BIKE TOUR MOLDAVIAN MONASTERIES

Arrival at the Romanian airport Otopeni in Bucharest. You drive through the southern part of Romania, Wallachia, and then through the Prahova Valley, where you can admire not only the beautiful landscapes of the Romanian Carpathians but also the magnificent city, Sinaia, known as the "Pearl of the Carpathians". Continue through the highest mountain town in Romania, Predeal, and arrive in Timisul de Sus. Overnight at Hotel Continental.

 

In the morning you visit the city of Brasov, one of the seven German guarantors of Transylvania. The Black Church, which is the largest Gothic sacred building between Vienna and Istanbul, is worth seeing. The beautiful Orthodox Church in the old town can also be visited. In the vicinity of Brasov there is also the fortified church Prejmer, which was built in the 13th century to defend Brasov against the Turkish raids. After a drive through the Bicaz gorge, whose landscapes will enchant us, you arrive at the Neamt monastery, which is hidden in a forest valley. Here you can go on a little bike tour in the area. Two nights at Neamt Monastery.

 

Today's program includes a few bike trips to the impressive Secu and Sihastru monasteries. The Secu Monastery was built in 1602 where there was a former wooden hermitage. The wall paintings of the monastery date from the 17th century. The first Romanian textbook was also printed here. Sihastria Monastery was built in 1655. Not far from here is also the cave of Saint Teodora. You can also visit the Neamt Monastery, which dates from the 14th century. Here is an icon that was painted in 665 and is the oldest collection of books in Romania with over 15,000 manuscripts in Slavic, Greek and Romanian. You continue on a short bike excursion with a walk to the nature reserve "Vanatori Neamt". In this national park, with an area of 30,818ha, still live the aurochs,

 

Today you drive to the medieval town of Radauti. From here you cycle to the Putna monastery. Putna Monastery was built between 1466 and 1469 at the time of the fame of Stephen the Great (1457-1504), who is buried here. Here you can visit the museum, which shows exquisite shrouds and painted books from the wonderful collection of religious objects in the monastery. One of them is a silk linen cloth that was made in 1477 by the Tatar princess Marie von Mangop, one of the wives of Stephen the Great. Another valuable jewel of the monastery is the miraculous icon of Theotokos, which was traditionally brought here from Constantinople by Queen Mary of Mangop in 1472.

 

Today you cycle to Sucevita Monastery, which is 18 km away from the town of Radauti and which is considered one of the treasures of Moldova. The monastery is still considered the end point of Moldovan architectural development in the 15th / 16th centuries. Its frescoes have a narrative character with an educational purpose. Overnight in Sucevita.

 

Today it is a bit  strenuous to bike on to Ciumirna Pass (1109 m, approx. 400 meters in altitude). If you like, take the bus. Drive into the valley to the Moldovita Monastery, which was founded in 1532. Impressive paintings depict the “Siege of Constantinople”, “The Prayer of the Holy Virgin” and “The Tree of Jessus”. In the monastery museum there are engraved pieces of furniture from the 16th century decorated with popular art motifs. Religious furniture from the 17th century, images of saints, valuable books, embroidery, carvings, decorative ceramics and the "Pomme d'Or" prize, which was awarded by the International Federation of Journalists in Tourism for the international recognition of the monasteries in North Moldova, are still there exhibited in the museum; Transfer and overnight stay in Humor.

 

Bike excursion to the Voronet Monastery, which is a synthesis between Byzantine elements (clover-leaf floor plan with tower above the nave) and Gothic elements (the building's pointed arches and buttresses). Because of its grandiose exterior frescoes, Voronet is also called the "Sistine Chapel of the East". A short detour to the Polish village of Poiana Marului is also recommended. Overnight in Humor.

 

In the early morning comfortable train ride to Bucharest and individual departure. (Depending on the departure time, additional overnight stays in Bucharest on request).

 

At least people	4 pax	6 pax	8 pax	10 pax	12 pax	14 pax	16 pax	18 pax
Price per person (DR / HB)	1010 €	795 €	685 €	625 €	580 €	550 €	525 €	505 €
Single room surcharge	110 €	110 €	110 €	110 €	110 €	110 €	110 €	110 €
Bike rental	90 €	90 €	90 €	90 €	90 €	90 €	90 €	90 €
Entrances	35 €	35 €	35 €	35 €	35 €	35 €	35 €	35 €

• 7 nights;