Day 1

BUCHAREST

Arrival in Bucharest – the capital of Romania. Pick-up from the airport and transfer to your hotel. The rest of the day is free. In the evening you meet your tour guide and the fellow travelers.

Overnight in Bucharest.

Day 2 – Sunday

FULL-DAY TOUR OF BUCHAREST

After breakfast, full day sightseeing tour of Bucharest including visit of the famous Parliament Palace. The walking tour includes the famous Revolution Square and the bustling old center of Bucharest. You’ll admire as well The Village Museum and famous boulevards and neighborhoods of this interesting city.

The settlement of Bucharest was first mentioned in 1459 and, ever since, the town went through a series of continuous changes, representing the central scene of Romania’s political, artistic, university, financial and cultural life. Between the two world wars, due to the elegant architecture and to the elite living in Bucharest, the city was nicknamed “The Little Paris”. Guinness Book registers the Palace of Parliament as the second largest administrative building in the World, after the Pentagon – with a floor area of 330,000m² – and the third in the world as volume, with 2,550,000m³. The building is situated in the historical and geographical center of Bucharest and it was built on a hill. The building, whose works were started in July 1984, is structured on six levels and divided into 21 body units. It includes a huge combination of monumental sculptures, glided ornaments, decorative flooring, laced ceilings, brocade curtains, heavy carpets and tapestry, all in a succession of chambers, galleries, lavish vast rooms and halls, which split themselves or merge in a simple, overwhelming and harmonious way. Located in a green area of Bucharest and inaugurated in 1936, The Village Museum is one of the most beautiful and most interesting museums in the country. It boasts old and original houses brought from different parts of the country. In The Revolution Square you’ll get the story of the anticommunist revolution from 1989 and you’ll find out more about the hardships an entire nation had to suffer for 45 years. The day ends with what became the most bustling area of Bucharest, The Old Center. Once, the place of princely families and nobles, later an area of the craftsmen, today it became the Mecca of bars, restaurants and quaint cobblestone streets.

Overnight in Bucharest.

Day 3 – Monday

BUCHAREST – TARGOVISTE – CURTEA DE ARGES – SIBIU

In the mornign you’ll leave Bucharest. Targoviste, the former capital of Wallachia, is the first stop of the day. You’ll visit the ruins of the Princely Court, the Princely Church and the famous Sunset Tower, built for thr first time during the reign of the famous Vlad the Impaler, also known as Dracula.

Departure to Curtea de Arges, another former capital of Walachia, and visit Curtea de Arges Monastery.

The Episcopal Church, known as the Church of the Curtea de Arges Monastery, was built by the Romanian ruler of Wallachia Neagoe Basarab in 1512-1517. Connected to this church is the legent of Master Manole, who entombed his wife alive in the walls of the church so that they would never crumble. And so that the secret of the monastery’s construction would be preserved forever, Manole himself had to be sacrificed. Left without a ladder on the roof of the church, at the command of the prince, Manole made himself wings from wooden laths and tried to descend: he crashed to earth and from his body welled a spring. Such is the legend of Manole’s Well. In 1875, the beautiful trefoil church was demolished and rebuilt by French architect Andre Lecomte du Nouy. The Episcopal Church of Curtea de Arges houses the tomb of its founder, Neagoe Basarab, and of other members of the royal family (Kings Carol I and Ferdinand, and Queens Elisabeta and Maria).

In the afternoon we will drive along the picturesque Olt Valley to visit Cozia Monastery and then we will arrive in Sibiu. (During the summer months, the Transfagarasna Road, also known as the Road of the Sky, is going to be taken instead of the Olt Valley. In this case, the monastery of Cozia won’t be part of the tour anymore.)

Mircea the Elder, ruler of Walachia and grandfather of Vlad the Impaler (Dracula), built Cozia monastery in the 14th century. Here you’ll have a first contact with the painted frescoes. On the entrance wall of the church you’ll see an impressive “Last Judgment” fresco.

Optional: After Curtea de Arges you could take a detour in order to visit the real fortress built by Vlad the Impaler. Built in two stages, in the 14th-15^th centuries, the little castle was used primarily as a sheltering place by the princes of Wallachia and as a prison for the noblemen accused of betrayal. Be aware, there are 1480 steps to be climbed!

Overnight in Sibiu.

