From Budapest to Bucharest

Itinerary

1. Day 1 Arrival in Budapest

   The Paris of Central Europe, Budapest is the Queen of the Danube, a sprawling, regal city split in two halves by the mighty river. The city’s two UNESCO-listed halves, ancient Buda and modern Pest both have their charms and are linked by numerous picturesque bridges. From the Buda Castle to the Danube Embankment and the sprawling Andrassy Avenue, with its impressive architecture, there is plenty to keep you busy here, exploring and discovering this atmospheric city. It’s a little too big to explore only on foot, but the Pest side of the city is well laid out with broad avenues of the Parisian system, so it’s hard to get lost, and the public transportation, including the world's second oldest subway system, works well. Budapest has all the charm of Western Europe at a fraction of the price. Here you can taste excellent wines produced throughout the region, and even enjoy Michelin-star dining in various locations. We can offer you more than enough exciting activities in the city, from a visit to the incredible Parliament building to a boat cruise with dinner, or an exploration of Budapest’s communist past. The city also has a rich Jewish heritage, so you’ll find the perfect balance of history and modern culture here. Voted Best City in Europe in 2013 by Condé Nast Traveler readers and a regular in their top 3, Budapest really is a special city with activities to cater to every interest.

   When you arrive at Budapest’s Ferenc Liszt Airport, a private driver will greet you and take you to your centrally located accommodation.

   

   Evening Sightseeing Group Cruise

   You're invited for a panoramic boat ride at night, when the city will be beautifully lit up for your pleasure. Glass in hand, you will be able to experience how the legends of Budapest come alive. Look behind the walls of the Royal Palace, the Parliament, the bridges, and other splendid sights all bathed in light.

   • Activity Level : Easy
   • Duration : 1 hour

   Included in your vacation package price

2. Day 2 Your First Full Day in Budapest

   

   Pest Private Walking Tour

   When arriving at a new capital for the first time, it's best to have a knowledgeable local show you around. On this tour, an expert local guide will take you around the Pest side of Budapest, home to most of the city's landmarks and history, showing you not just the big-name sights, but introducing you into the everyday lives of the city's citizens.

   • Activity Level : Moderate
   • Duration : 3 hours

   Included in your vacation package price

   

   Walk on the Buda Side

   If you've seen enough of the Pest side of the city, walk across the river and explore the Buda side of Hungary's capital. In hilly Buda, you'll find several amazing baths, such as the famous Gellert Baths or the more hidden and local Kiraly Baths. Visit the Matthias Church, where Franz Joseph I and Elisabeth were coronated and stop at the Royal Palace, the home of Hungarian National Gallery. Don't forget to take a ride on the Buda Castle Funicular!

   • Activity Level : Moderate
   • Duration : 3 hours

   Please ask your travel advisor for the cost to add this to your package

3. Day 3 Your Second Full Day in Budapest

   

   Budapest Market, Food, and Coffee Private Tour

   One of the best - and definitely a must - tours in Budapest if you consider yourself a foodie or would just simply like to have some delicious Hungarian food. Your guide will show some truly amazing local places, such as the Great Market Hall, a Hungarian restaurant and of course a beautiful coffeeshop.

   • Activity Level : Moderate
   • Duration : 4 hours

   Included in your vacation package price

   Watch the video

   

   Bathe with the Locals

   Is there anything more quintessentially Budapest than a visit to one of the legendary baths? With more hot springs than any other capital, the city lets you take your pick of various styles, from the old school Turkish Rudas Baths to the Art Nouveau Gellert Baths on the Buda side of the city, or even the Neo-Baroque Szechenyi Baths with a large outdoor pool in Pest’s City Park. These are very much for locals, don't expect day-spa luxury! We've written a handy roundup of Budapest's best baths here.
   

   Suggestion to explore on your own

4. Day 4 Your Third Full Day in Budapest

   

   Had Enough of Budapest? See the Countryside!

   If you would like to surround yourself with art (and a surprising number of churches), head to the town of Szentendre. Sitting on the banks of the Danube, Szentendre is known for its artist's colony, which is reflected in its many galleries, museums, shops, and eclectic decor. We recommend visiting the Margit Kovacs Ceramic Museum, or one of the town’s marzipan museums. For an extra fee, we can add an hour in the Skanzen open-air ethnographic museum. After driving half an hour from Budapest, you’ll have four hours to spend taking in the narrow streets, steep steeples, and poking your head into the many shops, courtyards, and galleries.

