RURAL & RUSTIC ROMANIA, 6-17 OCT, 2023

RURAL & RUSTIC ROMANIA
6-17 OCT, 2023

with Jeremy Woodhouse

Jw 070816 9109 Original

Jw 070716 8168 Original

Itinerary 

Day 1: Fri, 6 Oct, 2023—Cluj Napoca
Welcome to Romania! We will start the tour in the city of Cluj-Napoca which is the largest city in Transylvania, the central region of Romania. 

Our hotel for the night is situated in the very heart of the city - perfect for evening and morning walks on your own if arriving early. 
In the evening we will have a first group dinner, an opportunity to get to know each other and be introduced to the Romanian cuisine. 


Day 2: Sat, 7 Oct, 2023, Drive time: 4h
Today we will make our way to Maramures region, a place where you can still witness the old way of life of the people. 

Our first stop will be at a potter and his fascinating workshop. He is famous for his meticulous clay artifacts inspired by Dacian roots. You will have the chance to photograph him while he gives shape to the clay.

Maramures is particularly known for the wooden churches which were built several centuries ago, at a time when local Romanian Orthodox people were not allowed to build churches of stone. In order to stay true to the law, churches were built out of wood. These churches stand to this very day. Many have been designated UNESCO World Heritage sites, and we will also stop by the tallest wooden church in the world, located in Surdesti. 

In the afternoon we will have a walk in a traditional village to photograph the daily lives of the locals and the interesting wooden architecture. We might witness farmers doing traditional activities associated with the season of harvest. We may also be invited for a taste of the local apple, pear and/or blueberry brandy, called horinca, at a traditional brandy distillery. 


Day 3: Sun, 8 Oct, 2023 – Drive Time: 1hour
In the morning we will visit the Sapanta Merry Cemetery. It is one of the most interesting cemeteries in the world as the funerary crosses are painted in bright colors while the poems written on them tell about the life of the deceased, sometimes in a funny way. After photographing the cemetery, we will meet the man who makes the crosses and see him at work in his workshop. He is the apprentice of the one who carved the first oak cross of the cemetery.  

We’ll then learn more about the centuries-old occupations from this region, still in practice today. So we’ll visit a blacksmith and learn about the importance of his craft for the local community. The demand for steel objects in the area, made it possible for this old craft to be preserved and practiced even today in rural Romania, as people are still working the land by hand and with the help of animals.   

In the afternoon you’ll get the chance to capture once again the daily life of the people, this time during a photo walk at the local market in Sighet. Next, we will visit the Sighet Memorial of Communism Museum, a former prison where communists detained their political opponents and offers the possibility to learn about the communist times in Romania. 


Day 4: Mon, 9 Oct, 2023 – Drive time: 3h 30’
In the morning we will have a sunrise shoot in the countryside in a location with wooden churches and their tall wooden spires, haystacks and mountains in the distance. 

Then we will leave Maramures behind and head to Bucovina, also called the “land of painted monasteries”. 

The road to Bucovina passes by beautiful mountainous passes and, with the fall colours at their best, we will make sure that we will stop and photograph the scenery of the Carpathian Mountains.


Day 5: Tue, 10 Oct, 2023 – Drive time: 3h
Today we will discover the painted monasteries of Bucovina. Firstly, we will visit, the painted monastery in Sucevita (pronounced: Su-che-vit-za), a UNESCO World Heritage site. It is the most impressive painted church in Bucovina, surrounded by a massive wall and towers. We’ll visit the interior grounds of the monastery and those who are interested can walk up the nearby hill for an interesting perspective of the settlement.  

Then we will visit Molodvita monastery, one of the tallest in the region and featuring beautiful paintings and frescoes in predominately gold and deep blue colors. While in Moldovita we will also visit an egg painter and you will learn about this old tradition of decorating eggs for Easter. 
As we return from Moldovita, we will pass through a mountain pass, an interesting place to photograph as the mountains slopes are covered with small wooden storage buildings for hay.
For the afternoon warm light we will travel to the Rarau Mountains, where the mountains and beautiful nature form a mighty natural landscape. 


