Art Treasure Tour: Best of Romania

Art Treasure Tour: Best of Romania

, Romania

12 Day escorted tour from Bucharest to Bucharest

New: Guaranteed departure 2022 - to be advised soon

Introduction

The magnificent mountain country of the Carpathians is now justly famous worldwide, and alone would justify a trip to Romania; however, such a visit  is  immensely enhanced by exposure to the wide range of historic monuments and art works, stretching from sophisticated Bronze Age pottery up to the works of Brancusi.

Ancient Dacia was the last province to be added to the Western Roman Empire but a high material culture had already been achieved long before the legions moved in. This is clear from the accomplished designs of second millennium pottery, and above all, from the superb Thracian Gold in Bucharest, which combines motifs borrowed from the ancient Near East with the vocabulary of Hellenistic decoration.

Romania was a ‘late developer’ in the middle ages, and strong feudal principalities did not emerge till the 14th century, when the Turks were already penetrating the Balkans. Despite this, in Orthodox Vallachia and Moldavia, the rulers fostered a courtly culture which shows the strong impact of the Byzantine world. One should also note the unusual quality of church textiles and metal work of the 14th-17th centuries, the finest of which are assembled at Putna Monastery.

For most people, however, the highlight of the tour is the painted monasteries of the Bucovina area,  resplendent with colour both within and without, and standing in rich upland valleys of the best Carpathian landscape. These 16th century monuments (often described as the finest flower of post- Byzantine monumental art) show all,  how even in a time of political struggle, the vitality of Christian culture in Moldavia continued unabated. The Moldavian style in architecture, begun earlier in a peaceful interlude under Stephen the Great and his son Petru (1457-1547), has a distinctive narrow aspect with large overhanging eaves and some Gothic features.

The legendary Transylvania region presents a different picture, having since the early Middle Ages been largely under the suzerainty of Austro-Hungarian Empire, and thus essentially part of a Central European cultural world. Hence the gothic churches of Bistrita, Brasov and Sibiu, the Teutonic appearance of Bran Castle, the Bavarian look of Peles Castle, all evidence of the prosperity of the German dominated merchant guilds. An unusual feature of this area is the peasant fortresses erected by the Lutheran villagers around their local churches, as bastions against Turkish aggression. Austrian Baroque makes its appearance   under the Habsburgs, e.g. in Sibiu (Hermannstadt, former 2007 European Cultural Capital).

Finally, one is struck by the quality of Romanian popular art, whose vitality is still very much alive today. Lively pottery designs, bright textiles, carved woodwork are all part of a long-established tradition and a unique product of peasant creativity  is the delightful naive art of icon-painting on glass. The appreciation of all these things is much heightened by experiencing the equally vital traditions of friendliness and hospitality of Romanian country people.

Period of validity: 18th of April – 31st of October 2021/2022 for groups of 20-35 guests

Copyright © 2015-2021 Dante Travel Ltd., All rights reserved.

  • Peles Castle ©Teodor Moldoveanu
  • Black Church
  • Brasov ©Teodor Moldoveanu
  • Rupea Fortress
  • Prejmer fortified church
  • Voronet Monastery
  • Bucovina landscape
  • Typical house from Bucovina
  • Painted monasteries ©Teodor Moldoveanu
  • Eggs Museum Lucia Condrea
  • Mocanita Hutulca
  • Grape picking
  • Sighisoara ©Teodor Moldoveanu
  • Biertan fortified church ©Teodor Moldoveanu
  • Brukenthal Museum ©Teodor Moldoveanu
  • Sibiu ©Teodor Moldoveanu
  • Rasinari Village
  • Fagaras Castle
  • Rasnov Fortress
  • Bran Castle
  • National History Museum ©Teodor Moldoveanu ©Teodor Moldoveanu
  • Romanian Atheneum ©Teodor Moldoveanu
  • National Museum of Fine ©Teodor Moldoveanu
    • Old City of Sibiu - An historical city designated in 2007 the “European Capital of Culture “
    • New: Marginimea Sibiului, including Cisnadioara Fortified Church, open air museum in Rasinari and Sibiel Glass Icons Collection
    • Old City of Sighisoara - one of the latest inhabited citadels in Europe, UNESCO Heritage Site
    • Black Church in Brasov – the oldest gothic cathedral in Romania
    • Dracula Castle
    • Painted monasteries of Bucovina - UNESCO Heritage Sites
    • Fortified churches of Biertan and Prejmer – UNESCO Heritage Sites
    • Majestic Peles Castle – built by the first king of Romania, Carol
    • New: Neamt Monastery
    • New: Neamt Citadel
    • New: Aurochs Natural Reservation of Dragos Voda
    • New: Alba Iulia Fortress
    • New: Corvin Castle
    • New: Episcopal and Royal Churches in Curtea de Arges
    • New: The Village Museum in Bucharest;
    • New: Little steam train Moldovita-Argel;
    • New: sightseeing of medieval town of Bistrita;

