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9 days / 8 nights
12 people
Adventure
€1.595,00
Departure: Cluj-Napoca
Arrival: Cluj-Napoca
Transportation: by bus/minivan with an assigned driver and authorized guide, or individually. For that, we can offer a rent-a-car service.
Recommended Season: All year round
Good to know: You’ll get by with english pretty well
Highlights:
Welcome to Cluj!
Your adventure officially begins with a welcome meeting at 6:00 PM this evening.
If you arrive earlier, you can take a stroll through the old town or enjoy a panoramic view of the city by climbing up to the Belvedere.
Accommodation: Hotel with breakfast included
Optional activities:
On this day, after breakfast, we head towards one of Romania’s unique monuments, included in the UNESCO World Heritage list: the Merry Cemetery of Săpânța.
This is a place in Romania that attracts visitors from around the world due to its original perspective on life and death. Located in the village of Săpânța, Maramureș County, this cemetery has been transformed into a site of folk art and remembrance by local craftsman Stan Ioan Pătraș. The wooden crosses are handcrafted, featuring personalized carvings, illustrations, and epitaphs for everyone. After the death of Stan Ioan Pătraș in 1977, his apprentice, Dumitru Pop Tincu, carried on the tradition.
The Merry Cemetery is more than a final resting place; it is a vibrant celebration of Maramureș culture and spirit, offering an uplifting and inspiring experience to its visitors.
From here, just a few kilometers away, we arrive at the Sighet Memorial. The Memorial to the Victims of Communism and Resistance in Sighet, also known as the Sighet Memorial, is a museum and commemorative site dedicated to those who suffered under the communist regime in Romania. Located in Sighetu Marmației, Maramureș County, the Memorial is housed in a former political prison where thousands of people including political leaders, priests, teachers, and other notable figures were imprisoned under inhumane conditions.
This prison was primarily used to eliminate Romania’s political and cultural elite, becoming known as an “extermination prison.” In the 1990s, the abandoned building was transformed into a memorial through the efforts of the Civic Academy Foundation, led by Ana Blandiana. The Memorial was officially inaugurated in 1997.
The Sighet Memorial serves as a living history lesson, a place that deeply moves visitors with its dramatic stories and profound significance.
Accommodation: Guesthouse with breakfast included
Activities included:
Today we will travel for approximately 4 ½ hours.
Today is dedicated to discovering the craftsmanship of traditional artisans. We start by heading to one of the largest wooden churches in Romania. The village of Bârsana, an ancient settlement located on the right bank of the Iza River, lies about 20 kilometers southeast of Sighetu Marmației. Here, we find Bârsana Monastery, nestled in the picturesque Maramureș region. This is one of the most beautiful and representative spiritual and cultural landmarks in Romania. Visiting the monastery offers a unique experience, blending inner peace, the beauty of nature, and local traditions.
Bârsana Monastery is an impressive example of traditional Maramureș wooden architecture, built entirely from wood without the use of nails. The church tower, rising over 50 meters high, is one of the tallest wooden structures in Europe. The intricate sculptural details of the building showcase exceptional artistic skill. A visit to Bârsana Monastery is not just a sightseeing opportunity; it is a soul-enriching experience that offers insight into authentic Romanian traditions and leaves unforgettable memories.
From here, our journey continues to one of the most renowned traditional villages: Breb. Hidden in the heart of Maramureș, Breb is a true rural gem, a place where time seems to have stopped, and authentic traditions are still alive through its people and landscapes. Visiting this village is an invitation to simplicity, tranquility, and a deep connection with nature and local culture.
You will admire wooden houses, some hundreds of years old, built in the distinctive Maramureș style with handcrafted details. The village’s wooden gates are masterpieces, adorned with symbolic motifs such as the sun, the rope of life, or the tree of life. Here, you can engage in traditional activities like baking bread in a wood-fired oven or weaving on a loom.
If time allows, a nature walk to Poiana Creasta Cocoșului is a delightful way to end the day. Known as “The Rooster’s Crest” due to its resemblance to a giant rooster’s comb, this natural landmark in the Gutâi Mountains holds special significance. It is the last and most spectacular remnant of a volcanic crater that erupted 9 million years ago in what we now call Maramureș.
The view of the crest, whether admired from afar or up close at its base, is unforgettable: rocky, majestic, crenelated, and stretching 200 meters in length.
Accommodation: Guesthouse with breakfast and dinner included
Included activities:
Travel time: Approximately 3 hours today.
Today is about a mode of transportation that revolutionized travel and more.
One of the most important cultural and technical assets of the country, the Mocănița on the Vaser Valley, is the last operational steam-powered forestry railway in the world. Built as a more practical solution for transporting timber compared to water routes, this forest railway still operates today, both for its original purpose and for tourist transport. Since 1932, the Mocănița in Vișeu de Sus has functioned almost uninterrupted. From Monday to Saturday, production trains carry logs from the Vaser Valley to the wood processing factories in Vișeu de Sus.
The Mocănița on the Vaser Valley is the only railway in Europe still used for timber transport. Near the railway station, you’ll find the Maramureș Village Mocănița, an ensemble of traditional Maramureș houses. In this place, inspired by the Romanian village of the past, you can admire the exhibition of traditional Maramureș-style houses, enjoy authentic Romanian dishes, or participate in events and folk performances.
Evening: Free time!
Accommodation: Guesthouse with breakfast included.
Included activities:
Optional activities:
Dinner (approximately 30 euro)
Today’s journey takes us to the enchanting region of Bucovina.