   • Activity Level : Moderate
   • Duration : 4 hours

   Included in your vacation package price

   Watch the video

5. Day 5 Traveling to Sighisoara by Airplane / Arrival in Sighisoara

   

   You'll leave Budapest and head south by plane for just one hour, covering what would be an arduous full day journey by road. Your final destination is Sighisoara and you will fly into Targu Mures airport, a short drive from this magnificant medieval citadel town. Please note that there is a 1 hour time difference between Hungary and Romania.

   
   

   Suggested flight:

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   Arrival:

   
   

   Please note that the flight included in your package is non-refundable. In case you would prefer more flexibility, we can check the flexible fares for you and let you know about the price difference. In addition, the price of the flights is subject to change until we receive your deposit.

   Even if you’ve never been to Sighisoara, a UNESCO World Heritage site, you know its most famous resident. Vlad the Impaler, Dracula's inspiration, once called the city home, and there are several architectural monuments dedicated to him, including his house. But it’s not all gory history here. Sighisoara is a magical city with towers and cobblestoned streets that give it an atmosphere all its own. You’ll find perfectly preserved buildings and works of art here, and much to do, both in and around the city. Some of the most impressive sites in Sighisoara include the Citadel, the Clock Tower, and the Scholars’ Stairs, as well as the Church on the Hill, featuring 500-year-old frescoes. There are also several vibrant museums where history and culture will come alive. But you’re also not far from wine country when staying in Sighisoara, so we highly recommend getting out of the city for the day to enjoy a guided tasting tour. Many of the other cities and villages within easy driving distance are very much worth exploring. It’s the best way to get a real insight into the special charm of the entire region.

   Once you have landed at Targu Mures Airport our private driver will take you to Sighisoara. The drive is about one hour.

6. Day 6 Traveling to Brasov by Private Transfer / Arrival in Brasov

   

   Discover the Secrets of Medieval Sighisoara

   With its dazzling well-preserved medieval architecture, UNESCO-listed Sighisoara is one of Europe's most beautiful and authentic medieval towns. On this private walking tour, your guide will show you the symbols of the city such as the Clock Tower, Church on the Hill, Covered Stairway, guild towers, the house where Vlad the Impaler ("Dracula") was born, and many more.

   • Activity Level : Moderate
   • Duration : 2 hours 30 minutes

   Included in your vacation package price

   

   Your next stop is the shining gem of medieval Transylvanian towns, Brasov. You will be picked up at your accommodations in the morning by your private driver. Although Brasov is just over an hour and a half away a small detour will take you through the villages of Viscri and Saschiz, both villages with fortified churches and UNESCO World Heritage sites. In Viscri, Prince Charles purchased a traditional Saxon house which has been restored and functions as a guesthouse. For this transfer, you will be accompanied by an English-speaking guide. The journey takes about 4 hours and 30 minutes with stops at Viscri & Saschiz.

   Brasov is a city of true medieval beauty, at the edge of which is the natural wonder of the Carpathian Mountains. This combination gives the place a truly unique feel, as history and the natural world come together here with astounding brilliance. The home of Romania’s largest Gothic church and the narrowest street in Europe, there is plenty here to enrich your visit. You can even take a gondola ride high above the city for new points of view. And, Brasov’s location makes it the perfect base for exploring some of Romania’s most magnificent castles. You’ll definitely want to spend a few days exploring the city, which offers everything from incredible architecture to excellent dining, a rich cultural program and fun outdoor activities. Day and night you’ll find something fun to do here, from the depths of the narrow Rope Street to the heights of Mount Tampa. Wine lovers will really enjoy a trip to the Rhein wine cellar just outside of Brasov. Here you can learn more about the local wine and of course taste it too. Bran Castle, Rasnov Fortress, Peles Castle, some of Romania’s most impressive castles, are all within distance for a perfect day trip. History, culture, architecture, the great outdoors: Brasov brings all of Romania’s greatest gifts together in one place.

   Welcome to Brasov! After the drive, your driver will take you to your centrally located accommodation.

7. Day 7 Your First Full Day in Brasov

   

   Brasov and Bran Castle Private Walking Tour

   Enjoy a guided walking tour in Brasov while learning some general facts about the town itself and the Transylvania region. Start from Council Square, visit the Black Church, the largest Lutheran church in Southeastern Europe and then continue down on the narrowest street in Europe, called Rope Street. Next, there’s just a 30 minute drive to the famous Bran Castle – a place where the legend of Vlad Impaler meets the fiction of count Dracula. 

