Discover Transylvania and Bucovina Ottoman Carpets, Romanian

Discover Transylvania and Bucovina
Ottoman Carpets, Romanian Kilims and painted Monasteries
September 10 to September 18
Study tour organised by Stefano Ionescu
Departure from US
Participants are encouraged to fly through ROME (which has very good and
cheap connections with US and also with Bucharest); they will be fully assisted
to organise an enchanting journey in Rome, Naples (Capri, Pompei, Sorrento)
or Florence are just 2,5 hours from the Eternal City.
(Please ask for further details)
Day 1 - Friday, Sept 10
Antique
Ottoman Rugs in
Transylvania
Arrival in Bucharest
Arrival at the international airport of Otopeni (or Baneasa).
Transfer to the boutique Hotel Amzei**** in the centre of Bucharest.
7:30 p.m. - Welcome drink followed by a presentation meeting at the
hotel; every participant will receive a set of maps and brochures.
8:30 p.m. - Dinner with a selection of Turkish and Balkan specialities and
with Romanian Chateau wine.
Day 2 - Saturday, Sept 11
Bucharest
10:00 a.m. - Visit the MUSEUM OF THE ROMANIAN PEASANT (MRP), holding
the largest collection of Romanian flatweaves (Dr. Geta Roãu, director of the
textile department, will introduce the collection).
12:00 a.m. - Souvenirs, handicrafts from the Museum’s shop.
12:30 a.m. - Departure for the Palace of Prince Bâncoveanu in Mogoãoia.
1:00 p.m. - Open air lunch in the garden of the palace.
2:00 p.m. - Visit the Mogoãoia Palace (built 1700), which houses about 300
items donated by the top Romanian art-collectors Liana and Dan Nasta including
Kula, Ghiordes, Kirshehir, Senneh rugs and Romanian scoartze.
2:00 p.m. - Return to Bucharest and short city tour.
8:00 p.m. - Dinner at the Restaurant “Caru cu Bere”. Music and dancing in
the most famos restaurant of the old city. Night walk.
The House of the Parliament, Bucharest
Stavropoleos
Greek-Orthodox Church
The Mogoãoaia Palace
A’ scoartza’ from Oltenia
MRP, Bucharest
The Romanian Atheneum
Day 3 - Sunday, Sept 12
Bucharest - Sinaia - Braãov (180 km)
9:30 a.m. - Departure for Sinaia. On the road Stefano Ionescu will present
the itinerary in Transylvania; historical and religious background of the region.
11:30 a.m. - Stop at Sinaia, a famous resort in the Carpathian mountains.
Visit to PELEÃ CASTLE, former residence of the royal family. 18th century
Persian carpets as well as some locally made Caucasian rugs.
2:00 p.m. - Open air snack at the coffee shop of the Peleã Castle.
3:00 p.m. - Departure for Braãov through one of the most spectacular
valleys of the Carpathians.
6:00 p.m. - Accommodation at the Hotel Ambient**** (fitness center & spa)
8:00 p.m. - Dinner in a Saxon tavern in the old section of Braãov.
9:30 p.m. - Walking tour through the medieval centre of Braãov.
(other info about Braãov on the site www.welcometoromania.ro/Brasov)
The Orthodox Monastery in Sinaia
Day 4 - Monday, Sept 13
Carpathian Landscape
Kula prayer rug - formerly in the
Lutheran Church of Rosenau
The Peleã Castle in Sinaia
Burzenland (Braãov county)
9:00 a.m. - Visit the HUNGARIAN LUTHERAN CHURCH (6 rugs) and meeting
with Lutheran Pastor Raduch Zsolst.
10:00 a.m. - Short visit to the ETHNOGRAPHIC MUSEUM. Together with Dr.
Ligia Fulga, Director of the Museum we will discuss Turkish influencies on the
Romanian and Saxon textile folk art.
11:00 a.m. - Departure for Bran; outside view of the ‘Dracula’ Castle.
1:30 p.m. - Open air lunch at a local shepherd, producer of cheese.
3:30 p.m. - Trip to Moeciu through a fairytale-like landscape.
4:30 p.m. - Visit the LUTHERAN CHURCH IN ROSENAU (3 Ottoman rugs).
5:30 p.m. - Visit the LUTHERAN CHURCH IN ZEIDEN (4 Ottoman rugs).
8:30 p.m. - Dinner at the hotel restaurant.
Moeciu seen from the Rucår Pass
The Hungarian Lutheran Church in Braãov
The ‘Dracula’ Castle in Bran
Day 5 - Tuesday, Sept 14
Braãov - Kronstadt
10:00 a.m. - Visit the BLACK CHURCH where 104 antique Ottoman rugs are
displayed. Short organ concert played by Steffen Schlandt followed by the visit to
the collection (inside the Black Church it is forbidden to take pictures).
Stefano Ionescu will discuss some highly important examples from the
collection of the Black Church, the greatest of its kind in the Christian World.