Day 6: Wed, 11 Oct, 2023 – Drive time: 5h
Today we will leave Bucovina behind and head towards Transylvania. We will cross Tihuta Pass, where you can find one of the most beautiful mountain scenery in the Carpathians with picturesque traditional villages located in valleys and on hillsides. We will have various stops to photograph the beautiful landscape.

We’ll also stop at a local winery where we’ll have lunch with wine-tasting included. At that time of the year it is particularly interesting to be in a vineyard as the leaves also change colours and there may still be people harvesting grapes. 


Day 7: Thur, 12 Oct, 2023 – Drive time: 1h 30’
German-Saxons inhabited Transylvania alongside Romanians and Hungarians for almost eight centuries. They left a unique and lasting heritage evident in medieval towns like Sighisoara, Sibiu (si-BEE-u) and Brasov (bra-SHOV). Another part is the many villages built by them in a very distinctive architecture, each of them having a fortified church, which was then surrounded by a wall to shelter the community in case of assault. This is also the case of Biertan, a picturesque village dominated by a majestic fortified church located on a hilltop in the middle of the village. 

In the early morning we will go to a nearby hill and photograph Biertan fortified church and the surrounding village in the warm light of the sunrise and hopefully surrounded by mist. 

Our next stop will be at the home of a local gypsy family where we will learn about their origins and way of life. The man, the head of the family, is a coppersmith just like many of his predecessors and he makes alembic and other copper objects. You will see him at work and photograph the stages of making the copper objects. He lives together with his wife, children and also with his parents and they are all very welcoming and love interacting with visitors and being photographed.

Another German-Saxon village waiting for us to explore today is the well-preserved village of Viscri. We will take a horse cart and travel to a sheepfold located on the nearby hills (1h each way). Here you will learn about the life of the shepherds, how they milk and tend the sheep and how they make the cheese. 


Day 8: Fri, 13 Oct, 2023 – Drive time: 1h 30’
We will wake up early in order to catch the morning buzz that takes place in Viscri as cows and goats gather on the streets of the village and are driven by the herdsman to the pasture. Besides this, the locals caring fresh milk in small carts going up and down the streets are contributing to the bustle. The atmosphere created in early morning as the village wakes up and the traditional colorful houses in the background offer great opportunities for cultural and people photography.   

Then we’ll pass by the bakery to see how traditional bread is made in this area and visit the fortified church which was originally built in the 13th century.

In the afternoon we’ll drive to visit the infamous Bran castle, the one which is often associated with Dracula. In reality it’s a fine-looking 14th century fortress most recently decorated by the Romanian queen Mary during the 1920s. Here you’ll find out the true story, what is made up and what is real, in the highly misunderstood legend of Dracula. We’ll then visit the castle itself which offers more great photo opportunities of the interior and surrounding area. Then we’ll make our way to a nearby spot to have a photo shoot from the outside of this formidable castle, a former customs point, standing grand on a cliff in a narrow gorge surrounded by mountains. 


Day 9: Sat, 14 Oct, 2023 – Drive time: 1h
We’ll start the day with a sunrise shoot in the Carpathian Mountains. From our location we’ll get to capture the peaks of both the Bucegi and the Piatra Craiului Mountains as they get illuminated by the warm morning light. 

Then we’ll spend the rest of the day in a landscape dominated by rolling hills, winding roads and scattered wooden barns and fences. You’ll get to practice your composition skills as you’ll photograph the beautifully painted forests in hues of yellow, copper, orange or red. 


Day 10: Sun, 15 Oct, 2023 – Drive time: 4h
We’ll drive on Transfagarasan Road (the northern side), one of the most scenic roads in Romania. The first part of the road takes you through dense forests and offers magnificent views of the snow-capped peaks of the mountains in the distance, while during the second part you’ll drive on a winding road until you reach the clouds.

In the afternoon we will have a guided walk in Sibiu, named by many to be the most beautiful one in Romania. Its charming old town with narrow cobbled streets, rich culture and buildings even from the 15th century made him be designated European Cultural Capital in 2007 and European Region of Gastronomy in 2019. We will stroll around the old town and photograph the beautiful squares and historic buildings during the blue hour.   