Day 4

SIBIU – SIBIEL – RASINARI – CISNADIE – SIBIU

Today you’ll get relaxed in Sibiu and its surroundings. In the first part of the day you’ll be taken in the country side around Sibiu, a famous area for its beautiful villages located at the feet of the mountains, for its architecture and for the landscape. You’ll visit the largest museum from Romania displaying icons-on-glass and then you’ll enjoy a walking tour in Rasinari, a Romanian village from Transylvania. The tour of the country side continues with a stop in Cisnadie where you’ll admire an old medieval fortified church built by the Saxons.

In the second part of the day you’ll be roaming in the old town of Sibiu. Considered to be one of the most beautiful Romanian towns, due to its unique architectural style and to the impressive complex of museums, Sibiu was awarded the official title of 2007 European Capital of Culture. Sibiu has a vast number of museums organized around the two great cultural and historical centers: The Brukenthal Museum and the Astra Museum. The town’s touristic attractions are: The Evangelical Church, The Orthodox Cathedral, The Roman-Catholic Church, The Stairs Tower, The Council Tower, etc.

Overnight in Sibiu.

Day 5

SIBIU – CALNIC – HUNEDOARA – ALBA IULIA – TURDA

After breakfast, you’ll depart toward Calnic, a fortified church now part of the UNESCO heritage. Built in the 13^th century, the edifice is a great chance to understand the life of the Saxons in the medieval times.

The tour continues with the visit of the Corvin Castle, the largest medieval Gothic castle from Transylvania. It is considered as one of the spookiest buildings of the world although for this you should come here during a dark and cloudy day. The castle, with a 600-year-long history is a great architectural site.

Alba Iulia, former capital of Transylvania, is going to be the next stop. It is here where you’ll admire the amazing citadel built in Vauban style at the beginning of the 18^th century.  Also you are going to see the Orthodox Cathedral, the Romano-Catholic Cathedral, 800 years old and several gates of the citadel.

The day ends in Turda, an ancient locality founded by the Dacians.

Overnight in Turda.

Day 6

TURDA – CLUJ NAPOCA – BAIA MARE – VADU IZEI

In the morning you’ll get to visit the Turda Salt Mine, one of the most interesting of this type in the whole Europe. Today it is a real museum dedicated to salt mining. Beside the impressive large galleries, the salt mine boasts machinery used to exploit and transport salt.

The tour continues with Cluj Napoca, another ancient city of Romania. You’ll roam on the streets of the old town and you’ll admire the beautiful architecture, the monuments and the locals. You’ll be visiting the Mathias Cathedral, symbol of the city.

After Cluj Napoca, you’ll be transferred to Maramures, one of the most rural areas of Romania. Beside the beautiful landscape you’ll be amazed by the hospitality of the locals, by their tall wooden churches and intricate wooden gates or by their strong brandy made of apples or plums.

Before the rural area of Maramures, you’ll get to visit its capital Baia Mare. The tour includes a short walking in the old town where you’ll admire the main square and the Tower of St. Stephan.

The village of Surdesti is the first stop in this wonderful rural area. It is here where you’ll be amazed by the height of the wooden church, today part of the UNESCO heritage.

The day ends in a local guest where you’ll meet a wonderful family. You’ll enjoy a rich dinner and plenty of tuica also known as palinca which is a sort of strong plum brandy (extra charge for dinner). You are going to enjoy a room with private bathroom.

Overnight in Vadu Izei.

Day 7

VADU IZEI – SIGHET– SAPANTA – VADU IZEI

In Sighet, a border town, you’ll roam in the main local market admiring the vivid life, the fresh products and the colorful farmers.

In the same city you will hear more about the horrors of the communist regime. You will visit a former prison where during the communist years many important Romanian leaders but also, common people who were against the regime, lost their lives.

The Merry Cemetery has gained originality and value by means of the chopped, carved and painted crosses on which the artisan has chiseled out versified epitaphs, most of them full of a remarkable sense of humor, particular to the area and to all the Romanians. The value of these works of art is recognized both at home and abroad.

In the same village you’ll stop to admire the highest wooden structure in the world: Peri Convent, recently rebuilt.

In the end you’ll be taken back to Vadu Izei where you’ll enjoy a walking tour of the village.

Overnight in Vadu Izei.

Day 8

VADU IZEI – BARSANA – DRAGOMIRESTI – MOLDOVITA – SUCEVITA

Today the journey is long and beautiful. First, you will visit Toader Barsan’s house, a local wood carver who took part at the Smithsonian World Festival in Washington. In the same village, you’ll visit one of the highest wooden churches in the world, Barsana Convent.

