- Accommodation
- Attractions
- Exclusive Tour
- Holiday in Bucovina
- Holiday to Romania
- Meals included
- Mountains
- Painted Monasteries
- Private Guided Tour
- Private Tour
- Salt Mines
- Scenic Landscapes
- Short Tour
- Tours in Bucovina
- Tours in Moldavia
- Tours in Romania
- Traditional Food
- Traditional Villages
- UNESCO World Heritage Sites
- Walking
AN EXCELLENT 3-DAYS TOUR OF BUCOVINA MONASTERIES
Embark on a captivating three-day tour through the heart of Bucovina, a region celebrated for its deep cultural roots and breathtaking UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Discover the spiritual majesty of Romania’s famous painted monasteries, each a canvas of medieval artistry and spiritual narrative. From the towering walls of Dragomirna Monastery to the vivid frescoes of Voronet, known as the “Sistine Chapel of the East,” immerse yourself in history and tradition. Engage with local artisans in hands-on workshops, learning the age-old crafts of egg painting and black pottery. Experience authentic Romanian hospitality with a home-hosted dinner, savoring traditional flavors in the warmth of local company. Dive into the past at the Cacica Salt Mine and explore the fortified Putna Monastery. Each step of the journey is enriched with the expertise of a certified guide, ensuring a deeply informative and personal experience. This tour promises not only a visual feast of landscapes and architectural marvels but a heartfelt connection to the traditions and people of Bucovina.
The tour can be personalised according to your time and points of interest.
Itinerary: Suceava Arrival – Adancata Monastery – Dragomirna Monastery – Patrauti Painted Monastery – Customs and Traditions Museum – Bucovina Painted Monasteries (UNESCO) – Egg Painting Workshop – Home Hosted Dinner – Cacica Salt Mine – Black Pottery Workshop – Putna Monastery – Suceava Citadel – Departure
| DEPARTURE/RETURN | Departure and return are scheduled from Suceava Ștefan cel Mare International Airport. Alternate departure and return points can be accommodated upon request |
| TRANSPORTATION | Travel comfortably in a fully insured car/minivan equipped with climate control. Arrangements for plane tickets are included as per itinerary specifics |
| TOURIST GUIDE | A certified English-speaking tourist guide, with options for other languages upon request, will accompany you. Guides are knowledgeable in Romanian culture and history and have excellent reviews |
| 5 UNESCO World Heritage Sites | Patrauti Monastery (Churches of Moldavia) – Founded by Stephen the Great in 1487, Patrauti Monastery is the oldest of the painted monasteries. It is renowned for its simplicity and elegance, with frescoes that are among the earliest examples of Moldavian art, representing significant religious themes and local saints. Voronet Painted Monastery (Bucovina Exterior Painted Monasteries) – Often referred to as the “Sistine Chapel of the East,” Voronet is famous for its stunning Last Judgment fresco and the unique shade of blue known as ‘Voronet blue’ that dominates its color scheme. The frescoes here are exceptionally well-preserved and offer a vivid glimpse into the medieval mindset and artistic prowess. Moldovita Painted Monastery (Bucovina Exterior Painted Monasteries) – The walls of Moldovita are adorned with expansive frescoes featuring a wide chromatic range and complex compositions, including the Siege of Constantinople which vividly narrates the Emperor Constantine’s role in the spread of Christianity. Sucevita Painted Monastery (Bucovina Exterior Painted Monasteries)– The largest of the painted monasteries, Sucevita covers its walls with green-hued frescoes, including a large Ladder of Divine Ascent, symbolizing the Christian’s journey towards eternal life, a unique representation in Byzantine art. Humor Painted Monastery (Bucovina Exterior Painted Monasteries) – Smaller in scale but no less impressive, Humor stands out with its frescoes painted in red, featuring a remarkable depiction of the Siege of Constantinople and the life of St. George. The frescoes are beautifully framed by the natural landscape that envelops the monastery. |
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS AND UNIQUE CULTURAL CONNECTIONS
- Exploration of Five UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Discover the rich heritage of Bucovina through visits to five UNESCO-listed Painted Monasteries, including Voronet, Moldovita, Sucevita, and Humor, each famous for their vibrant frescoes and historical significance.
- Home-Hosted Dinner in Bucovina: Experience authentic Romanian hospitality with a dinner hosted by a local family, offering a taste of traditional dishes and a chance to engage in genuine cultural exchange.
- Visit to the Tallest Medieval Monastery: Tour the Dragomirna Monastery, renowned for being the tallest medieval monastery in Bukovina, where you can admire its intricate stone carvings and unique architectural style.
- Tour of the Historic Cacica Salt Mine: Explore the depths of the Cacica Salt Mine, an over 200-year-old mine created by Polish miners, which features an underground chapel and a salt lake.
- Black Pottery Workshop: Discover the ancient craft of black pottery at a local workshop, where artisans use a special “oxygen reduction” technique to create uniquely colored ceramics.
- Visit to the Putna Monastery: Explore the Putna Monastery, built by Stephan the Great in 1481, which is a cultural treasure featuring Gothic influences and serving as a resting place for Romanian royalty.
- Immersive Cultural Insights at the Customs and Traditions Museum: Delve into the traditional life of Bucovina at the museum, where exhibits display folk costumes, crafts, and household setups, illuminating the local way of life across the seasons.
- Guided Tours by Certified Experts: Enjoy the insights and stories from certified English-speaking guides (with other languages available on request), who specialize in Romanian culture and history, enhancing your understanding of each site.