Day 11: Mon, 16 Oct, 2023 – Drive time: 5h 
In the morning we will travel to Hunedoara, where we will visit the most imposing castle in Transylvania, the Corvin castle. It has a true fairytale appearance, as the tall defensive walls and towers are surrounded by a river and can be reached only by crossing a huge bridge. As you cross the entrance of the castle you will be introduced to the medieval times with its knights and legends.  

Close to Hunedoara there is also a mountainous region where the fall colors are also very beautiful, we will drive up through the forest and pass by a few charming villages. 

Back in Cluj we will have more time to explore the city, discuss the pictures taken during the trip and have one last group dinner. 


Day 12: Tue, 17 Oct, 2023
We hope you’ve enjoyed this quite intense photo tour of Romania and that you will carry with you wonderful memories and great pictures to tell the story. 

You will be transferred to the airport in Cluj-Napoca from where you will take the flight back home. 
(B)

Jw 101017 7766 Original

Arrival, Departure & Visa

​Arrival & Meeting Place 
​6 Oct, 2023 at Avram Iancu Cluj International Airport

​Departure 
17 Oct, 2023 at Avram Iancu Cluj International Airport

Visa
U.S. citizens may enter and remain in Romania without a visa for up to 90 days total in any 180-day period.


Weather 
Daily high temperatures decrease by 14°F, from 70°F to 56°F, rarely falling below 44°F or exceeding 81°F. Daily low temperatures decrease by 11°F, from 50°F to 39°F, rarely falling below 30°F or exceeding 57°F.

Language
In Romania there are several spoken languages. Beside Romanian, the countrywide official language, other spoken languages are spoken and sometimes co-official at a local level. These languages include Hungarian, Romani, Ukrainian, German, Russian, Turkish, Tatar, Serbian, Slovak, Bulgarian, and Croatian.

​Currency
The Romanian Leu is the currency of Romania

TOUR FULL
$5,975

SINGLE: $675

Group size: 8

Jim Cline Logo 8

THIS TOUR IS BEING RUN IN COLLABORATION WITH JIM CLINE PHOTO TOURS


Tour Price Includes

  • Accommodation in double rooms, breakfast is included.
  • Meals where mentioned
  • Entrance tickets to Corvin Castle, Biertan fortified church, Viscri fortified church, Bran castle, Sucevita & Moldovita painted monasteries, Surdesti wooden church, Memorial of the Victims of, Communism Museum in Sighetu Marmatiei, Merry Cemetery, Visits to craftsmen and locals mentioned in the description 
  • Private transfers from the airport to hotel
  • Tour guide services throughout the program

Tour Price Excludes

  • Arrival/departure flights
  • ​Travel insurance
  • Alcohol
  • Pre- and post-tour accommodation

Paying by check

If you would like to pay your deposit and/or balance with a check, please make the check payable to: Pixelchrome, Inc and mail it to:

Nicole Woodhouse
Pixelchrome, Inc, 
605 Rouen Drive, 
McKinney TX 75072

Paying by Wire Transfer

If you would like to pay by Wire Transfer please contact nicole@pixelchrome.com for bank account details.


Dress for the Weather

Important note on weather and clothing: In November, weather can be rather cold in the mountains, so hats and gloves are recommended to ensure your comfort. We may/hope to get some snow, especially in the mountains so warm clothes are recommended.


Equipment Checklist

  • Bring you own laptop computer and storage media
  • Camera body(s)
  • Lenses, 16-35mm, 24-70mm zoom and 70-200mm zoom or similar lenses are very good
  • Light bag for easy hiking with camera bodies and accessories
  • Cleaning kit for cameras and lenses
  • Rain/dust covers for cameras and lenses
  • Charger for batteries
  • Spare batteries
  • Spare Memory cards
  • Memory card reader
  • USB key to exchange images

Also good to have

  • Tripod
  • Good quality polarizing filter