1:00 p.m. - Free lunch, souvenir shops (or return to the Black Church).
Visit the St. NICHOLAS ORTHODOX CHURCH and the first Romanian School.
6:30 p.m. - Departure for Poiana Braãov (alt. 1.200 mt). Visit the folk
market in Poiana. Dinner at the Shepherd’s House; lamb barbeque & folk music.
The Black Church in Braãov
Study of a Ghirlandaio rug
Day 6 - Wednesday, Sept 15
Stefano Ionescu’s book showing
over 300 rugs from Transylvania
Ottoman prayer rugs in the Black Church
Braãov - Sighiãoara - Mediaã (220 km)
9:00 a.m. - Departure for Sighiãoara (120 km). On the road Stefano
Ionescu will discuss about Tuduc and the rug collection of the Lutheran Parish
of Rupea (Reps). The participants will be offered the brochure The Lutheran
Parishes and their rugs: Whereabouts Unknown.
11:30 a.m. - Sighiãoara: visit the historical centre and the MONASTERY CHURCH
(40 rugs). Viewing of the unique Star-lattice rug.
1:00 p.m. - Lunch in a typical restaurant called Wagner House.
2:00 p.m. - Departure for Biertan (25 km), a picturesque old village which
was the Episcopal Seat of the Saxon Lutheran Church in Transylvania (5 rugs).
4:00 p.m. - Departure for Mediaã (22 km).
5:00 p.m. - Visit the ST. MARGARET CHURCH (about 40 rugs, including 4
Holbeins; this collection has the highest number of 16th century rugs in
Transylvania). Stefano Ionescu will discuss the Holbein and Selendi rugs.
7:30 p.m. - Accommodation at the Parc Hotel*** in Sibiu.
8:30 p.m. - Dinner at the Golden Barrel Tavern in the medieval section of Sibiu.
The Monastery Church in Sighiãoara
The Lutheran Church in Biertan
Clock-tower in Sighiãoara
St. Margaret Church in Mediaã
Day 7 - Thursday, Sept 16
Sibiu
9:00 a.m. - Breakfast and short city tour.
10:00 a.m. - Visit the NATIONAL BRUKENTHAL MUSEUM. Private viewing of 5
rugs including an exceptionally well preserved Holbein.
1:00 p.m. - Lunch and free time for shopping in the centre of Sibiu.
2:30 p.m. - Visit the great LUTHERAN CHURCH IN SIBIU.
4:20 p.m. - Carpatair flight to Suceava (arrival at 5:05 p.m.)
5:05 p.m. - Arrival to Suceava and transfer to Best Wester Hotel**** in Gura
Humorului in Bucovina.
8:30 p.m. - Dinner with Moldavian wines in the restaurant of the Hotel.
Day 8 - Friday, Sept 17
The Lutheran Church in Sibiu
Extension to Bucovina
Full day dedicated to the visit of the Orthodox Monasteries Bucovina (for
further details visit www.manastiri-bucovina.go.ro)
- PUTNA, built in 1566b by the Prince Stephen the Great.
- SUCEVITA, built between 1582-1584.
- MOLDOVITA, built in 1532. UNESCO world heritage list.
- VORONET, built in 1488: world-famous for the "Vorone† Blue".
8:30 p.m. - Farewell dinner at the hotel restaurant in Gura Humorului.
Day 9 - Saturday, Sept 18
Putna Monastery
Return flight
5:30 a.m. - Transfer to the Suceava airport.
7:10 a.m. - Carpatair flight to Timiãoara and further connections.
Vorone† Monastery
Useful advice for the Journey:
The Romanian visa can be obtained at the airport (not necessary for US and EU citizens). The local currency is called Ron;
the prices in Romania are lower than in western Europe, so for pocket money 100 euro should be enough.
Spring is the best season to visit Transylvania. In September the weather is usually fine but it may rain in Braãov. In the evening
it is certainly cool. We advise the usual clothing for this season but also a raincoat and a wool sweater.
Your meals will be freshly prepared, the ingredients invariably organically grown or produced, without the use of chemical
fertilisers or pesticides, often in the hosts' garden. Experience balkan specialities, including ‘sarmale’ - rolls of soured cabbage
or vine leaves stuffed with rice and minced pork flavoured with herbs such as dill, lovage and savory, ‘mititei’ - charcoal-grilled
meat rolls served with mustard, 'ciorbå' - soured soups, or ‘tocåni†e’ - meat stews, and ‘mamaligå’ - polenta.
Cost per person: p.o.r.
Price on request according to
the number of participants.
Accommodation with breakfast
in 4 star hotels, meals including
mineral water and local wine as
specified, transfer from/to the
airports, private mini-bus, entrance
This programme may be slightly
changed according to local conditions. No insurance is provided as
part of this fee.
Air Costs: not included.
To register please contact:
stefano_ionescu@yahoo.it
THE ITINERARY IN TRANSYLVANIA
Tour operator ROVIAL, Brasov
tickets and English speaking guide.