Arrival at Chisinau. Transfer from the airport and accommodation in 4* hotel, in the city centre.

Visit Cricova Cellar with wine tasting and drive to Orheiul Vechi – visit and traditional lunch. Return to the hotel..

Cricova Cellars – the second largest in the world - represent a unique underground complex that got renowned throughout the world for both its huge labyrinths and its excellent wines. Some 120 km of roadways link great chambers used for storing the products of the wine industry. The complex includes also a museum which displays methods of growing grapes and making wine, with examples of the tools used, also other rooms are dedicated to the celebration of different kinds of wine, and the many awards won by winemakers from Moldova, a movie theater, also bottling facilities. A special section is reserved to the world celebrities and major political figures that preserve their personal collection of Cricova wines.

The company who manages the business is the first and only company in Moldova awarded the highest state distinction, the Order of the Republic, being also declared the National Cultural Heritage.

Orheiul Vechi. Overlooking the Raut River, these open-air complex features fortifications, baths, caves, ruins, and monasteries – all which date back as late as the Dacian tribes of 2000 years ago. The ancient monuments date from various periods including the Tatar and Mongol invasions, the 10^th century BC, and more recently the occupation of the Golden Horde in the 14^th century. Traditional lunch in the village.

Morning tour of Chisinau.

We will find the city quite pleasant and enjoyable. Until the beginning of the 19^th century, Chisinau was a small, provincial town with only a few thousand inhabitants and the massive development of the city happened only after WWII.  Fans of brutalist and Soviet architecture will definitely appreciate the city as Chisinau is like a Soviet architecture textbook. Visits:

• The Nativity Cathedral, located in Cathedral Park; built in the 1830s in the neoclassical style it has a turbulent history – it was destroyed during World War 2 and when Moldova was part of the USSR and religious services were prohibited the building was used as the exhibition center.
• The Triumphal Arch, placed between the Cathedral and the Government House, one of the most popular Chisinau sights. It was built in 1840 to commemorate the victory of the Russian Empire over the Ottoman Empire during the Russo-Turkish war a few years before.

Drive to Milestii Mici Cellar – wine tasting and lunch. Return to the hotel.

Milestii Mici Cellars - underground cellars and winery are the first in the world, stretching for over 2000km (only 55km used for the activity itself). It was included in the Guinness World Records in 2005 for the largest wine collection in the world, exceeding 1.5 million bottles. The company preserves wine bottles starting from the 1969 vintage, the year of the cellar establishment.

We will enjoy an interesting experience by walking through the underground avenues and streets that bear the names of grape varieties and are large enough to be driven by car. Then, we shall reach the tasting hall in order to savor the exquisite wines and traditional dishes.

Arrive to Iasi at noon.

Afternoon walking tour in Iasi, the former capital of the historical region of Moldova. The city is a symbol of Romanian history, as the Cultural Capital of Romania, also home to great churches and monasteries. The Palace of Culture, formerly the Palace of Justice and now the National Museum complex, is the leading tourist attraction in the city. Historical attractions include the Golia Monastery, the Three Hierarchs Monastery, and the former Royal court of Moldavia. Since the Jewish community once became the main residents of the city in the past, The Great Synagogue, built in 1670, serves as a great historical structure as well.

Accommodation in 4* hotel.

Highlights:

Agapia Monastery – built by the Moldovan leader Vasile Lupu in 1641, it is one of the largest nunneries in Romania, having almost 400 nuns. The interior of the monastery was painted in 1858 by our greatest painter, Nicolae Grigorescu, at the age of 20. Due to their artistic value, these painting can be considered a real art gallery.

Voronet Monastery – most known for the frescoes from 1547, with predominant blue color - Voronet blue, surnamed “The Sistine Chapel of the East", these frescoes depict a fairy-tale world, painted on a "piece of heaven". This "jewel of Bucovina" was built by Romanian great ruler Stefan the Great in 1488).

The "Painted" Monasteries is the major Moldavian destination, because of the vivid and animated frescoes on their church walls. These depict Biblical and other scenes, designed in sequences almost like strip cartoons to educate the local people in the Orthodox religion. Due to their singleness, the monasteries in Bucovina are now UNESCO protected cultural sites. The art historians compare their artistic value with the mural paintings of San Marco church of Venice or the church of Orvietto. The secret of the Moldavian painters who prepared the colors and the techniques that made the paintings incredibly resistant is still a mystery.

Accommodation in Suceava at 4* hotel.

