930 Irwin Street, Suite 222, San Rafael, CA 94901 Phone: 415-381-5861 888-367-6147 inquire@originalworld.com www.originalworld.com CST Permit #2057026-40 Romania Myths and Magic Castles, Painted Monasteries & Folklore Maximum Group Size 12 Guaranteed Departures 2018 April 5-16, April 12-23, May 15-26, May 28-June 8, June 4-15, June 16-27, June 28 July 9, July 17-28, August 8-19, August 30-September 10, September 13-24, October 7-18 April 5 tour includes Orthodox Easter and Juni. May 15 tour includes Whit Sunday Optional Post Tour to Moldova Romania conjures visions of picturesque villages, folklore and crafts, unspoiled countryside and the charm of friendly people living their traditional ways. Highlights of our journey include: The countryside with its peasant traditions, costumes, crafts, horse and oxen-drawn carts, a rich folklore An opportunity to live in a small village and mingle with the locals The unique painted monasteries and wooden churches of Bucovina, entirely covered with frescoes both on the inside and the outside walls Medieval Transylvania - a land rich in treasures of the past, filled with Saxon heritage, fortifications, Gothicstyle architecture, palaces and castles,... Dracula And the friendly Carpathian Mountains UNESCO Sites Visited: Historical Center of Sibiu Sighisoara Upper Town Villages with fortified churches of South Transylvania Wooden Churches of Maramures Exterior painted Monasteries of Bucovina Neamt Citadel
Day 1 Arrival in Bucharest Detailed Itinerary Meet at airport and transfer to hotel or if coming from Bulgaria you are driven to hotel. Day 2 Bucharest (B, D) Explore Bucharest s history, architecture and cultural sites. In the morning, a panoramic tour including a visit to the outdoor Village Museum and the Museum of the Romanian Peasant, which has a wonderful collection of traditional crafts, folk arts, ceramics and textiles. We will also visit the Great Synagogue, built in 1845, restored in 1945. It nowadays hosts an exhibition entitled The Memorial of Jewish Martyrs Chief Rabbi Dr. Mozes Rosen. During the late 1980s, just like many churches in the area, this synagogue was virtually surrounded by concrete buildings, so as to hide it from public sight. It still hosts weekend religious services, being one of the few active synagogues in the city and in Romania. This afternoon, a visit to the Palace of Parliament, Revolution Square, Patriarch's Cathedral and a walk in the historic area. Please note: we often have to wait a bit to get into Palace of Parliament as tours are conducted in groups and there is a limited number of English speaking guides. We appreciate your patience. Welcome dinner at a local restaurant. Day 3 Bucharest Sibiu (288 km, 179 miles) (B) Crossing the Carpathians to Sibiu, we drive along the picturesque Olt Valley to the Cozia Monastery, one of the oldest monasteries in Romania, built in 1386. Arrive in Sibiu, around noon. Check in and lunch on your own. Sibiu is one of the oldest Saxon towns in Transylvania - formerly Hermannstadt founded by the Saxon colonists and once the richest town of Transylvania). Day 4 Sibiu (B,L) (April 8 is Orthodox Easter) On Orthodox Easter: we will see the residents dressed in their finest as they go to attend church services. This morning a guided walking tour of the medieval town, a very pretty town with cobblestone streets and pastel houses; 15-16th century town squares, Podul Mincinosilor (the Liars Bridge) and old city walls. We shall view the Evangelical Church from the outside, visit the oldest art museum in the country, the Bruckental Palace Museum. We shall have an early lunch and enjoy a horse and carriage ride thru the open-air museum of Astra, also know as the Museum of Traditional Folk Civilizations (largest open air museum of Romania). This afternoon we will visit traditional villages nearby including Cisnadie & Cisnadioara with their beautiful fortified Saxon churches and the mountain village of Sibiel to visit the painted glass icon museum a unique Romanian art. Day 5 Sibiu Biertan Sighisoara (B) Departure to Sighisoara, en-route we visit the village of Biertan with its local fortified Saxon Church, a UNESCO site. Sighisoara is one of the greatest medieval cities left in the world, with a walled citadel on the hilltop, secret gateways and passages, a 14th century Clock Tower and also the birthplace of Prince Vlad Tepes (Dracula). It is the best-preserved and continuously inhabited medieval city of Europe. Upon arrival, free time for lunch on your own. There are many outdoor cafes, all within a block or two walking distance from our hotel. In the afternoon, we enjoy a leisurely walking exploration of the sights. Overnight accommodation inside the old fortress walls in Sighisoara. Day 6 Vadu Izei Village - (Iza Valley) (B, D) (May 20 Whit Sunday) Tour with Whit Sunday: Pentecost is a prominent feast in the Christian liturgical year commemorating the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the disciples of Christ after the Resurrection of Jesus. The feast is also called Whit Sunday, Whitsun, or Whit. Pentecost is celebrated seven weeks (50 days) after Easter Sunday, hence its name. Pentecost falls on the tenth day after Ascension Thursday. Pentecost is historically and symbolically related to the Jewish harvest festival of Shavuot, which commemorates God giving the Ten Commandments at Mount Sinai fifty days
