A 3-Day Iasi Getaway

3 days

Duration

Bucovina, Moldavia

Regions

City Break, Cultural Tour, Private Tour, Short Tour

Tour Type

DISCOVER THE CHARM OF MOLDAVIA: PAINTED MONASTERIES, CASTLES, AND ARISTOCRATIC RESIDENCES

Discover the hidden treasures of Eastern Romania with our “A 3-Day Iasi Getaway” tour. Explore the beautiful city of Iasi and its surroundings, including the UNESCO World Heritage painted monasteries of Bucovina and the stunning aristocratic residences of Ruginoasa Palace and Miclauseni Castle. With our knowledgeable guide, you’ll learn about the rich history and culture of this fascinating region. Taste local wines in the vineyards of a local producer. You’ll stay at a comfortable 4-star hotel in the heart of Iasi, making it easy to explore the city on foot. With all transportation and accommodation taken care of, you can relax and enjoy the sights and sounds of Eastern Romania. Don’t miss the chance to experience the best of this hidden gem of a region. Book your “A 3-Day Iasi Getaway” tour today!

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

Itinerary: Iasi Airport – Iasi Walking Tour – Bucovina Exterior Painted Monasteries – Ruginoasa Palace – Miclauseni Castle – Iasi Airport

DEPARTURE/RETURN	Iasi (or any other city at request)
TRANSPORTATION	Fully insured car/minivan with climate control
TOURIST GUIDE	Certified English-Speaker Tourist Guide (speakers of other languages at request)
3 UNESCO World Heritage Sites	Voronet Monastery (Bucovina Exterior Painted Monasteries) Moldovita Monastery (Bucovina Exterior Painted Monasteries) Sucevita Monastery (Bucovina Exterior Painted Monasteries)

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS AND UNIQUE CULTURAL CONNECTIONS

Discover the stunning UNESCO-listed painted monasteries of Bucovina, featuring vivid frescoes and murals;
Participate in a black pottery workshop, and learn about the ancient craft from local artisans.
Taste exquisite Romanian wines during a wine tasting session in a picturesque vineyard near Iasi;
Explore the hidden gems of Iasi on a walking tour, guided by a knowledgeable local expert;
Stay in a comfortable and centrally located 4-star hotel in Iasi, with all amenities included;
Visit two of the most beautiful aristocratic residences in Romania, Miclauseni Castle and Ruginoasa Palace;
Learn about the fascinating history of the Sturdza family, one of the oldest noble families in Eastern Europe;
Admire the Neo-Gothic architecture of Miclauseni Castle, surrounded by a lush forest;
Discover the secrets of Ruginoasa Palace, a stunning monument with a tumultuous history;
Enjoy a flexible and customizable tour, tailored to your interests and preferences;
Travel sustainably and responsibly, with a focus on supporting local communities and preserving cultural heritage;
Experience the authentic local lifestyle and traditions of Moldova, one of Romania’s most fascinating regions;
Learn about the local cuisine and taste traditional dishes at authentic restaurants and taverns;
Benefit from the exceptional knowledge and expertise of top-rated licensed tourist guides with excellent reviews;
Make the most of your tour with all admissions included, not just guided walks.

DEPARTURE/RETURN

Iasi (it can be changed at your request)

TRANSPORTATION

Fully insured car/minivan with climate control

TOURIST GUIDE

Certified English-Speaker Tourist Guide (speakers of other languages at request)

INCLUDED

2 nights at a four-star hotel in Iasi, centrally located	Breakfast every day
Wine tasting	Private airport transfers on arrival and departure
Fuel, parking fees and local taxes included	Entrance fees to museums and sites included as per itinerary
Guided tours at all sites	Detailed map of Romania
Certified English-Speaker tourist guide specialized in Romanian culture and history	Still/Sparkling water bottles in the car
Friendly talks with the guide about Vlad the Impaler – Dracula; Ceausescu and His Times and the Gypsies and Their Journey

NOT INCLUDED

Airplane tickets and health insurance	Souvenirs
Alcoholic beverages	Hotel extras (telephone, mini bar, etc)
Meals, other than those included in the itinerary	Gratuities of any kind
Photo/video fees at sites and museums

Day 1: Iasi Arrival – Iasi Walking Tour

As you arrive in Iasi, your friendly guide will be waiting for you at the airport to start your exciting 3-day Iasi Getaway tour. You’ll be transferred to your comfortable 4-star hotel in the heart of the city, where you can settle in and relax before your walking tour of Iasi begins.
Your guide will take you on a stroll through the charming streets of Iasi, showing you the most important landmarks and hidden gems of this vibrant university town. You’ll learn about the rich history and culture of Iasi, which was once the capital of Moldova and is considered the cultural capital of Romania.
During your walking tour, you’ll visit the impressive Palace of Culture, a magnificent neogothic building that houses several museums and art galleries. You’ll also see the iconic Three Hierarchs Church, a masterpiece of Moldavian architecture which is included on the tentative list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
After a leisurely walk through the city, you’ll have the rest of the day to explore on your own. You can visit the lively Central Market, where you’ll find traditional food, crafts, and souvenirs. Or you can relax in one of the many cozy cafes and restaurants in the historic city center.
At the end of the day, you’ll return to your hotel for a comfortable night’s sleep, ready for your exciting adventure tomorrow.

