Miorita Landscape Travel

ROMANIA TRAVEL CIRCUITS

CIRCUIT I - Download as PDF

Day I

Arrival at the Bucharest airport

Transfer from the airport to the hotel in Bucharest

If time allows, city tour will be given

Accommodation in the hotel and dinner at a restaurant in Bucharest

Day II

Bucharest – Curtea de Arges – Cozia – Sibiu (300 Km)

In the morning, departure to Curtea de Arges, the old capital of Wallachia; the city will be visited.

Curtea de Arges Monastery, built in the 16th century by voivode Neagoe Basarab in place of the old, 14th century Christian Mitropoly of Tara Romaneasca, is considered one of the most beautiful religious buildings in Europe. During the reign of the first Romanian king, Carol I, the monastery was transformed into a royal necropolis. The legend of the beautiful monastery speaks over time about the spirit of the Romanian people.

The church of Saint Nicholas was built in a byzantine style by the founder of Wallachia, Basarab I, in the middle of the 14th century. The preserved interior mural painting is also byzantine and has a great value because of its age. This church was initially the home of the Christian Mitropoly of Wallachia.

Cozia Monastery was founded on the shore of Olt river at the end of the 14th century by the great Wallach vaivode, Mircea the Elder, whose tomb can be found here. Every since the early days of this holy place we can speak of it as a cultural focal point, with a monastic school having functioned here. The church is preserved in its original state, being one of the most beautiful medieval monuments in Romania.

Lunch in Curtea de Arges

Dinner and accommodation at hotel in Sibiu.

Day III

Sibiu – Alba Iulia – Hunedoara – Sibiu (300 Km)

In the morning, departure to the city of Alba Iulia, the historical and spiritual capital of Romania, where we will visit:

The Christian Reunification Cathedral: the construction started in 1921 and was finished in 1922 and the style is neo-Romanian with traditional byzantine elements. It is a historical monument of national importance, a symbol of the Romanian Reunification because, in the place where the cathedral was built, on December 1st, 1918, all Romanians became united through the Alba Iulia Proclamation. It is also known as the Coronation Cathedral because on October 15th, 1922, king Ferdinand and queen Mary were crowned as the first kings of Greater Romania.

The Catholic Cathedral, the oldest cathedral in Romania; its construction started in the 11th century and it represents one the most valuable Roman styled monuments in our country.

The Union Hall, built in the beginning of the 20th century, is the place where in 1918 the Transylvania and Romania Unification document was signed.

The Statue of Mihai Viteazul (the Brave) the first unifier of the three Romanian regions, in 1600.

Alba Carolina Citadel, built in the 17th century during the Habsburg occupation, inspired by the French fortifications developed by marshal Vauban.

The Obelisk of Horea, Closca and Crisan, raised in the memory of the three heroes of the Transylvanian Peasant Uprising, 1784-1785.

The wooden church, raised in place of an old construction built by the unifier Mihai Viteazul, the former Centre of the Ardeal Mitropoly.

Hunedoara Castle, located in south-western Transylvania, in Hunedoara city. Also known as the Corvin Castle, it has a history of over seven centuries and an impressive aspect, being one of the most beautiful and best preserved medieval castles in Europe.

It was the residence of the Corvin family and was built in its actual form in the 15th century in place of a fortification donated in 1409 by king Sigismund of Luxembourg to Voicu Hunyadi. The one who started the construction is Voicu's son, Ioan (Iancu) of Hunedoara, vaivode of Transylvania. The castle was modified several times and was even expanded by Iancu's heirs.

The dominant architectural style is the gothic one but neo-gothic, Renaissance and baroque elements are also present, all these making the castle a fascinating building. It has a surface of 7000 square meters and 42 rooms, two large terraces and two attics.

If time allows, we will also visit the Church of Streisangiorgiu, one of the oldest medieval buildings in Romania, raised in the beginning of the 12th century, in a Roman style.

Lunch at a restaurant in Alba Iulia

Traditional dinner with a folk program at a pension in Sibiel

Accommodation at a hotel in Sibiu

Day IV

Sibiu – Sighisoara – Vatra Dornei (300 Km)

We firstly visit the city of Sibiu, one of the oldest cities in Romania and an important European cultural centre, in 2007 being named the European Cultural Capital.

We will visit the two squares: the Large Square and the Small Square, places surrounded by old buildings that are representative for the local history, the Catholic Church, built in the 18th century, inspired by the early Viennese baroque spirit, the Evangelic Cathedral, known for its impressive baroque styled organ, the Bridge of Lies, Brukenthal Palace, hosting the oldest museum in Romania and the Christian Cathedral, which has the characteristics of a byzantine church, currently the cathedral of the Sibiu Archbishopric and Ardeal Mitropoly.

Departure to the city of Sighisoara, which is 90 kilometers away.

Sighisoara is famous for its inhabited medieval citadel, considered to be one of the most beautiful in eastern Europe. We will visit some of the towers that composed the stronghold's defensive system, the most significant being the Clock Tower (the city's symbol, built to defend the main gate, unique in Romania because of the figurines clock). We will also visit the Monastery's Church, the house where Vlad Tepes (the Impaler) was presumably born and the Church from the Hill, one of the most important monuments in the city, representative for the gothic style in Romania. Afterwards, we will depart to Vatra Dornei, driving through Tihuta Pass, a difficult route but full of gorgeous landscapes.

Lunch at a restaurant in Sighisoara, accommodation and dinner at a hotel in Vatra Dornei

Day V

Vatra Dornei – Vatra Moldovitei – Sucevita – Radauti – Dragomirna – Gura Humorului (200 Km)

We will visit some of the monasteries in northern Moldavia, famous mostly because of their impressive paintings.

