3 days
Duration
Maramures
Regions
Cultural Tour, Private Tour, Short Tour
Tour Type

AN AWESOME AND RELAXING 3-DAYS TOUR IN THE TRADITIONAL MARAMURES

Explore the hidden gem of Romania on this 3-day Maramures Marvel tour. Journey through breathtaking landscapes and discover ancient traditions, customs and architecture of the Maramures region. Visit the Merry Cemetery in Sapanta, the Memorial of the Victims of Communism and of the Resistance, the Barsana Wooden Church and the Women’s Museum. Enjoy a scenic steam train ride and a folklore show before heading to a home-hosted accommodation for an authentic dinner. Discover the UNESCO-listed wooden churches, learn about their history and admire their unique architecture. And don’t forget to taste the delicious organic smoked bacon, a specialty of the region. With a knowledgeable guide and personalized itinerary, this tour is the perfect way to experience the timeless beauty and culture of Maramures.

Book your Maramures Marvel tour today and embark on an unforgettable journey that will leave you with memories to cherish for a lifetime.

The tour can be personalised according to your time and points of interest.

Itinerary: Cluj-Napoca – Sapanta Merry Cemetery – Memorial of the Victims of Communism and of the Resistance – Barsana Wooden Church – Woman Museum – Steam Train Trip – Maramures Region Highlights & Folklore Show – UNESCO Wooden Churches – Organic Smoked Bacon Tasting – Cluj-Napoca Walking Tour

DEPARTURE/RETURNCluj-Napoca or Satu Mare(or any other city at request)
TRANSPORTATIONFully insured car/minivan with climate control
TOURIST GUIDECertified English-Speaker Tourist Guide (speakers of other languages at request)
3 UNESCO World Heritage SitesSurdesti Wooden Church (Maramures Wooden Churches)
Budesti Wooden Church (Maramures Wooden Churches)
Barsana Wooden Church (Maramures Wooden Churches)

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS AND UNIQUE CULTURAL CONNECTIONS

  • Benefit from complete flexibility and personalization of the tour to match your requirements and preferences;
  • Visit through our exclusively designed tours and cultural connections in Maramures no less than 3 UNESCO World Heritage Sites;
  • Enjoy exceptional knowledge and expertise from top-rated, licensed tourist guides with excellent reviews;
  • Experience traditional Maramures delights and authentic local dining in traditional homes;
  • Meet local people in traditional markets and in a real home in Maramures;
  • Discover the daily life, self-sufficiency, and sustainability in the remote villages of Maramures;
  • Meet and interact with locals in home-hosted experiences and local markets on authentic cultural connections;
  • Enjoy two nights of accommodation at full-of-character, superb local homes in Maramures;
  • Explore unique cultural connections and experience the rich Maramures culture through our exclusively designed tours;
  • Make the most of your tour experience through exclusively designed tours with all admissions included, not just guided walks.
DEPARTURE/RETURNCluj-Napoca or Satu Mare(or any other city at request)
TRANSPORTATIONFully insured car/minivan with climate control
TOURIST GUIDECertified English-Speaker Tourist Guide (speakers of other languages at request)
INCLUDED
2 nights home stay in Maramures (this can be changed to a hotel if desired)Breakfast every day
Two home hosted dinners in MaramuresExclusive organic smoked bacon tasting with lunch
Entrance fees to museums and sites included as per itinerary
Fuel, parking fees, local taxes and still/sparkling water in the car included
Exclusive Romanian folklore showIcon on Glass workshop visit
Guided tours at all sitesDetailed map of Romania
Certified English-Speaker tourist guide specialized in Romanian culture and history
NOT INCLUDED
Health insuranceSouvenirs
Alcoholic beveragesHotel extras (telephone, mini bar, etc)
Meals, other than those included in the itineraryGratuities of any kind
Photo/video fees at sites and museums

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Day 1: Cluj-Napoca – Sapanta Merry Cemetery – Memorial of the Victims of Communism and of the Resistance – Barsana Wooden Church – Woman Museum - Home Hosted Dinner in Maramures

