Breakfast

Departure to Gura Humorului

Tusnad spa is the smallest town in Romania -1800 inhabitants. It is situated in Olt River’s narrow path at 650 m elevation. Famous for its mineral waters it is also the starting point for some hiking trails in Harghita Mountains.

Miercurea Ciuc is the capital City of Harghita County, a medium size city on the left banks of Olt River. The oldest traces of inhabitation date since the Bronze Age. In 15^th century Miercurea Ciuc was a trade town becoming a “free town� in 16^th century. Being the residence of a Sekely state it grew in importance but in 1661 is burnt by the Turks.

Gheorghieni is a small town situated in Giurgeu depression in Easter Carpathians. In 17th 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 Mts.) 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 mł).

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 Humulesti village (under the city administration) there is the house where the greatest Romanian story teller – Ion Creanga was born.

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.

Gura Humorului is a small town situated in the heart of Bucovina region. Locals here are shepherds and wood workers. In the last years they started to open their houses to the tourists that are arriving from all the corners of the world to see the magnificent painted monasteries.

Check in
Dinner
Accommodation at 4* hotel in Gura Humorului
Overnight

Breakfast

Visit the painted monasteries

Humor monastery was built in 1530; the church has no bell tower, with interior and exterior painting, the first of the painted monasteries

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<sup>th<.sup> of 5 painted monasteries of Bucovina also named “The Sistine Chapel with the face to the people�. Doomsday is unique and a real masterpiece.

Moldovita monastery was built in 1410 during Alexandru cel Bun (Alexander the Good), rebuilt by Peru Rares in 1532 is the 2nd of the 5 painted on the exterior walls monasteries, the dominant color being yellow. In 1975 the painted monasteries in North Moldavia where awarded with POMME D’OR by the tourist journalists in the world.

Sucevita The monastery was built in 1606 by Movila brothers, the latest exterior wall painted monastery, the dominant color is green. The exterior walls have 3 m wide, over 100 m long on each side and 6 m tall, 4 defending towers in the corners and one at the gate. Sucevita monastery was considerate as “…the testament of the old Moldavian art�

Marginea is a large village at the contact between Suceava Plateau with Eastern Carpathians; (Obcina Mare Mountains) is one of the main centers for polished pottery (black and red) in Moldavia.

Radauti Since the half of 14th century until late 18th century in Radauti there was an Orthodox bishop, the small town having mainly an agricultural role. During the Austrian rule (1775 -1918) Radauti is declared as a city. Saint Nicolas church is the resting place of some Moldavian kings.

Putna is the main monastery built by Stefan the Great. It was built in 1469 and hosts the tomb of the founder, the greatest king of Moldavia.

Suceava is the capital City of Suceava County, situated in the central parts of Suceava Plateau. The archaeological dugs proved a continue inhabitation on the city. In 1388 Suceava become the capital of Moldavia, the castle having in 15th century 10 m high and 2 m thick walls, with defending towers in corners. The statute of capital made the town the most important commercial center of middle age Moldavia. In 1476 the castle resisted the Turks lead by Mohamed the 2nd, the Constantinople (Istanbul) conquer (1453). After this attack Stefan the Great (the greatest Moldavian ruler was made a saint in 20th century) decided to reinforce the castle. Ruined in 1564 when it was sent on fire at the Turks command, it was rebuilt in 1600. In 15-17th century goods from different parts of Europe could be found in the city. The castle ruins, Mirauti church (the church where the service was made before being named a king) are just two of the things to see.

Dinner
Accommodation at 4* hotel in Gura Humorului
Overnight</sup>