Sabela

I´m thinking about visiting the Maramures and Bucovina regions at the end of August. I have around 10 days that can be stretched to 14 if I run out of time. My idea is to flight to Cluj Napoca, rent a car, visit Maramures, Bucovina and return by car to Cluj.
This is my schedule:
Day 1: Rent a car in Cluj in the morning and head off to Targu Lapus. In the Lapus Area I would like to stop by/see Rogoz, Targu Lapus, Lapus, Cavnic. At the end of the day sleep in Baia Mare.
Day 2-4: From Baia Mare drive to Sighetu Marmatiei. I want to spend 3 days in Sighetu Marmatiei visiting the wooden churches of Maramures, the happy cemetery, the steam train and small villages in the mountains.
Day 5: from Viseu de Sus drive to Suceava.
Day 6-8: Visit the painted monasteries, Dragomirna monastery and Suceava. Sleeping in Gura Humorului one night and other in Suceava
Day 9-10: Return from Suceava to Cluj.
This is my idea having in mind the poor traffic conditions and comments that I have read in forums.
Do you think that I am very optimistic about the distances by car? Am I covering a big distance is short time?
What can I see returning from Suceava to Cluj in two days? Is it worth the Maramures pass?
Any ideas or suggestions are more than welcome as this is the first time I visit Romania.

flat4

It's a good schedule, you're not trying to cover too much (depending of course on exactly how many wooden churches and villages you want to see in Maramures).

On the main/direct route between Suceava and Cluj you could visit Bistrita, it has a small medieval quarter .

But it would be a good idea to take a slightly longer route to see Bicaz canyon and maybe the salt mines in Praid: drive Suceava - Targu Neamt - Bicaz - Bicaz canyon/Rosu lake - Gheorgheni - Praid - Targu Mures - Cluj.

Sabela

Thanks for your advice flat4!!

How long do you think I should spend on the route you recommend me? Is two days enough? Are the roads in "relatively good state"?

Michael

<i>Sleeping in Gura Humorului one night and other in Suceava</i>

Not necessary. Stay in one place, the area is not that big. You might want to take a look at my trip report, even though it is getting old; click on my name to find it.

<i>From Baia Mare drive to Sighetu Marmatiei.</i>

My recollection is that the road was not very good. But otherwise the main roads were not a problem. Some of the roads to recommended villages were dirt roads in very bad shape; it had been a rainy spring and we happened to be there between two rain periods.

flat4

Two days are enough for the Bicaz route. The roads on this part are OK (but don't expect motorways, naturally).
You could do Suceava-Bicaz-Praid on the first day, spend the night in Sovata (a resort a few minutes away from Praid), visit the Praid salt mines next morning then move on to Cluj.

tower

Sabela:
I would recommend <b>Casa Elena</b> near Voronets as your base for the Bucovina monasteries/fresco-painted chuches. You can cover the sites on two day trips in my opinion based on my several lengthy travels within Romania, even in the iffy Ceaucescu days. You can omit Suceava.

But flat4's suggestion of Bicaz Gorge is a good one..I would also add a short stop at the Neculae Popa Folk Museum in little Tarpesht (near Piatra Neamts).. then go on for two days to Cluj. I frankly thought Red Lake to be underwhelming. The village of Ieud in Maramures(h) is a good one to visit. These pics were taken in the 70's, 80's and as recently as '05 when I escorted a group of 16 of my readership on a footsteps tour of the country (and Bulgaria).

You will undoubtely find Romania fascinating and so very different from Western Europe. My visits had all been spring and fall..I imagine August will be very warm.

tower

Sabelo


sorry, forgot to add pics.

https://picasaweb.google.com/stuartt...Romania200502#

The reason for the title with "three Romanias" it from an old Jewish folk song...extolling the virtues of old Romania with tongue in cheek. It was historically pure misery for Jews and any other minorities for the most part of three most recent centuries.

stu tower

Sabela

Hi Flat 4,

How long from Soveto to Cluj approximately?

Michael

<i>How long from Soveto to Cluj approximately?</i>

Have you tried Google map or www.viamichelin.com?

tower

On my Romanian maps...about 100kms...slow driving, some secondary roads...figure less than two hours. Cluj is a very big Romanian city...very difficut driving through....very nice hotel away from the hustle and bustle...The Villa Rimini..5-star which doesn't mean a thing in Romania. But way more than just adequate.

stu

flat4

Sovata to Cluj takes about three hours. Take the main route via Targu Mures - Ludus - Turda , the others are slower even though they're more direct.

Sabela

Dear Michael,

Of course I have looked it on the internet but I have also read that driving times in Romania are impredictable, so I ask people that have covered this route before.

Sabela

Thanks for the advice again flat 4!!

Sabela

I read on a tourist guide the around the road of Bicaz Gorge there are stands selling tourist souvenirs and some of them are quite interesting and hand made by the sellers. However most of them have the manufacturer label on and aren´t worth a cent.
Is it worth to spend some time on this stands? Anyone has stopped by?

tower

Sabela...I think you're worrying way too much on driving times between here and there. For example, Flat4 says three hours between Sovata and Cluj..I said two. Truth is driving times anywhere are unpredictable and especially so in Romania, in my experience. Just go and enjoy it and stop fretting about it. In my journal I listed less than two hours and that's going through the beautiful little city of Tirgu Mures(h)..so if it takes three hours, what's the problem? I hope you understand what I'm saying.

Have a great trip...it will turn out to be one of your most interesting and challenging ones...and yes the souvenir stands are fun but the value of their goods like souvenirs anywhere are questionable...again, so what..just enjoy it..one of the prettiest parts of the gorge, rushing river and all happens to be where the stands are. (review my pics above and you'll see those stands).
stu tower

Michael

<i>Is it worth to spend some time on this stands? Anyone has stopped by?</i>

I would not bother. Between the stands in the parking lots of the painted monasteries and the museum shop at the skansen outside Sibiu you'll have more than enough to choose from. We found the museum shop to be the best.