- Scenic Landscapes and Architectural Marvels: Not only does the tour provide a deep dive into the culture and history of Bucovina, but it also showcases the stunning landscapes and architectural wonders of the region, making every moment picturesque.
| DEPARTURE/RETURN | Departure and return are scheduled from Suceava Ștefan cel Mare International Airport. Alternate departure and return points can be accommodated upon request | ||||||||||
| TRANSPORTATION | Travel comfortably in a fully insured car/minivan equipped with climate control. Arrangements for plane tickets are included as per itinerary specifics | ||||||||||
| TOURIST GUIDE | A certified English-speaking tourist guide, with options for other languages upon request, will accompany you. Guides are knowledgeable in Romanian culture and history and have excellent reviews. | ||||||||||
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Day 1: Suceava Arrival – Adancata Monastery – Dragomirna Monastery – Patrauti Painted Monastery
The day’s tour concludes with a visit to the Patrauti Painted Monastery. Here, the 15th-century Church of the Holy Cross reveals ancient frescoes that paint a vivid picture of the region’s rich religious history.
As dusk falls, you’ll head to Gura Humorului, where a comfortable hotel in the city center awaits to offer rest after a day of exploration.
Day 2: Folk Traditions Museum of Bucovina – Bucovina Painted Monasteries (UNESCO World Heritage Sites) – Egg Painting Workshop – Home Hosted Dinner
The highlight of your tour will be the visits to several UNESCO World Heritage Sites, starting with the Voronet Painted Monastery. Often hailed as the “Sistine Chapel of the East,” Voronet’s frescoes, particularly the Last Judgment and the unique shade of ‘Voronet Blue’, are considered masterpieces of Byzantine art. After absorbing the spiritual and artistic grandeur of Voronet, you’ll delve into the local crafts with an egg-painting workshop. This hands-on experience not only allows you to appreciate the intricacy of this traditional art form but also lets you leave with your own souvenir.
Continue your cultural journey to the Moldovita and Sucevita Monasteries, each boasting distinctive architectural styles and frescoes that tell tales of faith and valor. The day’s cultural feast concludes with a visit to the Humor Monastery, renowned for its frescoes depicting the Siege of Constantinople.
To deepen the cultural immersion, you’ll enjoy a home-hosted dinner, savoring traditional Bucovina dishes prepared by local hosts, making for an authentic end to a day full of discovery.
Day 3: Cacica Salt Mine – Black Pottery Workshop – Putna Fortified Monastery – Suceava Citadel – Suceava Departure
After emerging from the depths, your tour takes a creative turn with a visit to a local black pottery workshop. Here, you’ll witness the unique ‘oxygen reduction’ technique that gives this pottery its distinctive color and finish. Your cultural exploration culminates with a visit to the Putna Monastery, a fortified spiritual haven built by Stephan the Great in 1481.
Finally, reflect on your journey through history at the Suceava Citadel, a fortress that stood unconquered through centuries of battles and sieges. With a treasure trove of memories, you will be escorted back to Suceava Airport, marking the end of your enriching Bucovina adventure.
NOTE: The tour is further customizable.
Three day Republic of Moldavia Extension with Tiraspol Tour
Extra Day 1: Bucovina – Iasi City Tour – Soroca
Extra Day 2: Soroca Fortress – Old Orhei with Traditional Lunch – Cricova Wine Cellars – Chisinau City Tour
Next, we travel south, stopping at the outstanding cave monastery of Old Orhei, which is organically combines the natural landscape and vestiges of ancient civilizations. A home-made lunch will be served in the village with the same name.
In the afternoon, you head to Cricova, where you will visit the largest wine cellar in the world and where you will enjoy some of the best Moldavian wines. The winery Cricova was founded in 1952 and it is one of the few wineries which produce sparkling wine using the Champagne Method. Before reaching the hotel, we will visit the capital city of Republic of Moldavia, which is one of the greenest city in Europe. The tour will reveal the Arch of Triumph, the Metropolitan Cathedral of Chisinau with the Belfry Tower and the Parliament of Moldavia. To have a sweet evening we will have a short stop at the famous “Bucuria” shop, which is the greatest enterprise specialized in the production of candies. The rest of the evening is at your leisure.
Extra Day 3: Bender Fortress – Tiraspol Tour – Bucovina
First, we will visit Bender Fortress, which was built in one the most powerful of the medieval cities of Moldavia – Tighina, which was an important trade outpost. Later we will cross Dnister in Transnistria, where you will understand why this is the world’s last Soviet republic in fact.
In Tiraspol we will visit Suvorov Plaza & Monument, Memorial of the WW2 and Afghanistan war, Lenin statue and more.
After the walking tour in Tiraspol we will go back to Bucovina, crossing back Prut River in Romania.
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Tour Reviews
My husband and I had a super tour of the top 5 monasteries of Suceava in Romania . Our tour lady guide & driver was a university graduate in Law who spoke perfect English, good safe driving in a reasonable car with seat belt, very knowledgeable with the top five monasteries that we were visiting, patient , very considerate about providing us enough time for pictures taking as well as maximum viewing of the sites especially with friendly rapport with some of the residents nuns and monks which made life smoother for us while visiting. Some of the wonderful frescoes both outside and inside the monasteries were so well painted and designed even though back many years ago were all very enlightening for us all.
We had family trip with Dan of 3 days from Bucharest airport to Bucovina. We were with my elderly father 92 years old who has visited his childhood village in Moldova. Dan was respectful, patient, flexible, understanding and accommodating.
He gave us a professional guided tour.
It was a joy traveling with him and highly recommended
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