after the Exodus. We shall visit the Sighisoara Orthodox Church in the morning to witness a bit of the services. Today we drive to Maramures, the land of wooden churches and carved wooden gates, unique folk costumes and traditions, where ancient Romania coexists with modern times. During our drive, we will see local people decked out in their finest traditional clothing. The women in their puffy skirts and kerchiefs all walking together are a wonderful sight! On the way, we visit The Palace of Culture and the stunning stained glass windows in Targu Mures and stop at a local restaurant for lunch (pay direct). The drive continues through the enchanting countryside to the village of Vadu Izei, Iza Valley, where you can experience local peasant life. Evening: a dinner with "ceterasi" - local violin players. Overnight at a charming guesthouse in the village. Day 7 Maramures (B, D) Attend Whit Sunday services/the Monday following at the village church. Maramures is the best place to see all the celebrations. Villagers decorate their homes and gates with linden tree, poplar and oak branches. They make crowns made of elderberry and wheat, which youngsters will later wear at their weddings. They are also in the habit of cracking linden tree leaves (making lots of noise) to scare away the bad spirits. There are celebrations for the dead. We cannot say for sure how many of these customs we will see, but we will definitely get into the celebratory atmosphere with the locals. Morning: a walking tour of the village including a visit to an icon-on-glass workshop (learn about the technique), the local ancient plum brandy distillery and a typical whirlpool still used by the local women to wash heavy woolen blankets. Vadu Izei has a brand-new Orthodox church that is quite fascinating. Afterwards, we depart for a full day tour of the Maramures region including the Sighetul Marmatiei, Calinesti and Desesti wooden churches (part of the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage sites) as well as the unique Merry Cemetery in Sapanta Village. We visit one of the local markets and mingle with the colorful crowds wearing traditional folk-costumes and observe their centuries-old traditions. Return to Vadu Izei for dinner and overnight. Day 8 Maramures-Bucovina: Gura Humorului (B, L) Drive through the scenic Oriental Carpathians (currently Prislop Pass is very damaged) to the Bucovina region, renowned for the wondrously detailed exterior frescoes on the walls of its monasteries/ churches. On the way, we will admire the superb wooden architecture of Barsana monastery and the 18th century Rozavlea wooden church, with its beautifully preserved interior paintings. We will stop for lunch either in Bistrita or the Borgo Pass. Based On Availability: We visit the home of Letitia, a very talented egg painter. Letitia lives in the village of Vama. She is a designer by training and also teaches school. Born in Vama, she graduated from university in Iasi and lived in Bucharest for a time. She returned to her village many years ago and learned how to paint eggs, this being a local custom. She is very talented and her eggs, three or four times the price of the average ones, are of the finest quality. She has gained international recognition and has a collection of painted eggs from all over the world exhibited at her home. Transfer to hotel. Evening at leisure. Day 9 Bucovina (B,L) Visit the famous painted monasteries of northern Moldova - part of the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Sites- in their construction and painting order, following the evolution of the architecture and painting: Voronet, Moldovita, Sucevita and Humor. The Voronet Monastery, built in 1488, is one of the most beautiful and dubbed the "Sistine Chapel of the East. Moldovita Monastery is where the UNESCO Golden Apple award is kept that was given to the painted churches back in 1975. On the south facade of Moldovita is The Siege of Constantinople, belonging to the 24 episodes of the Hymn to the Holy Virgin. Sucevita 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.
