'Sweet Land of Bucovina'

Painted Monasteries of Romania

Tour Description: Guided

Hidden away in the northern part of the  Carpathian mountains is the ‘Sweet Land of Bucovina’ with their world famous painted monasteries. They are part of the UNESCO World Heritage. Its pictorial texts combine Byzantine iconography with western book miniature paintings and Romanian folk tradition.

Besides the mount Athos it is the only place in Europe where Byzantine art and iconography was developed and preserved in such an extent and quality. Still today it is a mystery how these beautiful outside murals could survive the centuries. You cycle through beautiful landscapes from one monastery to the next.

Tour Description: Self-guided

Hidden away in the northern part of the  Carpathian mountains is the ‘Sweet Land of Bucovina’ with their world famous painted monasteries. They are part of the UNESCO World Heritage. Its pictorial texts combine Byzantine iconography with western book miniature paintings and Romanian folk tradition.

Besides the mount Athos it is the only place in Europe where Byzantine art and iconography was developed and preserved in such an extent and quality. Still today it is a mystery how these beautiful outside murals could survive the centuries. You cycle through beautiful landscapes from one monastery to the next.

Highlights: Guided

• Bucharest
• Humor Monastery
• Radauti, a charming small town
• Putna Monastery
• Moldovita Monastery Museum

Highlights: Self-guided

• Bucharest
• Humor Monastery
• Radauti, a charming small town
• Putna Monastery
• Moldovita Monastery Museum

Daily Program: Guided

Daily Program: Self-guided

Day 1: Arrival to Bucharest
Individual arrival to Bucharest. 
Overnight in a 3-star hotel.  

Day 2: Train to Bucovina  (6-12 miles/10-20 km)
Train to Suceava (ca. 5 ½ h) and transfer to Humor village (45 minutes). Visit Humor monastery, which exudes friendliness and tranquil charm. It is painted in warm blues, greens and reddish browns (from oriental madder pigment). You may have a cycle tour along a beautiful valley to a Polish village. 
Overnight in a very pleasant 3-star guesthouse in Humor

Day 3: Humor – Radauti (31 miles/50 km)
Cycle to Cacica village, an original Polish settlement (Polish is still spoken) and visit the salt mine. Further on to Arbore chapel with its superb frescoes. Todays destination is Radauti, a pretty little town, where you may visit a potteries workshop. 
Overnight in Radauti. 

Day 4: Radauti - Putna (25 miles/40 km)
Cycle along the Ucrainian border to Putna monastery, the spiritual center of Romania. Visit the monastery. Worth while is also the little museum attached. 
Overnight in a 3-star guesthouse or in the Arhonadic of Putna monastery, where you will be welcomed by Brother Isaac. 

Day 5: Putna – Sucevita (22 miles/35 km)
Cycle to Sucevita village. The undercoat of emerald green on which the superb frescoes are painted (1596) gave the monastery the name ‘a Poem in Green and Light’. The iconostasis is supposed to be the most beautiful one in the country. Sacherverell Sitwell wrote in 1938: “The first view of the painted church of Sucevita is among the most impressive revelations of the Byzantine world”. The little museum contains the most precious collection of medieval art in Moldovia. Including medieval embroidered portraits and an epitaph with 1000 pearls. 
Overnight in Sucevita. 

Day 6: Sucevita - Moldovita (22 miles/35 km)
Cycle up to the Ciumirna pass (+550 m, or you can order a taxi) with astounding panoramic mountain views, then downhill to Moldovita.  Visit Moldovita monastery, famous for its warmth and brilliance of its frescoes. The blue undercoat for its tree of Jesse gave the monastery the name ‘a parchment dipped in blue color’. Maybe you meet Sister Tatiana (she speaks some English) who will show you around. The little museum contains, besides a priceless silver-cased Evangelistary presented by Catherine the Great of Russia, valuable icons and miniatures.
Overnight in Moldovita.

