Enchanting Bucovina

After breakfast we will prepare the departure to Targu Neamt. The transfer usually takes 6 hours, but we plan to stop on our way to enjoy some wine tasting at a winery near Buzau city or Piatra Neamt city on the route.
After check-in, we could visit a few historical and cultural sights: the old Neamt Fortress, the old house of Ion Creanga writer and the historical city center. Socializing, dinner and planning of the first cycling day follows.

Dinner and overnight in Targu Neamt city.

Meals: full board

Today’s first cycling route is half on asphalt and half on forest paths. We will be passing a few famous monasteries, but also a natural buffalo reserve. We shall first reach Agapia Monastery, famous for the remarkable paintings of Nicolae Grigorescu. From Agapia we will follow the old path of the Natural Park Vanatori and visit the hidden Sihla Monastery, together with the legendary “one wood” monastery and the St. Theodora cave. From Agapia to Sihla, along the 6 km, the route elevation is 300m.
Later on we will cycle in the National Park towards Neamt Monastery. We will climb for another 200m, then the route descends, but the last 10 km will be almost flat. Founded in the 12th century, the Monastery stands as one of Romania's oldest and most important religious settlements. Tucked away at the foot of the Ceahlau Mountains and surrounded by old forests, the monastery resembles a fortress with its high walls and defence tower. Near the Monastery, a buffalo reserve awaits.

Overnight in Targu Neamt city

Meals: full board

In the morning we will visit a small local museum of artists who create traditional masks and wooden sculptures.
We will later have a short transfer Gura Humorului, 75 km to the North. Keen cyclists could do the transfer by bike. After checking in Gura Humorului, we will hop on the bike for a short ride and visit two of the monasteries included in the UNESCO World Heritage: Voronet and Humor.
Voronetis one the most breath-taking of all the monasteries with its predominantly blue hues and celebrated Last Judgement mural: a synthesis of Byzantine elements and gothic elements. Furthermore „the blue of Voronet” is considered by the specialists to be unique in the world, and as known as Rubes red or the Veronese green. Humor Monastery has a special architecture, with the bell tower build outside the church.

Ovenight in Gura Humorului.

Meals: full board

One of our favourite days, today is going to be a very busy day covering a visit to a salt mine, a unique pottery village and Sucevita painted monastery. Hidden between the hills nearby the town of Gura Humorului, Cacica salt-mine can provide enough salt for the entire Europe for the next 400 years! After a short visit of the mine, we will continue our cycling route toward the village of Marginea. This famous pottery uses ancient firing techniques to produce a distinctive black glaze. There is also a craft shop selling traditional and modern tapestries as well as local embroidered clothing. After a short lunch here and continue our route to Sucevita monastery. Surrounded by wooded hills, the late-16th century monastery resembles a fortress with imposing walls and defensive towers. The church’s frescoes are predominantly purple, red and blue and green. Beautifully preserved, they depict Moldavian legend and biblical scenes including the striking Ladder of Virtue and unfinished Last Judgement.
The total distance is ~50 km on asphalt road, with low traffic. Alternatively, an offroad forest route is available for keen cyclists (32 km, 400 m altitude gain in elevation).

Overnight in Sucevita, in a beautiful traditional guesthouse.

Meals: full board

The 30 km route from Sucevita to Moldovita Monastery is an amazing asphalt road crossing Ciumarna Pass, offering a beautiful view over the Bucovina hills. On our way we stop for a break and visit Moldovita monastery, another UNESCO World Heritage site. Moldovita painted monastery was built in 1532 by Petru Rares, who was Stephan the Great's illegitimate son. It was founded as a protective barrier against the Muslim Ottoman conquerors from the East.
In Moldovita village we will visit the Eggs painting museum before descending to for another 25 km to Pojorata picturesque village. The Egg Museum exhibits the largest collection of painted eggs in Romania and also one of the most important in Europe. In the workshop you will be able to work alongside Professor Letitia, the owner of the museum and also the creator of painted eggs, which will explain to you the meanings of Bucovina symbols.

Overnight in Pojorata, with local fish dishes.

Meals: full board

The final cycling day of our tour starts in Pojorata and ends after 30 km in Campulung Moldovenesc. We will be climbing from 700 to 1,500 m elevation along a 15 km route to reach Transrarau pass – a climb to the highest point in Rarau Mountains – Doamnele Peak.
The we follow a 15 km descend Campulung.

Overnight in in Campulung city or Pojorata village.

Meals: full board

Depending on your program we can stop on the route and take you to the airport or next acommodation location.