12 Days- Complete tour of Romania

COMPLETE TOUR OF ROMANIA 12 DAYS, 12 NIGHTS

Tour Highlights:  

• Take the best of Bucharest with a local guide.
• Visit the historical site of Constanta.
• Boat ride through the canals of Danube Delta
• Admire the outstanding art collection and masterpieces of Peles Castle;
• Tour Bran Castel aka Dracula Castle;
• Brasov is a wonderful town located in Transylvania being surrounded by the Carpathian Mountains;
• Viscri Village is the place where King Charles was coming to spend his holiday;
• Find out about the Saxon of Transylvania at Biertan Fortified Church;
• Tour the unique medieval town of Sighisoara;
• Drive through beautiful mountain scenary passing from Transylvania Region to Bukovina Region to visit Painted Monasteries UNESCO listed;
• Take a tour of Cluj – Napoca and see the best tourist attractions;
• Descend 120 meters underground into unique Turda Salt mine;
• Enjoy your moment of relaxation in Rimetea Village in Transylvania;
• Alba Iulia Fortress;
• Be amazed by the beautiful medieval city of Sibiu in Transylvania;
• Drive along the spectacular Transfagarasan Scenic Road on one of Romania’s most scenic drives

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Day 1: Bucharest sightseeing tour

 Today we visit the most important sites of Bucharest such as: The Triumphal Arch, Victory Square, The Royal Palace, Romanian Athenaeum, Revolution Square, Victory Avenue, Union Square. We have the chance to admire the Parliament Palace, a “giant” built during the Golden Age of the communist totalitarian regime and the idea of a leader for whom the notion of “reasonable size” did not exist- Nicolae Ceausescu. The Guinness Book of World Records lists this building as the second largest administrative building in the world, due to its 330,000 sq. m. surface, after the Pentagon, and third place as regards to its 2,550,000 c.m. volume.

Next, a short walk to the Old Princely Court, the first local seat of residence, which was built during the rule of Vlad the Impaler in the 15th century. In the 16th century it was rebuilt completely, and later became the focal point of Bucharest, surrounded by houses of traders and craftsmen. Returning to the Old District, we take a walking tour of Lipscani Street, Stavropoleos Church, Manuc’s Inn, and more. Fountain show in the evening.

Overnight in Bucharest 4* hotel; central location

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Day 2: Bucharest  – Constanța tour- Danube Delta

Once we reach Constanta we will start the sightseeing tour of this surprising city. We will explore the Old Town of Constanta with Ovidiu`s Square, Great Mosque, Orthodox Cathedral of SS Peter and Paul, waterfront with Constanta`s most famous landmark- the Casino and  Marina`s yachts. Optional visit to Archeology Museum which has a particular rich collection of statues and relief of Greek and Roman deities, but also one of the longest roman mosaic ever found. From Constanta we will drive to Mahmudia Village- the starting point for boat trips in Danube Delta.

Overnight in Mahmudia Village – in Danube Delta

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Day 3: Danube Delta 3 hrs boat ride – Sinaia Mountain Resort

In the morning we will explore the wildlife of Danube Delta. During this boat trip we have the opportunity to see white and yellow water lilies, swans, coots, ducks, geese, spoonbills, godwits, ibises and pelicans. After this wonderfull experience we leave for Sinaia Mountain Resort. On the way we will stop for lunch to a Romanian traditional restaurant. From Murigiol Village to Sinaia Mountain Resort will take around 6 hrs, or less 

Overnight in Sinaia or Busteni Mountain Resort 3* hotel

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Day 4: Sinaia or Busteni Mountain Resort- Peles Castle – Brasov

On your way to Brasov we stop in Sinaia Mountain Resort where you will visit Peles Castle. The famous Peles Castle, a masterpiece of German New-Renaissance architecture, commissioned by King Carol I in 1873 and completed in 1883. Its 160 rooms are adorned with the finest examples of European art, Murano crystal chandeliers, German stained-glass windows, walls covered with Cordoba leather, Meissen and Sevres porcelains, ebony and ivory sculptures.

