Iasi – city break

Day 1 / Iasi – arrival

Arrival at Iasi airport and transfer from airport to your hotel. After check-in at the hotel, enjoy a walking tour of Iasi and discover its history, culture, and religion. Also known as the Cultural Capital of Romania, Iasi is a symbol of Romanian history. Our tour will start in the Union Square, the birthplace of modern Romania. We will then head to the Vasile Alecsandri National Theatre (the oldest one in Romania), included by BBC in its “Top seven theaters that take your breath away”.
Iasi is also known as the city of a hundred churches, and we will use this opportunity to discover Romania’s religion, by visiting the most important religious sites of the city, such as The Metropolitan Cathedral and the Three Hierarchs Church.
Our Iasi city tour will end with a visit to the Palace of Culture, a flamboyant neo-gothic building. The edifice has 365 elegantly decorated rooms as many as days within a year. You will see its beautiful chambers and learn about its history. Overnight in Iasi.

Day 2 / Iasi – Gura Humorului (Bucovina)
Breakfast at the hotel. In the morning, you will be transferred to Gura Humorului, in the heart of Bucovina. This region is one of the most beautiful, authentic and unspoilt rural areas in Europe, home to the famous painted monasteries, many part of the UNESCO patrimony.
After two hours of driving we will start our visits with a small, cross-shaped church, built in Gura Humorului in 1530. We will continue with the jewel of the Moldavian monasteries, Voronet. It’s Romania’s most renowned monastery due to its frescoes which have become famous throughout the world.
Next, we will proceed to Moldovita, where you will be witness to the art of painting Easter eggs, the local craft of dyeing and decorating eggs with colorful, intricate patterns. You will explore a traditional village located in the land of Bucovina and it will feel like a trip back in time. The inhabitants are the Hutuls, an ancient mountain tribe, scattered along the Carpathians, from Poland to Maramures and Bucovina. You will discover their traditions and customs, which are based on family and the forest.
In the evening will return in Gura Humorului. Overnight in Gura Humorului. (B)

Day 3 / Gura Humorului – Sucevita- Neamt Fortress -Nicolae Popa Museum – Iasi
Breakfast at the hotel. In the morning we will visit Sucevita Monastery, surrounded by fortified walls. The church is part of UNESCO heritage and is built in Moldavian style, with Gothic and Byzantine influences. Its murals are dominated by the color green, obtained through an ancient technique from natural pigments.
At Marginea you will have the opportunity to observe the famous black pottery, shaped by hand by the local craftsmen, fired and then polished, also by hand.
Next will visit Neamţ fortress – an important military and historical objective that survived the siege of Sultan Mehmed II, the conqueror of Constantinople.
After we will step inside a private peasant museum. The museum has the name of Nicolae Popa, a local sculptor and a true creator of folklore. Here you can be witness to his creation and try on the ritual masks and traditional costumes. On our way back to Iasi we will visit a beautiful village and also an important center of promoting the traditional crafts. The village is famous for making diverse flavors of jam. You don’t want to miss out on the opportunity to try the delicious home made products!
In the evening we will reach Iasi. Overnight in Iasi (B)

Day 4 / Iasi – departure
Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to Iasi airport.

INCLUDED :

• Transfer to/from Iasi airport
• 3 nights accommodation in recommended 3* hotel in Iasi
• Half day tour of Iasi, shared tour, with English speaking guide
• Transport by private car/minivan with English-Speaking tour guide/driver for 2 days tour to Bucovina
• Entrance fees to monuments/sights included in the itinerary
• Daily breakfast

EXCLUDED :

International flight from Canada
Personal expenses
Entrance fees to various sites, except the ones mentioned in ” Included”
Beverages and other meals not mentioned above
Tips
Everything that is not mentioned in the paragraph “Included”