Take a trip of discovery of the whole of Romania, while journeying between two of Europe’s largest cities and the ones whose names are the most frequently confused with one another. Don’t miss any of its main attractions: traditional Maramures, the Byzantine-style painted churches of Bucovina, the multi-ethnic Transylvania and the asphalt jungle of Bucharest. (Ideal as an extension to a Danube cruise).

 

The tour includes:

– The company and expenses of an experienced, licensed and knowledgeable tour guide, fluent in your language, throughout your tour;

– Private chauffeured transport in new luxury sedan or van throughout your tour (including airport transfers);

– All transportation expenses;

– 7 to 9 nights in 5* hotels, 2 in 4* guesthouses and one in a 3* agro-touristic guesthouse;

– All entrance fees and non-professional photo taxes;

– All costs associated with our suggested “frequent additions” as well as other visits you may decide to add to the itinerary (by yourself or with the assistance of our staff);

– All breakfasts;

– One exclusive traditional lunch (+ one more if you chose the “Szekely Experience” Add-On Day);

– Complimentary Wi-Fi internet in the vehicle.

The tour does not include:

– Airfare from Romania;

– Your meals other than specified;

– Gratuities for accompanying staff (only if satisfied and entirely up to your discretion).

11 to 13 Days. Budapest to Bucharest Tour

START END
To Timisoara 44
Day 1

To Timisoara

44

Start your Romanian journey from Budapest, the capital of the neighboring country (Hungary). Make your way across the border and into the city of Timisoara, where the spark of the Romanian anti-communist revolution was ignited in 1989. Ease your transition into Romania, by absorbing the feel of the Habsburg looking palaces that border the central walk of the West-most major city in the country. Settled in the middle ages, it changed hands between Hungary, the Ottomans and the Austro-Hungarian empire, before becoming, in 1884, the first city with electrified street lighting in Europe, and its 2021 capital of culture.

  • Highlights:
  • Visit the Viennese-baroque styled center of Timisoara.
  • CENTERPIECE :
    Visit Timisoara, the cradle city of the Romanian revolution
    Day 2

    To Sibiu

    45

    Today, we change style and move on to the Gothic, by visiting Hunyadi castle, one of Europe’s largest and best examples of this architectural style. This 14th century giant was featured in various movies, television shows and video games over the past decade. Frequent addition: the 13th century citadel of Calnic, built as a reaction of the local count after the Mongolian invasion. After the locals bought it, they added the church to the compound and strengthened its defenses. These changes were so typically South-Transylvanian, that UNESCO was prompted to add the site to their list. Reach Sibiu in the afternoon. The streets of this German-looking town meet in the central squares, under the watchful “eyes” of the roof dormers. Despite its day-time tranquil feel, in the evening it becomes the host of numerous cultural events and festivals, especially since 2007, when it was the European capital of culture.

    • Highlights:
  • Hunyadi Gothic Castle;
  • Frequent addition: Calnic fortified church;
  • Walking tour of Sibiu.
  • CENTERPIECE :
    Visit of Sibiu, one of Europe's most picturesque cities
    To Sibiu 45
    Add-On Day. View from the Peaks 41
    Add-On

    Add-On Day. View from the Peaks

    41

    Follow the Carpathian mountain chain and get your camera ready for some of the most spectacular sights you can imagine, from the road or cable car, while making your way up the Transfagarasan road. You can find it on all the lists of the most beautiful roads in the world. After enjoying the perspective from over 6000 ft., return to the Transylvanian plateau and visit the Fagaras fortress. It is one of the few in all of Europe that is still surrounded by its original water filled moat. Return in the evening to Sibiu.

    • Highlights:
  • Transfagarasan road (drive or cable car ascent to the mountain tops);
  • Fagaras Fortress.
  • CENTERPIECE :
    Climb, by car or cable car, the spectacular Transfagarasan Road to the scenic views close to one of the tallest peaks of the Carpathians
    Day 3

    To Cluj

    46

    Before leaving Sibiu, take a stroll through the bustling old market where the locals sell their produce every morning. As you advance further into the land, you discover Alba Iulia; ex-capital of Transylvania, surrounded by an impressive and wonderfully restored 18th century Vauban (star-shaped) fortification. This is where, a hundred years ago, Romanians from all across the country celebrated the union with Transylvania, in the purpose-built complex. Along with the thousand-year old Catholic cathedral and the Roman ruins, it provides the perfect background for the frequently performed battle reenactments. Frequent addition: later in the day you can choose to go underground and visit a former salt mine, turned into a futuristic-looking tourist attraction featuring a lake and an island. Continue North, to Cluj. The second largest city in the country is rapidly becoming known as “the Silicon Valley of Europe”. Get to know this vibrant cosmopolitan city, by walking along its pedestrian quarters, central park and wide squares.

