Romania Spring

Workshop Details

Romania  

Romania is like a strong, old perfume that, when you put it on, won't let go, opening your senses to its colorful history, rich culture, amicable faces, and strangers willing to step in and extend a hand. Its impressive landscape is vast and as diverse as its population.

When my plane landed here from Milano, a powerful cold rain greeted me and didn't let go for two days. Then the sky finally revealed its true colors, and the sun was a welcome presence. As we drove away from Bucharest and deep into the countryside, a strong, swift river, which was brown as all rivers appear after an intense rain has passed, kept us company for part of our journey.

On the other side, by the river's edge, the flat land was covered by a blanket of yellow daffodil flowers that slowly climbed up to where the lush vegetation, with its pine and willow trees, stood relatively high and rising up as the hills grew taller.

By then, the river was long gone, but the presence of water in the form of streams or lakes was always close by. We cut through the high mountains and their snow-covered peaks, and part of the twisting road was dark and surreal, as if we were driving inside a tunnel. Then, from the top, we could occasionally peak high into the blue sky and look down into a large green valley.

As we descended, the light grew brighter as the sun continued to shine through the framed branches. Down below, we couldn't escape the pastoral sight of flocks of grazing sheep dotting the green land every few kilometers.Their shepherds, with their long, tanned, narrow faces and sad, lonely eyes, would stand with their faithful guard dog next to their flock or towards the center, leaning on a long, narrow, sturdy piece of wood.

The valley led us into villages and through smaller towns, and then more villages. Each place was a new adventure, and its curious, cheerful children would often find us and come running, ready and eager, firing questions and wanting to know about us and would excitedly pose for my cameras.

Those children, isolated from the chaos and noise prevalent in large cities, didn't have much, but they were full of joy and health, and their eyes were vibrant and engaging. Older folks, and just as friendly as the children, would come to greet us and to share their time and whatever they could with us, too.

At one point while photographing an 89-year-old woman, tears almost filled my eyes. Her radiance and warmth permeated my body as I said goodbye with a hug. And as we embraced, her age showed well, for her arms felt like fragile branches from an ancient apple tree. One morning, we drove on a long, empty road, and in the middle of nowhere, a family was having a picnic. I stopped for a few minutes to take some photos as they were cooking a typical, simple, delicious Romanian BBQ. In Romania, the incredible aroma of its cuisine will tantalize your nose as it reaches out to you from quite a distance.

After a few minutes, I had enough Kodak Tmax frames and decided to retreat towards my car, giving back their own special moment and serenity. However, the Romanian family would not let us go until we had lunch with them. Before I sat down on the ground, a large plate of food had been served and placed in my hands.

I am still processing the unique experience. It was a truly magical encounter, marked by kindness and a sharing of the highest level. And all of this was quite ubiquitous all across the land.

The essence of Romania will stay with me like a strong old perfume.

Manuello Paganelli © 2026

Included:

Workshop Itinerary

Romania Easter Festiva Itinerary April 10- April 22 2026- 12 Days

Day 1 – Arrival to Cluj Napoca, Romania

From the airport we will head to the Beyfin Hotel. At a designated time at our hotel lobby we will have a meet and welcome opportunity. We will go over our itinerary and answer any photo questions or goals any or our participants wish to accomplish. Throughout our time together I will always be available to help you, so each day you feel your natural growth as a photographer. 

For those tired of jetlag we will take a break and those with energy can go out and catch some images.

📍 Focus: Low-light indoor shooting, cultural emotion, motion capture

📸 Photo Tip: Capturing rhythm and intimacy in movement

Day 2 –

After breakfast we will head out and explore the old town: Union Square, Museum square. At 2pm we will meet the rest of my charming team, Ramona and Daniel, and will drive us to the remote region of Maramures. 3-4 hours drive.

After we arrived and refresh at our lodging we will have a welcome dinner at a favorite local restaurant. Maramures is far away from the big and more modern cities. This is country land and accommodation will be in small cozy and welcoming, modest guesthouses. If you wish to feel the real life of Maramures, you have to stay with people, in villages.

