Maramures Photo Tour – Romania

Upon your early morning arrival at the Bucharest Airport, you will be met and we will head into the city of Bucharest. We will check-in to the hotel and spend the night here. The Old Town of Bucharest is a maze of narrow streets and charming squares, with plenty of traditional shops, cafes, and restaurants to discover. In the middle of the old town, see the Stavropoleos Church: This 18th-century church is a beautiful example of Byzantine architecture and is a popular spot for tourists. We will explore a little of the town to get ready for the adventure ahead.

We depart from Bucharest to Brasov . On the way, we will stop by attractions like Peleș Castle before reaching Brasov. We will spend 2 nights in Brasov and explore the heritage town.

(Photograph Location will depends on weather conditions.)

Brasov is a beautiful medieval city in Romania, known for its stunning architecture, rich history, and picturesque setting in the Carpathian Mountains.

The Old Town - This is the heart of the city and where you will find many of the most iconic sights. Stroll through the narrow streets and admire the colorful buildings, many of which date back to the 15th century. Visit the Black Church is one of the most important landmarks in Brasov and is known for its impressive size and intricate details. The Council Square is the main square in the city and is surrounded by beautiful buildings, including the City Hall, the Old City Hall, and the Hirscher House. It's a great place to relax and people-watch.

Think Gothic spires, medieval gateways and watchtowers and beautiful baroque buildings and churches – Brasov is smack in the centre of Romania and is home to a harmonious mash up of traditional charm and modern city life. We will spend 2 days exploring this town and its surroundings.

You can expect to visit the fortified church of Prejmer, the Libearty brown bear sanctuary and of course, Bran’s Castle aka Dracula’s Castle.

(Photograph Location will depends on weather conditions.)

We depart from Brasov early in the morning and will drive to Sighişoara. Sighișoara is a medieval citadel located in the heart of Transylvania, Romania. The city is famous for being the birthplace of Vlad the Impaler, also known as Dracula.

One of the main attractions in Sighișoara is the Clock Tower, which was built in the 14th century and serves as the main entrance to the citadel. Visitors can climb the tower for a panoramic view of the city.

Another must-see attraction is the Vlad the Impaler House, the birthplace of the infamous ruler. The house has been turned into a museum and displays artifacts from his life.

Explore this well-preserved walled old medieval town, which is listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site

(Photograph Location will depends on weather conditions.)

We depart from Sighişoara early in the morning and will drive to Cluj. We visit a shepherd, and have lunch at a farm. The highlight for today will be a dance performance by the Hungarian minority. The Hungarian minority in Romania has a rich cultural heritage, including traditional dance. Some popular dances among this community include the verbunkos, a lively, fast-paced dance that originated in the 18th century, and the csárdás, a more dramatic and energetic dance that is typically performed in pairs.

(Photograph Location will depends on weather conditions.)

We depart to Maramures, the star of this trip. Despite the inroads of the 21st century, Maramures has managed to carefully preserve the culture, traditions and lifestyle of a medieval peasant past, making for an eye-opening trip that few have experienced. This wonderfully hidden secret of Romania combines ancient traditions with rural country landscapes that make every corner a photo opportunity. We will spend the next 6 days here, and you can expect:

Viseu – this little town is filled with beautiful churches, friendly locals, charming guest houses and most importantly, a dreamlike landscape of forests and mountains. Great for landscape photography!

Mocanita – the Mocanita is a vintage steam train that features a stove in the middle of the wagon, and still runs till this day. You will be able to capture endless forests, fast rivers, waterfalls, wildflowers and everything raw nature has to offer.

The Merry Cemetery – located in Sapanta, this famous cemetery is known the world over thanks to its colourful tombs and headstones, each inscribed with a humorous poem or text that depict the life of the dead they represent. It is meant to express that belief that death is not to be perceived as a sad event.

Rodnei Mountains National Park – one of the most visited tourist attraction in Maramures, this national park is the largest protected area in northern Romania and includes breathtaking sights such as the Old Ponorul, caves, springs, and caves. It is especially spectacular during sunrise and sunset.

Monasteries and wooden churches – Maramures boasts an impressive collection of historic churches and monasteries that have resisted the ravages of time. Many are included in the UNESCO World Heritage site list, and are a joy to photograph as they seem to be from a different time.

Horses Fall – this is the highest waterfall in the country and the most spectacular. Although it is the main draw for most tourists, the surrounding areas are not to be missed either! Think pristine greenery that stretches for miles. Acording to an ancient legend, the name of the waterfall comes from a fact that occurred here centuries ago. It seems that during a storm, a herd of horses was cornered by a bear on the brink of the abyss where the waterfall starts. Because of poor visibility and being extremely frightened, the horses jumped in to their deaths into the abyss.

(Photograph Location will depends on weather conditions.)

We will have one last breakfast together as a group before we check out of the hotel and say our final goodbyes. Our transfer to the airport will be arranged, and we will make sure to arrive with plenty of time to check-in and go through security. As we board our flight back to Singapore, we will reflect on the incredible journey we have just had, the memories we have made, and the friendships we have formed. We will land back in Singapore, where our expedition will come to an end. Thank you for joining us on this unforgettable adventure!

(Photograph Location will depends on weather conditions.)