2020 "BUCOVINA & TRANSYLVANIA" EXPLORER TOUR
"THE CHARM OF OLD EUROPE"
A SIX-DAY
EXCLUSIVE CULTURAL CONNECTIONS TOUR
UNIQUE TOUR FEATURES, NOT OFFERED BY ANY OTHER OPERATOR :
- enjoy the exceptional insights and expertise of the best tour guides on the Romanian market, exclusively working with Compass Travel Romania;
- benefit of the complete flexibility of having the tour tailored to your requirements, both in terms of the route and the duration of the tour;
- make the most of your tour experience through our exclusively designed tours in Bucovina and Transylvania, with no less than 6 UNESCO Sites included;
- enjoy 5 nights of accommodation at full of character, centrally located hotels;
- learn about the daily life in the countryside on our authentic cultural connections;
- enjoy local, authentic local dining through our traditional meals in both Bucovina and Transylvania
- take the unique opportunity of meeting Gypsies in their own community in Transylvania and discover their particular culture and traditional skills;
- learn first hand about arts & crafts, including an egg painting demonstration by one the best artist in the country..
Day 1:
Bucharest to Bucovina via the Moldavian Countryside
Morning pick up by your English speaking tour guide at your hotel in Bucharest. Drive north to Bucovina passing through the countryside of Vrancea. Stopover for lunch along the way. Later in the afternoon in the town of Campulung enjoy an exclusively organized egg-painting demonstration by a local artist in her home, this being one of the local traditions of the area. You will also have the chance to admire painted eggs from all over the world. After arriving in Gura Humorului, check into the hotel. Evening at leisure.B Accommodation in Gura Humorului at La Conac in Bucovina **** OR Best Western Bucovina **** (two nights)
Day 2:
Bucovina Painted Monasteries Excursion (UNESCO World Heritage Sites) & Traditional Bucovina Lunch
A la carte breakfast at hotel. Bucovina monasteries are gems of medieval Moldavian architecture and artistry. Begin your day with Voronet, the most beautiful and most famous out of all, known as the Sistine Chapel of the East and featuring one the best preserved Last Judgment frescoes in this part of the World. Next is Moldovita Monastery, where the UNESCO Golden Apple Award given to the painted churches in 1975, is kept. As a culinary experience, enjoy a traditional Bucovina lunch in the picturesque village of Sucevita. Later continue to the nearby Sucevita Monastery, which 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. The small museum of this monastery is displaying some of the most valuable old Bibles in the country. In the village of Marginea visit the black pottery workshop - they use a technique called "oxygen reduction", there is the same technique in Mexico only! End your day with the Monastery of Humor, the only one without a belfry tower but featuring an unique "Legend of the Prodigal Son" fresco. Return to the hotel with the evening at leisure.
B L Accommodation in Gura Humorului at La Conac in Bucovina **** OR Best Western Bucovina ****
B L Accommodation in Gura Humorului at La Conac in Bucovina **** OR Best Western Bucovina ****
Day 3:
Gura Humorului - Piatra Neamt - Bicaz Gorges - Exclusive Gypsy Home Visit & Interaction - Sighisoara
A la carte breakfast at hotel. Morning visit to the exquisite Folk Customs Museum of Bucovina, an authentic window into the local culture and a perfect ending to your tour in the area. Drive south to Piatra Neamt and continue to Bicaz Gorges where the surroundings are dramatic. Optional lunch in the resort of Lacu Rosu (restaurants here specialize in naturally grown trout). You are back to Transylvania passing through an area inhabited mostly by the Hungarian Szeklers community, which actively maintains its peculiar culture and even script. Exclusive Visit to a Gypsy village followed by a Gypsy home visit: this is an unique opportunity to learn about this less known yet controversial ethnic group, about its culture, identity and lifestyle. Afternoon arrival to Sighisoara - World Heritage Site and the only still inhabited medieval citadel in Europe. Accommodation in the Upper Town.
OPTIONAL: Tasting of excellent home made fruit brandy, in a 500-year old cellar in Sighisoara.
