Best of Romania in 10 days

Breakfast: -

Our guide will pick you from your hotel in Bucharest at 09:00 AM.

Your tour starts with a road trip from Bucharest to Curtea de Arges, the historical capital of Wallachia and one of the richest Romanian cities in terms of historical culture. Here, you will visit Curtea de Arges Monastery, built between 1512 and 1517. The monastery is widely famous for the legend of Manole, one of the most well known Romanian myths, which left a powerful mark on its people: “you can’t create something everlasting without sacrifice”.

Nowadays the monastery is one of the most important historical monuments in Romania, and it is the final resting place for several members of the Royal Family of Romania.

You will then head on the spectacular Transfagarasan Highway, one of the most beautiful roads in the world. Transfagarasan passes through the Southern Carpathians via the tallest mountains in Romania, Fagaras, reaching heights of 2042 meters. This is the perfect opportunity to take some stunning photos of the surrounding areas.

*Transfagarasan Highway is only open between June and November.

Lunch: At your expense

The last destination for the day is the medieval city of Sibiu, with a rich history of more than 900 years. Sibiu is a superb destination throughout the whole year, but in the summer season it is home to the International Theatre Festival, and in the winter it is home to one of the most impressive Christmas Markets in Romania.

Dinner: At your expense

Evening: You have the freedom to spend the rest of your evening as you wish

Overnight in Sibiu

Breakfast: At the hotel

The second day of your tour of Romania will start at 09:00, and you will make your first stop in Hunedoara, where will take a tour of Corvin Castle, a castle with a particular charm. Also known as Hunyad Castle due to its main inhabitant, John Hunyadi, it is one of the largest castles in Romania.

Your next stop will be at Alba Iulia, the town which was home to one of the most important events in Romania’s History as the Union of Transylvania with Romania. We will visit Alba Carolina Fortress, built between 1715 and 1738 in the Vauban architectural style by more than 20,000 workers.

Lunch: At your expense

Driving away from Alba Iulia you will reach Turda, a small village which is home to one of the coolest underground attractions in the world, according to Business Insider. Turda Salt Mine with its 13 underground floors, and a spectacular theme park is equipped with a Ferris wheel, mini golf course, tennis court, and a lake.

At the end of the day, you will reach Cluj-Napoca, the largest city in Transylvania and one of the largest student centers in Romania. After taking a walking tour through the Old City Center, you will have free time to explore the local cafes and bohemian restaurants near the hotel.

Dinner: At your expense

Evening: You have the freedom to spend the rest of your evening as you wish

Overnight in Cluj-Napoca

Breakfast: At the hotel

Today you are heading East across the Carpathians, to the region of Bucovina. You will leave the hotel at 09:00, and the first stop will be in Bistrita, a city located in the foothills of the mountains. This is the place where Bram Stoker’s character, Jonathan Haker, stayed before meeting Count Dracula.

After taking a short sightseeing tour of Bistrita, you will depart from Transylvania towards Romania’s holy land - Bucovina. Your first stop in Bucovina will be at the Voronet Monastery, one of the 8 UNESCO Painted Monasteries. The monastery was built in 1488, and it is well known for its unique shade of blue, “Blue of Voronet”.

In the evening you will reach the hotel and you will enjoy a traditional Romanian dinner.

Dinner: At the hotel

Overnight in Voronet

Breakfast: At the hotel

You will leave at the same hour, 09:00, and for the first landmark of the day, you will  head north. Moldovita Monastery is one of the oldest monastic settlements with a significant history. The Monastery was built between 1532 and 1537 and was included in the UNESCO World Heritage Centre in 1993.

Your second objective is Sucevita Monastery. Built in 1585, the legend says that all the materials used in its construction were brought by a woman using only a cart pulled by oxen, in order to redeem her sins.

Lunch: At your expense

Bucovina's Painted Monasteries are deemed by many true masterpieces of the Byzantine art. Their beautiful frescoes depict various biblical scenes as well as the life stories of several important religious figures. Decorated with beautiful ornaments and blending in perfectly with the surrounding landscape, they are unique in the world.

In the evening you will reach Iasi, the second largest city in Romania, and the birthplace of many Romanian personalities.

Dinner: At your expense

Evening: You have the freedom to spend the rest of your evening as you wish

Overnight in Iasi

Breakfast: At the hotel

Before leaving for Piatra Neamt, at 09:00 AM you will have a tour of Iasi, with a  first stop at the Palace of Culture. The Palace was built in a Neo-Gothic style between 1906 and 1925, and it is home to four of the biggest museums in the city.

You will visit the Metropolitan Cathedral, one of the most famous churches in Iasi, home to the relics of the Patron Saint of the city. The current Cathedral was built on top of two older churches, The White Church and Stratenia Church, in early 1833. Over the years, the Cathedral was severely deteriorated because of various factors such as harsh weather or bad terrain, but today the restoration project is close to coming to an end, and its beauty can be admired by tourists from all over the world. Your final stop in Iasi will be at the National Theatre, the first National Theatre in Romania.

