Enjoy a series of walks through one of Europe’s most beautiful countries with its dazzling collections of cultural and artistic treasures; signs of a medieval past long since lost elsewhere. This is a country whose ethnic and political history is rich and complex, its ancient towns lively and well-preserved and the intense spirituality of its people wonderfully expressed through their music, arts, food and traditions.

Dr Koller will show that the cultural heritage of the three former principalities of Transylvania, Moldavia and Wallachia that make up the modem state of Romania is composed of elements derived from numerous outside influences. Over the course of its turbulent history, Romania has been subjected to the cultural influences of the ancient Greeks and Romans, Slav, Bulgarian and Hungarian invaders, Byzantium, from German settlers, from the Ottoman Turks and from the Habsburg empire. All these have blended with one another and with the ancient indigenous civilization of the Geto-Dacians to give Romania one of the richest and most varied cultures in Europe with wonderful art and architecture. 

But above all this journey is about exploring on foot this enchanted land of spectacular landscapes and dense mountainous forests with rustic farms and traditional villages.

Highlights

• Visit Sighisoara the only inhabited fortified citadel remaining in Romania and a UNESCO World Heritage site
• Stay in some wonderfully located hotels delightfully converted from medieval houses
• Meet a number of experts to experience a broad view of Romania’s history and culture