Day 7: Moldovita – Humor (22 miles/35 km)
Cycle to Voronet monastery. “Voronet-Blue” is the key word for the outside mural paintings. Its superb frescoes gave it the name ‘the Sistine Chapel of the East’. Architecturally it combines Gothic and Byzantine features. Petru Comanescu still holds its truth: ”…here in the clear mellow light of those parts of the walls of the church seem to have stolen the sparking blue of the sky, the green of the trees and the pastures, the gold of the sun and the red of the flowers growing in the peasants gardens”. Cycle on to Humor. 
Overnight in Humor. 

Day 8: Train to Bucharest
Transfer to Suceava, train to Bucharest and departure.

Dates: Guided

Dates: Self-guided

Daily

Packages and Prices: Guided

Packages and Prices: Self-guided

Tour package (self-guided)
Per person, double occupancy €750 Single room supplement (1 person/1 room) €100 Bike rentals Hybrid touring bike, 24-speed €85 Equipment included free with all rentals €0

Included Services: Guided

Included Services: Self-guided

• 7 nights accommodation
• 6 diners (3 course meals with brandy or wine and mineral water)
• Train ticket Bucharest – Suceava – Bucharest
• Transfer Suceava – Humor – Suceava
• Luggage transport
• Map with route and road book
• Telephone service

Hotels: Guided

7-nights accommodation:

 - 1 night in 3-star hotel in Bucharest
- 4 nights in 3-star guesthouses
- 1 night in 4-star guesthouse monastery or 3-star village guesthouse
- 1 night idyllic guesthouse (2 rooms share shower, but own toilet)

Except Bucharest, where you only have breakfast, all the dinners are served with a glass of wine or/and rakiu (schnaps), as well as mineral water.

Hotels: Self-guided

7-nights accommodation:

 - 1 night in 3-star hotel in Bucharest
- 4 nights in 3-star guesthouses
- 1 night in 4-star guesthouse monastery or 3-star village guesthouse
- 1 night idyllic guesthouse (2 rooms share shower, but own toilet)

Except Bucharest, where you only have breakfast, all the dinners are served with a glass of wine or/and rakiu (schnaps), as well as mineral water.

Surface and Terrain: Guided

This tour is hilly. It has one longer climb (+1,640 feet/500 m), which you can avoid by a taxi transfer. 

This tour is rated Moderate and is for cyclists in good physical condition. 

Surface and Terrain: Self-guided

This tour is hilly. It has one longer climb (+1,640 feet/500 m), which you can avoid by a taxi transfer. 

This tour is rated Moderate and is for cyclists in good physical condition. 

How To Get There: Guided

Tour start and end
Nearest airport: Bucharest, Romania
Nearest train station: Bucharest, Romania

How To Get There: Self-guided

Tour start and end
Nearest airport: Bucharest, Romania
Nearest train station: Bucharest, Romania

Tour Company Background: Hermannstaedter Reisen: Guided

Hermannstädter Reisen, founded 2003, is a German-Romanian licensed tour operator in Sibiu/Hermannstadt, Romania offering cycling and walking holidays as well as cultural tours. They cooperate with tour operators from the UK, Canada, Germany, Switzerland and Austria. Key strengths include excellent organziation skills and customer support. 

Tour Company Background: Hermannstaedter Reisen: Self-guided

Hermannstädter Reisen, founded 2003, is a German-Romanian licensed tour operator in Sibiu/Hermannstadt, Romania offering cycling and walking holidays as well as cultural tours. They cooperate with tour operators from the UK, Canada, Germany, Switzerland and Austria. Key strengths include excellent organziation skills and customer support. 

Terms and Conditions: Hermannstaedter Reisen: Guided

The travel tours are operated by ‘HERMANNSTÄDTER REISEN.’

1. CANCELLATION BY TRAVELLER 

1.1 The client may cancel his or her participation in the tour at any time before it commences. The point of withdrawal is taken to be the point at which ‘HERMANNSTÄDTER REISEN’ receives the notification. It is recommended that the client declare his withdrawal in writing. 

1.2 If the client withdraws from the travel contract or does not begin the tour, then the tour operator may request payment of damages to cover tour arrangements made and expenses incurred by him. 

