Maramures & Romanian Villages
5 Days
from
$1,115
per person*
Highlights:
Romania
(Sighetu Marmatiei)
Trip Start/End:
Baia Mare
/
Sighetu Marmatiei
Take a step back in time and explore the heart of Romania, Maramures, a picturesque time locked land of wooden churches, medieval castles, mythological legends, impressive landscapes & ancient customs. Known for its carefully preserved culture, learn about the lifestyle of medieval peasants of the past, ancient customs, art & history from your experienced private guide who was born & raised in this storybook region. Meet locals who create rugs, woodcarvings & goats cheese just as their ancestors did centuries ago. Soak in the history of “living museums” of ancient monasteries, churches & castles. Meander through rolling hills, pastures, & meadows full of wildflowers. Dine at small inns & local restaurants on traditional Romanian delicacies like Bulz, tuica plum brandy & ciorba. Complete with nights in an enchanting historical Casa built in 1821 with roots dating all the way back to 1361, this is the authentic Romania.
Trip Itinerary
Sighet Marmatiei
Casa Iurca de Calinesti
Day 1: Baia Mare - Sighetu Marmatiei
Meet your driver for an airport transfer.
Accommodation: Casa Iurca (4*) Casa Iurca de Calinesti (4*) is located in Sighetu Marmatiei, right in the heart of Maramures Land, a place loaded with history and legends. You will see wonderful wood carvings realized by the inhabitants of those ancient places. The traditional guesthouse offers 22 rooms equipped with TV, mini-bar and internet connection. Travelling through Maramures, means to discover the craftsmanship and spirit of local artists who built a civilization based on wood carvings, while feeling the human presence and pride behind every piece of furniture, pottery, traditional costumes and handmade ornaments. The staff from Casa Iurca de Calinesti tries to pour into the travellers heart a drop from the essence of Maramures. They do this with a responsibility and passion for people and for tradition. Enjoy your stay!
Merry Cemetery
Day 2: Sighetu Marmatiei
Enjoy a visit to the Sapanta with Peri Monastery & The Merry Cemetery, famous for its colourful tombstones with naïve paintings describing, in an original and poetic manner, the persons buried there with scenes from their lives. The Merry Cemetery has become an open-air museum and a national tourist attraction. After the tour enjoy a traditional lunch in Sapanta. Return to Sighetu Marmatiei and visit the Village Museum which includes old wooden houses. Optional visit to Elie Wiesel house (a Nobel prize winner) and learn more historical information at Victims Memorial. Free time in Sighetu Marmatiei.
Accommodation: Casa Iurca (4*) 
Birsana Monastery
Day 3: Sighetu Marmatiei
Explore Iza Valley, a traditional village area in Maramures. During the tour you can view the old whirlpools in Vadu Izei which were used to wash carpets in the past and are still in working condition to this day. Continue with your Birsana tour and visit a wood carving workshop. You can also visit the Birsana Monastery, one of the top attractions in Maramures area. Enjoy your lunch (included in tour price) in the monastery restaurant before you visit Poienile Izei, famous for the UNESCO heritage Wooden Church. Hop on the vehicle and visit an area famous for carpets. Meet a local lady who will show you how carpets were made hundreds of years ago. The tour ends with a visit to the UNESCO heritage wooden church in Leud, the smallest and oldest in the country.
Accommodation: Casa Iurca (4*) 
Desesti wooden church
Day 4: Sighetu Marmatiei
Today visit Cosaului and Mara Valley which are also part of traditional Maramures. Stop in Sarbi village and taste the famous” palinka”, a drink similar to Russian vodka. Continue your tour with Budesti, another UNESCO heritage church, where the legend of Pintea The Brave (Romanians’ “Robin Hood”) was born. Continue to Breb, the most beautiful village in Historical Maramures and walk along the streets. You will adore the local houses and villages. A visit inside of a traditional Maramures house, which is older than the museum and still inhabited, will provide you with a new perspective on this beautiful area and how some people still live in the countryside. Continue onto the Mara Valley, for lunch at Alex Trout-House Restaurant. On your way back to the hotel stop at Desesti wooden church, an important UNESCO Heritage monument.
