Maramures and Bucovina: Culture & Spirituality
At the heart of Romanian traditions, between thousand-year-old wooden churches and monasteries with UNESCO exterior frescoes.
Duration
9 days
From
€840/pers.
Ideal seasons
May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep
Style
Guided tour
Comfort
classique
Travelers
Couple, Solo, senior, With friends
The spirit of travel
When one mentions Maramures and Bucovine, the traveler already has the image of churches with pointed roofs, monasteries with exterior paintings, decorated Easter eggs. These are images promoted by tourism publications and they are truly the must-sees of these two regions. But Maramures and Bucovine offer much more.
Maramures, cradle of culture and civilization, which has carved its history in wood, is the place where traditions, costumes and folk art are present as nowhere else in Roumanie. Maramures is a vast open-air museum, and village life represents a true journey back in time. The wooden churches - jewels of folk art - are found in almost every village. Eight of them belong to UNESCO heritage! The Maramures gate, a true rustic "triumphal arch", marked off the sacred universe of the home. Its decorative elements are symbols, deeply rooted in Christian and pre-Christian culture. The wooden objects, decorated with great artistic sense, accompany all the important moments of life. The most fascinating are the crosses, true elements of communication between the world of the living and the world of the dead. The Happy Cemetery of Sapanta, created by folk artist Ion Patras, brings together hundreds of "crosses that speak". Through a text where self-irony mingles with the dramatic, the summary of the life of the deceased person is made in a few verses. Traditional crafts, such as weaving, wood carving, painting on wood or glass, are still practiced and passed down from father to son. The music of Maramures, which accompanies all festive moments in life, is remarkable for its rhythm and vitality. All these elements are what make this region so authentic.
Bucovine is known from a tourism perspective primarily thanks to its monasteries with exterior frescoes, which are part of UNESCO heritage: Moldovita, Sucevita, Humor and Voronet, all set in an exceptional natural setting. The folk architecture is absolutely unique and original in Bucovine. True wood embroideries decorate the verandas, doors and window frames, well pavilions and fences of old houses. The art of embroidery, the decoration of Easter eggs with superb geometric miniatures, the making of festive clothes with embroideries done with small colored beads or marten fur cutouts are undeniable treasures of Bucovine folk art.
The stages of your journey
Highlights
Day-by-day itinerary
Arrival in Cluj
To Cluj
Airport to hotel transfer by taxi at your expense.
Cluj, the largest city in Transylvania, is one of the country's most important university, cultural and industrial centers. If you arrive around noon you will have time to discover the old city center which is notable for the richness of its Gothic and Baroque architecture: the Roman Catholic Saint-Michael Church, one of the city's oldest religious monuments, the birthplace of Matei Corvin, Banffy Castle - built in the 18th century in Baroque style, which today houses the Art Museum. You can also admire the Orthodox Cathedral, the National Theater and the Opera House in Baroque and Rococo style.
On the way to Maramures
You will leave Cluj heading towards Maramureș - a treasure trove of traditions and living rituals that have carved its history into wood, preserving its traditions, art and folk costumes like nowhere else in Roumanie.
Maramures is a vast open-air museum and village life represents a genuine journey back in time.
It owes its fame to wooden architecture – gates, houses, churches with spire roofs – but also to traditional crafts, such as weaving, wood carving, painting on wood or glass, as well as vibrant and rhythmic music and its inhabitants who are always happy to welcome you.
Discovering Maramures
To Maramureș
These two days will be dedicated to the discovery of Maramures
A visit to the region's must-see attractions: Barsana Monastery, the Happy Cemetery of Sapanta, the Sighetu Marmatiei Memorial Museum will be complemented by visits to artisans (weaving, wood carving, wood or glass painting) and easy walks through the most authentic villages (to see how the locals live)
From Maramures to Bucovina
You will first travel along the Iza Valley before arriving at Borsa – a renowned ski resort. From there, the road climbs to Prislop Pass (over 1400m altitude) and you will be impressed by the landscape to your right: the peaks of the Eastern Carpathians, the wide pastures scattered with seasonal shepherd huts. If you feel like it, a mountain excursion is possible to see the Horse Waterfall for example.
Then you continue the crossing to arrive in the village of Ciocanesti – and here you are in Bucovina! Most of the houses have external walls decorated with geometric or floral motifs that can be found in the seams of the region's traditional clothing.
The Painted Monasteries of Bucovina
These two days will be dedicated to the discovery of Bucovine.
In addition to the must-see visits of the monasteries with exterior frescoes that are part of UNESCO heritage (Moldovita, Sucevita, Humor, and Voronet), you can visit the village of Marginea renowned for its black pottery, a tradition which is said to be inherited from the ancient Dacians (the pre-Roman period), the Museum of Painted Eggs and practice your own decorative talents with an artisan who decorates Easter eggs. The Polish village of Cacica with its red brick church and salt mine is also worth a visit.
Route to Cluj
To complete the loop you will return to Cluj by crossing the Carpathians again, this time via the Bargau Pass – the place where Bram Stoker set the action of his novel "Dracula".
You will then pass through Bistrita – a Saxon town in northern Transylvania that preserves a remarkable medieval center. The Evangelical Church is the symbol of the town, with a bell tower reaching over 75 meters high. The old center, with the great evangelical church, recently restored after a fire, will give you an insight into the architecture of a Saxon town, like those found in southern Transylvania.
Arrival in Cluj in the evening, car rental return
Price per person
Indicative price per person, based on double room. Each trip is customized according to your preferences.
This trip can be tailored to your preferences
This itinerary provides an excellent foundation for discovery, but it can be fully customized. Our local advisors build each trip tailored to your budget, dates and preferences.