More UNESCO sites: From Bukovina’s Painted Monasteries we cross the Carpathian Mountains to get to Maramures’s Wooden Churches

Highlights:

The Marginea pottery is a specific ceramic type for Marginea village, Suceava County. It’s characterized by the black color acquired by the objects after burning – the result of the use of prehistoric technology, and by ornaments – the result of the use of specific techniques or the preservation of some traditional forms. It’s one of the old crafts that were still preserved to this day in Romania and it offers tourist traveling to Romania the opportunity to acquire truly unique souvenirs to bring back home. It’s also an opportunity to witness the art of making such interesting ceramic items using techniques passed down from generation to generation.

High walls and heavily buttressed defensive towers surround the great monastic complex of Sucevita, giving it the appearance of a fortress. In a time when the Ottoman Empire ordered the Moldavian state to destroy its fortresses, local princes fortified monasteries to use them as a safe retreat in the darkest times. Was founded in 1581 by Gheorghe Movila, Bishop of Radauti. Truly unique is the way in which its paintings surpass all the highlights of the previous one hundred years. Its rich and monumental external murals are the best conserved and the most impressive of all the painted churches in Bucovina. Even its northern façade murals, usually the most damaged by weather conditions, is almost intact. Sucevita was the last of the 22 painted churches of Bucovina and has the largest number of painted images. 

Moldovita Monastery that one can we see today dates back to 1532 and is due to ruling prince Petru Rares (1532-1546). It has, like Sucevita, the aspect of a fortress, with imposing towers and high, thick walls (6 m high, 1.2 m wide). The masters who painted its interior and exterior walls have decorated them with scenes from 16th century Moldavian daily life. But the most interesting painting is the Siege of Constantinople on the south facade, relating to the Romanians' fights against foreign invasions, especially Turks. The painting combines scenes of the siege of Constantinople from 1453 with others referring to a previous such attempt made by the Persians, in 626. 

Ieud Hill Church. Although the 16^th century books found in the church reveal the first edifice from 1364, the actual construction was built in the second half of the 17^th century. The well-preserved architecture, repaired and slightly modified during the 18^th century, together with the interior paintings that were made at the end of the same century (a beautiful example of post-Byzantine mural painting) represented the main reasons to include the church in UNESCO.

Accommodation at 3* B&B, with HB – local traditional food.

Highlights:

Barsana Monastery. If it’s Sunday we may notice locals walking along the road dressed in their best, traditional clothing, going to the church to attend the mass; the monastery’s courtyard would be full of people. Barsana Monastery is really idyllic beyond description. The unique architecture and patiently carved traditional designs, together with flowering plants around creates a stunning and solemn image of the place.

The actual monastery was erected in 1990, and only 16 nuns comprise the convent. But the location of the monastery preserves the traces of worship far back to the 13^th century. The original monastery and church was built in 1391, but was burned in 1717, then reconstructed in 1720. The UNESCO church from that time still exists, but it was moved closer to the village for a better preservation.

The Memorial to Victims of Communism and Resistance, Sighetu Marmatiei. It is the only Memorial located inside a prison. The initial prison was built by the Austria-Hungary authorities in 1897. During the First and Second World Wars, it was also used to incarcerate political prisoners: Polish revolutionaries, priests from the national churches, deserters from the Hungarian army (Romanians or other ethnic groups). After 1918 it functioned as a common law prison. After 1945, former prisoners and former deportees from the U.S.S.R. were repatriated through Sighet. In the period 1948-1950, pupils, students and peasants from the Maramures resistance were imprisoned here. Then, in the 1950’s during the communist dictatorship in Romania, many personalities of the political life of interwar Romania, including Bessarabia, met their death.

Sapanta Merry Cemetery. The Cemetery, national and international tourist attraction is famous for its colorful tombstones with naïve paintings describing, in an original and poetic manner, the people who are buried there as well as scenes from their lives. The cemetery's origins are linked with the name of Stan Ioan Pătraş, a local artist who sculpted the first tombstone crosses. In 1935, Pătraș carved the first epitaph and, then in time more than 850 of such oak wood crosses came into sight.

The unusual feature of this cemetery is that it diverges from the prevalent belief, culturally shared within European societies – a belief that views death as something indelibly solemn. Connections with the local Dacian culture have been made, a culture whose philosophical tenets presumably vouched for the immortality of the soul and the belief that death was a moment filled with joy and anticipation for a better life.

Accommodation in 3* hotel, Sighetu Marmatiei.

We’re leaving Maramures and drive to the central Transylvania.

Highlights:

Desesti church. The church from Desesti, dedicated to St. Parascheva, was built in 1770 of thick square-cut oak beams on a foundation of river stones. The upper beams are longer and form solid wing-like consoles that support the tall and heavy roof that is covered with shingles.  The interior is remarkably rich and vivid painted, one of main reasons of including in UNESCO. The painted was performed by local authors, Radu Muntean and Gheorghe Zugavu, in 1780 as is mentioned in the pronaos. The iconostas wall and some icons are the opera of the famous artist Alexandru Ponehalsci, in 1778-1780.