1.3 The tour operator may establish this claim for compensation in a lump sum as a percentage of the tour price in consideration of the arrangement given below. The following cancellation fees apply:

• up to 45 days prior to departure 10 % per person
• from 44 days until 30 days prior to departure 20% of travel price
• from 29 days until 22 days prior to departure 30 % of travel price
• from 21 days until 15 days prior to departure 40 % of travel price
• from 14 days until 8 days prior to departure 50 % of travel price,
• from 7 days until 1 day prior to departure 70 % of travel price
• no show at arrival date 90 % of travel price.

2. COMPLETION OF TRAVEL CONTRACT

2.1 With his booking the client legally agrees to the conclusion of a travel contract with the tour operator.

2.2 The booking can be done in writing, orally, by telephone or by e-mail. It is done by the client also on behalf of all other participants listed in the booking.

2.3 The travel contract comes into being upon the acceptance of the tour operator. Acceptance does not require a pre-set form. On or immediately after the conclusion of the contract, the tour operator will hand out a tour confirmation to the client.

3. PAYMENT

3.1 Payments towards the tour price before the end of the tour are effected on issue of a risk coverage certificate to insure against insolvency of the tour operator. Upon completion of the contract a deposit of 20% of the travel price will be due. The deposit will be deducted from the total tour price. The remaining amount must be paid 28 days before commencement of the journey without further reminder.

3.2 The travel documents will be made out 2 weeks before commencement of the journey. Vouchers, hotel list and directions will be forwarded without delay upon receipt of payment. Route descriptions and maps will be send or left for the guest with the first accommodation.

4. INSURANCE

4.1 We recommend that the client take out travel cancellation insurance and/or buy an insurance contract package including travel cancellation insurance together with his booking.

4.2 We recommend the option of buying international travel health insurance as well as luggage insurance for all journeys.

5. SERVICES

5.1 The scope of the contractually agreed services is laid out in the description of services on the Internet and in the relevant details given in the tour confirmation. Details which appear on the Internet are binding for the tour operator.

5.2 The details given in the travel information on the respective tour and forwarded together with the tour confirmation are made to the best of the tour operator's knowledge and belief.

6. CHANGES IN SERVICES

6.1 Any changes in or deviations of individual travel services from the agreed content which become necessary after completion of the travel contract, are only permitted where the changes and deviations are not extensive and do not substantially prejudice the overall concept of the tour booked.

6.2 Any warranty claims are not affected in so far as the changes in arrangements have faults.

6.3 The tour operator is obliged to inform the client immediately of any changes in or deviations from services. Where appropriate the tour operator will offer the client a charge-free change in reservation or a charge-free withdrawal.

6.4 In the case of a substantial change in a key tour service the traveller is entitled to withdraw from the travel contract at no cost or to request a transfer to another tour of at least equal value, as long as the tour operator is in a position to offer such a tour from his range without an increase in price to the traveller. The latter is required to assert these rights immediately upon notification of a change in any tour service by the tour operator.

7. LIABILITY OF TOUR OPERATOR

7.1 Within the scope of due diligence of a prudent businessman, the tour operator is responsible for:

a) careful preparation of the tour
b) careful selection and supervision of the providers of services 
c) accurate description of all travel services indicated in the catalogues or on the Internet 
d) proper provision of the travel services as contractually agreed. 

7.2 The tour operator shall be liable for any faults of the person entrusted with the provision of services.

8. WARRANTY

8.1 Redress: If a travel service is not rendered in accordance with the contract, the traveller may seek redress.The tour operator may also offer redress in a manner providing replacement of the same value. The tour operator may refuse redress should it entail disproportionate expense.

8.2 Reduction in the Travel Price: The traveller can request a reduction in the travel price for the duration of a travel service not rendered as stipulated in the contract (reduction in price). However, said reduction in price fails if the traveller negligently or purposely refrains from advising the tour operator.

