Moldavian Beauties

In order to enrich our travels memories, we leave for Western Moldavia, a gorgeous area of Romania, filled with history and spirituality, unveiling itself step by step along this route.

DAY 1. We leave Brașov North-West on the way along Olt Valley and we admire the localities at the foot of Oriental Carpathians hiding mineral water springs with healing powers. Along Bistricioara Valley, we reach Lake Izvorul Muntelui. From the lake shore, by looking at the great cliffs of Ceahlău Mount, we are impressed by the beautiful sights. After admiring the panorama offered by the lake area, we are off to Durău, a sunny mountain resort located at the foot of Ceahlău Mountains. Durău resort attracts us through the charming mountain sights offered by the cliffy peaks of Ceahlău Mountain, being an ideal site for resting, recuperating, and having fun.

DAY 2. We continue our journey to old churches surrounded by spiritual peace for hundreds of years. At first, we will stop at Secu Monastery, intense spiritual basis, 500 years old; afterwards, we will stop at Neamţ Monastery, considered the biggest and oldest monastery in Moldavia. It has been founded by Ştefan cel Mare; it holds the oldest monachal library (1800 books) and it contributed to the development of the Romanian medieval art and culture.
We leave for Târgu Neamţ, in order to visit Neamţ Citadel. The monasteries near Târgu Neamţ are oases of tranquillity which seize you through their particular charm, that is why we will continue our pilgrimage to the monasteries Agapia (1497) and Văratec (1808).

By stepping through the gate of Agapia Monastery, and then through the rose garden, we reach the completely white church; by entering it piously, we will be charmed by the beautiful frescoes painted by the famous Nicolae Grigorescu. In Văratec Monastery we discover, apart from the beautiful church, the impressive collection of icons.
Afterwards, we leave for Piatra Neamţ, former Moldavian Royal Court during Ştefan cel Mare. The town is located in ideal surroundings and we will sleep here.

DAY 3. We leave for Bicaz, where we enjoy the greatness of the biggest gravity dam in Romania, the dam of Lake Izvorul Muntelui, used for producing electrical energy in the hydroelectric plant of "Bicaz-Stejaru". We follow the trans-Carpathian road connecting Moldavia and Transylvania and we will be amazed at the greatness of Cheile Bicazului (Bicazului Keys). At the end of this spectacular road there is one of the most interesting phenomena of Romania, Lake Roşu. Natural dam arisen in the summer of 1837, formed subsequent to the heavy rains leading to the sliding of cliffy sline from the Northern slope of Stânca Ucigaşului (The Killer's Cliff) and by blocking the course of Brook Bicăjel, the water accumulated and lead to the strange lake holding the memory of the bald trunks of the fir trees in the past, which are seen coming out of the water and "piercing" the sight of Suhardu Mic Peak, mirrored in the water. We will end our trip to these magical regions here.