Romanian Ramble Textile & Craft Tour 2024 Itinerary
| Tour: | Romanian Ramble |
| Dates: | 25 May to 7 June 2024 |
| Solo Traveller | AU$ 5550 [approx US$3550] |
| Twin Share | AU$ 4850 when booking two places at the same time, twin or double room share [approx US$3150] |
| Deposit: | AU$ 1940 due today secures your place |
| Early Bird Rebate | Deadline 25 Nov, 2023. Book in by this date and receive AU$200 rebate and our appreciation. |
| Date full payment due: | 25 Feb, 2024 |
| Airport for arrival | Henri Coandă International Airport, Bucharest |
| Airport for Departure | Henri Coandă International Airport, Bucharest |
| All prices in Australian Dollars. You can check online for equivalent in your currency. A site like www.xe.com can quote on current exchange rates. www.wise.com or www.xe.com also reliably handle funds transfer with low fees. |
Booking Link
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| day | Location & activity | meals |
| Day 1 Sat 25.5.24 | Bucharest- Henri Coandă International Airport, Bucharest | |
| We will collect you at the airport anytime day or night | ||
| Day 2 Sun 26.5.24 | Bucharest | B,D |
| We will start the day with a walking tour of the Old Town and learn about the history of this fascinating country. | ||
| In the afternoon we will visit the History Museum of Romania, it features items from a recovered Gold Hoard of Ancient Dacian jewellery, rather spectacular. Neolithic figures around 5000years old. Treasure | ||
| In the evening we’ll share a Welcome Dinner | ||
| Day 3 Mon 27.5.24 | Bucharest | B, L |
| Introduction to Romanian Embroidery workshop. First our teacher will share a little about the wide range of patterns and styles in Romanian Embroidery and how a traditional blouse is assembled. We will stitch small samplers and mount them for later display. There is the option to order a kit to stitch your own blouse or you can make an order for a completed one. | ||
| Day 4 Tues 28.5.24 | Sibiu | B,D |
| We leave Bucharest today and head to Sibiu via a national park with amazing rock formations “Muzeul Trovantilor” or Trovants Museum Natural Reserve | ||
| Sibiu is known as the City of the Eyes, we’ll take a walking tour this afternoon and check out what that means as we explore this charming town. Sibiu was settled by Saxon’s in the 12 Century and the Old City reflects their architectural style. | ||
| Day 5 Wed 29.5.24 | Sibiu | B,L |
| We are visiting Astra Ethnological Museum today- the largest open-air museum in Europe set in an enchanting landscape. The collection of the museum is based on traditional houses in a village setting- each full of the crafts that would have been produced by their area. wonderful to explore. After exploring some of the museum we are taking a class in Traditional Doll Making. The long snowed-in winters of Romania lead to the development of fine craft and textile techniques; making dolls for the little ones was a beloved undertaking. | ||
| Day 6 Thurs 30.5.24 | Cluj-Napoca | B,D |
| We are having a rather off-world experience today visiting Salina Turda, salt has been mined here since antiquity and visiting is simply an amazing experience. Hard to describe the quality of the air in this vast space- it is believed to have health benefits. This space is huge, well lit and you could imagine you are traveling into a dwarves’ great carved city. | ||
| In the afternoon we will get up close to some fine textiles at Ethnographical Museum of Transylvania. This collection is very rich, so many beautiful details and motifs. | ||
| This is an unofficial part of the trip- I have never visited this museum but it seems worthwhile checking out. Quirky at the very least The Steampunk Museum come along if you like.. | ||
| Dinner will be at Restaurant Via- well known for its innovative use of fresh local produce. | ||
| Day 7 Fri 31.5.24 | Breb | B,L,D |
| Heading to a far way country village, it feels like stepping back in time. Nestled in Muramures area to the north, the pace of life is rural, horse and cart still often in use. I am not sure programme is the right word to use- it sounds too busy, rather we will take time to experience summer life in the village and fields, eat some great home made food and explore. | ||
| We visit Rogoz Painted Wooden Church. The Church of the Holy Archangels is one of eight Wooden Churches of Muramures in Romania listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in December 1999. Set in a wild flower cemetery, murals adorning the walls, it is serene. | ||