Lunch: At your expense

From Iasi, you will head to Targu Neamt for a tour of the Neamt Citadel, built during the reign of Peter I (1375-1391), and will reach Piatra Neamt in the evening, where you will have a walking tour in the remaining old town.

Dinner: At your expense

Evening: You have the freedom to spend the rest of your evening as you wish

Overnight in Piatra Neamt

Breakfast: At the hotel

On the 6th day, you will leave for Transylvania, passing through the impressive Bicaz Gorges in order to reach your first landmark of the day, a lake renowned for its unusual color. The Red Lake formed in 1837, when a series of heavy storms caused Mt. Ucigasu (Killer) to fracture, with part of it coming down and blocking several streams. The river deposits are rich in iron, which makes the water of the lake a bit red, hence the Red Lake.

Your next stop will be in Corund, one of the main pottery centers of Transylvania. Besides pottery, the locals also deal in woodworking and trade, and the clay used in pottery is extracted from a nearby stream.

Leaving Corund behind, you will reach Biertan, one of the famous UNESCO Villages with Fortified Churches in Transylvania. Saxon colonists settled here for the first time in the 13th century, mainly because of the rich soil that was perfect for winemaking.

Lunch: At your expense

Your last stop for the day is in Sighisoara, the last inhabited citadel in Europe. Sighisoara was also built by the Saxon colonists, in the 12th century, and its unique features earned it a spot in the UNESCO World Heritage Centre.

Dinner: At your expense

Evening: You have the freedom to spend the rest of your evening as you wish

Overnight in Sighisoara

Breakfast: At the hotel

Today you will discover more of Transylvania and its people. In the first part of the day, you will explore Sighisoara, a city where each building has a story worth telling. While you will be heading towards the Sighisoara Citadel, you will pass through the main gate and reach a true symbol of medieval life, the Clock Tower, which is home to Sighisoara’s History Museum. The basement of the Clock Tower is also home to a torture chamber, and the tower is beautifully decorated with numerous sculpted ornaments, as well as a clock on each side.

Lunch: At your expense

Your next stop will be in Viscri, a village that charmed the heart of Prince Charles through its simplicity and the way in which the locals preserved their traditions. Here, you will meet the women who are renowned throughout the region for their culinary skills. Viscri is one of Transylvania’s Villages with Fortified Churches, and before leaving you will visit the charming Viscri Church.

After a while, you will reach Brasov, one of the most beautiful cities located in the middle of Romania, where we will take a short walking tour.

Dinner: At your expense

Evening: You have the freedom to spend the rest of your evening as you wish

Overnight in Brasov

Breakfast: At the hotel

Your day starts with a city tour of Brasov, making your first stop in the Council Square, a place which was famous for its markets filled by traders of all nations. You will also take a tour of The Black Church, the main Gothic monument in Brasov and the largest Lutheran place of worship in the region.

Thirty minutes away from Brasov is Bran, a small village famous for Bran Castle. With a history of more than 6 centuries, Bran Castle became widely known as Dracula’s Castle, mainly due to Bram Stoker’s Dracula. Here, you will discover the history of Vlad the Impaler and the connection between Vlad Tepes and Bram Stoker’s Dracula.

Lunch: At your expense

Your next stop is in Sinaia, where you will visit the first fully electrified castle in Europe. In its final form, Peles Castle stretches over a surface of 3200 sq. meters and it holds 160 rooms and over 30 bathrooms. The castle was home to one of the most important collections of paintings in Europe, and it is well-known for its large collection of over 4,000 European and Oriental weaponry.

Dinner: At your expense

Evening: You have the freedom to spend the rest of your evening as you wish

Overnight in Bucharest

Breakfast: At the hotel

On the last day of your Best of Romania Tour, our tour guide will pick you up at 09:00 AM for a city tour of Bucharest. Our capital is the place where the cultures of Western and Eastern Europe merge beautifully. Beyond this exotic mix, one can undoubtedly feel the inescapable influence of the communist regime.

Your day tour of Bucharest begins with the most distinctive building in the city, dating back to the communist period, the Palace of the Parliament. Also known as the House of the People, the impressive edifice entered the Guinness World Records as the second largest building in the world after the Pentagon. As you step through imposing marble rooms, your tour guide will share with you the grim details that enabled its construction.

Lunch: At your expense

Your day in Bucharest continues with a sightseeing tour of Bucharest's Old Town, which shelters several historical sites, architectural gems and representative buildings. This is Bucharest's hotspot for nightlife, and its beautiful chaos will make you feel the vibe of the city.

Your last destination is the Bucharest Village Museum. The museum was opened for the first time in 1936, and it stretches over a surface of 14 ha, being home to a total of 380 monuments, 60,000 traditional objects, and over 250,000 archived documents, all related to the traditional Romanian life.

Dinner: At your expense

Evening: You have the freedom to spend the rest of your evening as you wish

Overnight in Bucharest

Breakfast: At the hotel

You will be transferred to the airport according to your flight schedule.