An Orthodox Tour of Romania offered as a true immersion in the Orthodox monastic life is an idea very close to my heart because I am a devoted Romanian Orthodox Christian. My country is not small, with almost 240,000 square kilometers, it is similar in size to the U.K. or the State of Oregon in the U.S. According to the latest census data, an extraordinary 87% of Romania’s 20 million inhabitants classified themselves as Orthodox Christian.

This is particularly impressive because unlike other Orthodox countries–like Russia, Ukraine, Greece and Bulgaria–Romania uses a Latin-based language that is similar to Italian. Because of this and Romanian’s unparalleled hospitality, travelers are likely to feel “at home” here in Romania more than in any other Orthodox country in the Eastern World.

There are currently more than 650 independent Orthodox Christian monasteries in Romania, and that number is growing as the country embraces a revival of faith after 50 years of Communism. Because of the staggering volume of monasteries, all my attempts to design an itinerary for this unique tour left me frustrated with the exclusion of so many worthy monasteries.

In the end, I decided to make a list that focuses on the unique history and defining traits of the ten most important Romanian Orthodox monasteries. Clients can then prioritize and choose which ones to visit depending on preference and travel logistics, and I will customize a trip that accommodates your preferences. Although I can custom-tailor your itinerary, I recommend a minimum of four days/three nights for the Orthodox Tour of Romania.