When Byzant fell in 1453, part of its treasures was brought to Moldavia and Walachia. Some historians say that Romania became “Byzant after Byzant”. Not only treasures were brought to ancient Romania (Moldavia and Valachia) but, most importantly, the Byzantinic traditions, preserved and maintained to these days. A Romanian Orthodox Church with Romanian monks can still be found on the Athos Mountain.
On this trip you will get to feel our way of life, see our traditions and spend some time in the past.
DAY 1
Arrival in Bucharest. Dinner and accommodation.
DAY 2 We head to Moldova, the heart of Romanian Orthodoxism
After breakfast, departure to Iasi, Moldova’s capital. Lunch on the way.You will have the opportunity to hear Byzantine church music sung by a students choir from the Theological University of Iasi and meet the archbishop of Moldavia. Dinner in a monk monastery and accommodation at a 4* Hotel in Iasi.
DAY 3 Visit to the monasteries in the Neamt region
Departure West, to the Agapia Monastery. On the way we will visit Mr. Popa’s sculpture Museum. We will arrive around lunchtime at Varatec Monastery, have lunch, maybe a picnic, and in the afternoon we will walk to Agapia.
DAY 4 Visit to the monasteries in the Neamt region
From Agapia we drive to Neamt monastery, and on the same day we visit the other 2 important monk monasteries (Secu and Sihastria). Lunch at one of the monasteries. If you desire, you may walk to Sihla monastery. Dinner and accommodation at Neamt Monastey. . Dinner and accommodation at Agapia Monastery.
DAY 5 Drive to Bucovina
We drive to Bucovina, visiting the monasteries Parhauti, Dragomirna, Bucovina’s bishop residence of Suceava, and arrive at Putna Monastery late in the afternoon. Lunch at the monastery. Dinner and accommodation at the monastery.
DAY 6 Exploring Bucovina
We start our program and visit 4 out of 5 UNESCO monasteries (Sucevita, Moldovita, Humor and Voronet) on this and the next day and have lunch at one of the monasteries. Accommodation at a 4* Hotel in Gura Humorului, dinner at the hotel or at a local family’s house.
DAY 7
We continue yesterday’s program and have lunch and dinner in the mountains at a shepherd yard with traditional food. Accommodation at the same Hotel.
DAY 8 On the way to Bucharest
On the way to Bucharest we will drive through Bicaz Gorges, have lunch at Red Lake, and drive in the afternoon through the Hungarian region in Romania. Accommodation at a 4* Hotel in Brasov. Special dinner downtown in an old citadel.
DAY 9 Return to Bucharest
In the morning we can visit Dracula Castle located in Bran (20 km away from Brasov) and also the most beautiful castle in Eastern Europe - Peles Castle – former residence of the King’s family in Romania (built in 1875). Arrival in Bucharest, dinner and accommodation.
DAY 10 Bucharest Day
City tour of Bucharest where we can visit the Parliament Palace (former Palace of Socialism during Ceausescu’s dictatorship – the second biggest building in the world after the Pentagon), the Patriarchal church, the Village Museum etc. Departure back home in the afternoon.
• 3 and 4* Hotels
• 4* Bus
• Professional guide
• full board
• typical lunches or dinners
• entrance fees to museums and churches
1. The maximum no. of guests is 15, because of the limited accommodation available at the monasteries.
The trip is special, involving meetings with the ofcials of The Romanian Orthodox Church of Moldova, and the opportunity to make contacts and connections within The Orthodocs Church.
In Moldova, a local tour guide, a student of the Theological University of Iasi can be provided.
The program can be changed according to the ightdetails (arriving place, date and hours)
2. For further information please contact: Cultural Romtour, ofce@culturalromtour.ro
