• Arrival/Departure by plane
• Bus tour
• 6 days
• Focus on orthodox traditions

The Orthodox Easter in Romania is not only a religious feast but also a public festival. The tradition has been well-preserved over the years. The farmers go to the church dressed in traditional clothes on Saturday evening and the Holy Mass begins with ‘Fiat lux’. In candle smoke everything looks like in a fairy tale. Saints and martyrs watch the believers from the painted frescos. Everyone takes a candle with the Easter light from the church to their homes. A cross will be painted with candle soot above the entrance door and everyone will have a traditional dinner with lamb and red wine in the light of this candle. Sunday is a day of joy. People search for Easter eggs and they sing ‘Christ has risen’.

Day 1: Arrival in Cluj Napoca

The trip in Romania begins and ends in Cluj-Napoca. Meeting with the tour guide at the airport and transfer to hotel.

Day 2: Cluj-Napoca – Bistrița – Gura Humorului

City tour in Cluj where we see the main tourist attractions of the Capital of Transylvania: St. Michael’s Church, the house where the Hungarian king Matthew Corvin was born, the opera house, the theatre, etc. Next, we head to Bukovina through Bistrița. In Bistrița, we take a short break to visit the city center where we can see the church with the tallest tower in Transylvania. Then, we go to Câmpulung Moldovenesc to visit the famous museum of wood artifacts. Afterwards, we drive to Gura Humorului. It is the Holy Saturday and Christians get ready for Easter Mass. We have dinner at the hotel. We arrive around 11 p.m. at Humor Monastery where we witness the Orthodox mass. The songs, the liturgy, but also the believers make this an unforgettable experience. Back at the hotel we have Easter eggs, lamb steak and red wine waiting for us.

Day 3: UNESCO-World Cultural Heritage in Bukovina: Humor – Voroneț – Sucevița – Moldovița

After breakfast we visit the UNESCO-Monasteries in Bukovina, also known as the Moldavian Monasteries. First, we visit the Voroneț Monastery or ‘The Sistine Chapel of the East’, one of the best preserved monasteries of the 15^th century. It is especially famous for the deep blue shade of its frescoes, known in Romania as ‘Voroneț Blue’. Next, we see the Moldovița Monastery, where one of the nuns will tell us more about the everyday life of the nuns. Then, we go to Sucevița, the ‘Pearl of the Moldavian Monasteries’ and to the ceramics workshop from Marginea. In the afternoon, we also visit the monastery in Humor, founded by a noble family. Dinner at the hotel with folklore evening.

Day 4: The Wood Architecture of Maramureș: Ieud – Bârsana – Săpânța – Sighetu Marmației

We dedicate this day to admiring the amazing wood architecture in Maramureș. We visit the 16^th-17^th century monasteries in Bogdan Vodă, Ieud, Bârsana and Rozavlea. The tall wooden gates enhance the beauty of the scenery. Next, we visit the Merry Cemetery in Săpânța and a wood carving workshop. Dinner and overnight accommodation in Sighetu Marmației.

Day 5: Sighetu Marmației – Baia Mare – Cluj-Napoca

First, we visit the Memorandum, a museum built in an old jail for political prisoners. Here, we find out more about communism and its impact on the Romanian society and mentality. Drive to Baia Mare to visit the beautiful city center. In the afternoon, city tour in Cluj-Napoca, the capital of Transylvania. Dinner and overnight accommodation in Cluj-Napoca.

Day 6: Return flight

Transfer to airport and return flight.

Included services:

– All 5 overnight stays with halfboard;

– 1 x Easter dinner;

– 1 x dinner with folklore show;

– All entry fees;

– Transport with bus according to the program;

– English speaking tour guide.