| Lunch at a trout farm along the way after driving through one of Romania’s Primeval Forests [original, old growth forest] | ||
| Tonight, we arrive at a sleepy country village, slow down watch the locals drive by in horse and cart we’ve stepped into the past. | ||
| Day 8 Sat 1.6.24 | Breb | B, D |
| We’ll head out and see what is at the local country market this morning. Market day finds in 2019 | ||
| Then visit the handmade Barsana Monastery, one of the famous wooden churches of Muramures. | ||
| Wander our village in the afternoon before a special evening meal with the local shepherds. We join them after milking. dinner Includes cheese tasting with salad, Goulash, palinka [locally made plum spirits], beer and soft drinks | ||
| Day 9 Sun 2.6.24 | Sighetu Marmatiei | B,L |
| Slow start to the morning, we’ll visit a local favourite lunch spot on the way to our night’s accommodation | ||
| Beautiful countryside | ||
| Day 10 Mon 3.6.24 | Sighetu Marmatiei | B, D |
| Up early to head to a country market, livestock, local produce, and some handmade goods. | ||
| The Merry Cemetery, is famous for its brightly coloured tombstones and the quirky epithets inscribed on them. In 1935, Stan Pătraș carved the first epitaph on a wooden cross, now there are approx. 800. | ||
| Day 11 Tues 4.6.24 | Sighisoara | B,D |
| Driving through rolling farmlands, we hope to visit a basket maker along the way. | ||
| Visiting a Roma family. The Roma people have a large population in Transylvania, a distinctly different culture and are usually very private. They are excellent metalsmiths and this family is happy to introduce us to a little of their culture. | ||
| Staying at Sighisoara, we’ll take some time to explore this medieval town in the afternoon, there is a famous wood carver to visit as well. Romania loves its fancy carved wooden spoons. Take a look at some of the amazing buildings in this region. | ||
| Day 12 Wed 5.6.24 | Brasov | B,L |
| We will visit the Fortified Saxon Church of Viscri. UNESCO World Heritage Listed and a treat to explore. Climb the rickety stairs up to the walkway for fabulous views of the countryside. | ||
| Lunch is at the renown Blue & White Barn restaurant- famed for its farm to plate philosophy | ||
| Time in the afternoon to wander around Brasov and take the Cable Car up to the top of My Tampa for a spectacular view. | ||
| Day 13 Thurs 6.6.24 | Bucharest | B,L,D |
| We are heading out to a small village for a workshop in folk art painting- Traditionally people spent the long snowy winter producing many crafts. A special one was painted eggs for Easter use, it also marked the time when the snows receded and the new year rural started. We will work on eggs, or in our journal. | ||
| Then a home cooked lunch | ||
| Peles Castle to explore and work off the lunch. The Neo-Renaissance palace is located in the Carpathian mountains. It is on an existing medieval route linking Transylvania and Wallachia, built between 1873 and 1914. Its inauguration was held in 1883. It was constructed for King Carol I of Romania | ||
| Return to Bucharest and a Farewell Dinner | ||
| Day 14 Fri 7.6.24 | Departures We will drop you to the airport. | B |
Included
- Airport pick up and drop
- All accommodation mentioned in itinerary on twin share basis [ or opt for single supplement]
- All transport mentioned- we travel by airconditioned mini-bus, dugout canoe, domestic flight
- all meals mentioned, beverages are separate
- Fully escorted by Fiona with assistance of a translator
- All sightseeing and workshops mentioned in itinerary
Excluded
- SHOPPING!!
- Flights
- Visa if needed
- Travel insurance
- Laundry
- Meals not mentioned
- Water/ drinks
- Gratuities/ tips
Creative Arts Safaris Tours are fully escorted, small group tours that focus textiles, arts and culture and yummy local cuisine.
On tour we like to get our hands dirty taking workshops, exploring locations and culture, in addition to including lots of local experiences.
Our friendly groups are inclusive. They are companionable and well organized allowing a relaxed adventure, great for solo travellers.
They include pickup & drop to airport, accommodation, group travel, sightseeing, workshops, and most meals; almost everything EXCEPT the shopping – that is your job.