    • Highlights:
  • Sibiu daily farmers' market;
  • Walking tour of Alba Iulia’s fortified city center and attend the changing of the guard;
  • Frequent addition: Turda salt mine;
  • Walking tour of Cluj-Napoca.
  • CENTERPIECE :
    Visit of the recently restored, fortified city center of Alba Iulia
    To Cluj 46
    To Maramures 47
    Day 4

    To Maramures

    47

    The region of Maramures, isolated by two mountain ranges, kept close ties with its customs, thus preserving more than anywhere in the country the habit of wearing the traditional clothes, especially on holidays and while going to church. Short stop in Rohia, at a monastic establishment that gradually developed in the 20th century, by offering shelter from communist oppression to several religious and philosophical figures of the time. Enjoy a copious authentic Maramures lunch, in the house of the former local cultural promoter, now a good friend of ours. The nearby town of Sighet hosts a former communist prison, now a museum, where the country’s previous political elite used to be locked away during the 50’s and early 60’s. Then, hug the Romanian Northern border to the colorful and unique Merry Cemetery, where the life story of the deceased is reflected on their wooden crosses in meaningful and sometimes even hilarious hand-carved images and poems. En route to your cozy accommodation, get a glimpse of the tallest wooden church in the world, Peri (UNESCO).

    • Highlights:
  • Rohia monastery;
  • Maramures traditional exclusive lunch;
  • Communist oppression Memorial Museum of Sighet;
  • Merry Cemetery of Sapanta;
  • Tallest wooden church in the world (UNESCO).
  • CENTERPIECE :
    The colorful and cheery cemetery of Sapanta
    Day 5

    To Bistrita

    48

    In Maramures, elaborately carved timber is still heavily used for buildings and, especially, for intricate gates. All the communities of the region have their respective wooden churches. In an out of the way village, visit one of them, not in use anymore (so you can explore all the nooks and crannies). Due to its location, it is virtually unknown, even though the almost 300 year old interior naïf painting is still incredibly vivid. A few villages away, in an idyllic valley, lies the breathtaking complex of Barsana convent, a great recent example of the style. The pointy steepeled wooden church, of impressive height, watches over the occasional nun, leaning over the colorful flower beds, always kept in perfect order. Leave the enchanted land of Maramures behind, going through villages, following rivers and crossing hay-stacked valleys, surrounded by mountains. End the day in the town of Bistrita, with a walk through its small but pretty pedestrian center.

    • Highlights:
  • Hidden away old wooden church with naïf painting;
  • Barsana wooden architectural complex.
  • CENTERPIECE :
    Visit of the fairytale nunnery of Barsana
    To Bistrita 48
    To Bucovina 49
    Day 6

    To Bucovina

    49

    After another scenic crossing of the Carpathians, that meets all the stereotypes of the Swiss Alps except the yodeling, venture into Bucovina, a region known for its UNESCO protected exterior painted churches. First visit the most representative museum of the long lasting local tradition of egg painting. Then delve into the world of Byzantine artwork. The church of Moldovita is one of three key examples of this style, which makes Bucovina, a once remote area, one of the most unique and desired art destinations of Eastern Europe. A short distance away, the heavy walls of Sucevita convent hide the largest and most recent (late 16th century) of the UNESCO protected painted churches. The themes of the scenes depicted on its walls vary considerably from its earlier counterparts. In the early evening reach the town of Gura Humorului.

    • Highlights:
  • Museum of painted eggs;
  • Moldovita Monastery’s (UNESCO) frescos and garden;
  • Sucevita Monastery’s (UNESCO) frescos and defences.
  • CENTERPIECE :
    UNESCO 16th century Byzantine frescoes
    Day 7

    To Borzont

    50

    The 15th century church of Voronet sports its world famous vibrant blue (applied on its exterior walls), which has baffled scientists until recently with its formula that allowed it to withstand the ravages of time almost unchanged. Southward, in the county of Neamt, visit two other of Moldova’s iconic spots. First, take a short hike up the steep hill crowned by one of Moldova’s most strategic fortresses, the reputation of which has inspired generations of writers. Access is still done over a long draw bridge, almost 30 feet into the air. Then, in the populous convent of Agapia, the nuns are dividing their time between carpet weaving and worshiping in a centuries old church, decorated by the most prominent Romanian painter. In his early 20’s he set off to break the Orthodox Church’s custom of using the Byzantine style for its vaulted frescoes. Venturing through one of the Carpathian’s narrowest and most scenic gorges, exit the historical province of Moldova and head back into Transylvania.