Moldovita Monastery, was built in 1532 and combines elements of byzantine and gothic art. It is known especially because of the exterior post-byzantine painting, with well preserved portions, mostly of the southern wall.

Sucevita Monastery, attested since 1582 and built in a byzantine style, with gothic influences and elements from the old Moldavian wooden churches. Both the interior and exterior paintings present ample scenes from the Old and New Testaments.

Dragomirna Monastery, was built in the beginning of the 17th century by the Metropolitan of Moldavia, Anastasie Crimca. The monastery's church has its walls adorned with stone engravings and the steeple, sculpted with floral and geometrical motifs, is the most spectacular element.

We can also visit the stud farm from Radauti, where we can ride horses or attend a demonstration.

Lunch at a restaurant on route, accommodation and dinner at a hotel in Gura Humorului.

Day VI

Gura Humorului – Voronet – Iasi (150 Km)

In the beginning of the day we will visit Voronet Monastery, built in 1488 by Stefan cel Mare (the Great). The monastery stands out because of the western wall fresco that depicts the Last Judgement (the reason why the monastery is known as 'the Sistine Chapel of the East') and because of the colour used for the exterior painting, the Voronet blue being considered unique.

The journey continues with the visit of Iasi.

The Metropolitan Cathedral is the cathedral church of Moldavia and Bukovina and was built in the 19th century in a neo-Renaissance style. Here we can find the tabernacle with the relics of Saint Paraskeva, the patron of Moldavia.

The Tree Hierarchs Church was built in the 17th century by the Moldavian ruler, Vasile Lupu. Inspired by the byzantine world, the edifice is a valuable architectural monument that impresses with its pompous exterior decoration.

Cetatuia Monastery, built in the 17th century as a fortification, on a high hill from where you can admire the city's view. The monastery stand out because of its impressive guard tower and the surrounding stone wall.

The Cultural Palace (outdoor visit only) was raised in the inter-wars period in a neo-gothic style in place of the old Lordly Palace. Here can be visited four different museums: The History Museum, The Art Museum, The Science Museum and the Traditions Museums. In front of the Palace lies the statue of the most famous Moldavian ruler, Stefan cel Mare (the Great), who ruled between 1457-1504 and defended the independence on Moldavia against neighbouring empires.

Lunch at a restaurant in Iasi.

Accommodation at hotel in Iasi.

Day VII

Iasi – Brasov – Poiana Brasov (300 Km)

We depart in the morning to Brasov, arrive somewhere in the afternoon and visit: Saint Nicholas Church located in the old neighborhood, Scheii Brasovului. The church was built in the 13th century in the place of another wooden church that used to be there ever since the first millennium of the Christian era. St. Nicholas Church is special in terms of architecture, being built in gothic style on the outside and in byzantine style indoors.

The First Romanian School Museum in Scheii Brasovului conceals a true treasure consisting of manuscripts and old books, some of which are unique in Romania and the world.

The Black Church, built by the Saxons in the 14th-15th centuries, is the largest gothic style church in Central and Eastern Europe.

The Central Square, surrounded by old houses, most of them built in the 17th century. In the middle of the square lies the old city hall, which was built in 1420 and had its upper side refurbished in a German baroque style, after the great fire in 1688.

The Christian Cathedral was raised in a neo-byzantine style at the end of the 19th century in the central square.

Lunch in a restaurant on the way

We continue travelling to Poiana Brasov, a mountain resort located in a wonderful landscape at 1000 m altitude, 12 km away from Brasov.

Accommodation and dinner in Poiana Brasov.

Day VIII

Poiana Brasov – Sinaia – Bucuresti (200 Km)

We leave in the morning for Sinaia, a beautiful mountain resort, also known as the 'Pearl of the Carpathians'. There we will visit:

Sinaia Monastery built in a Brancovenesc style at the end of the 17th century by a great boyar from Wallachia, Mihail Cantacuzino.

Peles Castle was raised at the end of the 19th century as residence for the first king in Romania: Carol I. Peles Castle is impressive mostly because of its German neo-renaissance architecture on the outside, while every room on the inside is adorned differently.

We travel to Bucharest where we will visit some monuments like: the Arch of Triumph, the Romanian Athenaeum, the Royal Palace (became the National Art Museum), the Romanian History Museum, People’s Palace and the Romanian Patriarchal Cathedral.

We then visit Cotroceni Palace, built at the end of the 19th century as a second residence of the royal family.

The Patriarchal Cathedral was raised in the 17th century in a Romanian style.

Lunch at a restaurant on the way

Accommodation at a hotel in Bucharest and dinner in a traditional restaurant

Day IX

Transfer from the hotel to the airport in Bucharest

For the second departure timetable, one of the following can be visited:

The Romanian History Museum where we can see a real sized replica of Trajan’s Colum in Rome, and the Romanian Treasure.

The Village Museum, founded by the sociologist Dimitrie Gusti between the two world wars as to preserve the values of traditional life from the Romanian village.

The museums are only opened of Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays and only during summer.

Possible accommodations

Bucharest – 3*, 4* or 5* hotels

Sibiu – 3*, 4* or 5* hotels

Vatra Dornei – 3*or 4* hotels

Gura Humorului – 4* hotel

Iasi – 3*or 4* hotels

Poiana Brasov – 3*or 4* hotels

Price lists are provided on demand, depending on the number of participants.

CIRCUIT II - Download as PDF