Painted Monasteries

IMPORTANT: Entrance in the monastery is only allowed with covered shoulders and covered knees. So please make sure you have appropriate clothes. The Monastery of Saint Ivan of Rila, better known as the Rila Monastery is the largest and most famous Eastern Orthodox monastery in Bulgaria. It is situated in the Rila Mountains. The monastery is named after its founder, the hermit Ivan of Rila (876 – 946 AD). Founded in the 10th century, the Rila Monastery is regarded as one of Bulgaria’s most important cultural, historical and architectural monuments and is a key tourist attraction for both Bulgaria and Southern Europe. If you want to be among the lucky ones who have visited this amazing site, join our tours and let’s have a great time together!

Situated deep in the dense pine forests of Rila Mountain, Rila Monastery is the biggest and most important Orthodox cloister in Bulgaria.It is an outstanding example of the Bulgarian cultural and historical heritage, in which architecture and painting merge harmoniously. The site is part of the UNESCO World Heritage list. Rila Monastery was founded in the 10th century by St Ivan Rilski, a hermit canonized by the Orthodox Church. His ascetic dwelling and tomb became a holy place and later on, a monastic complex was formed. It played an important role in the spiritual and social life of medieval Bulgaria. After the guided visit to the Monastery complex and lunch, we will head back to Sofia. On the way, we will stop at the second UNESCO site for the day Boyana church. Small but unique with the most preserved frescoes from 1259 in this part of Europe. The tour will end with drop-off at your hotel/accommodation.

Rila monastery shuttle will take you to Bulgaria's most important and visited historical site and even more – two UNESCO places, amongst with Boyana church. Enjoy the wonderful frescoes from 19th century, representing the achievement of the Bulgarian Revival painting school, feel the amazing spirit of the largest monastery in the country, surrounded by the indescribable beauty of Rila mountain. V travel team will represent to you all the secrets of this place. In the afternoon we will visit Boyana church, where murals from 13th century will show you the majesty of the Bulgarian medieval country.

Our full day tour start from Suceava or Gura Humorului town and cover about 190 km a scenic round loop trip, where we'll discover the most famous and the best preserved Painted Monasteries of Bucovina its UNESCO heritage HUMOR, VORONET, MOLDOVITA and SUCEVITA. At each stop you'll have about 1 hour at your disposal to visit the monasteries guided by our brochure-book offered in 11 language or optional by English speaking guide. During of tour at midday you'll have a free time 45 minutes for a lunch stop or picnic at the Palma pass 1100m altitude, a place with panoramic view, where is a restaurant – grill place where you can teste the Romanian specialty mici/mititei and others grilled dishes. Also, here you can spend your break time to walk. hike and to enjoy for Zipline/ Tyrolean @1km long and to riding horse. Note: For solo traveler booking, if is not tour available for the day of your search, please inquire us or try again to search closer to the day of tour.

Uncover the magic of Serbia’s past and natural wonders on this one-of-a-kind tour to Manasija Monastery and Resava Cave. From awe-inspiring medieval architecture to spectacular limestone formations, this experience is a journey through time and nature you won’t forget.

From Plovdiv we head towards the Rhodope Mountains passing through the pretty town of Assenovgrad. Nearby we will see the remarkable remains of King Ivan Assen’s fortress – a wise ruler of the Second Bulgarian Kingdom. There we are to find an ancient church dating from the 13th century painted with some authentic pieces of iconography as well as the stone made inscription carved by King Ivan Assen. Next we go deeper in the Rhodope Mountains towards the picturesque Bachkovo monastery. The cloister is the second largest in Bulgaria, founded in 1083 and one of the most sacred places in the Bulgarian history. We can stop on the way if you wish. If you are the only one booked for that day, the tour is just for you. Please note that the maximum number of people who can join is 6

1-Day Bucovina Painted Monasteries tour is a fantastic day tour, where you have the opportunity to admire some of the most unique painted monasteries of Bucovina: “The big four” – The Monastery of Voronet, The Monastery of Humor, The Monastery of Moldovita, and The Monastery of Sucevita; all of them listed as UNESCO world heritage. Bucovina Painted Monasteries Tour is not only about the monasteries and the spirituality that lingers in these special places. The Tour also introduces you to the bucolic atmosphere of Bucovina with its charming traditional villages, dense forests, spectacular mountain roads, and local craftsmen who preserve ancient traditions. All this in one single day, going on a distance of 200 km and approximately 8 hours.

Our half day tour start from Suceava or Gura Humorului town and you'll discover the two famous painted Monasteries of Bucovina – UNESCO heritage: HUMOR and VORONET. At the end of tour we'll drop off you in Suceava or Gura Humorului town. Upon request, for a private tour we can we can customize schedule to start and finish the trip early.

We will meet our guide at the Plaza de las Descalzas, right in front of the entrance door to the Monastery and start our tour. We will go to the entrance of the Monastery of the Descalzas Reales after an explanation of its facade and exterior. We will admire such beautiful areas as the cloister, through which passes the Procession of the Holy Burial that takes place every year on Good Friday. We will also contemplate the main staircase. Considered by many, the true jewel of the monument. On its walls we will be able to see mural paintings made in different periods and on the ceiling, an impressive painting attributed to Claudio Coello. Throughout the visit we will also access the Tapestry Room, the Choir Room and find Plateresque doors, countless works of art of enormous value and paintings by some of the greatest painters in history such as Zurbarán, Antonio Moro or Luca Giordano. After an hour and a quarter, our visit will end at the exit of the Monastery.