Embark on an unforgettable journey through Maramures, a remote region known for its rich cultural heritage and centuries-old traditions. On the first day of your Maramures Marvel tour, you’ll depart from Cluj-Napoca and visit Sapanta village, home to the world-renowned Merry Cemetery and the tallest wooden structure in the world, the Sapanta Peri monastery. Afterward, you’ll explore the colourful open-air market and pay your respects at the Memorial of the Victims of Communism and of the Resistance, a former political prison during the communist era.
In the afternoon, you’ll visit the UNESCO World Heritage Sites Barsana Wooden Church. You’ll also get a chance to see the exquisite Barsana Monastery, a stunning example of Maramures wooden church architecture.
In Dragomiresti village, you’ll visit a unique local museum housed in a 300-year-old home. Finally, you’ll end your day with a cozy home-hosted dinner.
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Day 2: Steam Train Trip – Exclusive Walking Tour – Dinner with Folklore Show

On the second day of your Maramures Marvel tour, experience the enchanting beauty and wilderness of the northern Romanian Carpathian Mountains with a half-day ride on the famous Mocanița steam train. This narrow gauge railway with a steam powered train engine is a beloved attraction for both tourists and rail enthusiasts. During the six-hour journey, enjoy a picnic break and immerse yourself in the stunning landscapes of the region.
After the train trip, you will embark on an exclusive walking tour of a traditional Maramuresan village, where you will learn about local icon-glass workshops and traditional plum brandy distilleries. Witness the natural whirlpool still used by local women to wash carpets and blankets, and discover the daily life and customs of the people living in this unique region of Romania.
In the evening, enjoy a home hosted dinner with traditional home-made plum brandy, providing an authentic insight into the local culture. An exclusively organized Maramures folklore show at your accommodation will further enhance your cultural experience, making your second day a memorable and authentic part of your Maramures adventure.
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Day 3: Surdesti & Budesti Wooden Churches – Organic Smoked Bacon Tasting with Home-made Lunch – Cluj-Napoca Walking Tour

On the final day of your Maramures Marvel tour, get ready to witness the glory of two UNESCO World Heritage Sites – the Budesti and Surdesti Wooden Churches. Surdesti church is the tallest wooden structure in Europe, while the tower of the Budesti church is uniquely built in Gothic style.
After this, visit a modern village where you will have the chance to taste the famous home-made smoked bacon and cheese, and see how bacon is smoked. Enjoy a home-made lunch served with the tasting.
Before you end your tour, take a walking tour in Cluj-Napoca, the capital of Transylvania, which was once an important center of the 18th and 19th centuries and is now an important university center. The walking tour covers the main landmarks such as the Hellmer & Felner Opera House, the Gothic St. Michael’s Church, the City Hall, and the birth house of Mathias Corvin. Say goodbye to your guide and return home with beautiful memories of the unique Maramures region.
NOTE: The tour is further customizable.

Maramures Marvel Map

Extra full day Bucharest City Tour

After the breakfast, we will start the visit of the capital city of Romania. The day starts with a visit to the Village Museum, one of the most impressive open-air museums in Europe with century old original peasant households from all parts of Romania.
After, we will visit the world’s largest, heaviest and most expensive administrative building, the Palace of Parliament. Between the two communist landmarks, we will have a panoramic tour of the city with Victory Square and Avenue, Royal Palace and Revolution Square and a short stop and visit of the Romanian Athenaeum. Next, we will attend a visit to the former residence of Ceausescu family, the last communist leader of the Socialist Republic of Romania. In contradistinction with the Ceausescu former residence we will have an incursion back in time, in the communist time, where you will have the opportunity to experience life in the 80’s with the help of authentic decor and furniture, working appliances and household accessories, local drinks and homemade snacks and historical and archive footage.
Before arriving in the old city center we will stop in the Cotroceni Neighborhood where we will visit the Presidential Palace and a typical 1930s Bucharest Residence.
In the late afternoon, we will reach Bucharest’s Old Town, with the ruins of the Old Princely Court, known as Dracula’s residence, where the legend says that Vlad the Impaler was keeping his prisoners. We will take a sightseeing tour of this part of the city, filled with lively cafes and street food to see why the nickname of Bucharest is “The Little Paris”. The rest of the evening is on your own.

