Romania tour

Jewish Romania tour

A Jewish Romania tour is a journey into the untouched heart of Eastern Europe – so timelessly well-preserved that it has no match. A mixture of Sephardic Jews from Constantinople and Ashkenazic Jews from Poland and Russia began arriving in the 14th century; their contribution to art, crafts, culture and trade can be traced everywhere. This is also the homeland of the Ba’al Shem Tov, founder of the Chassidic movement. Gypsies, known as “Romany,” also play a significant part in Romanian folkloric culture. You will hear their soulful music, trace the vivid Romanian heritage on this Jewish Romania tour, see charming rural lands, view historic towns, and – of course – Dracula’s Castle in legendary Transylvania.

Day 01 Monday Departure USA

Departure on your flight from the USA to Romania.

Day 02 Tuesday Arrival in Poiana Brasov

Arrival in Bucharest. Upon arrival, you are welcomed and transferred to Transylvania and Poiana Brasov, the best known Mountain Resort in Romania. Poiana Brasov is splendidly located; enjoy the healthy mountain air of this unspoiled paradise. Welcome Dinner at the hotel. “Minunat!” – Romania is simply wonderful! Hotel.

Day 03 Wednesday Poiana Brasov

Breakfast. This morning, visit the medieval town of Brasov (formerly known as Kronstadt). The tour will include a visit to the Synagogue, locally called “The Jewish Temple.” Brasov, situated on one of the major trade routes between Central Europe and the Balkans, still manifests its historic roots in the rich and well-preserved medieval Old Town. Continue to Sinaia and visit the fabulous Peles Castle – Summer Palace of the Royal Family. Framed by beautifully landscaped woodlands, this “German neo-Renaissance”-style castle is one of Romania’s best-loved attractions. Lunch in Sinaia, a town which clings to the hillsides and is beautifully scented with evergreens. Later, continue to a completely different atmosphere, as you visit “Count Dracula’s Castle” in Bran, dating back to the 14th century. You will learn about the legendary character of Vlad the Impaler, notoriously fictionalized by Bram Stoker in 1897, and the core of a rich trove of books, movies and television shows about “vampires.” Return to Poiana Brasov, with time to enjoy the refreshing mountain air. Dinner in a typical restaurant with folkloric music – Romania is justly famous for its “gypsy soul.” Hotel.

Day 04 Thursday P. Brasov-Piatra Neamt

Breakfast. Depart Poiana for a scenic drive to Prejmer, where you stop at the best-known peasant fortress in Transylvania. Continue along scenic roads in the land of Transylvania, which, for nearly a thousand years, was part of Hungary. This area is beloved for its great natural beauty, fertile lands, and strong ties to Hungarian cuisine and traditions. Enjoy a typical Hungarian Lunch in Miercurea Ciuc, before ascending the Carpathian Mountains which separate Transylvania and Moldavia. Drive through the stunning Bicaz Gorges as you enter Moldavia and continue to Piatra Neamt. “Neamt” means “German,” and takes its name from the Teutonic Knights who established a base here in the early 13th century. Dinner. Hotel.

Day 05 Friday P. Neamt – Gura Humorului

Breakfast. Visit the unique, 300 year-old “Hoiche Shil” Synagogue and the 500 year-old “Wooden Synagogue” associated with one of the most famous Jewish thinkers – the Ba’al Shem Tov (“Master of the Good Name’), mystic and founder of Chassidism. The Ba’al Shem Tov made several journeys to this part of Moldavia, and the “Hoiche Shil” is a monument to the deeply-rooted Jewish culture in this part of Europe, followed by a visit to the oldest surviving Wooden Synagogue in all of Europe. Solidly built by expert craftsmen, this visit offers the opportunity to witness a rare piece of Jewish history. Also, meet with members of the Jewish Community and visit the impressive and colorful Synagogue used during the high holidays. Later, drive deeper into Moldavia, famous for its many expressions of arts and crafts, which is easily observed in the traditions of decorating houses, production of carpets, and pottery. After Lunch, visit the Agapia Monastery, whose gleaming white towers and fortress walls rise from the countryside like beacons of light. Next, continue via picturesque landscapes to Gura Humorului. Dinner. Hotel.