   • Activity Level : Moderate
   • Duration : 5-6 hours

   Included in your vacation package price

   

   Extra Stop at the Bear Sanctuary Private Tour

   Enjoy a private tour at a 160 acre park near Brasov, an oak and hazel forest inhabited by over 100 rehabilitated bears rescued from zoos, circuses, and private owners from around the world. This is a unique place: the walk in the nature, the landscape and the chance to see adorable bears from observation points may turn this tour into one of your trip's highlights, while your money will go to a good cause, as the sanctuary has been internationally recognized for its practices.

   • Activity Level : Light
   • Duration : 3 hours

   Please ask your travel advisor for the cost to add this to your package

8. Day 8 Traveling to Bucharest by Private Car / Arrival in Bucharest

   

   Today you're headed back to the capital, Bucharest. A private driver will pick you up from your accommodations in the morning. Without stops, the drive should take about three hours but close to Brasov you'll stop at Peles Royal Castle where you will have a guided tour inside. The transfer with a stop at Peles takes about 6 hours. The vehicle used for your transfer will be a standard sedan, station wagon, or minivan. We can arrange for an upgrade to a more luxurious class of vehicle for an extra fee.

   The capital of Romania, Bucharest is a truly intriguing city where modern sophistication meets a rich and varied history. The business center of the city definitely has a cosmopolitan feel, but farther afield Bucharest still feels a little rough around the edges. The restored Old Town with its resplendent buildings is simply magnificent, as is Nicolae Ceausescu’s Palace of Parliament. One of the world's largest buildings (and with all its marble, certainly the heaviest), we highly recommend a tour of its gilded interior. This "Paris of the East" also has some amazing cafes and delicious restaurants, especially near Lipscani Street. The city is no stranger to culture either, with numerous galleries, antique shops and concert halls. The most stunning landmarks are along Calea Victoriei, but you can see something impressive on just about every corner. After discovering the incredible variety of neighborhoods and architectural styles in the city, you might want to enjoy one of its cultural festivals, or take off for a unique day trip. If you’re ready for a full day, a trip to Transylvania including Peles Castle and Dracula’s Castle, will certainly be a memorable excursion, and very Romanian. We can also arrange for a private guide to show you around the city and the notable surroundings.

   Welcome to Bucharest! Our driver will take you to your centrally located accommodation.

   

   Dine and Drink on Your First Night

   For your first night, it’s best to start with a short walk in the Old Town area to see a glimpse of how Bucharest looked and felt at its zenith, specifically during the 19th century when it was nicknamed the “Paris of the East”. Seek out a traditional dinner at one of the city’s historical Old Town restaurants: Manuc Inn, Hanul Berarilor or Caru cu Bere. Make sure you don’t miss the bean soup in a bread bowl, cabbage rolls, or pork stew. Save some room for dessert: the best option is Papanasi, a pastry shaped like a doughnut with a small sphere on top, filled with soft cheese, and covered in sour cream and sour jam. After dinner, you should definitely enjoy a glass of Romanian wine at one of the many rooftop bars located in the Old Town: Linea Closer to the Moon, Nomad SkyBar, or Pura Vida SkyBar. You’re in a Latin country, so get out there and enjoy the cheerful and happy vibe!

   Suggestion to explore on your own

9. Day 9 Your First Full Day in Bucharest

   

   The Little Paris

   Bucharest is an eclectic city, a place of business, parties, arts, and contrasts. Nearly half a century of communist rule dramatically changed some aspects of the city, but traces of the old bohemian times can still be found. Discover the highlights of Bucharest on an amazing half-day guided tour, and marvel at the monuments of the historic city center. Some highlights of the tour include: the Romanian Athenaeum, Revolution Square, Old City with its beautiful 19th century buildings, and the Old Court from the times of Vlad the Impaler, the inspiration for Dracula. The tour will end with a visit inside the monumental Palace of Parliament, one of the world's largest buildings (and certainly the heaviest).
   

   • Activity Level : Moderate
   • Duration : 6 hours

   Included in your vacation package price

   Watch the video

   

   Traditions in Bucharest: Village Museum and Wine Tasting Private Tour

   Discover Bucharest’s Village Museum – a medieval time capsule at the heart of an urban jungle. This outdoor park is the perfect reconstruction of the authentic Romanian village: water mills, churches, log cabins or wine presses brought here decades ago from all across the country and re-assembled on spot. After learning about traditions and folklore it’s time to actually experience them. Literally. End the tour in style with a wine tasting session at Bucharest’s first reopened wine bar since the fall of communism in 1989.

   • Activity Level : Light
   • Duration : 5 hours

   Please ask your travel advisor for the cost to add this to your package

10. Day 10 Departure Day

    Today, a driver will pick you up at your accommodation and bring you to the Bucharest Henri Coanda Airport for your departing flight. The drive takes 40 minutes.