A tour that enters the strongly traditional Transylvania and Maramures regions to explore villages that have hardly changed for centuries. We visit painted monasteries, enjoy walks in beautiful mountain ranges and cruise the Danube Delta - one of the world's greatest wildlife sanctuaries.
Transylvania & Maramures Folklore
From Bucharest, we head into the forested mountains of Transylvania, home to bear and eagle - and, of course, the creature of film legend, Dracula. We visit imposing Bran Castle and the Art Nouveau Pelisor Palace (optional) in Sinaia, and may also spend time walking in the valleys of the impressive Bucegi Mountains. Travelling by train, we reach a corner of northern Romania called Maramures. The local people have always been proudly independent and have retained their traditions, still wearing typical costume and practising age-old crafts and folklore.
Painted Monasteries
We travel to the hidden Vaser Valley - cut off from roads and reached only by narrow-gauge forest railway. Then walk on through the wooded hills to Borsa, in the Rodna mountains - discovering unique wooden churches, with tall, slim towers and ornate carvings. Driving across the beautiful Carpathians we descend into "sweet Bukovina" - part of northern Moldavia. Here, hidden in deep forested valleys, we come across a number of monasteries with remarkable frescoes on their outside walls. From Sucevita - largest of the painted monasteries of Bukovina - we walk on, passing hay meadows and scattered villages en route to Putna, which boasts the country's oldest monastery (1466). The brilliantly-coloured frescoes are some of Europe's finest examples of Byzantine art.
Danube Wildlife
Continuing to Tulcea, we board our ponton (a type of barge which we use as a moving hotel) to cruise the lush backwaters of the Danube Delta - a patchwork of silvery waterways and reedy lakes that glitter like polished mirrors in the sunlight. This is the greatest wetland area in Europe and is famous for its birdlife including cormorant, eagle, pelican, falcon, egret, heron and other waders.
Itinerary:
Day 1 Join Bucharest. 2 City tour; drive to Moeciu; optional visit to Pelisor Palace. 3 Optional walk in Bucegi Mountains; drive to Brasov via Bran castle; overnight train to Sighetul Marmatiei. 4 Arrive Sighetul Marmatiei; drive to Sapanta "Merry" Cemetery; continue to Borsa. 5 In Borsa; drive to Viseu; mountain train up Vaser Valley; walk to Moisei village (5hrs); return Borsa. 6 Chairlift and walk to Moldovita Monastery (2hrs); continue to Sucevita. 7 Visit Sucevita Monastery; trek to Putna (6hrs); visit monastery; drive to Bacau. 8 Drive to Tulcea; board ponton to cruise Danube Delta. 9 Explore Delta by boat and on foot. 10 End "ponton" cruise; drive to Bucharest. 11 End Bucharest.
Accommodation: 6nts hotel, 1nt guesthouse, 1nt sleeper train, 2nts "Ponton"; 10 breakfasts, 5 lunches & 5 dinners included.
Transport: Bus/Train/On foot/Chairlift/ "Ponton" in Danube Delta.
Comment: Romania remains one of Europe's quiet backwaters. This varied tour provides an insight into her cultural riches, wealth of natural beauty and amazing wildlife. Accommodation aboard the ponton is simple.
Group: Approx. 12 to 16.
Staff: Explore Tour Leader plus driver(s) and boatmen
Trip Reference: TD