In the afternoon we reach for Brasov Medieval town. You will have the chance to admire the impressive 14th century Black Church, one of the landmarks of Brasov.

Inside of Black Church you can admire a beautiful collection of 120 Anatolian rugs, the unique Buchholz, organ having 4000 pipes and considered one of the biggest in Europe. Do not miss during the tour of Brasov the defensive towers and walls such as the White Tower or Weavers Bastion, or take a cable car ride to Tampa Hill to admire the historical old town from above.

Overnight in Brasov – at 3* hotel.

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Day 5: Brasov- Bran Castle – Viscri Village – Sighisoara

Today we will visit  the famous Bran Castle also called Dracula’s Castle. The castle got its fame from Dracula’s legend written in 1897 by Bram Stoker and later on made into a film by Francis Ford Coppola. The first documents about Bran Castle date back from 1377. Along the ages, the Castle had a strategic position on the border between Transylvania and Wallachia. First it was under the rule of  Sigismund of Luxemburg, then it was owned by the Romanian rulers Mircea the Elder and Vlad the Impaler and later on it came under the jurisdiction of the City of Brasov. In the 20th century the castle was donated to the Romanian royal family and became a royal summer residence. The castle museum preserves the furniture and objects from that period.

Leaving Bran Village and going towards Sighisoara, the road will pass through beautiful German villages and one can admire their architecture and also a couple of citadels and churches which can be seen from the road.

We will have a  stop in Viscri Village, one of the most visited villages of Romania. It’s been like this since Prince Charles of Wales had discovered this amazing location, a fairy tale from the forgotten medieval times. 

Our next stop is Sighisoara, a medieval city and fortress. In 1431, in the house at Museum Square 6, within the shadow of the old town`s Clock Tower, a women whose name is lost to posterity gave birth to a son called Vlad, who in later life earned the title The Impaler, abroad better known as Dracula, derived from Dracul or “the Devil” referring to his father Vlad Dracul, whom the Holy Roman Emperor Sigismund of Hungary made a knight of the order of The Dragon in 1431. The Clock Tower, the Church on the Hill, the Scholars Stairs, The Monastery Church, the towers of the citadel (originally fourteen), The Shoemaker’s Town, the Tailors Tower, the Tinsmiths Tower are only a few of the marvels of this place called Sighisoara.

Overnight in Sighisoara – a charming little medieval town.

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Day 6:- Sighisoara- Red Lake – Bicaz Gorge – Gura Humorului

Leaving Sighisoara in the morning we pass through the area inhabited mostly by the Hungarian Szeklers community, which actively maintains its distinct culture and even script. Travelling north through Transylvania Region into Bukovina Region and cross the foothills of the Carpathians Mountains, you arrive in the picturesque small town. On the way we will make some interesting photo stops. The highlight of the day is the Bicaz Gorges, where you can take a short walk for photos and the Red Lake which was formed by a mountain sliding in the 1830s. Afternoon arrival to Sighisoara – World Heritage Site and the only still inhabited medieval citadel in Europe.

Overnight in Gura Humorului or Voronet Village

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Day 7: Painted Churches Tour of Bukovina Region

Today we take a leisure tour of Painted Churches of Bukovina. We will visit three of the most famous painted Monasteries of Bukovina, some of them listed in UNESCO world Heritage.

The day tour of painted churches of Bucovina can start with a memorable visit of Voronet Monastery unique in the world, and considered the “Sistine Chapel of Orient”. It is famous for its exterior frescoes having a lots of symbols but mainly for its striking blue of Voronet that is matching the sky. Your local guide will take a detailed tour of Voronet Monastery.