Day 06 Saturday Gura Humorului

Breakfast. Enjoy a peaceful Shabbat in Gura Humorului, or join a tour dedicated to a tour of Bucovina – site of the legendary and beautiful “Painted Monasteries,” placed by UNESCO in its list of unmissable World Heritage Sites. Drive across the romantic alpine scenery, filled with flowering meadows, to Moldovita and Sucevita, visiting two of the most beautiful monasteries in the world. Moldovita’s monastery is located in a valley where orchards and pastures roll gently along the mountain slopes. Within the monastery are many magnificent, colorful frescoes, featuring national and religious themes. (For the mostly-illiterate people of Eastern Europe, these served as visual lessons, replacing the need for books.) Return to the hotel for Lunch and an afternoon at leisure or a short excursion to a local arts and crafts market. Dinner. Hotel.

Day 07 Sunday Gura Humorului – Iasi

Breakfast. In the morning, travel south along gentle roads for another highlight. Continue to the quaint town of Botosani, where Lunch will be served. Later, drive via Harlau for a visit to its Synagogue (pending), en route to Iasi, which for centuries has been one of Romania’s most important towns. Check in at the newly restored, historic Traian Hotel. Dinner. Hotel.

Day 08 Monday Iasi

Breakfast. Today, begin your tour of Iasi, which will focus on the rich Jewish heritage in this city. Before WWII, Iasi was a flourishing town, home to the largest and most sophisticated Jewish community in Romania. This tour begins with a visit to the 17th century Great Synagogue. Restored in the 1970’s, it is the oldest Jewish temple in Romania. You will also be able to pay your respects at the Jewish Cemetery and the Monument to Iasi’s pogrom victims. During the early part of the 20th century, these pogroms ravaged the Jewish community, and hundreds of Moldavian shtetls were destroyed (leading to a large migration to America). These shtetls included Belz (today a part of Ukraine), immortalized in the famous Yiddish song by John Jacobs. Lunch in the Jewish Community Center. Remainder of the day at leisure. Dinner. Hotel.

Day 09 Tuesday Iasi – Bucharest

Breakfast. This morning, travel through Moldavia to Romania’s modern capital: Bucharest. Geographically, Moldavia is a continuation of the Ukrainian steppe, which lies between the Carpathian Mountains and the Black Sea. This area is treasured as one of the most hospitable and picturesque parts of Romania. En route, you will stop in Bacau for Lunch, after which you will visit the “Grain Merchants’ Temple,” the only Jewish sanctuary left out of twenty-two synagogues. Continue through the gentle countryside to Bucharest, checking in at the hotel. Dinner. Hotel.

Day 10 Wednesday Bucharest

Breakfast. Bucharest’s fascinating history reflects an assortment of influences, from Byzantine Christian (which ruled Eastern Europe for 1100 years) to Turkish Ottoman. It flourished due to its location on the most viable trade route linking Western Europe with the Near East. Following breakfast, visit the Choral Temple Synagogue, and meet leaders of the Jewish Community. Later, visit the nearby Jewish Museum, today located in the former Tailor’s Synagogue. Lunch at the Jewish Community Center. In the afternoon, enjoy a panoramic tour of the city, including the Arch of Triumph, the Romanian Atheneum, and the Royal Palace. Remainder of day at leisure. After Dinner, attend a performance at the oldest Yiddish Theater in Europe (pending performance schedule).Hotel.

Day 11 Thursday Bucharest

Breakfast. This morning, visit the Parliament Palace, second-largest building in the world (after the Pentagon). You will also visit the Struma Memorial (dedicated to a failed escape to Israel) in the Jewish Cemetery. The afternoon is reserved for you to stroll through this beautiful city, find last-minute souvenirs, or rest at one the many street cafes, reflecting on this charming country, reminiscent of fairy tales the modern world has nearly forgotten. This evening, attend a Symphonic Concert at Enescu Concert Hall. George Enescu is considered to be Romania’s finest 20th century musician. A virtuoso violinist, cellist, pianist, composer and conductor, he gave Yehudi Menuhin his first violin lesson. (Menuhin, pride of our people and a British Lord, has said that Romania is the most naturally musical nation in the world.) Farewell dinner. Hotel.

Day 12 Friday Flight Home

Breakfast. “Drum Bun!” – Romania wishes you a good journey. Say goodbye to dreamlike and mesmerizing Romania, and transfer to the airport for your flight to the U.S.A.