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Romania Trip 2015
THE FOLLOWING ITINERARY IS FROM A PAST SOCIETY TRIP, AND IS PRESENTED FOR INTEREST ONLY, TO ILLUSTRATE THE TYPE OF TRIP THAT THE SOCIETY ORGANISES OUTSIDE THE UNITED KINGDOM
Day One:
Saturday 23rd May
London - Sibiu
Direct flight from London Luton airport to Sibiu.
Afternoon walking tour of the town (formerly Hermannstadt).
Stay two nights at the Imparatul Romanilor.
Day Two:
Sunday 24th May
Sibiu – Curtea de Argeş – Poenari Castle (292 km)
We pay a brief visit to the fortified churches at Cristian and Cisnădie, then head south to the ruins of Poenari (Vlad Tepeş’ castle) high above the river Argeş valley. After a lunch stop in Curtea de Argeş we visit the 13th Century Court of Argeş (the oldest church in Wallachia) and the nearby monastery.
Driving north along the Olt Valley we return to Sibiu, or take the Transfagarasan highway if open. Dinner at the hotel.
Day Three:
Monday 25th May
Sibiu – Saxon fortified churches – Sighişoara (102 km)
Free time to explore the medieval town at leisure.
Depart after lunch to visit the Saxon villages and fortified churches of Moşna, Valea Villor and Biertan (UNESCO World Heritage sites) and the ruined fortress of Slimnic.
Arrive in Sighişoara for a two night stay at the Hotel Casa Wagner. Evening meal at Hotel Sighişoara.
The clock tower & Casa Vlad Dracul in Sighişoara
Day Four:
Tuesday 26th May
Sighişoara – Saschiz – Sighişoara (30 km)
Morning at leisure to explore the beautiful medieval town of Sighişoara, with lunch (included) at the Casa Vlad Dracul restaurant (in the house that was the birthplace of Vlad Tepeş). During the afternoon we travel the short distance to the village of Saschiz (15 km) where we visit the church with a magnificent bell tower almost identical to that of Sighişoara, and walk through the woods to the 14th Century Saxon citadel. Evening at leisure.
Day Five:
Wednesday 27th May
Sighişoara – Lazarea Castle - Bicaz Gorge -
Neamt Monastery – Voroneţ (321 km)
Depart Sighişoara to visit the 15th Century Lazarea Castle with its Knights' Hall and craft workshops. Continue to Lake Bicaz and walk through the dramatic Bicaz Gorge with free time for lunch in Bicaz either before or after the walk. Drive to the 12th Century Monastery of Neamt, before continuing north (80 km) to the area of Voroneţ for one night with dinner, at La Roata.
Day Six:
Thursday 28th May
Bucovina region - Tihuţa Pass (173 km)
In the region of Bucovina we visit the world famous painted monasteries of Moldoviţa, Suceviţa and Voroneţ (UNESCO World Heritage sites). There will also be a stop en route at the black pottery workshop at Marginea.
Then we travel west to the Tihuţa (Borgo) Pass for a two night stay at the Castle Dracula Hotel.
Dinner with entertainment.
Voroneţ monastery
Day Seven:
Friday 29th May
Tihuţa (Borgo) Pass
Drive to Vatra Dornei Bai station to catch the 10.57 train to Lunca, a rail journey along one of the most scenic lines in Romania, winding through the Suhard massif. After a stop for lunch in Lunca, we travel by horse and cart back up through the pass. Dinner at the hotel.
The Castle Dracula Hotel
Day Eight:
Saturday 30th May
Tihuţa (Borgo) Pass – Bistriţa – Borsa (192 km)
Leaving the Castle Dracula Hotel, we continue to Bistriţa for free time to visit the medieval centre, followed by a ‘Jonathan Harker lunch’ (included) at the Golden Crown Hotel. Drive northwards to Maramureş, along the Iza Valley, visiting the traditional villages of Ieud, Botiza and Poienile Izei, then continue on to Borşa for a one night stay at the Hotel Victoria.
Day Nine:
Sunday 31st May
Vaser Valley Railway trip
Early departure for Vişeu de Sus, where we take a journey up the Vaser Valley on the narrow gauge, steam powered Mocaniţa train. Overnight stay in the static hotel train, the “Carpatia Express”, next to Vişeu de Sus station (dinner provided).
The Mocaniţa steam train
Day Ten:
Monday 1st June
Vişeu de Sus – Săpânţa –Siget –
Cosau Valley - Baia Mare (170 km)
A visit to the Dragomireşti Farmers' Market, then a full day exploring the traditional villages of Maramureş (with their famous wooden churches) and the Merry Cemetery of Săpânţa. Free time for lunch and sightseeing in Sighetu Marmatiei on the Ukrainian border. Visit the church and frescoes at Deseşti, and explore the villages of the Cosau valley (Budesti, Sirbi and Breb), then continue south to Baia Mare for a one night stay at La Fontana Hotel. Dinner in Baia Mare.
Săpânţa’s ‘Merry Cemetery’
Day Eleven:
Tuesday 2nd June)
Baia Mare – Cluj-Napoca (180km)
Free time to explore the medieval centre of Baia Mare.
Drive south to visit the village of Surdeşti, then continue south to Cluj, visiting the site of the Baroque Banffy Palace at Bontida en route. One night stay with dinner at Hotel Central.
Day Twelve:
Wednesday 3rd June
Cluj-Napoca – Luton
Morning free in Cluj, then early afternoon departure for our flight from Cluj to London Luton.
1973 - 2023