The drive from Vișeu de Sus to Moldovița Monastery is a scenic route that traverses some of northern Romania’s most spectacular landscapes. Along the way, we will cross Prislop Pass (1,416 m altitude), a breathtaking mountain area connecting Maramureș to Bucovina, offering panoramic views. As we descend into Bucovina, we’ll encounter picturesque villages, traditional houses, and perhaps even locals dressed in traditional folk costumes.
At the end of the road awaits Moldovița Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, renowned for its exquisite exterior frescoes dating back to the time of Prince Petru Rareș. The monastery was designed as a spiritual fortress with thick defensive walls. It is a place of tranquility and reflection, as well as a masterpiece of Moldavian medieval artistry.
From Moldovița, we continue to Sucevița Monastery, considered the last of Bucovina’s painted monasteries. Sucevița masterfully blends medieval art traditions with Renaissance influences. It is both a symbol of Orthodox faith, resistance and a true work of art. While Moldovița captivates with its vibrant historical scenes and colors, Sucevița fascinates with the complexity of its frescoes and the harmony of its architectural ensemble.
The day also includes two unique experiences:
We will spend the night in Gura Humorului.
Accommodation: Guesthouse with breakfast included
Included activities:
Optional activities:
Travel time: Approximately 4 ½ hours today.
We continue with Humor Monastery, one of Romania’s most valuable religious and cultural monuments. Built in 1530 during the reign of Petru Rareș, it is renowned for its exterior frescoes and its distinct Moldavian architecture. Among the most famous painted scenes are “The Last Judgment” and “The Siege of Constantinople”, both rich in detail and symbolism. The frescoes are considered exemplary Moldavian art, using painting as a “Bible in images” to educate and inspire.
Next, we visit Voroneț Monastery, perhaps the most famous painted monastery in Bucovina, often called “The Sistine Chapel of the East” due to its spectacular exterior frescoes. Built in 1488 by Ștefan cel Mare in just 3 months and 3 weeks as a token of gratitude for a military victory, it is a masterpiece of medieval Moldavian architecture.
A remarkable feature of Voroneț is the Voroneț Blue, an intense and unique shade of blue that has gained international fame and remains a mystery of medieval art.
Today’s experiences also include exploring the art of decorated eggs. At the Egg Museum, a fascinating place that celebrates this intricate craft, visitors will encounter a tradition specific to Bucovina and cultures worldwide. This unique museum in Romania has become a renowned tourist attraction thanks to its rich collection and the beauty of its exhibits.
The museum was founded by artist and collector Lucia Condrea, an internationally recognized master of egg decorating. It houses over 11,000 decorated eggs, created using traditional and modern techniques, originating from more than 82 countries. The exhibits include eggs decorated with wax, painted, engraved, or crafted from various materials such as wood, ceramics, or glass. Traditional Bucovina eggs are adorned with geometric patterns, religious symbols, and nature-inspired motifs. Visitors can participate in egg-decorating workshops, learning traditional techniques from local artisans.
The Egg Museum in Vama is a living testament to human creativity and skill, offering a unique cultural experience in the heart of Bucovina.
Evening: Free time.
We will spend the night in Vatra Dornei.
Accommodation: Guesthouse with breakfast included
Included activities:
Optional activities
Travel time: Approximately 2 hours by bus.
The journey from Vatra Dornei to Colibița reveals a spectacular route through mountainous landscapes, vast forests, and traditional villages. The distance of approximately 85-90 km takes us through Poiana Stampei, known for its idyllic scenery and mineral water springs.
We will stop for photos and to admire the view at Tihuța Pass (1,200 m altitude), one of the most stunning mountains passes in Romania, offering impressive panoramas of the surrounding mountains.
Our destination is Colibița, also known as the “Sea of the Mountains”, which welcomes us with its spectacular reservoir lake, surrounded by the Călimani and Bârgău Mountains. Colibița is an ideal place for relaxation, renowned for its clean air, considered some of the most ozonated in Romania.
In addition to outdoor walks, we can enjoy activities on the lake such as kayaking and canoeing. Free time.
Accommodation: Guesthouse with breakfast included
Optional activities:
Travel time: Approximately 2 hours today.
Today marks the conclusion of our journey through the traditions of this region as we return to Cluj-Napoca, the heart of Transylvania. A vibrant and cosmopolitan city, Cluj combines rich history with modern energy.
Known for its impressive architecture, Cluj is home to iconic landmarks such as Union Square, dominated by the imposing St. Michael’s Church, and Banffy Palace, which houses the Art Museum. Unique attractions like the Pharmacy Museum also add to the city’s charm.
With diverse gastronomy, bohemian cafés, and a welcoming atmosphere, Cluj-Napoca captivates visitors with its variety and dynamic spirit. It is a city where tradition meets modernity in a truly unique way.
Accommodation: Hotel with breakfast and dinner included
Included activities:
Optional activities:
Today we will travel for approximately 2 ½ hours.
Your journey concludes this morning after breakfast, with check-out time at 11:00 AM. If you wish to stay longer in this vibrant city, feel free to let us know.
If your departure is later in the day, you can visit one of the most spectacular underground tourist attractions in the world: Turda Salt Mine. This former salt mine, with a history dating back to Roman times, has been transformed into an impressive tourist complex, blending historical elements with modern facilities. Turda Salt Mine is a place where history, nature, and innovation come together, offering a unique experience suitable for both exploration and relaxation.
Optional Activities:
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