Where Worlds Collide: The Mountains and Monasteries, the Gold and Azure of Romania
A Nine-Day Anastasia Pilgrimage
May 3 - 11, 2008

Day 1: Saturday, 3 May 2008: Arrival in Bucharest, Romania
Our flights from the United States and Paris arrive at Bucharest's Henri Coanda International Airport. After clearing passport-control, collecting our luggage and passing through customs, we will proceed by motor coach to our hotel in the center of the capital. Our transfer time to our hotel will be short and easy, as the airport is only 17 km or 10 miles north of the city. After checking into the hotel and freshening-up in our rooms, our afternoon will include a basic orientation of this unusual city. Our evening will include a group orientation, supper and an over-night in the hotel.

Day 2: Sunday, 4 May 2008: Experiencing Bucharest, Romania's Capital City
On Sunday, May 4, we begin our day with worship at the Anglican Church of the Resurrection at 10:00. Afterwards, we visit the Patriarchal Cathedral. Hopefully, while we are there, the Orthodox Patriarch Daniel will grant us a short but memorable audience. What makes Bucharest exploring noteworthy is its odd overlap of Parisian-Communist-Medieval characteristics. This very full day holds visits to the grotesque Palace of Parliament, the National Museum's outstanding Gallery of Romanian Medieval Art, the arabesque Stavropoleos Church and nearby tavern, the superb Village Museum of Folk Architecture, as well as free time to shop and browse in the historic quarter. After supper, at about 9:00 p.m., we fly north to South Bucovina. After arrival, we proceed to our hotel near Suceava for a good night's sleep.

Day 3: Monday, 5 May 2008: South Bucovina's Scripture a la fresco
The famed painted monasteries of this beautiful rural region are masterpieces of art and architecture. Our two days in this region may well be the highlight of our entire experience. Founded in the 15th and 16th centuries, the monasteries were citadels of Orthodoxy and are unique, living expressions of Byzantium. Frescoed with icons on the interior for worship and on the exterior for catechetical purposes, there gold and azure churches are UNESCO world heritage sites. Our first day will be spent enjoying and praying at the monasteries of Humor and Vornet. The day will also include, for those who wish, patronizing the peasant markets outside the monasteries' walls, lunch and hiking. We dine and sleep in Suceava.

Day 4: Tuesday, 6 May 2008: South Bucovina's Scripture a la fresco
We continue exploring the exquisite painted monasteries of the area, journeying further a field to those of Putna, Sucevita and Moldovita-Vatra. The iconography is truly exceptional. Small villages, a country lunch, shopping and a time of silent prayer will make this day unforgettable. We dine and sleep in Suceava.

Day 5: Wednesday, 7 May 2008: Over the Mountains and through the Forest to Sighisoara
Sighisoara is the jewel of Saxon Transylvania. To reach this medieval town, we depart early in order to cross over the Carpathian Mountains and ramble our way through the forest. Scenic villages and views will abound. Established by the Romans, Saxons settled in Sighisoara during the 12th century. Soon it became a thriving mercantile hub, famous for both crafts and trading. Eventually these Saxons became Lutherans. After we arrive in Sighisoara, we spend our afternoon on foot in the historic 14th century Citadel. Its original towers are named for each of the towns guilds, and its walls enclose the entire old town. Wednesday is a market day with Roma and outlying villagers bringing a variety of wares into the market square. We dine and stay in Sighisoara.

Day 6: Thursday, 8 May 2008: Sibiu, Biertan and Saxon Transylvania
We travel west through picturesque countryside to Biertan, the see of the Lutheran Bishop of Transylvania from 1572 to 1867. Set on a hill within to half rings of walls, Biertan's fortified 15th century Cathedral-Church is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. From there we head south to Sibiu the former chief city of Saxon Transylvania and the Cultural capital of Europe in 2007. Established in the 1190s, this city of clannish, thrifty and hard-working merchants soon dominated the trade between Transylvania and Wallachia. After its destruction by the Tatars in 1241, the citizens rebuilt the city with tunnels and four mighty rings that repelled three sieges by the Ottoman Turks. With its many painted, fine old churches, historic center and excellent museums, Sibiu is fascinating. We dine and sleep in Sighisoara.

Day 7: Friday, 9 May 2008: Brasov and Sinain
Established in the 13th century by Teutonic knights on an old Dacian site, Brasov is a meeting point of the Saxon Lutheran and Romanian Orthodox worlds. For many centuries the two peoples lived together with the Saxon elite inhabiting the citadel and the Romanians living outside the walls in the district of Schei. We visit the Piata Sfatului with its sturdy merchants' homes and guild hall, the Black Church with its outstanding collection of Turkish prayer rugs, the fortifications and St. Nicholas' Orthodox Church. After lunch we drive to the mountain resort of Sinain. Surrounded by the beautiful Bucegi mountains, Sinain was once the preserve of hermits and shepherds. Then it became an aristocratic resort, and nowadays it is a popular skiing and hiking center. Here, in 1933, the Iron Guard murdered the Liberal leader Ion Duca only three weeks after becoming prime minister. While in Sinain, we will visit the Sinaia Monastery and the 140-room Peles Castle of King Carol I. We dine on Serbian fare served at Taverna Sarbului.

Day 8: Saturday, 10 May 2008 Return to Bucharest
An early start sets us on our way through the dramatic Transylvanian Alps down to the Wallachian plains and Bucharest. The afternoon is free for each pilgrim to enjoy as he or she wishes - exploring the city, shopping, resting or visiting museums. We gather for a special farewell party and dinner.

Day 9: Sunday, 11 May 2008: Departure from Bucharest, Romania
After gathering our belongings, counting our blessings and saying our goodbyes, we transfer by coach to Bucharest's Henri Coanda International Airport. Our flight for the United States and Paris departs about 4:00 p.m.