Not included
- International Transport
- Airport transfers
- Passport fees
- Insurance (repatriation, travel)
- Extra drinks / alcohol
- Phone calls
- Meals not mentioned in the program
- Tips
Included
- Standard double room accommodation in 4* hotels or 3* guesthouses
- The breakfasts
- The dinners mentioned in the program (including drinks if offered by the hosts)
- Rental car 5 seats from Day 2 to Day 8
- Car insurance (civil liability, accident, theft)
- GPS (pre-recorded accommodations and sites to visit)
- Travel File (road map, detailed day-by-day itinerary, practical information)
- Our 24/7 telephone assistance throughout your stay
Practical Information
Registration is considered firm and final after payment of a deposit of 30% of the total price and acceptance of the specific terms of sale.
The balance must be paid no later than 45 days before the departure date.
See our specific terms of sale for full details.
In the event of cancellation by the traveller, the following fees apply:
- Plus de 60 jours avant le départ : 40 % du prix total (acompte retenu)
- Entre 60 et 30 jours avant le départ : 50 % du prix total
- Moins de 30 jours avant le départ : 100 % du prix total
We strongly recommend taking out cancellation insurance. See our specific terms of sale for full details.
The information below concerns travellers who are nationals of the European Economic Area (EEA), Switzerland and Canada travelling to Romania for a tourist stay. As entry rules may change, we recommend you verify the information with the official authorities before your departure.
Passport or ID card
Nationals of the European Economic Area and Switzerland can enter Romania with a valid passport or national identity card. The document must be in good condition (no damaged, torn or altered pages).
Canadian nationals must carry a valid passport for the entire duration of the stay, preferably with validity of at least six months after the date of entry into the country.
Tourist stay without a visa
Nationals of the European Economic Area and Switzerland have no length of stay restrictions in Romania as European citizens benefiting from freedom of movement within the EU.
Canadian nationals benefit from a visa exemption for tourist stays of a maximum duration of 90 days within any 180-day period in the Schengen area, of which Romania has been part since 31 March 2024.
Authorities may request Canadian travellers to provide:
an exit ticket from the territory (return or onward flight),
proof of sufficient financial resources for the duration of the stay,
an accommodation booking for all or part of the stay.
Schengen Area
Romania joined the Schengen area on 31 March 2024 for air and maritime borders, and on 1 January 2025 for land borders. Border controls at internal borders with other Schengen countries have been removed for travellers coming from these countries.
For Canadian nationals, the stay in Romania is counted towards the overall 90 days within 180 days limit applicable to the entire Schengen area.
Travelling with children
Minors must hold their own valid travel document (passport or identity card depending on nationality) covering the duration of the stay.
In some European countries, when a minor travels without one of their parents, an authorisation to leave the territory may be required according to the regulations of the country of residence.
Other nationalities
Entry conditions may vary depending on nationality. Travellers concerned should inquire with the embassy or consulate of Romania in their country of residence.
To participate in our trips, it is strongly recommended to be insured for repatriation assistance and medical expenses abroad.
Your local agency encourages you to review the specific policy developed with our partner CHAPKA ASSURANCES and AXA ASSISTANCE.
To subscribe to insurance, learn about coverage and rates, follow the link below.
CAP EXPLORER: The complete insurance solution designed for a worry-free trip!
Choose the plan that suits you best:
Explorer'Multirisque
Explorer'Annulation
Explorer'Assistance
Explorer' Complémentaire Carte Bancaire
Specific to our trips, we strongly recommend subscribing to them.
If you choose to subscribe to one of these plans, the policy detailing all coverage and claim declaration procedures is available on the insurer's website.
Your local agency will be aware of it, but only the participant is responsible for complying with claim declaration procedures. The participant must therefore keep this policy with them throughout their trip.
Chapka — Cap Explorer
Our insurance partnerTravel with peace of mind with our partner Chapka. Cancellation, repatriation, medical expenses, baggage… All the coverage for a worry-free trip.
Travel with peace of mind — I'll handle the insuranceFrequently asked questions
To enter Romania, you must have a valid identity document (ID card or passport). No special formalities are required. The local currency is the Romanian leu. Before traveling, check the entry conditions applicable to your nationality with the Romanian consular authorities.
Go to the My Trips section to find all your projects.
You can send a message to your host directly from the Tea Lounge.
For a tailor-made quality trip, expect between €110 and €180 per day and per person, including accommodation, meals, internal transfers and activities. International flights (€150-400 return) are additional. Romania is one of the most affordable destinations in the EU.
Your documents are accessible in the Documents tab of your trip.
Absolutely. We tailor each itinerary to our travelers' profiles. For families, we prioritize relaxed paces, family-friendly accommodations, engaging and educational activities, and comfortable private transfers. Our English-speaking local guides know how to captivate children with age-appropriate anecdotes.
It's simple. You'll exchange with our local team to define your wishes, budget and dates. You'll receive a detailed itinerary proposal within 48 hours. You'll refine every detail together until it's perfect. You'll confirm and travel with peace of mind. Your local agency remains available 7 days a week throughout your trip.
In case of emergency, contact your local agency immediately.
Payment is generally made in two installments.
Our agency is part of the Nomadays network, registered in France. You benefit from APST (Association Professionnelle de Solidarité du Tourisme) coverage, which protects 100% of your funds. Secure payment, repatriation insurance included, and English-speaking assistance 24/7 on the ground throughout your stay.
Let's talk about your adventure — Transylvania
Guardian of Romanian traditions, based in Cluj-Napoca
Romania is a country where many traditions still live naturally. It's often these simple moments and unexpected encounters that touch travelers the most.
— Cornelia
