Best of Romania in 10 days

Breakfast: included on all days except the first day 

At 9:00 AM, our guide will come to pick you up from your Bucharest hotel.

Start your travel to Romania with a road ride from Bucharest to Curtea de Arges, Wallachia's historical capital and one of Romania's most culturally rich cities. Constructed between 1512 and 1517, the Curtea de Arges Monastery is the site of your visit. One of the most well-known stories from Romania, the legend of Manole, is what made the monastery famous and had a lasting impact on its people: "You can't create something everlasting without sacrifice."

Currently, the monastery stands as one of Romania's most significant historical sites and serves as the last resting place for several of Romania's Royal Family members.

Following that, you'll embark on one of the world's most breathtaking routes—the Transfagarasan Highway. The Transfagarasan travels through the Southern Carpathians, passing via the 2042-meter-tall Fagaras Mountains, Romania's tallest mountains. This is the ideal chance to capture some breathtaking pictures of the surroundings.

*Note that Transfagarasan Highway is only open between June and November.

Lunch: At your expense 

The mediaeval city of Sibiu, which has a rich history spanning more than 900 years, is the final stop of the day. Sibiu is a fantastic place to visit all year round, but in the summer it hosts the International Theatre Festival, and in the winter it has one of Romania's most spectacular Christmas markets.

Dinner: At your expense

Evening: You are free to spend the remainder of the evening as you please.

Overnight in Sibiu

Breakfast: At the hotel

Your second day of travel to Romania will begin at 09:00, with your first stop being Hunedoara, where you will be given a visit to the very charming Corvin Castle. One of the biggest castles in Romania, it is also known as Hunyad Castle for its principal occupant, John Hunyadi.

The town of Alba Iulia, which hosted one of the most significant occasions in Romanian history—the Union of Transylvania with Romania—will be our next stop. We will go to Alba Carolina Fortress, which was constructed by around 20,000 labourers in the Vauban architectural style between 1715 and 1738.

Lunch: At your expense

As you head out of Alba Iulia, we'll arrive at Turda, which, according to Business Insider, is home to one of the world's greatest underground attractions. The 13-story Turda Salt Mine is a magnificent theme park featuring a mini golf course, tennis courts, a Ferris wheel, and a lake.

By the end of the day, we will arrive in Cluj-Napoca, the capital of Transylvania and home to one of Romania's biggest student populations. You'll have free time to explore the neighbourhood cafes and bohemian restaurants close to the hotel after enjoying a walking tour of the Old City Centre.

Dinner: At your expense

Evening: The rest of the evening is yours to spend however you wish. You can find ideas for activities by visiting our blog. 

Overnight in Cluj-Napoca

Breakfast: At the hotel

Today, you are travelling east across the Carpathians to the Bucovina region. At 09:00, you will check out of the hotel and head to Bistrita, a city situated in the foothills of the mountains. Jonathan Harker, the fictional character created by Bram Stoker, lived here before his encounter with Count Dracula.

Lunch: At your expense

Following a brief sightseeing trip to Bistrita, you will leave Transylvania and travel to Bucovina, the sacred region of Romania. One of the eight UNESCO Painted Monasteries, the Voronet Monastery, will be your first glimpse of Bucovina. Constructed in 1488, the monastery is renowned for its distinct blue hue, called “Blue of Voronet”.

You will arrive at the hotel in the evening and savour a traditional Romanian meal.

Dinner: At the hotel

Overnight in Voronet

Breakfast: At the hotel

We will depart at the same time, 9:00, and travel north to reach the day's first landmark. One of the oldest monastic villages with a noteworthy history is Moldovita Monastery. Constructed between 1532 and 1537, the Monastery was inducted into the UNESCO World Heritage Centre in 1993.

We should proceed to Sucevita Monastery as our second destination. Built in 1585, the legend holds that a woman used only an ox cart to transport all the materials required for its construction as penance for her sins.

Lunch: At your expense

Many consider the Painted Monasteries of Bucovina genuine masterpieces of Byzantine art. Their exquisite frescoes portray a variety of biblical subjects in addition to the biographies of other significant religious luminaries. They are unlike anything else in the world, embellished with exquisite embellishments and seamlessly integrating with the surroundings.

The second-largest city in Romania and the birthplace of numerous well-known Romanian personalities, Iasi, will be arrived at in the evening.

Dinner: At your expense

Evening: You are free to spend the remainder of the evening as you please.

Overnight in Iasi

Breakfast: At the hotel

Before departing for Piatra Neamt at 09:00 AM, we will take a tour of Iasi, beginning at the Palace of Culture. Constructed in the Neo-Gothic architectural style between 1906 and 1925, the Palace now houses four of the largest museums in the city. This Palace should be on your "must-see" list if you have the chance to visit Romania.

We will go to the Metropolitan Cathedral, one of Iasi's most well-known churches and the location of the city's patron saint's relics. Early in 1833, the White Church and Stratenia Church, two ancient churches, were demolished to make room for the present Cathedral. 

Due to several circumstances, including inclement weather and unfavourable topography, the Cathedral suffered significant degradation over time. However, the restoration effort is almost complete, and visitors from all over the world can now enjoy its breathtaking splendour. The National Theatre, the country's first national theatre, will be your last destination in Iasi. 

Lunch: At your expense

After leaving Iasi, we will arrive at Targu Neamt to see the Neamt Citadel, which was constructed during Peter I's rule (1375–1391). In the evening, we will arrive at Piatra Neamt for a walking tour of the remaining old town.

P.S. Piatra Neamt's old town, with its cobblestone paths leading past picturesque cafes and buildings dating back centuries, still carries whispers of its mediaeval past, so make sure you make the most of your experience there.

Dinner: At your expense

Evening: The rest of the evening is yours to spend however you wish.

