10 days tour

Highlights Of Romania

$ 2,640 .00 USD

Total price per person

Reserve with $2,640.00

Highlights Of Romania

This tour includes:

Transport

For this trip, we use an air-conditioned private bus, the size of which will depend on the group size, with a local driver.

Meals

All breakfasts, five light lunches and five dinners are included. We indulge in fantastic home-cooked meals on this trip as we spend most nights staying with local families and in guesthouses. Breakfasts consist of homemade bread and cheeses plus a selection of locally sourced meats, salad and tea/coffee. The light lunches are prepared by guesthouses. Some days we have traditional vegetable soup for lunch with homemade crรจme fraiche and bread. Dinners are usually two or three courses, centred around pork or chicken. Lots of guesthouses will prepare sarmale cu mamaliguta, a traditional Romanian dish of minced pork wrapped in pickled cabbage leaves and served with polenta and a chilli. Itโ€™s not all about the food though; every household makes their own tuica (pronounced tsweeka), a spirit usually made from plums and flavoured with herbs from their garden or the surrounding area. This is usually drunk while being welcomed into the house and after dinner.

Accommodation

We stay in three-star hotels in the bigger cities. In the rural areas, we stay at family-run guesthouses. In some of the guesthouses, we sometimes have shared bathrooms (one bathroom for two rooms). In the smaller guesthouses, the rooms might be split over several guesthouses close to one another. Please note: The guesthouse on Day 2 and 3 does not have wifi.

Guide

Group normally 4 to 16, plus a local leader and driver. The local leader is with you from Day 1 until the evening of Day 9.

Not included:

Others

โ€” Travel Insurance โ€” Single accommodation (available on request) โ€” Visas or vaccinations

Start planning your experience

Itinerary of your trip Highlights Of Romania

  • Day 1 Day 1: Start Cluj-Napoca
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 1: Start Cluj-Napoca

      The trip starts in Cluj-Napoca. Depending on your arrival time, you may wish to explore one of the most beautiful and vibrant cities in Romania. During the dualist Austro-Hungarian period, Cluj experienced significant urban development with strong Western influences. This is visible in the city architecture, which is very different from Bucharest. Accommodation: Hotel

  • Day 2 Day 2: Travel North To The Maramures Region (Breakfast,Dinner)
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 2: Travel North To The Maramures Region (Breakfast,Dinner)

      This morning, we leave Cluj and head to Maramures. On our way, we stop for lunch in Breb, a village laid out in a natural amphitheatre. Itโ€™s surrounded by the Roosterโ€™s Ridge, the last (and most spectacular) remnant of a volcanic crater that erupted 9m years ago. In Breb, old traditions are highly respected and preserved, so a short stroll reveals beautiful wooden gates carved and decorated by local craftsmen and traditional old houses, one with links to King Charles III. In the afternoon, we visit Desesti Church, the only old wooden church on the Unesco World Heritage list that is still open for the religious services of the local communities. This evening, we stay at a guesthouse in the rural village of Botiza. Before we dine, we have a weaving demonstration from a local artisan. You may notice a few recurrent symbols, such as the rope of life, the sun, vegetal motifs and folk dances. All have a deeply symbolic for the villagers, representing daily chores, religion, ancestral beliefs and even death. Accommodation: Local guesthouse

  • Day 3 Day 3: Visit The Ancient Capital Of Maramures And Barsana Monastery (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 3: Visit The Ancient Capital Of Maramures And Barsana Monastery (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)

      We continue discovering the Maramures region, starting at the Merry Cemetery. Here, more than 800 beautifully carved wooden crosses displaying bright, cheery paintings and annotated with limericks reveal the stories of almost everyone who has died in the town of Sฤƒpรขnลฃa. We continue with the Memorial of the Communism victims in Sighetu Marmatiei, the ancient capital of Maramures. We visit a museum in a former political prison, which provides a sobering testimony of the dark years in Romania. This afternoon, we visit the incredible Barsana Monastery, one of the greatest masterpieces of Maramures crafts. Accommodation: Local guesthouse

  • Day 4 Day 4: Visit The Medieval Town Of Sighisoara (Breakfast,Lunch)
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 4: Visit The Medieval Town Of Sighisoara (Breakfast,Lunch)

      Before leaving Maramures, we have a last stop here to discover more of the local artisans. We then leave Maramures and head south to the medieval town on Sighisoara. Halfway, we stop in Transylvania โ€“ which has been nicknamed the new Tuscany โ€“ to delve into the local wine industry with a tasting. After, we continue our journey to Sighisoara. This medieval citadel, one of the best-preserved in Europe, will give you the feeling of travelling back in time, as you walk through the narrow, cobbled streets. This fortified town is characterised by the presence of towers that were formerly managed by the congregations of artisans; the Tailorโ€™s Tower is a real wonder of medieval architecture. Accommodation: Hotel

