Maramures And Bucovina Tour: A Journey to Europe’s Last Rural Paradise.
Have you ever dreamed of taking a journey back in time? Who hasn’t?!
A tour of Maramures and Bucovina offers you this unique chance. This two regions are among the very few left in Europe, where time seems to have slowed down its rush. No wonder they are called the last rural paradise of Europe, as tradition is still at home here. A rich folklore, wonderful landscapes, very hospitable people and a stunning abundance of UNESCO Heritage sites are responsible for the worldwide fame of these regions.
Your trip back to the past will start in the multicultural city of Cluj, capital of Transylvania, and then, you will head north to plunge into the miraculous world of Maramures. From wooden churches and gates, to people wearing traditional clothing on holidays, from traditional weddings to the unique “Merry Cemetery” in Sapanta, the idyllic Maramures will not cease to amaze and enchant you.
Later, you will drive through the scenic Bistrita Valley, to arrive in Bucovina, home of the famous painted monasteries, some of the world’s most precious architectural masterpieces.
When crossing the Carpathians back to Transylvania, you’ll pass right through breathtaking Bicaz Pass and then, The Red Lake Resort, to finally arrive at Sighisoara, best preserved medieval inhabited citadel in Europe.
Come and discover things that are now lost to the world,but can still be found in Romania!
- Day 1 Arrive in Cluj. Guided city Tour.
Private transfer and accommodation for one night in Maramures. - Day 2 Maramures day. Full day to discover this unique land: wooden churches, Merry Cemetery, traditional houses. Accommodation for one night in Sighet. Evening at leisure.
- Day 3 Combined day exploring Maramures and Bucovina.
Visit Moldovita, one of the famous Moldavian monasteries.
Accommodation for two nights in the very heart of Bucovina. - Day 4 Bucovina day. One day trip to the most famous painted churches in Eastern Europe: Sucevita, Humor, Voronet. Peaceful evening at leisure.
- Day 5 Back to Transylvania. Transfer to Sighisoara in Transylvania.
Exclusive accommodation in the citadel for one night.
Private walking tour. Evening at leisure. - Day 6 Sighisoara – Cluj. Visit the fortified church of Biertan.
Private Transfer to Cluj international airport. Departure.
Tour Highlights
Cluj-Napoca
Nicknamed “The Heart of Transylvania” or “The Treasure City”, Cluj is the traditional capital of Transylvania. With a rich and long history, going back to the Roman times, the city combines Romanian, Hungarian and a few German elements, shaping the town's multicultural character. Medieval traces are few, as the city prides itself with an impressive baroque and neoclassical architecture.
Standing out these past years due to its remarkable booming economy, as the second largest financial center of the country, the city also has an abundant cultural life, while the 11 universities make it the city with the highest percentage of college students in Romania.
A pleasant walking tour in the central area will take you to: The Franciscan Church, Matei Corvin’s native house, St Michael’s Church – second largest gothic church in Romania, The Art Museum, or to Matias Corvin’s equestrian statue - a real landmark of Cluj. You can also take a romantic walk along Kogalniceanu Street to reach the Reformed Cathedral, The Tailor’s Bastion, or the “Babes-Bolyai “ University – largest one in Romania.
Rich in superlatives, Cluj is also home to the Botanical Garden, one of the largest in Eastern Europe and to TIFF (Transylvania International Film Festival ), most important international film festival in Romania.
Maramures
Land of an ancient civilization, Maramures is an unique and still traditional region to fall in love with. You’ll be impressed by its woodwork masterpieces: intricately carved gates or ancient watermills, old wooden churches known worldwide and part of the UNESCO Heritage List: Ieud, Bogdan Voda, Rozavlea, or Surdesti - known as the tallest old wooden structure in Europe.
Visit the unique “Merry Cemetery” in Sapanta, with funny poems about the deceased on wooden gravestones or The Memorial Museum in Sighet, dedicated to the victims of the communist regime.
Life around here still revolves around the village’s church, connected to old believes and rituals… On Sundays, people still wear their traditional clothing and play music specific to this region.You will feel special when you’ll be welcomed with open arms by the friendly and hospitable locals, in their own peasant homes.
Maramures begins to change under the pressure of the modern world, so in a few years everything here will be different. This might be the last chance to discover a place unique in Europe.
Bucovina
Bucovina is a rural paradise, rich in traditions and filled with an abundance of stunning UNESCO sites.
This is a wonderful journey into the land of the worldwide famous painted monasteries. Built in the XV and XVI centuries, each is adorned with magnificent frescoes of religious inspiration and features a different dominant color: visit Humor Monastery with its incredible frescoes from XVI century, Voronet Monastery (called “The Sistine Chapel of the Orient”), discover Marginea, largest black pottery center in the country, then other two sites of this little piece of heaven: the Monasteries of Sucevita and Moldovita.
Drive through picturesque villages, enjoy the traditional markets (carpets, embroidery, traditional clothing or painted eggs) or delight your senses with the famous Moldavian traditional cuisine.
Sighisoara
Is one of the most beautiful and best preserved inhabited citadels of Europe, part of the UNESCO list.
Start exploring the fascinating little town, discover the story of Vlad the Impaler, know as Dracula, right in front of his native house, stroll along the old narrow streets and climb up in the Clock Tower for a beautiful panorama of the whole city. Climb the stairs of the 17th century Pupil’s Covered Stairway or learn about Sighisoara’s many towers and guilds.
Shop for medieval souvenirs in one of its many shops or just relax on a terrace in the old, lovely square.