Product Description

Hike, discover monasteries, learn local crafts, and soothe your mind amid Romania’s bucolic regions of Bucovina and Maramures. This 9-day trip offers the possibility to catch a glimpse of one of Europe’s most unique gems. Awe-inspiring views, World Heritage Sites, and peasant culture await you! 

Connect with the country’s well-preserved environment by admiring the fir-tree forests, beautiful landscapes punctuated with sheep herds, wildflowers, and more. Start the trip with a steam train along the Moldovita River and sit back and soak in the stunning panoramic views until you arrive at a small picturesque village. Later on, enjoy leisurely hikes that will lead you along a stream, across fully bloomed fields, past the glacier lake of Stiol, and to Horse’s Waterfall – Romania’s tallest waterfall.

Highlights:

• Steam train along River Moldovita
• Hike in the famous fir-tree forests of Bucovina
• Visit the uniquely painted monastery in Moldoviţa
• Meet the local Hutsules people and discover their art of painting eggs
• Walk past a glacier lake to Romania’s tallest waterfall
• Stop at the “Communism Victim’s Memorial”
• Visit a wooden church in Maramureş that dates back to the 14th century
• End in Cluj Napoca, a cosmopolitan city with a rich cultural heritage

You will also be able to admire the beautiful Bucovina monasteries, which are a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a must-visit in the area. Gain an understanding of the history behind these constructions and the stunning wooden churches of Maramures. Our visit to the “Communism Victim’s Memorial” will be a trip back in time to one of the most important landmarks of history. You will also get to admire the traditional wooden installations of Sarbi and learn about local distillery techniques.

With this guided tour through Bucovina and Maramures, delve into the heart of Romania and meet local farmers and artisans to learn about their daily lives and customs. An encounter with the Hutsules, a group of people with an idiosyncratic heritage and history, will bring you closer to their art of egg painting. A weaving demonstration will also provide you with the opportunity to mingle with the locals as well as learn about ancient art techniques. This immersion in a peasant culture will enchant you, as you will discover a rural world that is no longer present in Western countries.

This trip has multiple set dates:

• May 13-21
• June 10-18
• July 22-30
• August 26 – September 3

Related Trips:

[8 days] Carpathian Mountains & Castles – Self-Guided
[8 days] Carpathian Mountains, Villages, & Castles – Small-Group

Seasonal Notes:

The rich history, beautiful nature, and unique cultural heritage of the country are much enjoyed if traveling in spring or summer. Mild temperatures allow for pleasant walks around the villages and hikes along breathtaking landscapes. Outdoor activities such as visits to famous monasteries are also preferable during these seasons.