Overnight in Piatra Neamt

Breakfast: At the hotel

On the sixth day, we will depart for Transylvania, travelling through the stunning Bicaz Gorges to arrive at your first landmark of the day—a lake known for its peculiar colour. In 1837, a sequence of intense storms split Mt. Ucigasu (Killer), causing a portion of the mountain to fall and obstruct multiple streams, forming Red Lake. The lake's water has a slight red tint due to the iron-rich river sediments, hence the name Red Lake.

Our next destination will be Corund, one of Transylvania's principal pottery hubs. In addition to pottery, the area's residents work in woodworking and trading, and they get their clay from a nearby stream.

Next, we are scheduled to land in Biertan, one of the well-known UNESCO Villages with Fortified Churches in Transylvania. The excellent soil here was ideal for producing wine, which attracted the first Saxon colonists in the 13th century.

Lunch: At your expense

Our final stop of the day is in Sighisoara, Europe's last inhabited citadel. Because of its distinctive qualities, Sighisoara—which was likewise constructed in the 12th century by Saxon colonists—was included in the UNESCO World Heritage Centre.

Sighisoara's mediaeval charm becomes enchanted when nightfall settles over the city. Its imposing walls act as historical keepers, and its enchanted architecture takes you back to a past time. Take in the elaborately decorated buildings, which are testaments to the skill of previous generations. Explore this enduring citadel and uncover new tales woven within its walls at every turn. This experience will truly complete your travel to Romania.

Dinner: At your expense

Evening: You are free to spend the rest of your evening as you please.

Overnight in Sighisoara

Breakfast: At the hotel 

On the seventh day of your travel to Romania, you will learn more about the people and region of Transylvania. We will spend the morning exploring Sighisoara, a city where every structure has a fascinating history. As you approach the Sighisoara Citadel, you will pass through the main gate and arrive at the Clock Tower, which houses the History Museum of Sighisoara and is a true representation of medieval life. In addition to having a torture cell in its basement, the Clock Tower is exquisitely ornamented with several sculpted details and has a clock on each side.

Lunch: included at a local host

Our next destination will be Viscri, a village whose simplicity and the manner its residents upheld their customs won Prince Charles over. It is here that you will meet the women who are known for their culinary prowess throughout the area. One of the villages in Transylvania with fortified churches is Viscri; you will see the quaint Viscri Church before departing.

Following Viscri, we'll head on further and do a quick walking tour of Brasov, one of the most picturesque cities in the heart of Romania when you get there.

Dinner: At your expense

Evening: You are free to spend the remainder of the evening as you please.

Overnight in Brasov

Breakfast: At the hotel

The adventure begins with a city tour of Brasov, with a stop at Council Square, a well-known location for its international marketplaces. The Black Church, Brasov's principal Gothic structure and the largest Lutheran house of worship in the area, will also be on the itinerary.

Located just outside Brasov, a charming little village named Bran awaits. Any traveller to the area should make time to view the majestic castle located in this charming town. Bran is about a 30-minute drive from Brasov and is highly recommended! Due in large part to Bram Stoker's Dracula, Bran Castle, which has a history spanning more than six centuries, gained notoriety as Dracula's Castle. You will learn about Vlad the Impaler's past and the relationship between Vlad Tepes and Dracula from Bram Stoker here.

Lunch: At your expense

In the afternoon, we will explore the first fully electrified castle in Europe in Sinaia, which is another must-see Romanian attraction. With 160 rooms and more than 30 bathrooms, Peles Castle's ultimate layout occupies 3200 square metres. In addition to being home to one of the greatest painting collections in Europe, the castle is renowned for its enormous collection of more than 4,000 European and Oriental weapons. 

Dinner: At your expense

Evening: The evening is yours to spend however you wish.

Overnight in Bucharest

Breakfast: At the hotel

Our tour guide will pick you up for a city tour of Bucharest at 9:00 AM on the final day of your Best of Romania Tour. The cultures of Eastern and Western Europe harmoniously coexist in our capital. Beyond this odd combination, the impact of the communist rule is definitely palpable.

The Palace of the Parliament, the most notable structure in the city and a remnant of the communist era, is where our day trip through Bucharest starts. Alternatively referred to as the House of the People, this magnificent structure broke into the Guinness World Records as the world's second-largest building, right behind the Pentagon. Our guide will explain to you the grim intricacies that made the creation of the enormous marble rooms possible.

Lunch: At your expense

A sightseeing trip to Bucharest's Old Town, which is home to several historical landmarks, architectural treasures, and notable structures, will round up your day in the city. This is the best place to go out at night in Bucharest, and the magnificent anarchy here will let you experience the spirit of the city.

The Bucharest Village Museum is the final destination of the day. The museum, which covers 14 hectares and has 380 monuments, 60,000 traditional objects, and over 250,000 archival papers all about ancient Romanian life, was initially established in 1936. Experience the essence of traditional life amidst the sprawling expanse of the Bucharest Village Museum, a fitting finale to your immersive journey through Romania's rich cultural tapestry.

Dinner: At your expense

Evening: You are free to spend the rest of your evening as you please.

Overnight in Bucharest

Breakfast: At the hotel

As your adventure across Romania comes to an end, enjoy one last breakfast at your hotel before saying goodbye to this magnificent country. As per your scheduled departure, you will be transported to the airport, bringing with you priceless memories of your trip across Romania.

Visit Romania - Your next adventure awaits!

This itinerary is just a glimpse into the wonders that await you. From captivating castles and historical landmarks to breathtaking scenery and vibrant culture, Romania offers something for everyone.

Contact Rolandia today to start planning your dream Romanian escape! We'll guide you through every step of the way, ensuring a seamless and unforgettable travel experience.