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Romania

Treasures of Romania: Enchanting Castles and Painted Monasteries

Program No. 19208RJ
Discover Romania’s legendary culture and charm as you enjoy wine with locals, revel in art and explore pristine forests that boast some of the greatest biodiversity in the world.
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Small Group
Length
11 days
Rating (5)
Activity Level
Starts at
3,349
Flights start at
1,150

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Itinerary
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. Read More.
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. As a result, some program activities, schedules, accommodations, personnel, and other logistics occasionally change due to local conditions or circumstances. Should a major change occur, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
Duration
11 days
10 nights
What's Included
23 meals ( 9B, 8L, 6D )
2 expert-led lectures
13 expert-led field trips
An experienced Group Leader
9 nights of accommodations
Taxes and customary gratuity
Road Scholar Assurance Plan
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Activity Note
Hotel check-in available from 2:00 p.m. Remember to bring your nametag (sent previously).
Afternoon:
After checking in to the hotel and getting your room, take some time to freshen up and relax before our Orientation session. Orientation: 6:00 p.m. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. We will learn from our Group Leader and a series of local experts who will give lectures and lead field trips. Program-related travel and transfers will be via private motorcoach unless noted otherwise. Meals will feature local cuisine in a variety of settings. Periods in the schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.
Dinner:
In the hotel dining room.
Evening:
At leisure. Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving short distances within the city, up to 2 hours total riding time through multiple transfers. Walking up to 3 miles, approximately 4 hours; periods of standing; city streets, some stairs.
Breakfast:
In the hotel dining room.
Morning:
Setting out via motorcoach from the hotel, we’ll begin our exploration of Bucharest with an expert-led walk to Revolution Square where we will learn about the Romanian Revolution of 1989 against communism, one of the last in Eastern Europe. Nicolae Ceausescu was Romania’s communist leader at the time who, for years, had quashed all political opposition through promotion of fear tactics including the use of a ruthless secret police force. Next, we’ll board a motorcoach and head to Romania’s Parliament, an architectural marvel originally intended as the office of the former dictator and the second-largest building in the world. Adjacent to it stands the newly constructed Nations Cathedral. Our itinerary also includes a visit to a historic Orthodox church with deep ties to Bucharest’s history. While on site, we’ll learn how government works in Romania, how the Parliament was built, and where the money came from for the massive project.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
With our Group Leader, we will continue exploring the historic center of the city including the Ceausescu area and how the family got involved in the life of the country. Afterwards, we will continue with our Group Leader for a field trip to the open-air Village Museum where we will learn about Romania’s diverse population and its multicultural heritage, including emphasis on folk traditions and rural architecture.
Dinner:
This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to enjoy what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 118 miles, approximately 3 hours riding time to Brasov. Walking about 2 miles; up to 2 hours in Sinaia; some stairs to negotiate.
Breakfast:
In the hotel dining room.
Morning:
After checking out of the hotel, we will board a motorcoach and begin travel to Transylvania and our next destination, Brasov. On the way, we will stop in Sinaia where we will enjoy an expert-led field trip through Peles Castle – summer residence of the Royal Family. The castle was built according to Western-European fashion by using the best possible materials: Murano crystal chandeliers, German stained-glass windows, Cordoba leather wall coverings, Meissen and Sevres porcelain. Many people believe this to be the most beautiful castle in Europe.
Lunch:
At the castle in Sinaia.
Afternoon:
We’ll check in to the hotel upon arrival in Brasov, a nicely preserved Saxon (German) city with the largest Gothic cathedral in the region. Its former German community is the birthplace of Transylvanian Protestantism. Later on at the hotel, we’ll attend an expert-led lecture to learn more about the history of Romania, specially life during communism.
Dinner:
In the hotel dining room.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Walking up to 3 miles, up to 4 hours; periods of standing; city streets, many stairs inside/outside of castle, uphill walk to Bran Castle. Getting on/off a bus; driving about 21 miles to Bran, approximately 1 hour riding time.
Breakfast:
In the hotel dining room.
Morning:
Setting out from the hotel, we’ll enjoy a walk in the historic center of Brasov led by our Group Leader. Brasov is one of the most picturesque historic cities of Romania. Established by Saxon (German) settlers at a strategic crossroad of trade routes in the 12th century, it was the gate of the Hungarian kingdom towards the southeast. Surrounded by high mountains, one can always enjoy the clean air and the nice streets, squares, towers, and churches. One of the highlights that we will visit is the Black Church, the largest Gothic structure of Eastern Europe.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