Cluj-Napoca. The city is a mix of medieval landmarks, architectural jewels and trendy urban hotspots, a laid-back city where people enjoy life at a slower “Transylvanian” pace.

Afternoon tour: In the central Unirii Square we admire the massive 15^th century St. Michael Gothic church, one of the biggest form the country, with its 19^th century New-Baroque tower, then the imposing Matthias Corvinus equestrian monument. The Eastern side of the square is heading to Iuliu Maniu Street, with mirror facing buildings, resembling at a very small scale the redesigned 19^th century Paris city by baron Haussmann. We continue noticing the the Greek-Orthodox Cathedral, then we reach the Avram Iancu Square – two major buildings to be seen: a beautiful yellow colored mix of Renaissance with Secession 19^th century National Theatre and Opera House, then the majestic Orthodox Cathedral with the statue of Avram Iancu in the front.

Accommodation at 4* hotel.

Highlights:

Turda salt mine. The mine was placed by Business Insider at the top of ten “coolest underground places in the world”, once being also ranked among “the 25 hidden gems around the world that are worth the trek”. Visit the mine and lunch at the neighbor La Salina restaurant – wine tasting included.

Alba Carolina Citadel. The impressive structure is 1 km wide and it is considered to be the largest of this kind in south-eastern Europe. The fortress was finished in 1738; along its walls, seven bastions give it a stellar shape. After the Turks were defeated by the Austrian - Hungary Empire in 1683, Transylvania comes again under Viennese administration. The citadel is called "Alba Carolina" after the Austrian Emperor's name, the one who commanded its construction. It was planned to function as the military headquarters of Transylvania. The 6 entering gates are considered to be unique in the military architecture of Europe.

Arriving at Sibiu at evening. Accommodation at 4* hotel.

“Sibiu 2007” represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity for a Romanian city to host the European Capital of Culture designation. Sibiu/Hermannstadt as European Capital of Culture in 2007 aims at opening gates through which the city’s rich cultural landscape and diverse life will meet that of Europe. Also, Sibiu is proud to be European Region of Gastronomy awarded 2019 and also be on the nominated list for one of the best 2020 Destinations!

Sightseeing tour: Piata Mare (The Big Square), Piata Mica (The Little Square), Piata Huet (Huet Square), Iron Bridge, Biserica Evangelica (The Evangelical Church) and Mitropolia (The Orthodox Church), Brukenthal Museum.

In the afternoon you can visit the biggest Open Air Museum in Romania and one of the largest in Central and Eastern Europe - Astra Village Museum, near Sibiu city. It contains houses and workshops of the traditional Romanian folk culture from the pre-industrial era. Over 300 houses and other buildings are situated in the forest around two artificial lakes with over 10 km of walkways between them.
The houses are open and you can go inside and visit them. There are carriages to rent for a museum tour. 

Overnight in Sibiu at 4* hotel.

After breakfast, we start the day by driving to Sighisoara. On our way, we will visit one of the most important UNESCO fortified churches of Transylvania, Biertan Church. 

The presence of the fortified churches dating from the 12th – 16th century is characteristic for the Saxon area, these churches existing in the great majority of the villages and commercial centers colonized by the German population known generically under the name of Saxons.  The architectonic ensemble from Biertan impresses by a harmonious matching in locality, by its esthetic and historic value and especially by the original substance very well preserved.  

Sighisoara is one of the most beautiful towns in the heart of Transylvania. The whole medieval citadel is a part of UNESCO World Heritage. German architectural influences are visible throughout the entire city. Sighisoara was for several centuries a military and political stronghold. One of its most famous attractions is the Clock Tower (Council Tower), built in the 14th Century. This was the control tower of the main gate of the 2,500-foot-long defensive wall. The tower has seven-foot-thick walls and was used to store ammunition, food reserves, archives and the city's treasures. The clock was placed in the tower in the 17th Century. 

The tour includes: Guild Tower, Venetian House (built in the 13th Century), Vlad the Impaler (Dracula) House, Wood Covered Staircase, Hermann Oberth Square.

Optional: You can serve a nice dinner in the house where Vlad Tepes was born, today a famous restaurant and can taste his favorite plate and drink his Vampire Red Wine. 

Accommodation in Sighisoara at 4* hotel.

