11-day Private Tour Of Romania From Budapest To Bucharest

Itinerary

Day 1: To Timisoara

Stop At: Timisoara, Timisoara, Timis County, Western Romania, Transylvania
Start your Romanian journey from Budapest, the capital of the neighboring country (Hungary). Make your way across the border and into the city of Timisoara, where the spark of the Romanian anti-communist revolution was ignited in 1989. Ease your transition into Romania, by absorbing the feel of the Habsburg looking palaces that border the central walk of the West-most major city in the country. Settled in the middle ages, it changed hands between Hungary, the Ottomans and the Austro-Hungarian empire, before becoming, in 1884, the first city with electrified street lighting in Europe, and its 2021 capital of culture.
Duration: 2 hours

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: 4-Star Hotel Old Town de Savoya

Day 2: To Sibiu

Stop At: Castelul Corvinilor, Strada Castelului 1-3, Hunedoara 331141 Romania
Today, we change style and move on to the Gothic, by visiting Hunyadi castle, one of Europe's largest and best examples of this architectural style. This 14th century giant was featured in various movies, television shows and video games over the past decade.
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes

Stop At: Calnic Fortress, Calnic Romania
Continue with the 13th century citadel of Calnic, built as a reaction of the local count after the Mongolian invasion. After the locals bought it, they added the church to the compound and strengthened its defenses. These changes were so typically South-Transylvanian, that UNESCO was prompted to add the site to their list.
Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Sibiu, Sibiu, Sibiu County, Central Romania, Transylvania
Reach Sibiu in the afternoon. The streets of this German-looking town meet in the central squares, under the watchful "eyes" of the roof dormers. Despite its day-time tranquil feel, in the evening it becomes the host of numerous cultural events and festivals, especially since 2007, when it was the European capital of culture.
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: 4-Star Art Hotel

Day 3: To Cluj Napoca

Stop At: Sibiu, Sibiu, Sibiu County, Central Romania, Transylvania
Before leaving Sibiu, take a stroll through the bustling old market where the locals sell their produce every morning.
Duration: 20 minutes

Stop At: Citadel of Alba Iulia, Calea Motilor, nr. 5A, Alba Iulia 510134 Romania
As you advance further into the land, you discover Alba Iulia; ex-capital of Transylvania, surrounded by an impressive and wonderfully restored 18th century Vauban (star-shaped) fortification. This is where, a hundred years ago, Romanians from all across the country celebrated the union with Transylvania, in the purpose-built complex. Along with the thousand-year old Catholic cathedral and the Roman ruins, it provides the perfect background for the frequently performed battle reenactments.
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes

Stop At: Cluj-Napoca, Cluj-Napoca, Cluj County, Northwest Romania, Transylvania
Continue North, to Cluj. The second largest city in the country is rapidly becoming known as "the Silicon Valley of Europe". Get to know this vibrant cosmopolitan city, by walking along its pedestrian quarters, central park and wide squares.
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: 4-Star Beyfin Hotel

Day 4: To Maramures

Stop At: Manastirea Sfanta Ana, Aleea Manastirii 18, Rohia 435612 Romania
The region of Maramures, isolated by two mountain ranges, kept close ties with its customs, thus preserving more than anywhere in the country the habit of wearing the traditional clothes, especially on holidays and while going to church. Short stop in Rohia, at a monastic establishment that gradually developed in the 20th century, by offering shelter from communist oppression to several religious and philosophical figures of the time.
Duration: 45 minutes

Stop At: Vadu Izei, Vadu Izei, Maramures County, Northwest Romania, Transylvania
Enjoy a copious authentic Maramures lunch, in the house of the former local cultural promoter, now a good friend of ours.
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes

Stop At: Memorial of the Victims of Communism and of the Resistance, Str. Corneliu Coposu No. 4, Sighetu Marmatiei 435500 Romania
The nearby town of Sighet hosts a former communist prison, now a museum, where the country's previous political elite used to be locked away during the 50’s and early 60's.
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes

Stop At: Merry Cemetery, Sapanta 437305 Romania
Then, hug the Romanian Northern border to the colorful and unique Merry Cemetery, where the life story of the deceased is reflected on their wooden crosses in meaningful and sometimes even hilarious hand-carved images and poems.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Sapanta-Peri Monastery, Sapanta Romania
En route to your cozy accommodation, get a glimpse of the tallest wooden church in the world, Peri (UNESCO).
Duration: 15 minutes

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
Accommodation included: 4-Star La Conacul Vesel Hotel

Day 5: To Bistrita

Stop At: Maramures County, Maramures County, Northwest Romania, Transylvania
In Maramures, elaborately carved timber is still heavily used for buildings and, especially, for intricate gates. All the communities of the region have their respective wooden churches. In an out of the way village, visit one of them, not in use anymore (so you can explore all the nooks and crannies). Due to its location, it is virtually unknown, even though the almost 300 year old interior naïf painting is still incredibly vivid.
Duration: 45 minutes

Stop At: Barsana Monastery, Kloster, Barsana 437035 Romania
A few villages away, in an idyllic valley, lies the breathtaking complex of Barsana convent, a great recent example of the style. The pointy steepeled wooden church, of impressive height, watches over the occasional nun, leaning over the colorful flower beds, always kept in perfect order.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Bistrita, Bistrita, Bistrita-Nasaud County, Northwest Romania, Transylvania
Leave the enchanted land of Maramures behind, going through villages, following rivers and crossing hay-stacked valleys, surrounded by mountains. End the day in the town of Bistrita, with a walk through its small but pretty pedestrian center.
Duration: 1 hour

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: 4-Star Coroana de Aur Hotel

Day 6: To Bucovina

Stop At: Letitia Orsivschi's Egg Museum, European Road E571 Vama village, Suceava Romania
After another scenic crossing of the Carpathians, that meets all the stereotypes of the Swiss Alps except the yodeling, venture into Bucovina, a region known for its UNESCO protected exterior painted churches. First visit the most representative museum of the long lasting local tradition of egg painting.
Duration: 45 minutes

Stop At: Moldovita Monastery, Vatra Moldovitei 727595 Romania
Then delve into the world of Byzantine artwork. The church of Moldovita is one of three key examples of this style, which makes Bucovina, a once remote area, one of the most unique and desired art destinations of Eastern Europe.
Duration: 45 minutes

Stop At: Sucevita Monastery, Dn17a 169, Sucevita 727510 Romania
A short distance away, the heavy walls of Sucevita convent hide the largest and most recent (late 16th century) of the UNESCO protected painted churches. The themes of the scenes depicted on its walls vary considerably from its earlier counterparts. In the early evening, reach the town of Gura Humorului.
Duration: 45 minutes

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: 4-Star Vila Boem

Day 7: to Borzont

Stop At: Manastirea Voronet, Strada Voronet 166, Voronet 725301 Romania
The 15th century church of Voronet sports its world famous vibrant blue (applied on its exterior walls), which has baffled scientists until recently with its formula that allowed it to withstand the ravages of time almost unchanged.
Duration: 45 minutes

Stop At: Cetatea Neamt, Targu Neamt Romania
Southward, in the county of Neamt, visit two other of Moldova's iconic spots. First, take a short hike up the steep hill crowned by one of Moldova's most strategic fortresses, the reputation of which has inspired generations of writers. Access is still done over a long draw bridge, almost 30 feet into the air.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Agapia Monastery, Dn15f Romania
Then, in the populous convent of Agapia, the nuns are dividing their time between carpet weaving and worshiping in a centuries old church, decorated by the most prominent Romanian painter. In his early 20's he set off to break the Orthodox Church's custom of using the Byzantine style for its vaulted frescoes.
Duration: 45 minutes

