Romania, a country brought together only a century ago by the union of three historical provinces, is a land of great cultural, geographical and architectural diversity. Learn about these differences by going over the medieval borders from one such province to another, while meeting locals from all relevant ethnic groups, admiring byzantine style frescoes, exploring mighty castles and witnessing the mellow lifestyle of the peasants that still erect a multitude of haystacks and bring the hay home with horse-drawn carts.

 

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 all local airport transfers);

– All transportation expenses;

– Airfare and airport taxes for the in-tour flight;

– 6 to 8 nights in 5* hotels, 2 nights in 4* guesthouses and one in a 3* agro-touristic guesthouse;

– All entrance fees and non-professional photo taxes (including for the optional visits or others you decide to add to the tour);

– 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 to and from Romania;

– Your meals other than specified;

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

– Fees for excess luggage on the in-tour flight.

10 to 12 Days. Grand Tour

START END
Arrival 4
Day 1

Arrival

4

Private chauffeured transfer from the Bucharest airport/border to your downtown hotel.

Day 2

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
    To Brasov 28
    Day 3

    To Brasov

    28

    Passing through the ski resorts of the Carpathian Mountains, you’ll stop and visit Peles Castle, one of the most astonishing royal residences of Europe. Then, undeterred by Transylvania’s sinister reputation, cross into this mythical land named by the Romans and hectically fought over by Romanians, Hungarians, Ottoman Turks and Austrians. Once there, you will explore Bran Castle and find out about its true histories and Dracula legends. In the nearby 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:
  • Peles Castle;
  • Bran Castle;
  • Walking tour of old Brasov.
  • CENTERPIECE :
    Visit of the breathtaking private residence of Carol I, the 19th century King of Romania
    Add-On

    Add-on Day. Szekely Experience

    2

    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 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 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 Day. Szekely Experience 2
    To Sibiu 38
    Day 4

    To Sibiu

    38

    Leaving Brasov behind and following the Carpathian mountain chain, reach the Fagaras fortress, one of the few in all of Europe that is still surrounded by its original water filled moat. Then, get your camera ready for some of the most spectacular sites you can imagine, while making your way up the Transfagarasan road. Make the ascension by vehicle or cable car. This road can be found on all the lists of the most beautiful roads in the world. After enjoying the perspective from over 6000 feet, return to the Transylvanian plateau and head for Sibiu. 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:
  • Fagaras Fortress;
  • Transfagarasan road (drive or cable car ascent to the mountain tops);
  • Walking tour of Sibiu.
  • 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
    Add-on

    Add-On Day. Medieval Structures

    1

    Start your day with a stroll through the bustling old market, where the locals sell their produce every morning. 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, they provide the perfect background for the frequently performed battle reenactments. After the changing of the guard, move on to the Gothic. Esthetically, Huniady castle is one of its best examples and also one of Europe’s largest. Before returning to Sibiu, you may choose to extend your journey by visiting the eerie looking Densus church, built on the spot and with the stones of an old Roman temple dedicated to Mars.

    • Highlights:
  • Sibiu daily farmers' market;
  • Walking tour of Alba Iulia’s Vauban fortified city center;
  • attending the changing of the guard;
  • Hunyadi Gothic Castle;
  • Frequent addition: Densus Roman reclamation Church.
  • CENTERPIECE :
    Visit to the recently restored, fortified city center of Alba Iulia
    Add-On Day. Medieval Structures 1
    To Borzont 27
    Day 5

    To Borzont

    27

    Your next UNESCO site, the church of Biertan, has impressed visitors for five centuries with its three distinctive lines of fortifications. Enter the reconciliation room, where couples about to divorce were being locked up. If you choose, we can also pay a visit to a local traditional gypsy craftsman. Meet the entire family and find out about the lifestyle of this unique ethnic group. A short distance away, lies the citadel of Sighisoara, another 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. Along the way to your night’s accommodation, stop in the pottery center of the region and see the artisans at work.

    • Highlights:
  • Walking tour of Sighisoara (UNESCO);
  • Biertan fortification complex (UNESCO);
  • Frequent addition: Meet the gypsies.
  • CENTERPIECE :
    Visit of the 12th century Sighisoara Citadel
    Day 6

    To Bucovina

    29

    Venturing through one of the Carpathian’s narrowest and most scenic gorges, exit Transylvania for the historical province of Moldova. 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 of to break the Orthodox Church’s custom of using the Byzantine style for its vaulted frescoes. A few miles away, 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. Arrive in Bucovina, region known for its UNESCO protected exterior painted churches. The evening, when the world famous Voronet blue is most vibrant, becomes the perfect time to admire the so-called Sixtine Chapel of the East.

    • Highlights:
  • Stroll through the Bicaz gorges;
  • Agapia Monastery’s neoclassical painting;
  • 14th century Neamt fortress;
  • “The Sistine Chapel of the East”, Voronet Monastery (UNESCO).
  • CENTERPIECE :
    Stroll through the natural wonder of the narrow Bicaz gorges
    To Bucovina 29
    To Bistrita 26
    Day 7

    To Bistrita

    26

    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. Then, in Moldovita convent, the flower garden is complementing the wonderfully preserved frescoes. Before returning to Transylvania, visit the most representative museum of the long lasting local tradition of egg painting. End the day in the town of Bistrita, with a walk through its small but pretty pedestrian center.

    • Highlights:
  • Sucevita Monastery’s (UNESCO) frescos and defences;
  • Moldovita Monastery’s (UNESCO) frescos and garden;
  • Museum of painted eggs.
  • CENTERPIECE :
    UNESCO 16th century Byzantine frescos
    Day 8

    To Maramures

    35

    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. Elaborately carved timber is still heavily used for buildings and, especially, for intricate gates. The breath taking-complex of Barsana convent, located in an idyllic valley, is a great example of this. 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. Enjoy a copious authentic Maramures lunch in the house of the former local cultural promoter, now a good friend of ours. After lunch, 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:
  • Barsana wooden architectural complex;
  • Hidden away old wooden church with naïf painting;
  • Maramures traditional exclusive lunch;
  • Merry Cemetery of Sapanta;
  • Tallest wooden church in the world (UNESCO).
  • CENTERPIECE :
    The colorful and cheery cemetery of Sapanta
    To Maramures 35
    To Cluj and flight to Bucharest 33
    Day 9

    To Cluj and flight to Bucharest

    33

    The town of Sighet hosts a former communist prison where the country’s previous political elite used to be locked away during the oppression of the 50’s and early 60’s. Now, it’s a museum detailing the country’s struggle with that oppressive regime. The leaders of the three main parties in the country were all detained and met their end in this facility, thus ending any serious opposition to the communists for the next four decades. Take your leave from the region of Maramures with a scenic chair-lift climb to a mountain lake teeming with trout. Continue South 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 before your return flight to Bucharest. On arrival, private chauffeured transfer to your hotel.

    • Highlights:
  • Communist oppression Memorial Museum of Sighet;
  • Chairlift climb and mountain lake;
  • Walking tour of Cluj-Napoca;
  • In-tour flight to Bucharest.
  • CENTERPIECE :
    Walk through the pedestrian center of the "Silicon Valley of Europe"
    Day 10

    Departure

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

    Departure 19
    Pasarani Street no.5, Bucharest
    District 2, Romania


    Have Questions? We Are Here To Answer Any Queries