Humor Monastery was painted by Toma of Suceava in 1530, and lacks the tower. Additionally, we shall visit the Black Pottery Workshop in Marginea Village. Lunch at Popas Turistic Bucovina, a charming and excellent Moldavian restaurant, 3.5 km (2.2 miles) south of Sucevita, in the heart of the Carpathian Mountains. Day 10 Bucovina-Targu Neamt- Piatra Neamt-Brasov (B,) Visit the 15th century Neamt Citadel (15 min walk uphill) and the 15th century Neamt Monastery. Departure across the mountains to Brasov through the spectacular Bicaz Gorges - Bicaz Lake (largest lake in Romania and a breathtaking 25 mile drive) the Red Lake Miercurea Ciuc. Lunch at Lacu Rosu Restaurant by Red Lake (pay direct). Arrival in Brasov around 6 pm. Evening stroll and relax on the pedestrian only plaza of old town. There are many great restaurants and beer gardens to choose from. Day 11 Brasov-Bran-Sinaia-Bucharest (210km) (The pageant of Juni is April 15) (B,L) Enjoy a guided walking tour in the historical center of Brasov (formerly Kronstadt) including the Black Church, the largest gothic structure between Vienna and Istanbul; admiring its great collection of precious Anatolian carpets; Council Square, Catherine s Gate, the Guild Towers, Schei Quarter with the First School in Romanian language, the narrow Rope Street as well as a view of the impressive 1901 synagogue. Juni takes place in the Schei Quarter of Brasov - this is where the Romanians used to live in the Middle Ages. It starts in the morning and continues through the afternoon. The event includes a procession/ceremony which blends elements of myth, rites, ceremony and magic. There are 7 categories of Juni, that are part of this carnival, all in very colorful costumes, most of them on horseback. They proceed from Schei - the old Romanian Quarter and ride to the center of town and into the Great Square. It is a very old custom from the times of the Dacians and is related to an old pagan ritual when winter is over and spring begins. The changing of cycles: sun wins over frost. Next, a 30 minute drive to visit Dracula s Castle in Bran. Lunch in Bran at Popasul Reginei Restaurant. We then drive one hour across the mountains to Sinaia, a well-known ski resort nicknamed the Pearl of the Carpathians, admiring the old Saxon fortified churches en-route. We will visit the Sinaia Monastery, the oldest building in town (1695) and built in the typical "Brancovenesc" architectural style (reminiscent of Mogosoaia Palace). Afterwards, a short 15 minute drive to visit the fabulous Peles Castle former summer royal residence of King Charles I of Romania and known as one of the most beautiful summer royal residences in Europe (ground floor only/best part). Note: Visitors are required to join an official guided tour, one cannot go through independently. There are a limited number of guides at the palace and we are not allowed to make reservations in advance. Hence there can be a wait to enter. After this tour, it s about two hours drive south to Bucharest. Day 12 Depart Bucharest Transfer to the airport. (B) If you are continuing on the Moldova tour: Book your tickets from Bucharest to Chisinau RO 203 Depart 12:40 pm, arrive 1:50 pm. on Tarom Airlines website: http://www.tarom.ro/en PRICES $2550 per person, based on a min group size of 6. Single Room Supplement: $300. Supplement based on 4-5: $130 per person; based on 2: $475 per person Supplement Option of hotel in town rather than guesthouse in village: $85 per person, twin share. Single room supplement: $68. $200 per person discount if booked with Poland or Balkans Tour. Includes: Accommodation as listed or similar (based on availability) with breakfast: Bucharest: Hotel Berthelot, four star, located in a quiet area in the very center of Bucharest, very close to the Revolution Square, museum, quality shops, Amzei fruit and vegetable market and an array of quality restaurants, some outdoors. http://www.hotelberthelot.ro/en/
Sibiu: Hotel Imparatul Romanilor, located in the old part of Sibiu near the main square, in a 16th century building built in the traditional Transylvanian renaissance style, a former merchant's hall transformed into hotel in the 18th century, with many famous guests: emperor Frantz Joseph II, composers Frantz Liszt, Johan Strauss, Prince Charles among others. http://www.imparatulromanilor.ro/ Sighisoara: Casa cu Serb (aka House with Antler) http://www.casacucerb.ro/en/ or Hotel Wagner http://www.casa-wagner.com/ro/- 3 star, located in the best preserved and fortified town in Southeast Europe, surrounded by historical buildings and cobblestone streets. The building of Casa cu Serb was the former town hall in the 19th century, beautifully turned into a hotel while preserving the old architecture and charm. Maramures: Covaciu Guesthouse, two modern villas, each with 3 rooms and 2 bathrooms, TV and audio-video system. The location is excellent, in a quiet neighborhood, far away from the main street. The terraces offer a beautiful view of the village. The host is a well-known "ceteras (traditional violin player) so he is well connected to the village music happenings. We may perhaps be invited to attend an evening local music/dance, event or private gathering of Covacius' friends and neighbors (not guaranteed.) https://www.facebook.com/pensiunea-covaciu-guesthouse-covaciu- 503645626398259/ *OR Option to stay at Hotel in Sighet, Hotel Casa Lurca http://casaiurca.ro/ or Gradina Morii Hotel http://www.hotelgradinamorii.ro/ This is a 20 minute drive from the village; does not include dinners. Additional surcharge. Bucovina (Gura Humorului): Best Western http://www.bestwesternbucovina.ro/ Central location, good standard quality of Best Western chain. or La Conac http://laconacinbucovina.ro/ Small boutique style, local architectural style & ambiance Brasov: Casa Wagner, a boutique hotel right in the Council Square. http://www.casa-wagner.com/ro/home-brasov/ Meals: 11 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 3 dinners Arrival and departure airport transfers on the days of the tour Transportation: 4-6 people 8 seat Mercedes mini-van; 7-13 in 17-19 seat coach. sedan for 2 people; 3 people station wagon. Accompanying escort throughout: driver-guide for 2-6 people, driver with separate guide 7-13 people Entrance fees to all places mentioned in the itinerary. Does Not Include: international flight, tips, insurance, personal expenses such as laundry, phone calls, drinks *We planned the tour with two nights stay in a typical village in Maramures region to have interaction with a real family and not another bed & breakfast experience. The Mrs. is a professional cook and the meals are amazing and abundant. The Mr. is a traditional violinist. They are wonderful people. The home is clean but do not expect hotel amenities.