OLTENIA MONASTERIES & DANUBE GORGE
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5 days, 6 nights
Day 1: Bucharest.
Arrival in Bucharest. Accommodation at 4 stars Golden Tulip Hotel (http://www.goldentulipbucharest.com/ ) . If the time permits, we can have a city tour, visit the old town, Kretzulescu and Stavropoleos churches, marks of the „romanesc” architectural style , Lipscani area, Calea Victoriei with its impressive buildings and palaces, Seat of the Metropolitan Church and the second biggest building in the world, The Palace of Parliament. In the evening, dinner at Jaristea Restaurant (http://www.jaristea.ro/) in a very pleasant atmosphere.
DAY 2: Bucharest – Ramnicu Valcea – Calimanesti – Baile Govora (240 km)
Departure from Bucharest on the following route: Bucharest – Ramnicu Valcea – Olt valley – Baile Govora. First stop: Valcea open-air Village Museum in Bujoreni village, which contains many interesting local households. We continue on the picturesque narrow Olt Valley where we visit two of the most famous monasteries in Oltenia: Cozia, next to Olt River and Turnu, where we can also find two old rock-cells. Optional: 1,30 hours stroll to Stanisoara Monastery in the Cozia Mountains or 20 minutes stroll to Lotrisor Waterfall, situated in a wonderful landscape. Lunch (link) , then we will pay a short visit to Dintr-un Lemn Monastery (One Wood Monastery). The legend says that the little wooden church had been built entirely from a single ancient oak-tree. Overnight and dinner in Baile Govora.
DAY 3: Baile Govora – Horezu – Polovragi Cave – Targu Jiu (125 km)
Breakfast. We dedicate this second day to the most beautiful and culturally-rich part of Oltenia (the historical name of the south – west Romania), where the hills meet the Carpathians Mountains. After a visit to the UNESCO – listed Hurezi Monastery and Bistrita Monastery, built at the entrance of a wild gorge, we visit the Maldaresti traditional museum, which shelters few one – stored manor houses dating from the XVIII – XIX centuries. Lunch. We end our journey by visiting Muierii and Polovragi caves, the most interesting ones in Oltenia. Dinner and overnight in Targu Jiu.
DAY 4: Targu Jiu – Tismana Monastery – Cerna Valley – Baile Herculane (120 km)
Targu Jiu was just an ordinary city until the Romanian – born sculptor Constantin Brancusi decided to build here the Sculptural Ensemble which comprises three major works: “The Table of Silence” , “The Gate of Kiss” and “The Endless Column”. The ensemble is considered to be one of the major works of 20th century outdoor sculpture. Lunch. Departure for Baile Herculane through the wild and narrow Cerna Valley, with a brief visit at Tismana Monastery, also called “The Star of Orthodoxy”. Arrival in Baile Herculane, in the midst of Cerna Valley, surrounded by imposing mountains. We stroll on Cerna banks and admire the Austro – Hungarian era buildings. The Austrian Emperor Franz Josef considered Herculane to be “the most wonderful spa-town in Europe”. Optional: bathe in the hot thermal waters. Overnight and dinner in Baile Herculane.
DAY 5: Baile Herculane – Danube Gorge (by bus or boat) – Saint Anne Monastery – Orsova (250 km)
Breakfast, then we make for the longest ravine in Europe, The Danube Gorge. The sightseeing is breathtaking, the road meanders near the Danube through the rocky slopes of Carpathian Mountains for more than 100 kilometers. Optional: We can have the same way, by boat, with brief visits to Tri Cule ruins, Tabula Traiana inscriptions – on the Serbian side, Mraconia Monastery, Ponicova cave flooded by Danube and the statue of Dacian King Decebalus, the tallest rock statue in Europe. Overnight and dinner on Danube banks in Orsova – Eselnita area.
DAY 6: Orsova – Drobeta Turnu Severin – Craiova – Pitesti – Bucuresti (370 km)
Breakfast then departure for Drobeta Turnu Severin for a short city tour: The theater , Water Tower, The old fortress and The “Iron Gates” Museum which contains remnants of the roman conquest of Dacia, the ancient land of nowadays Romania. We have a good time with sunbathing and bathing in Danube on Drobeta beach (if the weather is fine). Lunch, then unfortunately our journey comes to an end. We leave for Bucharest, where we’ll arrive after 6 o’clock.
Price: 500 euro / person / double room (HB) – 20 persons
*Preturile sunt exprimate in €
Services included:
- 5 nights accommodation with half - board in 3 and 4 stars hotels;
- 4 lunches (drinks not included) according to the program;
- English speaking guide;
- Entrance tickets for visited sights;
- Transportation (all taxes included).
Sights in the program:
- Orthodox spirituality: Cozia, Turnu, Bistrita, Dintr-un Lemn, Tismana and Saint Anne Monasteries;
- Bucharest city tour ;
- Incredible water – mountains landscapes: Olt valley and Cerna valley;
- The longest ravine in Europe: The Danube Gorge;
- The underground paradise: Muierii, Polovragi and Ponicova caves;
- The “sculptural” town of Brancusi: Targu Jiu;
- Emperor’s Franz Josef favorite location: Baile Herculane spa-town;
- The tallest rock – statue in Europe: Dacian king Decebalus statue;
- UNESCO World Heritage listed Hurezi Monastery;
- Danube boat – trip in Iron Gates National Park;
- Interesting museums: Village Museum Bujoreni , Maldaresti traditional museum and Iron Gates Museum in Turnu Severin;
- Roman Empire’s relics: Tabula Traiana and the ancient bridge - head in Turnu Severin.