  • Day 5 Day 5: Discover Transylvania; Overnight In Sibiu (Breakfast,Lunch)
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 5: Discover Transylvania; Overnight In Sibiu (Breakfast,Lunch)

      Today we drive into the heart of Transylvania with its fortified churches. From the top of the towers, we have beautiful views of the countryside and colourful, traditional houses. We drive through the Unesco-listed Biertan, a Saxon village with a double-wall fortification. We enjoy lunch with a family. In the evening, we arrive in Sibiu, a medieval city outstandingly well preserved and restored. It was elected the European Capital of Culture in 2007, due to its unique architectural style and atmosphere. Accommodation: Hotel

  • Day 6 Day 6: Drive To Viscri Via Carta And Lisa (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 6: Drive To Viscri Via Carta And Lisa (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)

      We continue driving through the foot of the highest peaks in Romania, the Fagaras Mountains. On our way, we visit the impressive ruins of a centuries-old Franciscan monastery in Carta. We continue to the Valtori complex in the village of Lisa, a wool-processing workshop powered by hydraulic energy, a technique passed down for generations. At lunch, we will be delighted by a simple meal with a local family. In the evening, we arrive in the secluded village of Viscri. Our last activity of the day is visiting the tiny fortified church here, a pearl of Transylvania, which was restored with the help of The Princeโ€™s Foundation, founded by King Charles III. In your free time, you can also visit the property of the King, a traditional old house transformed into a museum. Accommodation: Local guesthouse

  • Day 7 Day 7: Walk Through Viscri; Continue To Brasov (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 7: Walk Through Viscri; Continue To Brasov (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)

      In the morning, we walk through the village, visiting a blacksmith along the way. Leaving Viscri, we go to Brasov. This city (Kronstadt in German) was founded in 1211 when Teutonic Knights were sent here by Andrew II of Hungary to fortify the border. The city has a rich Saxon, Hungarian and Romanian heritage, manifested in a lot of sights worth visiting: the White and the Black Towers, the Council House, St Nicholas Church, the first Romanian school, narrow streets and coloured houses, all very well preserved within the old city walls and towers. This evening, we stay in the small village of Magura and enjoy dinner at the local guesthouse where we also spend the night. Accommodation: Local guesthouse

  • Day 8 Day 8: Explore Draculaโ€™S Castle; Continue To Rasnov (Breakfast,Dinner)
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 8: Explore Draculaโ€™S Castle; Continue To Rasnov (Breakfast,Dinner)

      Today, we visit Bran Castle, better known as Draculaโ€™s Castle. For many years, it was home to Queen Marie of Romania, Queen Victoriaโ€™s granddaughter. We have a lunch of delicious traditional dishes in the yard of a fortified church and end the day with a great dinner and a campfire, if weather allows us. In the afternoon, we have free time to stroll Magura village with its amazing views. Optional: Those interested can do bear watching with specialised guides in bear hides. Available upon request at a separate cost. We can guarantee the availability only at the moment of the request, better to book before arrival in Romania. Accommodation: Local guesthouse

  • Day 9 Day 9: Arrive In Bucharest Stopping At Peles Castle En Route (Breakfast)
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 9: Arrive In Bucharest Stopping At Peles Castle En Route (Breakfast)

      Today we head to the capital of Romania, Bucharest. On our way, we stop at Peles Castle, the former residence of the Romanian royals and an architectural highlight. We then continue our drive to discover the Romanian capital. Sometimes known as the Paris of the East with a mix of 18th- and 19th-century buildings, socialist blocks and modern buildings. We will arrive in Bucharest in the middle of the afternoon, or a bit later according to the traffic into Bucharest. On the way to the hotel we will stop to see from outside the gigantic Palace of Parliament, the biggest administrative building in the world after the Pentagon. After checking in, we say goodbye to our local guide. For a deeper dip in the history of Bucharest booking post-tour accommodation is recommended. Accommodation: Hotel

  • Day 10 Day 10: End Bucharest (Breakfast)
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 10: End Bucharest (Breakfast)

      After breakfast, we begin our return journeys home. Alternatively, speak to your sales representative to add more nights to your trip and extend your time in Bucharest.

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Experience Style

Experience Style

Mixed

There will be challenging activities such as hiking, biking, canyoning and trekking, but youโ€™re also going to have other means of transportation and relaxed moments to just chill.

Accomodation level

Accomodation level

Medium

This accommodation includes essential services like a hot shower, electricity, and a nice and comfy bed.

Experience Type

Experience Type

Small Group

Youโ€™ll be accompanied by a small group of travelers just like you.

Physical Rating

Physical Rating

Average

There are several physical activities that last from 2 to 6 hours in easy terrains, low altitude flats, or water experiences. Please ask if youโ€™re not sure this applies to you.

Age range

Age range

Min: 16 / Max: 80

Age range allowed for this experience.

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