     

  • ·    

    • Traditional Romanian outlaw dinner at Outlaws Hut in Poiana Brasov (drinks included)
    • Traditional dinner out in the nature with campfire, wine and storytelling in Gura Humorului;
    • Traditional dinner in Sibiu
    • Wine tasting in Batos
    • Gormet dinner paired with fine wines at Hotel Privo
    • Hotel Privo****Targu Mures

      Located in a private, quiet area close to city centre, Hotel Privo is a hotel concept where history and modernism complement each other in order to create an eminent style. It is a minimalist haven for business and all-out relaxation, where design creates a warm and welcoming dialogue between the contemporary hotel and the historic ensemble of Villa Csonka and its surrounding park.  

    • Hotel Bella Muzica***Brasov

      Bella Muzica Hotel is located in an 400 year old Neoclassic building right in the very heart of the medieval city of Brasov. It was completely restored to its former glory and arranged for this new destination while keeping its original architectural elements.

    • Hotel Ramada****Sibiu

      Located in the historic center of Sibiu, this modern hotel has 127 rooms.

    • Hilde's Residence****Gura Humorului

    • Conacul Maldar****Maldaresti

    • Hotel Mercure City Center****Bucharest

    • Hotel Central Plaza****Piatra Neamt

  • SERVICES INCLUDED IN THE PRICE:

     

    • 11 night accomodation in selected 3-star or 4-star hotels  according to itinerary
    • Transfers from/to airport
    • Daily buffet breakfast
    • Welcome drink
    • 11 dinners in selected hotels and restaurants
    • Traditional dinner in Sibiu
    • Sparkling wine tasting  in Azuga at Rhein Cellars
    • Traditional Romanian outlaw dinner at Outlaws Hut in Poiana Brasov (drinks included)
    • Gourmet dinner in Targu Mures
    • Traditional dinner out in the nature with campfire, wine and storytelling in Gura Humorului
    • Wine tasting in Batos
    • Travel in a deluxe motor coach
    • Professional tour director throughout the tour
    • All sightseeing tours stated as per itinerary, including admission fees and local guides
    • Baggage handling for the full duration of the tour
    • All service charges, taxes and VAT
    • 1 free place in single room for tour leader

     

    SERVICES NOT INCLUDED IN THE PRICE:

    ·         Flights to/from Bucharest;

    ·         Drinks with meals;

    ·         Travel insurance;

    ·         Tips;

    ·         Anything not mentioned expressly in the tour program;

     

    SELECTED HOTELS:

    Sibiu: Hotel Ramada****; Hotel Imparatul Romanilor****

    Sinaia: Vila Camelia***; Vila Economat; Hotel Palace****

    Targu Mures: Hotel Privo****

    Brasov: Hotel Bella Muzica; Hotel Belfort***

    Vidraru: Hotel Posada Vidraru****

    Piatra Neamt: Hotel Central Plaza****

    Gura Humorului: Hilde’s Residence****

    Bucuresti:  Hotel Mercure City Center**** or similar

    UNESCO World Heritage Sites included in the tour:

    ·         Old City of Sighisoara - one of the latest inhabited citadels in Europe, UNESCO Heritage Site

    ·         Painted monasteries of Bucovina - UNESCO Heritage Sites

    ·         Fortified churches of Biertan and Prejmer – UNESCO Heritage Sites

    Alternative option for bus operators: it is possible to arrive from Serbia or, Bulgaria by own bus; the tour program remains the same with small adjustments for the first and last days. The rates would be different; in this case please contact us for revised offer.

    NB The above rates can be easily adapted for smaller groups, individuals or budget groups; in this case the above prices are amended accordingly. We are at your disposal, should you have any question or require any additional information.

    Copyright © 2015-2021 Dante Travel Ltd., All rights reserved.