With this day trip, you will be able to visit the Rila Monastery – UNESCO World Heritage sites. Learn its old history and legends as your guide's commentary takes you back into time. This shuttle-group tour departs at 9.00 in the morning from Alexander Nevsky square, behind the Cathedral. The traveling time to the Rila Monastery is 2 hours. There, you will witness the unique architecture and paintings, while learning all about the stories behind them. The duration of the guided tour at the Monastery is about 40 minutes. After this, you will have about 4.0 hours of free time. You'll be able to visit the local museum, take photos, eat at the bakeries around the Monastery, or enjoy a quiet walk by yourself. At about 15:30 you will depart back to Sofia, with the duration of the traveling time on the way back being 2 hours again.

A day that takes you from the stunning serenity of Matka Canyon to the vibrant heritage of Tetovo. Explore the mesmerizing Painted Mosque and find peace in the centuries-old Arabati Baba Tekke. Step away from the city's hustle and enjoy a full-day escape into nature, history, and culture. Begin your journey at Matka Canyon—home to rare wildlife, dramatic cliffs, and crystal-clear waters. Glide across the lake by kayak, take a boat ride to Vrelo Cave, or simply relax with a meal on a terrace overlooking the canyon. Continue to Tetovo, a city nestled beneath the Shara Mountain. Discover the beautifully adorned Painted Mosque, a true Ottoman gem, and feel the calm at Arabati Baba Tekke, a tranquil Dervish monastery. A perfect mix of beauty, tradition, and discovery awaits!

Embark on an unforgettable journey to discover the wonders of Saint Catherine and Moses Mountain from Sharm El Sheikh. Your adventure begins with a comfortable hotel pick-up, followed by a scenic drive to Moses Mountain. Upon arrival, set off on a guided hike to the summit, where you'll be rewarded with breathtaking sunrise views over the desert. Believed to be the place where Moses received the Ten Commandments, this sacred mountain offers a serene and captivating landscape as you climb. After descending, visit the Saint Catherine Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and delve into its rich history and stunning architecture. Explore the ancient manuscripts and icons in the monastery’s museum and chapel, enhancing your spiritual experience. Enjoy a delicious breakfast at the monastery before returning to your hotel in Sharm El Sheikh, leaving with unforgettable memories of this remarkable adventure.

Embark on a day trip from Iasi to Bucovina's UNESCO Painted Monasteries. Discover Voronet Monastery, renowned for its intense blue frescoes, earning it the title "Sistine Chapel of the East." Visit Moldovita Monastery, an architectural marvel adorned with intricate exterior frescoes. Explore Sucevita Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage Site dominated by shades of green.

Discover Bucovina, a remarkable region filled with traditional houses and locals that seem to be living in another era and art treasures: the Painted Monasteries, part of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Come and discover one of the most beautiful regions in Romania. You are going to explore the picturesque Bucovina and Neamt areas including the famous painted monasteries, part of the UNESCO Patrimony and discover the rural way of living in the villages where traditions are still passed on from generation to generation. At the end of the tour we will dedicate our time to Iasi, in order to enjoy the charming of the most romantic city in Romania.

Experience a 5 day private tour from Bucharest that includes Sibiu (European Capital of Culture 2007), Sighisoara (the city where Dracula was born – Unesco, Bistrita (Medieval town where Jhonatan Harker overnighted in Dracula's novel), Borgo Pass (where Bram Stoker says there is the Dracula's Castle) and the magnificent painted monasteries from Bucovina a must see at least once in your lifetime.

In Dilijan we will see a unique historical street of Sharambeyan, where we will feel the breath of the old Dilijan of the 19th century. In the area there is a cafe, restaurant, bakery, and other interesting places representing the special life of the 19th century. Various craftsmen (potters, carpenters) exhibit their works in the territory of the street, that is why the street is often called the "street of carftsmen". Nearby we will also see a monument to the heroes of the "Mimino" film, where three main characters of the popular film are embodied: Frunzik Mkrtchyan (Rubik Khachikyan), Yevgeny Leonov (Ivan Volokhov) and Vakhtang Kikabidze (Valiko Mizandari). In Dilijan, we will also visit the Geological Museum and Art Gallery, which was founded in 1950 by teacher Yeghishe Hovsepyan. The museum stores and exhibits archaeological and ethnographic items, as well as paintings, sculptures, samples of ancient literature.

A journey to Peru is not complete without visiting Arequipa, the beautiful white city of Peru, This gorgeous city combines tradition and modernity in peaceful harmony while providing the gateway to the tradition and breathtaking scenery of its country side!

In Bulgaria there are more than 120 monasteries! The interest in them we can explain with their role in the historical and cultural evolution of the Bulgarian nation. They survived the cruelty times of the middle ages and the Ottoman period, the vandalism, the natural disasters. They were the source of light in the dark ages of the people, making literally schools for education, science and religion.  Some of them are like open-air museums, still keeping their secrets. Join us to solve some of their mysteries, to see the biggest ones like Rila, Bachkovo, Troyan. Feel the spirit of the orthodox temples and look over the monks and the nuns. See the incredible frescos and icons, made by the different painting schools. Come to understand why these things are little pieces of heaven. 

Embark on a sacred journey through Nepal's spiritual heritage with our Pharping Monastery & Asura Cave Meditation Tour. This immersive day tour takes you to the revered Pharping Samye Ling Monastery, one of the largest monasteries in Nepal, where you can witness the vibrant spiritual traditions of the region. You will then visit the sacred Asura Cave, where Guru Rinpoche is believed to have meditated in the 8th century. Engage in self-meditation and immerse yourself in the mystical energy of this site. Our private vehicle will pick you up from your hotel in Kathmandu, and our knowledgeable guide will accompany you throughout the tour, providing insights into the history and significance of each location. This tour is perfect for those seeking a deeper understanding of themselves and the world around them, and for those looking to explore the spiritual culture of Nepal. Join us for a day tour like no other, and experience the transformative power of meditation in Nepal.