8.3 Termination of Travel Contract: If a tour is to a significant degree adversely affected by a fault or defect, and the tour operator fails to provide redress within an appropriate time period, the traveller may terminate the travel contract within the framework of the legal provisions of the travel contract – in his or her own interest expediently by a written declaration. The same applies if, due to a fault or defect for an important reason which is discernible by the tour operator, the traveller cannot reasonably be expected to undertake the tour. Determination of a time-limit for redress is not required only where such redress is impossible or is refused by the tour operator. The traveller owes the tour operator that part of the travel price relating to the services utilised.

9. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY

9.1 Contractual liability of the tour operator for damage other than physical injury is limited to a total of three times the tour price:

a) if damage suffered by the traveller was not caused with intent or by gross negligence or
b) if the tour operator is responsible for damage suffered by the traveller solely through the fault of a provider of services.

9.2 The tour operator shall be liable for all compensation claims against him due to tort which are not due to intent or gross negligence in the event of property damage up to €4,100; if three times the amount of the tour price exceeds this amount, liability for property damage shall be limited to three times the tour price. The maximum liability amounts apply to one client and one tour. 

9.3 A claim for damages against the tour operator is limited or excluded in so far as due to international agreements or statutory regulations based thereupon, which are to be applied to the services to be rendered by a provider of services, a claim for damages against the provider of services can be claimed or excluded only under certain conditions or limitations.

10. DUTY OF COOPERATION

10.1 Should disruption to services occur the traveller is obliged within the framework of the legal provisions to cooperate in avoiding and reducing as far are as possible any damage.

10.2 In particular, the traveller is obliged to present his complaints immediately to ‘HERMANNSTÄDTER REISEN’ at their place of business. The tour operator is obliged to take corrective action, if possible. Should the traveller refrain from reporting a fault, then his/her entitlement to a reduction in price is lost.

11. EXCLUSION OF CLAIMS AND STATUTE OF LIMITATION

11.1 Claims on account of non-contractual travel performance are to be asserted by the traveller against the tour operator within one month after termination of the journey specified in the contract. Claims as a result of tort are subject to the statutory period of limitation. In the traveller's own interest, such claims should be made in writing.

11.2 Any claims of traveller pursuant become statute-barred after one year, beginning with the day on which the tour was scheduled to end under the contract. Where negotiations regarding the claim or the circumstances substantiating the claim are pending between the traveller and the tour operator, then the limitation period is suspended until the traveller or the tour operator reject continuation of the negotiations. The limitation period can take effect no earlier than 3 months after this suspension.

12. PASSPORT, VISA AND HEALTH PROVISIONS

12.1 The traveller is personally responsible for obtaining information on entering the destination countries. In case of doubt, information is available from the local consulates.

12.2 The tour operator is not liable for the timely issue and receipt of necessary visa by the relevant diplomatic authorities.

12.3 The traveller is personally responsible for complying with all important regulations relating to the organisation of the tour. Any disadvantages, in particular payment of cancellation costs, due to traveller's failure to comply with such regulations, are borne by him or her except when caused by the tour operator's negligence due to incorrect information.

13. INVALIDITY OF INDIVIDUAL CONDITIONS

The invalidity of individual provisions of the travel contract does not entail the invalidity of the whole travel contract.

14. MISCELLANEOUS

Physical Requirements: Any information on physical requirements during hiking and trekking tours is generally given according to the tour operator's best knowledge and belief, however, without guarantee, since such information is not only subject to subjective assessment but is also influenced by external circumstances such as weather conditions in particular.

15. PLACE OF JURISDICTION

15.1 The traveller can only take legal action against the tour operator at their principal place of business. The place of jurisdiction for travels organised by ‘HERMANNSTÄDTER REISEN’ is Sibiu/Hermannstadt.

15.2 ADRESS ‘HERMANNSTÄDTER REISEN’ is located in strada Xenopol 17, 550159 Sibiu/Hermannstadt, Romania. Telephone: 0040 269 212 289

Terms and Conditions: Hermannstaedter Reisen: Self-guided

The travel tours are operated by ‘HERMANNSTÄDTER REISEN.’

1. CANCELLATION BY TRAVELLER 

1.1 The client may cancel his or her participation in the tour at any time before it commences. The point of withdrawal is taken to be the point at which ‘HERMANNSTÄDTER REISEN’ receives the notification. It is recommended that the client declare his withdrawal in writing. 