Stop At: Bicaz Canyon, Dn12c, Lacu Rosu 535502 Romania
Venturing through one of the Carpathian's narrowest and most scenic gorges, exit the historical province of Moldova and head back into Transylvania.
Duration: 30 minutes

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Horvath Kerth Panzio Agro-touristic gueshouse

Day 8: To Brasov

Stop At: Sighisoara Historic Center, Piata Cetatii Nr.1 Center of Sighisoara, Sighisoara 545400 Romania
After a night in a rural setting, head for the citadel of Sighisoara, a UNESCO site, a place so medievally correct that you could believe you've stepped back in time. You may still walk the cobbled streets and marvel at the defense towers. On one of them, the bullet marks from the last siege of the city are still visible. The real Dracula was born in Sighisoara in 1431 - the house is still well maintained.
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes

Stop At: Brasov Historical Center, Piazza Sfatului, Brasov Romania
Carry on to the walled city of Brasov; you will walk through the streets of the Medieval old town and be dwarfed by its majestic 14th century Gothic cathedral. In the evening, have your pick among the local restaurants whose cuisine reflects the ethnic melting pot of the region.
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: 4-Star Casa Cranta

Day 9: To Bucharest

Stop At: Bran Castle (Dracula's Castle), Str. General Traian Mosoiu nr. 24, Bran 507025 Romania
Morning stop on the former Wallachian - Transylvanian border, protected by Bran Castle and find out about its true histories and Dracula legends.
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes

Stop At: Peles Castle, Str. Pelesului 2, Sinaia 106100 Romania
Then, passing through the ski resorts of the Southern Carpathians, you'll stop and visit Peles Castle, one of the most astonishing royal residences of Europe. The castle was built and expanded over a large period of 39 years by the first (and most important) king of Romania, transforming the city of Sinaia into an unofficial capital of the country. After being seized by the communist government, it wasn't looted, but was opened for visitation, for a while, to the members of the proletariat and used as a propaganda tool against the monarchy. Then it was turned into a "holiday house" for the writers that produced the right kind of politicized literature. In 2007 it was returned to the family of the former monarch, and, perfectly preserved as it is, was open, once again, for tourist visitation.
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes

Stop At: Bucharest, Bucharest
Finish the day in Romania's capital, Bucharest.
Duration: 30 minutes

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: 4-Star Hotel Berthlot

Day 10: Bucharest

Stop At: Palace of Parliament, Strada Izvor 2-4, Bucharest 050711 Romania
Along with your tour guide, you will discover Bucharest's wide squares and avenues, bordered by 19th century art nouveau French-inspired architecture, which during the age earned the city the nickname "Little Paris". The political struggles of the last century have changed the city landscape, leaving behind a remarkable diversity, ranging from the palaces and concert halls of old to the worker neighborhoods and megalomaniacal projects of the communist decades, who's ultimate expression is the largest parliament building in the world. The colorful pedestrian Old Town offers a variety of choices for a leisurely evening, with its beehive of activity around its restaurants, bars and coffee shops.As part of the city tour, you will get to visit the main attractions, like The Palace of the Parliament, the second-largest administrative building of the world.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Romanian Athenaeum (Ateneul Roman), Str. Franklin 1, Bucharest Romania
Romanian Athenaeum, the most important concert hall of Romania, host of the annual George Enescu Festival, each September.
Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Muzeul National al Satului "Dimitrie Gusti", Kiseleff Road 28-30 In King Michael I Park, Bucharest 011347 Romania
The Village Museum, an impressive and comprehensive open-air collection of traditionally built homes (more than a hundred), churches, and so on. Visitors may enter some of them and admire the items inside.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Bucharest, Bucharest
A short stop in a typical (Communist era) neighborhood. Find details about life in those years.
Duration: 30 minutes

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: 4-Star Berthlot Hotel

Day 11: Departure

Stop At: Bucharest, Bucharest
Private chauffeured transfer from the airport to your downtown hotel.
Duration: 45 minutes

Meals included:
• Breakfast
No accommodation included on this day.