Our Summer Of Records

It’s September and time for us to look back at what we did this summer, and – boy! – it was the summer of records.

It took 38 days, 12 of our best guides, reservations to no less than 14 hotels and scores of places to experience and stories to hear in three countries – Romania, Moldova and Ukraine. But it was all worth it.

Two of our guests wanted to explore absolutely everything and we were happy to accommodate them. We wrote a 19-page itinerary together and they were eager to embark on a unique experience.

The South

They took their time to explore every little corner of Bucharest, from its French-inspired center to its neo-Romanian style neighborhoods, from the most beautiful churches in Central Bucharest to the monasteries outside the city, from the old palaces and museums to the enchanting stories of the Jewish Quarter, from the city’s parks to the art museums and even cemeteries. In between, they explored Bucharest’s variety of cuisines, aided by our experiences and passionate guides.

The seventh day, they explored Curtea de Arges, with its Royal Court and the Arges Monastery, a place of legend where Romania’s royal tombs are located. They visited Horezu Monastery, a beautiful monastic ensemble part of UNESCO heritage, but they also enjoyed the town’s pottery and crafts.  

Transylvania and Maramures

Passing through the castles of Prahova Valley, they stopped in Brasov for its famous Black Church and its old Schei neighborhood. Then they headed for Bran Castle, known as Dracula’s Castle in popular folklore, and also stopped at the magnificent fortified Saxon churches in the region, all listed as UNESCO heritage sites.

Then they visited romantic Sighisoara medieval citadel and famous Viscri, the Transylvanian Saxon Village that stole Prince Charles of Wales’s heart.

The time travel continued with Biertan fortified church, one of the few UNESCO-protected sites in the area, took two days to explore Sibiu, and its Astra Museum, one of Romania’s most praised ethnology and anthropology museums.

They were not even halfway through their journey: they continued in Timisoara, the place where the Revolution of 1989 started, saw the Corvinestilor Castle in Hunedoara and then explored the northern city of Oradea for two days.

They headed for Maramures, a land of traditions and of history kept alive to see the unique Merry Cemetery of Sapanta and all the landmarks in Sighetu Marmatiei.

Bukovina, Moldova and Dobruja

Then they crossed the border into Ukraine, to visit Chernovtsy, the capital of Northern Bukovina, before they headed back South to Romanian Suceava and the region’s famous painted monasteries.

After spending some time in Iasi in its historical churches and palaces, our travelers headed to Chisinau, the capital of Moldova, spend their time tasting wine and admiring iconic monasteries.

One last breakfast in Chisinau in their 32^nd day of travel and they were set for a 6 hour trip to the Danube Delta and a tour of the entire region of Dobruja, including the Black Sea port of Constanta and its rich culture.

In total they drove 3,842 kilometers and we did not mention the walks and boat trips.

You’d think that after all this time on the road, they’d be at least a bit tired. But our guests gave us a long list of places they would have wanted to see had they had more time!

Time for us to enjoy a glass of wine, put on a happy smile and thank all the guides and hosts who made this trip unforgettable. Let the romance of the fall season begin!