Two day Black Sea & Danube Delta Extension with Danube Delta Private Cruise accompanied by certified skipper

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Extra Day 1: Bucharest – Constanta Walking Tour – Histria Fortress – Tulcea

Begin your extension tour of the Black Sea and Danube Delta with an early morning departure to the Black Sea Coast, to Constanta – the largest seaport on the Black Sea, established in the 4th century BC as a Greek colony. The drive from Bucharest will take approximately three hours, crossing the Danube into the region of Dobrogea and driving along the famous Danube-Black Sea Canal. The city tour of Constanta will take you to the Secession style Casino and the Genoese Lighthouse. In the National Museum of Archaeology, we will see the fabulous Glykon Serpent and the wonderfully restored Roman Mosaic – one of the largest in this part of Europe. In the afternoon drive to Mamaia – Romania’s largest sea resort, established by King Carol I of Romania in the second half of the 19th century and then continue north to the ruins of the ancient town of Histria. In the early evening we will arrive to Tulcea located right at the entrance in the Danube Delta. Hotel check in. Dinner on your own.
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Extra Day 2: Danube Delta Private Cruise with Lunch – Bucharest Airport

After the early breakfast, you will explore, in your private boat the youngest territory in the world, the Danube Delta started to form just 10,000 years ago and is still in the process of formation. On your exclusively cruise you will have the chance to admire the Danube scenic beauty and wildlife – it is known as the birdwatchers paradise, so simply relax while browsing through the narrow channels. A fauna specialist tour guide and skipper, who knows all the channels, will lead your tour. A great opportunity for you to watch birds and to admire nature. The Delta cuisine is certain to provide an interesting lunch experience, the lunch will be served on the ship.
After the tour we will drive back to Henri Coanda International Airport for your afternoon return flight.
Sapanta Merry Cemtery by Holiday to Romania
Barsana Wooden Church by Holiday to Romania
Surdesti Wooden Church by Holiday to Romania
Mathias Corvin in Cluj by Holiday to Romania
Smoked Bacon and Cheese Sampling by Holiday to Romania
Sapanta Merry Cemetery by Holiday to Romania
Merry Cemetery Sapanta by Holiday to Romania
Natural Whirlpool in Maramures by Holiday to Romania
Maramures Folklore Show by Holiday to Romania
Cluj Orthodox Church by Holiday to Romania
Traditional Haystack by Holiday to Romania
Traditional Loom by Holiday to Romania
Ieud Wooden Church by Holiday to Romania

Tour Reviews

5.00 based on 3 reviews
Shirleen L.
August 15, 2017

It was a private tour with our guide, Dan and the tour experience in Maramures was great! Dan is knowledgeable & he certainly knows his way around. He is very accommodating, drives safely & has a sense of humour. An enjoyable trip with a great guide!

Flem H.
April 18, 2018

The tour explored different villages in the Maramures region. What you are able to see there depends on the season; (when I went there was not much farming activity) but we were able to visit the Merry Cemetery, a number of wooden churches, craftspeople, a local festival, a wedding party, scenic areas and local households. We happened to visit on a Sunday so were lucky to see some religious services and meet people dressed in their beautiful traditional clothes.
Dan was also invaluable at introducing us to some talented craftspeople in the area. With his accompaniment, we received a warm welcome everywhere we went. People were so inviting, generously showing us around their homes, sharing food and drink and even letting us try on their handmade traditional clothes. These experiences, and the great photographs I was able to take, were made possible by Dan’s rapport with the local people.

Solo_Traveler
November 21, 2019

We had a remarkable time in Maramures. Dan is an easygoing and charming guide who gave us a deep insight into Romanian culture in just few days. He has big knowledge and is happy to share it with you. We will definately come back to book one of his other tours to get to know romania better. highly recommended!

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