Day 2: Bucovina Painted Monasteries (UNESCO World Heritage Sites) – Black Pottery Workshop – Wine Tasting

On the second day of your Iasi getaway, you’ll embark on a journey to explore the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Bucovina Painted Monasteries. Accompanied by your knowledgeable guide, you’ll visit Vornet, Sucevita and Moldovita, where you’ll have the opportunity to marvel at their unique and breathtaking frescoes and learn about their rich history and cultural significance.
We’ll see the renowned Voronet Painted Monastery, also known as the “Sistine Chapel of the Orient”. Here you can marvel at the vibrant Voronet Blue, considered unique in the world.
Continue your journey with a visit to the Moldovita Painted Monastery, featuring towers on both corners of the facade and a powerful tower for the gate. After a morning of exploring the monasteries, savor a traditional Bucovina lunch in the picturesque village of Sucevita. Then visit the nearby Sucevita Painted Monastery, the largest of all, looking more like a fortress than a monastery. The Virtues Ladder fresco inside is considered one of the best in Bucovina.
Afterwards, you’ll visit a black pottery workshop, a traditional craft in Bucovina dating back to 1500. Learn about the unique technique called “oxygen reduction”, used in only a few places in the world, including Mexico.
But that’s not all – the day’s adventures will also include a wine tasting experience at a local vineyard near Iasi. Here, you’ll savor the flavors of some of the region’s finest wines, while enjoying the stunning scenery of the surrounding countryside.
At the end of an unforgettable day, you’ll return to your hotel in Iasi, where you can relax and reflect on the memories of the day’s experiences.

Day 3: Old Aristocratic Residences Ruginoasa Palace & Miclauseni Castle – Iasi Departure

On the final day of your tour, we’ll take you on a journey to discover the rich history and heritage of Moldavia’s aristocratic families. Our first stop is Miclauseni Castle, hidden away in a dense forest in the region of Iasi. This small Neo-Gothic monument has a history that goes back over one hundred years and belonged to one of the oldest families in Eastern Romania, the Sturdza family. The family crest, inspired by Saint George, and motto ‘Utroque clarescere pluchrum’ (Beauty shines everywhere) are still engraved on the walls. As you walk through the castle’s rooms and admire its ornate decorations, you’ll be transported back in time to the era of the Romanian aristocracy.
Next, we’ll take you to visit the stunning Ruginoasa Palace, one of the most impressive monuments in Eastern Romania. The palace has a tormented history that dates back to the 19th century and has been home to several prominent Moldavian families over the years. You’ll learn about the palace’s dramatic past as you explore its opulent rooms and marvel at its impressive architecture.
After our visit to the palace, we’ll drive you back to Iasi International Airport for your return flight, bidding farewell to your guide and concluding your A 3-Day Iasi Getaway tour. With unforgettable memories and newfound knowledge about Romania’s rich culture and heritage, we’re sure you’ll leave with a deep appreciation for this beautiful country.
NOTE: The tour is further customizable.

Three day Republic of Moldavia Extension with Tiraspol Tour

Extra Day 1: Bucovina – Iasi City Tour – Soroca

We will begin the three-day extension with the tour of Iasi city, the unofficial capital of the Moldavian region of Romania, here we will explore the Palace of Culture, the once gold-plated Church of the Three Hierarchs, Golia Monastery and the Neoclassical National Theatre. After this incursion, we will cross the Prut River in Republic of Moldavia, outside of the European Union. On the route enjoy the countryside to Soroca, the town that hosts the greatest and most impressive fortress in Republic of Moldavia. Before reaching the hotel we will visit a different part of the Soroca town, named the Gypsy Hill, where the Gypsy community built a neighbourhood of palaces. After this hotel check in and dinner on your own.

Extra Day 2: Soroca Fortress – Old Orhei with Traditional Lunch – Cricova Wine Cellars – Chisinau City Tour

After the breakfast, we will start the day with a visit to the one of the best well-preserved fortresses of Europe, established by the Moldavian Prince Stephen the Great in 1499.
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

The last day in Republic of Moldavia will be an incursion in the unrecognized Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic (Transnistria). It officially belongs to Moldova and is its second largest city.
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.