    • Highlights:
  • “The Sistine Chapel of the East”, Voronet Monastery (UNESCO);
  • 14th century Neamt fortress;
  • Agapia Monastery’s neoclassical painting;
  • Stroll through the Bicaz gorges.
  • CENTERPIECE :
    Stroll through the natural wonder of the narrow Bicaz gorges
    To Borzont 50
    To Brasov 51
    Day 8

    To Brasov

    51

    After a night in a rural setting, head for the citadel of Sighisoara, a UNESCO site, a place so medievally correct that you could believe you’ve stepped back in time. You may still walk the cobbled streets and marvel at the defense towers. On one of them, the bullet marks from the last siege of the city are still visible. The real Dracula was born in Sighisoara in 1431 – the house is still well maintained. Carry on to the walled city of Brasov; you will walk through the streets of the Medieval old town and be dwarfed by its majestic 14th century Gothic cathedral. In the evening, have your pick among the local restaurants whose cuisine reflects the ethnic melting pot of the region.

    • Highlights:
  • Walking tour of Sighisoara (UNESCO);
  • Walking tour of old Brasov.
  • CENTERPIECE :
    Visit of the 12th century Sighisoara Citadel
    Add-On

    Add-On. Szekely Experience

    53

    Start your day with the UNESCO peasant-built multi-story fortification complex of Prejmer, where the foremost local families had a refuge room to run to during the frequent invasions. Then we continue to Malomkert, a village inhabited predominantly by Hungarians. Find out more about the old technologies in the amazing (but virtually unknown) local museum, tended to by four consecutive generations of the same enthusiastic family. Marvel at the extensive collection of agricultural machinery from the late 19th century, the cellar full of cooking stoves and step into the authentic homes (rebuilt on the property) full of items from past times. Meet the caretakers and hear their story. After a short carriage ride over the fields reach a sheepfold, where you will join the shepherds for a memorable lunch of their self-made cheese, moonshine and steaming lamb stew around the open fire.  Return to Brasov where you will have the evening at leisure.

    • Highlights:
  • Prejmer fortification complex (UNESCO);
  • Rural technology museum;
  • Lunch at the sheepfold.
  • CENTERPIECE :
    Traditional culinary experience along with the shepherds and their families
    Add-On. Szekely Experience 53
    To Bucharest 52
    Day 9

    To Bucharest

    52

    Morning stop on the former Wallachian – Transylvanian border, protected by Bran Castle and find out about its true histories and Dracula legends. Then, passing through the ski resorts of the Southern Carpathians, you’ll stop and visit Peles Castle, one of the most astonishing royal residences of Europe. The castle was built and expanded over a large period of 39 years by the first (and most important) king of Romania, transforming the city of Sinaia into an unofficial capital of the country. After being seized by the communist government, it wasn’t looted, but was opened for visitation, for a while, to the members of the proletariat and used as a propaganda tool against the monarchy. Then it was turned into a “holiday house” for the writers that produced the right kind of politicized literature. In 2007 it was returned to the family of the former monarch, and, perfectly preserved as it is, was open, once again, for tourist visitation.

    • Highlights:
  • Bran Castle visit;
  • Peles Castle visit.
  • CENTERPIECE :
    Visit of the breathtaking private residence of Carol I, the 19th century King of Romania
    Day 10

    Bucharest

    13

    Along with your tour guide, you will discover Bucharest’s wide squares and avenues, bordered by 19th century art nouveau French-inspired architecture, which during the age earned the city the nickname “Little Paris”. The political struggles of the last century have changed the city landscape, leaving behind a remarkable diversity, ranging from the palaces and concert halls of old to the worker neighborhoods  and megalomaniacal projects of the communist decades, who’s ultimate expression is the largest parliament building in the world. The colorful pedestrian Old Town offers a variety of choices for a leisurely evening, with its beehive of activity around its restaurants, bars and coffee shops.

    • Highlights:
  • Walking tour of Bucharest Old Town;
  • Visit of the three most representative buildings of the city (Palace of the Parliament, Romanian Atheneum and the Private Residence of the Ceausescu's);
  • Communist neighborhood.
  • CENTERPIECE :
    Visit of the biggest Parliament building in the world
    Bucharest 13
    Departure 19
    Day 11

    Departure

    Private chauffeured transfer to the airport, for your flight home. End of our services.

    Pasarani Street no.5, Bucharest
    District 2, Romania


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