Next, we will take a bus transfer to Bran, known as the Castle of Dracula, for a field trip. The castle was originally built in the 14th century by the citizens of Brasov to protect their trade routes. Later, it was owned by Hungarian kings and the Romanian royal family. While on site with our Group Leader, we will become more acquainted with the myths of Dracula.
Dinner:
On your own to explore local fare.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 300 miles, approximately 7 hours riding time from Brasov to Radauti. Walking about 1 mile, approximately 4 hours on our feet; periods of standing, city streets with some stairs.
Breakfast:
In the hotel dining room.
Morning:
Once checked out of the hotel, we will board a motorcoach and begin our journey from Brasov to Radauti. Along the way, we’ll stop in Simleu Ciucului, which is a Roman Catholic pilgrimage site that was recently visited by the pope. With our Group Leader, we will see the church, the statue of the Holy Mary, and hear the story of a 500-year-old tradition. Continuing our transfer, we’ll cross the magnificent Bicaz Gorge and stop at Lacu Rosu (Killer Lake) to admire the beautiful lake.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
Continuing our transfer, we will arrive at the hotel in Radauti for check-in. Take some time to freshen up and relax before meeting for dinner.
Dinner:
In the hotel dining room.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 100 miles total with multiple stops, approximately 3.5 hours riding time. Walking about 2 miles, approximately 2 hours; periods of standing, city streets with some stairs.
Breakfast:
In the hotel dining room.
Morning:
We’ll set out for an all-day field trip via motorcoach to some famous painted monasteries including those listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. At each location, we’ll learn about the history and architecture of the monasteries, and study the iconography and specific meaning of the wall paintings. The morning will include field trips to Voronet and Moldovita Monasteries. Afterwards, as we cross a picturesque mountain en route to Sucevita, we will admire great views and see Ukrainian farms.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
Next, we’ll travel to the Sucevita Monastery for a field trip to the religious museum. Continuing, we’ll make our way to a famous black pottery workshop in Marginea and learn how the pots are made.
Dinner:
In the hotel dining room.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 200 miles, approximately 5 hours riding time from Radauti to Cluj-Napoca. Walking up to 2 miles; approximately 1.5 hours; periods of standing, cobblestone streets with some stairs.
Breakfast:
In the hotel dining room.
Morning:
We’ll check out of the hotel and board the motorcoach for our return to Transylvania, this time making our way to Cluj-Napoca, the educational and cultural center of the region.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
While learning about Saxon heritage and culture with our Group Leader, we’ll take a walk in the town of Bistrita, during which we will see the historic city center, an example of a typical Saxon settlement with Gothic and Renaissance buildings. We’ll then complete our transfer to Cluj-Napoca where we will settle in at the hotel.
Dinner:
On your own to explore the local fare.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a subway. Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 76 miles, approximately 1 hour riding time one-way to Rimitea. Walking about 3 miles, approximately 4 hours; periods of standing; city streets, some stairs.
Breakfast:
In the hotel dining room.
Morning:
Setting out for a full-day field trip, we will go to Rimetea, a historic village with stunning natural and architectural heritage. It was awarded the Europa Nostra Medal in 1999, which recognizes places that have put significant effort into conservation of historical sites. First, with a local expert, we will visit the five-hundred-year-old salt mine at Turda, which has since been turned into a museum. With our Group Leader, we’ll learn about the history of mining, the machinery used to mine, and the health benefits of the microclimate in the salt mine.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
Continuing our time in Rimetea, we will then visit the local museum to learn from our Group Leader about folk traditions, local costumes, embroidery, and the local iron mining and manufacturing.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 20 miles, less than 1 hour riding time. Walking up to 3 miles; approximately 3 hours; periods of standing; city streets, some stairs.
Breakfast:
In the hotel dining room.
Morning:
A local expert will join us at the hotel for a lecture on what life is like in Romania today, including emphasis on the sociological statistics of the state. After the lecture, we’ll have a Q&A session during which we can compare what we’ve learned about both countries through discussion. Then, we’ll take an expert-led walking field trip to see the most magnificent landmarks in Cluj including two historical city centers, the Gothic Franciscan Monastery, the birth house of King Mathias, and the Baroque Bánffy Palace.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
Free time. This period of time has been set aside for your personal independent exploration to see and do what interests you most. Please refer to the list of Free Time Opportunities. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant. Share favorite experiences and enjoy camaraderie with new Road Scholar friends during our farewell dinner.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for check-out and departure in the morning.
Activity Note
Hotel check-out by 12:00 Noon. See your program’s “Getting There” information regarding transfers.
Breakfast:
In the hotel dining room. This concludes our program.
Morning:
If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!
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