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Maramures, typical countryside near the village Poienile Izei, Romania
Home Destinations Europe Romania Maramures

Maramures

Aside from the farmland, the countryside here is largely untouched and large swathes of forest are home to bears, wolves and lynx.

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Maramures is one of the remotest corners of Europe allowing the region to cling to its traditional past. While modern concrete houses are in evidence there are still plenty of beautiful timber houses each with its own well and vegetable patch.

Farming methods here are still very simple – a common sight being men and women scything by hand in the fields, and building huge picturesque hayricks. For the active, there are plenty of chances to walk and cycle. For the more sedate there can be no better place in Europe to pack a picnic basket and find a sunny spot in a field full of wildflowers and let the day drift by.

Experiences

It’s all here. Things to see and do, places to explore and moments to discover.

 

The Village of Breb

Spend a few days in Breb, a strongly traditional village and a great base from which to explore the region of Maramures. See Europe’s last remaining peasant culture.

 

Merry Cemetery

Visit the cemetery, well-known for its unique, beautifully coloured crosses, and share tales from the life of the deceased through funny, satirical poems.

 

Barsana Monastery

Visit the all-wooden Orthodox monastic complex of Barsana, a popular Maramures pilgrimage site.

 

Iza Valley

Drive down the Iza Valley to explore the peasant villages nestled into the hillside, almost all featuring elaborately carved wooden gates and traditional wooden churches.

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Merry Cemetery, Maramures, Romania travel
Maramures, Romania
Maramures, Romania, Wooden church of Barsana monastery
Maramures, Romania
Barsana Wooden Monastery, Maramures, Romania
Maramures, Romania

Traditional Romania

Romania’s most traditional region Maramures, up in the north-west of the country, is a land of steepled wooden churches, villages where peasant culture thrives, wooden horse carts rattle down the roads, and matters great and small are discussed over glasses of fiery homemade horinca.

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Holiday Inspiration

Our experts have created and curated these tailor-made holiday ideas to get you started. Take the time to search through them and find something that is the spark for your unique adventure.

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Romania – A week in Transylvania
This holiday idea takes you on a journey into Transylvania, home to some of Europe’s best-preserved…
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Biertan, Saxon villages with fortified churches in Transylvania, Romania
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Wildlife Conservation – The Carpathians
Just two and a half hour’s drive north of Bucharest lies Europe’s most extensive unfragmented forest,…
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We are currently offering a £300 discount on this Romania Group Tour. Sell price was £3,495*,…
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North Romania – The Highlights
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View all holiday ideas

Meet our experts

A passion for travel runs right through every one of our experts - meaning they're always ready with first-hand insight about their specialist countries.

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Joe Parkes

As a child I read voraciously so the seed of travel was planted by none other than Enid Blyton. Family holidays ran the gamut from icy dips in the early summer seas of Cornwall, to camel rides in north Africa, from Times Square to Tenerife. A GAP year upon leaving school cemented the travel bug. After graduating University and before stumbling, happily, into a career in the travel industry I spent a couple of glorious years exploring southern and east Africa, large swathes of South-east Asia, India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka.
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Tom Frost

Having travelled to different parts of the world over the years it never ceases to amaze me how you constantly learn and evolve from the adventures you experience. I adore working in an environment where I can share my passion for the world and discuss fascinating stories both from my experiences and that of our clients. In the past year I’ve delved into the wintery beauty of St Petersburg, trekked through the colourful desert in Jordan and sailed down the iconic Nile in Egypt.
Talk with our experts
  • 01285 601 784

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One chat with Joe and the trip was on. His personal experience was invaluable.

Romania

Bucharest

The country’s capital and the biggest city of Romania, also known as ‘Little Paris’.

Bucharest at Sunset, Calea Victoriei, National Library

Transylvania

Wild mountains, picturesque villages, carnivorous predators, forested valleys, vibrant Roma communities and medieval towns.

Sighisoara, Transylvania, Romania

Bucovina

Bucovina is one of the smallest regions of the country, yet, one of the most beautiful.

Moldovita orthodox church monastery, Moldavia, Bucovina, Romania

Apuseni Mountains

Craggy peaks rising from bright green fields, thick forests, and over 400 caves.

Half Day Hike, Raven's Nest, Apeseni Mountains

Why Choose Steppes?

Our knowledge and expertise sets us apart. So too our curiosity. A curiosity of the world and of you, and your passions. It is this that drives us to create a journey that is really bespoke to you, all the while ensuring we travel and operate sustainably.

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