B Accommodation in Sighisoara at The House with Antler Hotel *** (two nights)
B Accommodation in Sighisoara at The House with Antler Hotel *** (two nights)
Previously used by Prince Charles during his early travels to Transylvania
Day 4: Sighisoara Walking Tour & Biertan (UNESCO World Heritage Site) - Transylvanian Dinner
Before starting your walking tour of old Sighisoara attend an informal talk on Vlad the Impaler - Dracula, what is truth and what is fiction (by the tour guide). Sighisoara is one of a kind. It was developed by the German settlers as of late 12th century. It stands on a network of tunnels and catacombs and, according to one version of the myth; this is where the Pied Piper brought the children of Hamelin after their ungrateful parents refused to pay him his due. The walking tour includes the two squares of the Citadel (Upper Town), the Scholars' Staircase, the House with Antler, the Tower with Clock (climb up for a great view), the Torture Chamber and the Weapon Museum. Visit the exquisite Spoonman Exhibition of Transylvanian Arts & Crafts. Sighisoara is the place where the Vlad the Impaler Dracula was born in 1431. The Birthplace is the oldest civilian building in town and one of the main tourist attractions. Then drive to the fortified church of Biertan, a UNESCO World Heritage Site for a visit of the former Seat of the Lutheran Bishops. With its three betls of fortification this is the most impressive fortified church in the country. Opportunity for a short walk in the village. Return to Sighisoara’s Upper Town to further explore it on own. This evening enjoy a typical Transylvanian Dinner at hotel.B D Accommodation in Sighisoara
Day 5:
Sighisoara - The Saxon Village Experience - Dracula's Castle in Bran - Brasov Walking Tour
Hot and cold buffet breakfast at hotel. Leave Sighisoara in the morning. Journey south through the picturesque Transylvanian Plateau with its quaint villages and Saxon fortifications such as Saschiz. Discover the daily life, self-sufficiency and sustainbility and enjoy an exclusive tasting of organic Transylvanian ”like Grandma used to make” recipes. Continue for a tour of Bran Castle also known as Dracula's Castle though the connection between Prince Vlad the Impaler and this place are still under debate. The castle was first built as early as 1377 to safeguard the trading route between Transylvania and the Ottoman Empire. It was enlarged and restored later to finally become a superb summer royal residence in the 1920s under Queen Marie of Romania. it is today one of the most visited sites of the country. After the tour enjoy cheese sampling on the premises. Continue to the town of Brasov with its well preserved medieval quarter to admire the 14 century Gothic Black Church with its 4,000 pipe organ and over a hundred Anatolian prayer rugs given to the church as gifts by the rich Brasov merchants. Visit Schei Quarter. The tour will take you to the Catherine's Gate, the Rope Street as well as include a view of the superb 1901 Synagogue. After check in enjoy your time in the lovely pedestrian area of the Old Town with its many restaurants and outdoor cafes. Evening at leisure.
B Accommodation in Brasov at Hotel Bella Muzica *** OR Hotel Casa Wagner ***
B Accommodation in Brasov at Hotel Bella Muzica *** OR Hotel Casa Wagner ***
Day 6:
Brasov - Sinaia & Peles Castle - Bucharest
Hot and cold buffet breakfast at hotel. After a scenic, morning short drive arrive to Sinaia mountain town. Named after St. Catherine Monastery on Mount Sinai, Sinaia became the unofficial capital of the Kingdom of Romania toward the end of the 19th century. The tour will reveal the town's superb architecture in examples such as the mani fin-de-siecle private villas, the former Casino and local park. Later, take a guided tour of the Peles Castle and Gardens in Sinaia, the royal residence of King Charles I of Romania and known as one of the most beautiful summer royal residences in Europe. After the visit drive to Bucharest Coanda Airport for your return flight. Or take our BULGARIA EXTENSION OR THE BLACK SEA & DANUBE DELTA EXTENSION.
The tour is further customizable.
Included Features:
- 5 nights at three and four star hotels (all centrally located)
- fully insured sedan or minivan with climate control, for the entire distance
- fuel & parking fees included
- all sightseeing tours & cultural connections
- informal talks on: Ceausescu and His Times, Vlad the Impaler - Dracula, The Gyspies and Their Journey
- 7 meals: 5 breakfasts, 1 Bucovina Lunch, 1 Transylvanian Dinner (authentic, local culinary experiences)
- cheese sampling in Bran
- egg painting demonstration in Bucovina
- exclusively organized Gypsy home visit & interaction
- professional English speaking guide (driving) to accompany you throughout
- guide's expenses
- admissions to museums, sites and churches as per itinerary
- porterage at hotels
- VAT and local tax
- detailed map of Romania.
You'll Visit 3 UNESCO World Heritage Sites:
- Bucovina Exterior Frescoed Monasteries
- Historic Center of Sighisoara
- Southern Transylvania Fortified Churches
Not Included:
- Other meals than stated
- Alcoholic beverages
- Photo / video fees at sites and museums
- Gratuities of any kind.
Note: The tour can be extended with one day to include Sibiu and the Astra Museum