Perched on the hills of Maramures, overlooking the Iza Valley, the Barsana Convent is one of the most impressive monastic places of Romania despite it was rebuilt recently. The slender and tall silhouette of the wooden church, the carvings of each building and the amazing garden represent a perfect synthesis between the strong faith of the locals, their skills and nature.

Passing through the mountains of Maramures (Prislop Pass), you will reach for the first time Bucovina region, known for its painted monasteries, but also for the traditional houses adorned with beautiful floral and geometrical motifs, for its traditions kept over the centuries and for its hospitable people.

The Convent of Moldovita is the first painted church visited in Bucovina. It is famous for its “Siege of Constantinople” fresco. Then you’ll be driven to the nearby Sucevita Monastery, which is the largest of all, looking more like a mighty fortress than a monastery. The monastic place, as the last one to be painted on the exterior walls, boasts the best preserved frescoes of Bucovina.

Overnight in Sucevita.

Day 9

SUCEVITA – VORONET – BICAZ – SIGHISOARA

Today the journey is long but impressive. First visit of the day is at the most famous painted monastery of all, Voronet Convent.

Erected in 1488, Voronet Monastery represented one of the first Moldavian creative elements showing a distinctive style. The church is a combination of Byzantine, Gothic and local elements. The exterior painting on the western wall depicts, on five registers, the Doomsday scene, unique in the whole world. The Voronet Monastery entered the universal cultural heritage also for having in the composition of the paintings the inimitable “Voronet blue”.

Then you will leave behind Moldova entering again into Transylvania. It is here where you’ll be astonished by the wonders of the nature. The Bicaz Gorge and Red Lake are among the most known landmarks of Romania.

Driving through the Carpathians you’ll reach Sighisoara, a major tourist destination of Romania, an important UNESCO site.

Overnight in Sighisoara.

Day 10

SIGHISOARA – VISCRI – MICLOSOARA

In the morning you are going to visit Sighisoara, one of the most amazing medieval citadels of Europe. You’ll enjoy a walking tour of the citadel perched on a hill. You’ll admire the house where Vlad Dracul lived and the Clock Tower, symbol of the citadel.

Then you are going to dive deep into the amazing world of the Transylvanian villages. You’ll reach Viscri, a famous tourist destination of Romania especially since Prince Charles of Wales purchased an old Saxon house which was transformed into a B&B. The village of Viscri boasts quaint streets and an amazing fortified church, part of the UNESCO site.

Further on you’ll be taken to the core of the Hungarian minority that lives in an area known as Szeklerland. It is here where you’ll be able to admire the traditional way of living of these people and their amazing old houses. You’ll get a walking tour of this forgotten world.

You’ll stay in the manor house. Prepare yourself to step back in time and get ready for a tasty dinner (extra charge).

Overnight in Miclosoara.

Day 11

MICLOSOARA – BRASOV – BRAN – SINAIA– BUCHAREST

After breakfast you will enjoy a walking tour of Brasov with visit of the old downtown. You’ll admire the beautiful buildings like Black Church which is built in Gothic and Renaissance style. Also you will see the narrowest street in Romania, Rope Street, Schei and Catherine’s Gates, St. Nicholas Church and the old Schei neighborhood.

Then, you will visit the famous Bran castle also known as Dracula’s castle.

The Bran Castle was a safeguard castle for the trade route that connected Transylvania and Wallachia. It was built by the people of Brasov between 1377 – 1378. It represents in the consciousness of any tourist the darkness residence of prince Dracula, a fictional hero in the famous British Bram Stocker’s novel.

After a scenic drive you will leave Transylvania and you will stop in Sinaia to visit the most beautiful castle in Romania – Peles Castle.

The Peles Castle, built in two stages between 1875 and 1914, was the summer residence of King Carol Ist and his wife, queen Elisabeth. The museum complex in Sinaia includes both Peles castle and Pelisor castle and the Foisor royal residence.

Overnight in Bucharest.

Day 12

BUCHAREST

In the morning free time in Bucharest and transfer to the airport.

End of the tour.

What’s included:

- Airport pick-up and drop-off

- Accommodation with breakfast 11 nights as per the above program at 3-star hotels

- Transport by modern car, minibus or coach

- Professional English speaking guide

- Entrance fees to museums, monasteries and sites included in the program

 

What’s not included:

- Flight tickets

- Hotel extras (telephone, mini bar, etc)

- Drinks (other than water)

- Other meals except breakfast

- Dinner in Vadu Izei – €10/person

- Dinner in Miclosoara – €17/person

- Photographing or filming fees at the visited sites

- Tips

- Porterage

- Travel insurance

- Personal Expenses

- Visa procurement (if needed)