1.2 If the client withdraws from the travel contract or does not begin the tour, then the tour operator may request payment of damages to cover tour arrangements made and expenses incurred by him. 

1.3 The tour operator may establish this claim for compensation in a lump sum as a percentage of the tour price in consideration of the arrangement given below. The following cancellation fees apply:

• up to 45 days prior to departure 10 % per person
• from 44 days until 30 days prior to departure 20% of travel price
• from 29 days until 22 days prior to departure 30 % of travel price
• from 21 days until 15 days prior to departure 40 % of travel price
• from 14 days until 8 days prior to departure 50 % of travel price,
• from 7 days until 1 day prior to departure 70 % of travel price
• no show at arrival date 90 % of travel price.

2. COMPLETION OF TRAVEL CONTRACT

2.1 With his booking the client legally agrees to the conclusion of a travel contract with the tour operator.

2.2 The booking can be done in writing, orally, by telephone or by e-mail. It is done by the client also on behalf of all other participants listed in the booking.

2.3 The travel contract comes into being upon the acceptance of the tour operator. Acceptance does not require a pre-set form. On or immediately after the conclusion of the contract, the tour operator will hand out a tour confirmation to the client.

3. PAYMENT

3.1 Payments towards the tour price before the end of the tour are effected on issue of a risk coverage certificate to insure against insolvency of the tour operator. Upon completion of the contract a deposit of 20% of the travel price will be due. The deposit will be deducted from the total tour price. The remaining amount must be paid 28 days before commencement of the journey without further reminder.

3.2 The travel documents will be made out 2 weeks before commencement of the journey. Vouchers, hotel list and directions will be forwarded without delay upon receipt of payment. Route descriptions and maps will be send or left for the guest with the first accommodation.

4. INSURANCE

4.1 We recommend that the client take out travel cancellation insurance and/or buy an insurance contract package including travel cancellation insurance together with his booking.

4.2 We recommend the option of buying international travel health insurance as well as luggage insurance for all journeys.

5. SERVICES

5.1 The scope of the contractually agreed services is laid out in the description of services on the Internet and in the relevant details given in the tour confirmation. Details which appear on the Internet are binding for the tour operator.

5.2 The details given in the travel information on the respective tour and forwarded together with the tour confirmation are made to the best of the tour operator's knowledge and belief.

6. CHANGES IN SERVICES

6.1 Any changes in or deviations of individual travel services from the agreed content which become necessary after completion of the travel contract, are only permitted where the changes and deviations are not extensive and do not substantially prejudice the overall concept of the tour booked.

6.2 Any warranty claims are not affected in so far as the changes in arrangements have faults.

6.3 The tour operator is obliged to inform the client immediately of any changes in or deviations from services. Where appropriate the tour operator will offer the client a charge-free change in reservation or a charge-free withdrawal.

6.4 In the case of a substantial change in a key tour service the traveller is entitled to withdraw from the travel contract at no cost or to request a transfer to another tour of at least equal value, as long as the tour operator is in a position to offer such a tour from his range without an increase in price to the traveller. The latter is required to assert these rights immediately upon notification of a change in any tour service by the tour operator.

7. LIABILITY OF TOUR OPERATOR

7.1 Within the scope of due diligence of a prudent businessman, the tour operator is responsible for:

a) careful preparation of the tour
b) careful selection and supervision of the providers of services 
c) accurate description of all travel services indicated in the catalogues or on the Internet 
d) proper provision of the travel services as contractually agreed. 

7.2 The tour operator shall be liable for any faults of the person entrusted with the provision of services.

8. WARRANTY

8.1 Redress: If a travel service is not rendered in accordance with the contract, the traveller may seek redress.The tour operator may also offer redress in a manner providing replacement of the same value. The tour operator may refuse redress should it entail disproportionate expense.

8.2 Reduction in the Travel Price: The traveller can request a reduction in the travel price for the duration of a travel service not rendered as stipulated in the contract (reduction in price). However, said reduction in price fails if the traveller negligently or purposely refrains from advising the tour operator.

