Discover the UNESCO world heritage sights in Romania, Bulgaria and Hungary. Take a tour with a local guide to these countries most important monuments. UNESCO is an organization set up to protect and preserve cultural and natural areas and monuments that play an important role in the heritage of mankind. On this edition of the East Adventures Newsletter we will focus on opportunities to see these sights on tour in Romania, Bulgaria and Hungary.
Starting off with Transylvania, mostly known as Dracula's homeland but also home to many historical medieval towns and fortified churches built by the Saxons. Sighisoara is a fine example of a small, fortified medieval town which played an important role to the Saxon era. The town is still inhabited and well preserved. Once you enter the citadel, you will think you have stepped back some 500 years, as little has changed inside the walls of the fortress. Nowadays you can eat a meal in the birthplace house of Vlad Tepes aka Dracula. Among other monuments the Saxons left behind are the fortified churches; Biertan being the largest and most praised. Among others include Prejmer, Vicri, Darjiu, Sashiz, Valea Vilor and Calnic; all are included in the World Heritage of Mankind List. These and more are included on the Medieval Towns, Castles and Fortresses of Transylvania Tour.
Maramures, located in Northern Transylvania, is full of life and tradition. This region has kept it's unique lifestyle and little can be seen changed within the past 100 years.Wooden churches with exquisite wooden sculptures can be found scattered through the mountains. 8 of these wooden churches are on the UNESCO heritage list. The churches reflect a great example of vernacular religious wood architecture of the Orthodox religion. Among the most famous are the Birsana church, built in 1720, with amazing florid paintings, the best in Maramures and Barsana Monastery; a large monastic complex comprising of several wooden buildings, all constructed in the local style, including the wooden church. The Gate Tower is the highest wooden building in Europe. See these and more on the History and Tradition of Maramures Tour with a private local guide.
Then we have the famous Bucovina, located in the region of Moldavia in Northern Romania. This region is famous for its Painted Monasteries, also include on the UNESCO heritage list. With their painted exterior walls, decorated in the 15th century with frescoes that are considered masterpieces of Byzantine art, these seven churches are truly a unique sight in Europe.Sucevita is the largest, its walls illustrates the Ladder of Virtue. Moldovita, Vornet and Humor are among some of the other most visited. For a unique short stay in a traditional guesthouse the hear of the region is best accessed from Suceava or Iasi Airports. Bucovina can also be a great addition to another tour of Romania.
The Biosphere of theDanube Delta (declared this by UNESCO) is a region in Romania unlike any of that in this world. The main mode of transport is by boat once deep into the delta and is a natural treasure. Many opportunities occur here for some great bird watching. Enjoy the company of a local tour guide and travel by private boat through a network of channels, lakes, and lushly vegetated forests; and a huge diversity of birds, presided over by the greatest of them all, the pelican. Or enjoy the luxury of a 5 star Villa Resort with daily excursions. The Danube Delta can also be easily combined on tour with Transylvania andBucovina.
After your tour of Romania why not continue to its neighbor to the south. Bulgaria also holds many opportunities to see some great UNESCO sights and can be a great addition to your tour. The tour can start from Sofia or the Romanian border. There are nine sites in Bulgaria – two natural and seven cultural, which are included in the UNESCO World Heritage List; Boyana Church, Rila Monastery, Thracian Tomb at Kazanlak, the museum town of Nessebar, Madara Horseman, Thracian tomb at Sveshtari and Ivanovo Rock Monasteries. Bulgaria is a small European country, but rich in natural diversity, history and cultural monuments. Explore the UNESCO sights of Bulgaria with a private local tour guide.
Hungary is a great starting point for an extended tour with its capital city of Budapest. On the banks of the Danube river you will find Buda Castle, a magnificent fortress and included on the world heritage list. The old quarter is one of the world's most outstanding urban landscapes and depots great periods in Hungarian history. On one of the many excursions from Budapest you can discover such old villages as Holloko; preserved as an example of Hungarian rural life. Also we can not forget the wines of Tokaj. The Tokaj Wine Region has a long tradition of producing wine in the low hills and river valleys. On a tour of Tokaj you will visit great vineyards and wineries of this region with its array of wine cellars, caves and old towns such as Eger. Combine all the UNESCO sights on a private driven tour to see all this and more.
All of the above regions of Romania, Bulgaria and Hungary can be combined on a great extended tour meeting local guides along the way. Budapest is a great starting point as a base for the first week, then continuing to see the UNESCO sights of Romania, followed by ancient Bulgaria. Or customize your own tour of each region and country. These World Heritage Monuments are treasures that must be included.
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