Sighisoara - Sovata – Gheorghieni – Lacul Rosu - Cheile Bicazului – Bicaz – Poiana Largului – Targu Neamt
Visit: Sighisoara, Lacul Rosu, Cheile Bicazului (the highest gorges in Romania), Bicaz dam, Izvorul Muntelui reservoir
Lunch at Gheorghieni
Accommodation: 3* hotel in Targu Neamt

Breakfast

Sighisoara is the most interesting town in Romania, being lived continuously since the stone ages, today the only fortified town still dwelt in Eastern Europe. In 1280 the town’s name (Castrum Sex) appears in a document given by the Pope. Here in 1433 Vlad Impaller son of Vlad Dracul is born. The house where this new king was born, better known as Dracula still can be seen. The town has a 930 m wall and had 14 defending towers. The most important, the Clock Tower hosts the history museum. From the top the view is spectacular.

The Clock Tower was at first built as a gate tower with only two levels. Until 1556, at the first floor was the town hall. In 1894 the Tower was restored and the two emblems were painted including the inscription that reminds of the most important moments of the monument. In 1898 the Tower became a museum.

The Church on the Hill is the most valuable architectural monument in Sighisoara City. The construction of this church begins in 1345 and continues, with interruptions, until 1525. The monument is the only known vault in Transylvania which contains tombs from the 16^th - 18^th centuries.

The covered Stairway or the Scholar’s Stairway was built in 1662 and had in the beginning 300 steps. It was covered to secure the children’s protection, on their way to the school. After rebuilding works in 1849, there were left only 175 steps.

Transfer to Sovata

Sovata is one of the most famous Romanian spa, well known for its salt waters and natural therapeutically mud. Many diseases are heeled here for over 100 years. Ursul (Bear) Lake is the largest salt water lake in the resort, it appeared after the fall of the roof of an ancient salt mine. Sovata is also very popular, especially for the young people.

Ciuc Country Ciuc depression is laying on the superior course of Olt River being guarded by mountain an all sides. Villages are compact, large, built from wood, with porch (closed by a small fence in some cases), tall wooden gates (not carved). There is tile ovens (stoves) hold by two polls. The traditional costume is austere, white color being dominant.

Lunch in Gheorghieni

Gheorghieni is a small town situated in Giurgeu depression in Eastern Carpathians. In 17^th and 18^th century Armenians are settling here starting a growing in commerce and craft.

Lacul Rosu (The Red Lake) is a natural lake that was created in 1834 during a massive land slide that blocked Bicaz River. Trees still can be seen rising from the water. In the near by a small mountain resort was built at the beginning of 20^th century.

Bicaz gorges are the highest (over 400 m) and the most spectacular gorges in Romania. Very famous with rock climbers, made out of limestone there are a main attraction in Eastern Carpathians. A National Park was established to protect the area, along with Lacul Rosu. (The Red Lake)

Bicaz is a town that grew at the middle of 20 century as the great dam was built. In 1884 the town and the area surrounding it (Ceahlau Mountains) become part of Royal property. The dam on Bistrita River was built in 1960, it is 160 m high and 435 m long and it holds the largest reservoir in Romania (over 1 million m³).

Neamt region Situated on the middle course of Bistrita River it is a wooden region. Rafting, mask and spoon carving, carpenters, coopers are traditional for this region. Houses with rooms half berried, wooden gates (both for man and for teams), furniture, and the famous dowry box – artistic carved having the wedding dress nice needlecraft. Stone carving, eastern egg painting and wood painting are also traditional for this area

Dinner
Accommodation at Targu Neamt
Overnight

Targu Neamt - Ethnographic Private Museum POPA – Gura Humorului
Visit: traditional villages painted monasteries, Neamt castle (ruins), Neamt monastery, and Tarpesti village -Popa Ethnographic Museum, Voronet Monastery, Humor Monastery
Lunch at Gura Humorului
Accommodation: 4* hotel – Gura Humorului

Breakfast

Targu Neamt is small town on the banks of Neamt River (locally named Ozana) After building the castle (1375) on a near by mountain the city start to prosper. The town was an important as a custom for cattle on the commercial road to Transylvania. The castle was very important in the defending system of Moldavia, kings where making continuous work on keeping it in good shape. It was never concurred, resisting to Hungarians, Turks, and Polish. For over 100 years the city was under the rule of Neamt Monastery, entering in a shadow by losing its administrative role. In Humulest village (under the city administration) there is the house where the greatest Romanian story teller – Ion Creanga was born.

Neamt Monastery is a 13^th century monastery with a long tradition in Moldavia being the most important cultural center of middle age in Moldavia. The original painting resisted the time since 1497.

Falticeni is a small town in Suceava County. The old Moldavian village becomes in 1775 the refuge place for the people running of the Austrian occupation of the North part of Bucovina. The village become a town in 19^th century famous for its fairs, fairs the lasted until 20^th century.

Lunch in Gura Humorului

Gura Humorului is a small town that grew on commerce and wood, on a favorable location on Moldova valley. In the last years of 20^th century tourism developed in the region, Voronet and Humor painted monastery in the near by favorite the town.

Voronet Monastery was built in 1448 by Stefan the Great, interior painting is original, exterior painting was made in 1547 by using the word famous Voronet blue, the 4^th of 5 painted monasteries of Bucovina also named “The Sistine Chapel with the face to the people�. Doomsday is unique and a real masterpiece.

Humor Monastery was built in 1530; the church has no bell tower, with interior and exterior painting, the 1st of the painted monasteries.

Dinner
Accommodation at Gura Humorului
Overnight