8.3 Termination of Travel Contract: If a tour is to a significant degree adversely affected by a fault or defect, and the tour operator fails to provide redress within an appropriate time period, the traveller may terminate the travel contract within the framework of the legal provisions of the travel contract – in his or her own interest expediently by a written declaration. The same applies if, due to a fault or defect for an important reason which is discernible by the tour operator, the traveller cannot reasonably be expected to undertake the tour. Determination of a time-limit for redress is not required only where such redress is impossible or is refused by the tour operator. The traveller owes the tour operator that part of the travel price relating to the services utilised.

9. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY

9.1 Contractual liability of the tour operator for damage other than physical injury is limited to a total of three times the tour price:

a) if damage suffered by the traveller was not caused with intent or by gross negligence or
b) if the tour operator is responsible for damage suffered by the traveller solely through the fault of a provider of services.

9.2 The tour operator shall be liable for all compensation claims against him due to tort which are not due to intent or gross negligence in the event of property damage up to €4,100; if three times the amount of the tour price exceeds this amount, liability for property damage shall be limited to three times the tour price. The maximum liability amounts apply to one client and one tour. 

9.3 A claim for damages against the tour operator is limited or excluded in so far as due to international agreements or statutory regulations based thereupon, which are to be applied to the services to be rendered by a provider of services, a claim for damages against the provider of services can be claimed or excluded only under certain conditions or limitations.

10. DUTY OF COOPERATION

10.1 Should disruption to services occur the traveller is obliged within the framework of the legal provisions to cooperate in avoiding and reducing as far are as possible any damage.

10.2 In particular, the traveller is obliged to present his complaints immediately to ‘HERMANNSTÄDTER REISEN’ at their place of business. The tour operator is obliged to take corrective action, if possible. Should the traveller refrain from reporting a fault, then his/her entitlement to a reduction in price is lost.

11. EXCLUSION OF CLAIMS AND STATUTE OF LIMITATION

11.1 Claims on account of non-contractual travel performance are to be asserted by the traveller against the tour operator within one month after termination of the journey specified in the contract. Claims as a result of tort are subject to the statutory period of limitation. In the traveller's own interest, such claims should be made in writing.

11.2 Any claims of traveller pursuant become statute-barred after one year, beginning with the day on which the tour was scheduled to end under the contract. Where negotiations regarding the claim or the circumstances substantiating the claim are pending between the traveller and the tour operator, then the limitation period is suspended until the traveller or the tour operator reject continuation of the negotiations. The limitation period can take effect no earlier than 3 months after this suspension.

12. PASSPORT, VISA AND HEALTH PROVISIONS

12.1 The traveller is personally responsible for obtaining information on entering the destination countries. In case of doubt, information is available from the local consulates.

12.2 The tour operator is not liable for the timely issue and receipt of necessary visa by the relevant diplomatic authorities.

12.3 The traveller is personally responsible for complying with all important regulations relating to the organisation of the tour. Any disadvantages, in particular payment of cancellation costs, due to traveller's failure to comply with such regulations, are borne by him or her except when caused by the tour operator's negligence due to incorrect information.

13. INVALIDITY OF INDIVIDUAL CONDITIONS

The invalidity of individual provisions of the travel contract does not entail the invalidity of the whole travel contract.

14. MISCELLANEOUS

Physical Requirements: Any information on physical requirements during hiking and trekking tours is generally given according to the tour operator's best knowledge and belief, however, without guarantee, since such information is not only subject to subjective assessment but is also influenced by external circumstances such as weather conditions in particular.

15. PLACE OF JURISDICTION

15.1 The traveller can only take legal action against the tour operator at their principal place of business. The place of jurisdiction for travels organised by ‘HERMANNSTÄDTER REISEN’ is Sibiu/Hermannstadt.

15.2 ADRESS ‘HERMANNSTÄDTER REISEN’ is located in strada Xenopol 17, 550159 Sibiu/Hermannstadt, Romania. Telephone: 0040 269 212 289