Today’s journey is going to take us to Maramureş, one of Romania’s most traditional regions. It is very well known, in particular, because of the wood-culture and the many ethnic minorities living here for centuries. The dense forests – the Carpathian Mountains used to be called the Forest Mountains – have been the source of livelihood for many generations. Each house and church used to be built out of wood, as woodcarving is still one of the most popular occupations in this area. Almost every house has a wooden gate, a loom and a small bank, where people gather every evening to catch up with the latest gossip, play cards or weave. After a couple of hours of driving from Cluj, we will reach Baia Mare, the capital of the region. It used to be one of the wealthiest cities in Romania. The many gold and iron mines in the region helped the city to develop and during socialist times it was massively industrialized. Leaving Baia Mare we reach our next destination of the day: the wooden church of Şurdeşti. For a long time, this church was considered to be the religious building with the highest tower in the Maramureş. The interior of the church is of rare simplicity and beauty: on the walls, one can see many scenes from the Old and New Testament, such as the life and works of the Prophet Elias and Judgment Day. Although the church is under UNESCO patronage, it is still being used each day by the local community, who has decorated it with several handmade carpets and towels. Leaving Şurdeşti behind, we will cross the Gutin Pass and reach Sighetu Marmaţiei. The small city is one of the most cosmopolitan cities in Romania, with Romanian, Hungarian, Jewish, German and Ukrainian communities living together for centuries. Before World War 2 the biggest community in Sighet was the Jewish one, having many synagogues, community houses, and cemeteries. Most of them were destroyed, as vast parts of the Jewish community perished during the Holocaust. Sighet is also home to one of the country’s most interesting museums: after the Second World War, the local prison was turned into one of the worst political prisons in Europe. Thousands among the regime’s adversaries/opponents have suffered terrible traumas in this establishment, which has now been turned into an interesting museum of the communist resistance. We will have the chance to discover this sad, but important part of Romanian history. Next on our list is one of the most interesting sights in the Maramureş: the Merry Cemetery of Săpânţa. An old tradition, dating back 2000 years ago, gives the locals the belief in life after death. This is the reason why death is seen as something normal, as the next step in life. From Sapanta we will return to Cluj and if there is still enough time, we will visit the wooden church in Bogdan Voda.

Your experience begins with a panoramic tour throughout which you will learn information about the city. You'll cross the historic center, which will take you to the hill of Castel Sant'elmo and the Certosa of San Martino for breathtaking views over the city. From up there your guide will show you the various churches and museums from above. You will then continue to Posillipo to admire the two gulfs of Naples and Pozzuoli as well as their 3 beautiful islands, the Phlegrean fields, the bay, and the rugged coast. Following that you will make your way down to the seafront in via partenope, a pedestrian street full of restaurants, ice-cream stores, chalets, and lounge bars. You'll walk along the sea and Castel dell'ovo, going to Piazza del Plebiscito, the beating heart of Naples. There you will be surrounded by the Royal Palace, the San Carlo Theater, and Galleria Umberto. Following the city your, stop at a thermal park spa for some relaxation. You'll spend 3-4 hours at the thermal baths of Baia, a thermal complex which offers an outdoor thermal water bath, saunas, massages, and whirlpools, all which are all naturally sourced from the adjacent volcanoes. It is also possible to book an option that includes just the thermal spa park without the city tour.