Painted Monasteries & Wooden Churches of Romania

Arrive in Iasi and transfer to the hotel for overnight stay. 

This morning meet your local guide for a city tour of Iasi including a visit to the Palace of Culture. Backed by Palas Park’s manicured gardens, the palace is a vast neo-Gothic building. After the city tour depart to Gura Humorului, stopping en route at Ruginoasa to visit the palace dedicated to Alexandru Cuza, a former prince of Moldavia. Check in to your hotel for 2 nights. (B)

Today embark on a full day tour of the famous painted monasteries of Bucovina such as Moldovita Monastery, Sucevita Monastery, Humor and Voronet Monastery, as well as visiting a pottery and painted egg museum. (B)

Depart Gura Humorului and head to the Mamures region, home to Romania's most famous wooden churches. Today visit three of the most impressive - Bogdan Voda Wooden Church, Rozavlea Wooden Church and Barsana Wooden Church. After exploring these churches with your local guide, continue to Sighetu Marmatiei, known as Sighet, a town close to the Ukrainian border. (B)

Today drive to Viseul de Sus village for a scenic narrow gauge train ride. Continue to explore the region of Baia Mare, visiting Sapanta and the Merry Cemetery. Located in the village of Sapanta, it is an open-air museum and a national tourist attraction which is famous for its colourful tombstones. End the day by visiting a local family who will demonstrate traditional weaving techniques. (B)

Depart Sighetu Marmatiei and head towards Cluj Napoca stopping en route to visit Surdesti Wooden Church, one of the tallest of its kind in Europe. Upon arrival in Cluj enjoy a city tour with a local guide. The unofficial capital of the Transylvania region, it is home to landmarks dating back to Saxon and Hungarian rule. Surrounding its central square, Piața Unirii, is the Gothic-style St. Michael's Church and the dramatic Matthias Corvinus Statue of the 15th-century king. The baroque-era Bánffy Palace is now a museum showcasing Romanian art. (B)

Transfer to Cluj airport for your flight back to the UK. (B)