Accommodation: Casa Iurca (4*) Day 5: Sighetu Marmatiei
Meet your driver for a transfer to Baia Mare Airport.
Accommodation: Depart (Int`l Airport)
Accommodations
- Casa Iurca de Calinesti
Casa Iurca de Calinesti Room
Casa Iurca (4*) - Sighetu Marmatiei
Casa Iurca de Calinesti (4*) is located in Sighetu Marmatiei, right in the heart of Maramures Land, a place loaded with history and legends. You will see wonderful wood carvings realized by the inhabitants of those ancient places. The traditional guesthouse offers 22 rooms equipped with TV, mini-bar and internet connection. Travelling through Maramures, means to discover the craftsmanship and spirit of local artists who built a civilization based on wood carvings, while feeling the human presence and pride behind every piece of furniture, pottery, traditional costumes and handmade ornaments. The staff from Casa Iurca de Calinesti tries to pour into the travellers heart a drop from the essence of Maramures. They do this with a responsibility and passion for people and for tradition. Enjoy your stay!
Travel Info
Travel tips of Romania
VISA/PASSPORT
A valid passport is required. U.S. and Canadian citizen visitors are granted 90 days of stay without a visa within a given six-month period. Foreigners are required to carry identification documents at all times.
Citizens of other countries may require a visa. Please ask your Sales Advisor. These requirements change often and therefore it is best that you check with the Embassy of Romania for the most up to date visa information.
HEALTH
Health insurance is required. Medical facilities are poor quality and not widespread. We recommend that you see a health-care provider who specializes in Travel Medicine. The doctor or health-care provider will determine what vaccinations and medication you will need, depending on factors such as your health and immunization history, areas of the country you will be visiting, and planned activities. For more information on travel requirements, visit the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) website: http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/romania.aspx
COUNTRY INFO
Capital: Bucharest.
Government: Democratic Republic since 1991.
Language: Romanian is the official language. Some Hungarian and German are spoken in border areas, while mainly French and some English are spoken by those connected with the tourist industry.
Religion: 87% Romanian Orthodox, with Greek and Roman Catholic, Reformed/Lutheran, Unitarian, Muslim and Jewish minorities.
Time: GMT + 2 (GMT + 3 from last Sunday in March to last Sunday in October).
Electricity: 220 volts AC, 50Hz. Plugs are of the two-pin type.
Telephone: Country code +40.
Mobile Telephone: Roaming agreements exist with many international mobile phone companies. Coverage is good around Bucharest but variable elsewhere.
Internet: Romania has numerous Internet cafes, some offering Wi-Fi.
What's Included:
- Guaranteed departure - Accommodation, Activities, Transfers, Meals, Fees where indicated as per the itinerary - Local and international traveler assistance during your tour - Specialised and personalised services
What's not Included:
- Tips - Laundry - Soft drinks and alcoholic beverages unless explicitly noted - Optional activities/extras – Visas (unless noted) - Vacation insurance
Trip Terms & Conditions
- Your deposit is due immediately on booking (30% of program price, minimum $350). The balance is due 90 days prior to departure.
- Cancellations of confirmed bookings 90 days or more prior to departure will receive full refund minus a $350 (per person) administrative fee and any non-refundable paid fees (e.g. non-refundable airfare, cruise or hotel deposits). 60-89 days will be subject to loss of 30% of program price. 30-59 days will be subject to loss of 50% of program price. 29 days or less will be subject to loss of 100% of program price.
- Tour quotes do not include airfare to/from the trip start point unless noted on the itinerary
- Cost increases in currency exchange, government fees, taxes, surcharges or hotel/lodge tariff increases between quote date and start date are payable by the client.
- Availability cannot be guaranteed until booked. We will exercise best efforts to book hotels per the itinerary, however, in busy seasons and with client bookings made within 90 days of tour date we may be forced to offer substitutes.
- Payment of the program price constitutes your acceptance of the terms and conditions set out at www.kensingtontours.com/terms-and-conditions
- Living Standards and practices at destination may differ from those in North America with respect to provisions of utilities, services and accommodation.
Stay in the know: Subscribe to our newsletter to have our hand-picked trips & specials delivered to you!