Visit of Peles Castle, a masterpiece of German new-Renaissance, once the summer residence of the Romanian king; it is considered by many to be one of the most stunning castles in Europe.

After a lunch break (free time) *a visit to the Rhein cellars, former Champagne "Supplier of Romania's Royal Court", and since April 2006 designated "Supplier of His Majesty King Michael the First". *Optional

Please note that ownership has just changed so the wine cellars may not be open for visits.

Onward travel down from the mountains and across the Wallachian plain to Bucharest.

A farewell dinner will be held at a city centre restaurant within walking distance of your hotel.

After breakfast a city tour including a visit to the famous Rural Life Museum, a walk through the old part of the city centre to see some of the fabulous historic buldings that have survived into the 21st Century plus the Parliament Palace (the second largest office building in the world).

Transfer to Bucharest International Airport for your flight home or stay in Bucharest city centre for an extra night and more time* in this fascinating country.

* optional add-on stays in Bucharest or at the Black Sea coast, e.g. Constanta, or even a few days hiking in the nearby Carpathian Mountains are available upon request.