The night will bring great photo opportunities. For those not to tired and want to experience the beguining of Eatern, there is a  midnight celebrations held at the church. People are walking holding candles around the churches.

📍 Focus: Low-light outdoors and indoor shooting, cultural emotion, motion capture

📸 Photo Tip: Capturing religious and intimacy church celebration

Days 3-

We will be at the heart of Easter festivals in Maramures and other rural villages also great for immersing in tradition.

• Folk costume & color: In Maramureș especially, traditional clothing is worn in rural villages; embroidery, vibrant reds, whites, blacks, blessings of food, sometimes more colors in the egg-designs.
  

• Wooden churches, carved gates, rural landscapes: The architecture of Maramureș (wooden churches, wooden gates) plus countryside, rolling hills, farm life gives strong backdrops.

• 
  
  

• Local crafts + food: Decorating eggs, baking pască, preparing lamb and other Easter foods, fairs of local artisans. These offer vivid close-ups.

• Tradition + ritual: Church services (including midnight Resurrection services for those who wish to attend), processions, blessing of foods, egg painting, folk costumes.
  
  

• Unique local customsDays 4- Second Easter day, we drive one hour over the mountain for our next festival

• Udătoriu in Șurdești (water-sprinkling festival) on the second day of Easter.
  
  

• Sprinkling girls with perfume; washing face with water in which a red egg + silver coin are placed.
  
  

• Family gatherings, blessing of food baskets, midnight procession.

📍 Focus: Colorful costumes, the procession of horse, cultural emotion, motion capture

📸 Photo Tip: Use wide angle lens for large crowd and get close to the action. 

Day 5- Continue over the mountains in Maramures. Stay overnight at a hotel in Viseu de Sus (for the steam train on Vaser Valley next day.

Trip to Merry Cemetery and the wooden whirl pools.

Days 6 – 

The next morning, we will drive to Suceava, making stops in smaller villages along the way. By evening, we’ll settle for the night near Neamț.

Our journey will bring us face-to-face with farmers, shepherds, cheese makers, and even traditional blacksmiths. Nothing is set in stone—travel here is about embracing the unexpected, discovering hidden places, and meeting local people who bring the region’s culture to life.

📍 Focus: Low-light indoor shooting, cultural emotion, motion capture

📸 Photo Tip: Capturing rhythm and intimacy in movement

Day 7 – Start driving south (towards Brasov) and to the mountains, but stopping overnight to break the journey.

Day 8 – Continue the drive via Hungarian minority villages.There will be quite a few activities happening all around for a remarkable photography experience. Including a visit to the Bran Castle also known as Dracula Castle.

Day 9 – Junii Brasovului festival. The Junii wear richly decorated costumes; the procession of horsemen through the Schei neighborhood is visually striking

Day 10 – Train to Bucharest

After arriving to our hotel we will have a few hours break. Then we will meet a local photographer who will be working with us and then we will head out and walk around old town and explore part of Bucharest. 

📍 Focus: Working on your own. Search for the right images.

📸 Photo Tip: Capturing rhythm and intimacy in movement

Day 11 –  Exploring Bucharest

We will visit other parts of Bucharest. 

Editing Session & Group Review + Personal Project Day + Farewell Dinner + Slideshow Presentation.

Group review of your top 5 images from the trip and will have slideshow of your best work

Final editing session & story-building exercise

Celebrate the conclusion of our unforgettable journey with a festive group dinner. We'll share stories, laughter, and reflections on the moments, experiences, or photographs that made this workshop truly special for each participant. The evening will culminate with a slideshow presentation showcasing everyone's best work—a powerful visual tribute to the creativity, connection, and growth we've shared together.

📍 Focus: Vibrancy, contrast, character-driven photography

📸 Photo Tip:

Day 12 – Farewell Breakfast

We'll gather one last time for a group breakfast before everyone heads to the airport and onward to home sweet home.

If you're able to extend your stay in Romania, I wholeheartedly encourage you to do so. There's no better time to put into practice the photographic skills and cultural awareness you've honed during our IPW adventure.Go out, explore, connect—and keep telling beautiful stories with your camera.Safe travels, and until our next journey together!