On the way to Brasov we're passing through the Saxonland. The Saxon villages display a remarkable, unspoiled harmony between people and landscape. The houses follow a clear pattern: they sit end-on to the street, painted in a rich variety of greens and blues, with distinctive hipped roofs. The houses themselves are built to a format, with their cobbled courtyards, winter and summer kitchens, vegetable patches and colossal timber frame barns enclosing the rear end of the courtyard.

Before getting to Brasov stop and visit Prejmer Fortified Church - the biggest fortified church in Southeastern Europe built in the 14th century. The fortress with double walls and dungeons makes me think of the ancient tales. Inside its walls, there is a church, but the interesting thing here is the honeycomb like inner wall. Every family had one small room for sheltering in case the village was attacked. In peaceful times they used it as a storage room for food.

In the afternoon, we will arrive in Brasov and we will enjoy this wonderful, mountain, medieval town for the rest of the day!

Brasov is one of the most beautiful cities in Romania. The main attraction is the medieval part of the city with: The Black Church that houses a priceless collection of Oriental rugs as well as a 4000-pipe organ. The Town Hall Square, the Franciscan Monastery, The Central Park, The Black Tower, The White Tower, Ecaterina’s Gate, Schei Gate and the Rope Street – the narrowest street in Europe.

Overnight in the historical centre of Brasov , at 3* hotel

In the morning we get on the way to discover the well known Transylvania’s Castle – Bran Castle, an important national monument and landmark of the Romanian tourism, due not only to the beauty of the Castle and the landscape but also to the legend of Count Dracula. The first documentary attestation of the Bran Castle is the act issued on November 19, 1377, by Ludovic I D'Anjou. On December lst, 1920, the Brasov Town council donated the Bran Castle to Queen Marie of Great Romania, as a symbol of gratitude for her contribution to the achievement of the "Great Union" of 1 December 1918. Between 1920 – 1927 years, Carol Liman transformed it into a beautiful summer residence, surrounded with a park, fountains, a lake, walking alleys and halt terraces and built the "Tea House" of Queen Maria. In 1938 Queen Maria left with will the Bran Castle to her daughter, Princess Ileana. Since 1956 the Castle was opened as a museum of history and feudal art.

Stop for lunch at Azuga: built in 1892, the Rhein Azuga Cellars was the former "Supplier of Romanian's Royal Court", and since April 2006 has been designated the "Supplier of His Majesty King Michael the First". The cellar is considered the oldest in Romania at which sparkling wine is produced using the traditional "champenoise' method. Lunch and wine tasting.

In the afternoon we will visit Peles Castle, the summer residence of the Romanian kings. A testimony to the 19th-century ruler’s refinement, the wonderful edifice was built after the wish of Romania’s first king, Carol I, and it happily mingled everything that was most beautiful and representative about the neo-Renaissance. The intricate facades, with applications of brown silky wood towers that seem to scratch the sky with their sharp roofs, along with the fountains and statues all make up a harmonious ensemble designed by accomplished Viennese architects. 

Peles has entered history as the place where some of the most important decisions were taken regarding Romania’s fate. Anniversaries, balls, music, literary events, and theater shows organized on the scene of the theater hall gave life to the castle and refreshed the Romanian high life. The atmosphere of this place preserves so much of the force of those times that visitors will be surprised when, at their departure, they will notice that no gilded carriage is waiting at the stairs!

Arrive in Bucharest in the evening. Accommodation at 5* hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel, then departs to Rila Monastery. The monastery, the oldest in the Slav world and still the largest active religious center in Bulgaria, is first and foremost an exceptionally fine artistic complex, in which architecture and painting merge harmoniously. Apart from this, it has been for centuries the seat of the development, preservation, and diffusion of Slav religious culture in all its various manifestations, including literary and artistic, and it became the symbol of Bulgarian cultural identity that was continually threatened by Turkish domination. The monastery stands about 120 km from Sofia, in the heart of the Rila Massif, located at the north-western extremity of the Rodophe Mountains, a mountainous system with peaks that rise to almost 3,000 m. On a number of occasions it was destroyed and burnt down, only to rise again like a phoenix from the ashes.

Arrive in Sofia late afternoon.  Short city tour of Sofia after check-in to your hotel.

Enjoy a sightseeing tour of Sofia, a pleasant city of boulevards and open spaces and see the city’s most important places of worship – Alexander Nevski Memorial Church and St. George Rotunda. Walk along the main streets and see the most important landmarks in the city center - St. Nedelya Square and St. Nedelya Church, St. Petka of the Saddlers, the Synagogue, the Central Baths, the Mosque, the underpass outside the President's Office, Alexander Battenberg Square, the National Theater, the former Royal Palace, the Russian Church, St. Sophia Church and the Monument to the Unknown Soldier.

Overnight in Sofia at 4* hotel.

Half day in Sofia at your disposal.

End of tour