Overnight in Gura Humorului or Voronet Village

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Day 8: Gura Humorului- Maramures Region

Today the journey is long and beautiful. We leave Bucovina and head to the remote region of Maramures (The Land of Wood). Crossing the Eastern Carpathian Mountains through Rodnei National Park, you will discover a mysterious realm, the same one described in Bram Stoker’s Dracula.  Reaching Maramures region will visit Barsana Monastery, one of the highest wooden churches in the world with splendid gardens.

Overnight in one of Maramures Village – local guesthouse.

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Day 9: Maramures day tour

In the morning we meet the local farmers who sell their products at the vegetable market in Sighetu Marmatiei. We continue our Maramures day tour, with Sapinta Village, famous in the whole world for “The Merry Cemetery”. Ancient beliefs viewed death as a beginning, not as an end, and this faith is reflected in the carvings in the town’s unique Merry Cemetery. Blue wooden crosses feature a carved scene and humorous epitaphs that endeavor to capture essential elements – both the good and the imperfections – of the deceased’s life. Next on our list is the small town of Sighetu Marmatiei, where we stop at the “Memorial to the victims of Communism ”, located in the building of the former Sighet Prison used by the communist regime to silence its opponents, in the 50’s. Meet a Romanian family in their home for traditional lunch and take a stroll in the village of Breb to discover it`s hidden treasures. You’ll visit a local distillery, used by the locals to prepare tuica or palinca, a sort of plum brandy. Not far from the distillery, you’ll see how the locals are washing their carpets in the way they did 200 years ago. You’ll continue your walking tour on the streets of the village admiring the wooden gates, the wooden houses, the local architecture and the locals. 

Overnight in one of Maramures villages- local guesthouse.

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Day 10: Maramures Region to Cluj

Reaching Cluj area we can visit Turda Salt Mine, a real history museum of salt exploitation. Discovered first by the Romans, the Turda Salt Mine became an important exploitation center during the Habsburg’s control of Transylvania. We continue our day enjoying a relaxing walking tour of Sibiu`s Old District.

Once we reach Cluj-Napoca, we visit the best tourist attractions of the second most populous city in Romania and a very important University Town in Transylvania. The tour starts with a visit of Saint Michael Church – one of the most beautiful gothic monuments from Transylvania. Next is the Franciscan Monastery, Orthodox Cathedral, Piarist Church, Orthodox Church on The Hill, Unitarian Church, Matei Corvin House, National Art Museum Francisc Obelisk Ethnographic Museum of Transylvania  Babes-Bolyai University  National Theatre and Romanian Opera

Overnight in Cluj- Napoca

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Day 11: Cluj Napoca – Rimetea Village – Alba Iulia – Sibiu

Leaving Cluj in the morning, we will stop for a nice walk in Rimetea Village. Rimetea village is a former mining town, located at the foothills of  Rock of  Szekelrs Mountain. In 1999, the village was given the Europa Nostra award. The next important stop of the day is Alba Iulia Fortress. Having its origins back in the 2nd century from Roman time, the city of Alba Iulia offers a journey through the history of Transylvania from ancient times to medieval and modern days. We’ll visit the ruins of the Roman town, the medieval fortifications, the modern fortifications made in Vauban style, the Catholic Cathedral – the oldest from Transylvania and the Reunion Cathedral which commemorates the Union of all Romanian provinces in a single country.

Overnight in Sibiu 3*

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Day 12: Sibiu sightseeing tour and Transfagarasan Scenic Road- Bucharest

Sibiu is one of the most important fortified towns in Transylvania. The city is reminiscent of old European cities such as Nurnberg and it was founded in 1190 and grew to be the chief city of the Transylvanian Saxons. This amazing place, with the “Old Town” (The Big Square, the Small Square, the Ursuline Church, The Franciscan Church, The staircase Tower, the Tanners Tower, the Liar’s Bridge , the House of the Butcher’s Guild and last but not least with the amazing Bruckenthal Museum) is a gorgeous place to see. END OF TOUR SERVICES.