Traditional Transylvania

Itinerary

1. Day 1 Arrival in Bucharest

   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.

   After your flight arrives at Bucharest's Henri Coanda Airport, we will have someone meet you at the airport and bring you to your accommodations. The duration of the drive is about 30 minutes.

   

   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

2. Day 2 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

   

   Taste Romania’s Food and Wine with an Expert

   Discover Romania’s super-tasty cuisine with one of our expert tour guides. You can take a slow walk through central Bucharest's boulevards and charming side streets to enjoy traditional food, pastries, and desserts while learning the stories behind them. If you prefer a more leisurely tour, you can join the Traditions in Bucharest tour, where you’ll have the chance to taste several types of traditional wines along with a cheese platter after a tour at the outdoor Village Museum.

   • Activity Level : Light
   • Duration : 5 hours

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

3. Day 3 Traveling to Brasov by Private Car / Arrival in Brasov

   

   A driver-guide will pick you up from your accommodation in Bucharest this morning and drive you to Brasov, the gateway to Transylvania. Without stops, the drive should take about 3 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.

   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.

   

   Brasov from Above

   Every visit to Brasov should include a cable car ride to Mt. Tampa, where superb views are just waiting to impress you. From your first moments in Brasov, you’re likely to notice the Hollywood-like “BRASOV” sign high above the city on Tampa Mountain. You can take the cable car or enjoy an hour-long hike to the top. The walk is not challenging, but there are enough rocks underfoot along the way to warrant wearing comfortable shoes. Just next to the big letters, there’s a platform from where you can have the best panoramic view of the city. From here, you’ll fall in love with Brasov. 

   Suggestion to explore on your own

4. Day 4 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

   

   Taste the Local Wines

   Romania has a lot to offer in terms of gastronomy. We recommend a private trip to the winery in Azuga to taste some of the finest sparkling wines in Romania.

   • Activity Level : Easy
   • Duration : 4 hours

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

5. Day 5 Traveling to Sibiu by Private Car / Arrival in Sibiu

   

   A private driver will pick you up from your accommodations to drive you across Transylvania to the idyllic city of Sibiu. Along the way you will stop in one of the gems of Transylvania, Sighisoara, which is the birthplace of Dracula, where you will have 2 hours to explore the town on your own or to have lunch. The journey takes about 6 hours with a stop at Sighisoara. We can arrange a guided tour in Sighisoara for an extra fee.

   Did you know that Sibiu is a 3* Michelin travel destination? Did you know that it was a European Capital of Culture in 2007 and the European Region of Gastronomy in 2019? We invite you to join us and discover an amazing town with so many stories! Walking through Sibiu is like walking through a fairytale, or perhaps a medieval movie set. From the 16th century Bridge of Lies to the 15th century towers, you’ll find something romantically ancient at every turn. But that doesn’t mean the city is frozen in time, there’s also a rich cultural life here to match the incredible architecture. You’ll have a fantastic time watching history come alive in Sibiu, even as you experience its more contemporary charms. This is a city of firsts: where the first book in Romanian was printed, where Romania’s first hospital and pharmacy were opened, and also where the country’s oldest museum is housed, the Brukenthal Art museum. You’ll be charmed by this mix of old and new. You’ll certainly want to meet with our local guide, who can give you a closer look at all the most amazing sites in the city, including the main square, one of the best-preserved in Transylvania. But you won’t be limited to staying within city limits, as there are several interesting day trips to take in the surrounding region. The Jidvei Vineyard in the nearby Tarnave Valley is the perfect place to enjoy a tasting of some of excellent Romanian wines and snacks. Calnic, Sebes and Alba Iulia Citadel are also nearby sites that are certainly worth visiting, and will show you a different side of this enchanting region.

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

   

   The First Night

   Head to the Council Tower for a panoramic view of the Old Town. This area between Piata Mica ("The Little Square") and Piata Mare ("The Grand Square") is where some of the city's finest restaurants and bars can be found. Before dinner, we suggest a very short walk towards the Evangelical Cathedral and up to Café Wien, where you can taste something truly unique: “smoked beer” made by monks. If you prefer wine over beer, there is a super cozy place called Winekeller, just on the other side of the cathedral. As for dinner, there are at least two good traditional restaurants in the nearby Piata Mica: the Kulinarium or Crama Sibiana. Don’t forget to end the evening with some nice photos while standing on the Bridge of Lies, an iconic spot in Sibiu.

   Suggestion to explore on your own

6. Day 6 Your First Full Day in Sibiu

   

   Sibiu Private Walking & Corvin Castle Tour

   Take a walking tour in Sibiu, a multicultural gem of Romania and a place where for 800 hundred years Romanians, Hungarians and Saxons lived together. The highly preserved and restored Old Town looks like medieval Vienna but with unique Latin and Magyar influences. For the second part of the tour your guide will drive you to Corvin – the castle of the Ravens. This 16th century giant is the most beautiful medieval castle in Romania and was listed by the Germans in top 10 castles of Europe. 

   • Activity Level : Moderate
   • Duration : 8-9 hours

   Included in your vacation package price

7. Day 7 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. There are two distinct routes to Bucharest and as you are traveling between July and October you should absolutely take the longer route (providing you don't suffer from motion sickness!), the twisting and turning Transfagarasan or Ceausescu's Folly. Leave early and make a day of it, for along the route there is a must-see stop: the Balea Glacial Lake, an ideal place to stop for a bite at the chalet overlooking the late and mountains and affording the best views of the winding Transfagarasan road from above. The drive takes about 8 hours.

   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.

   To allow for any potential delays and to make sure you are at the airport in time for your flight, avoiding the likely traffic you could experience on the road from Bucharest's city center to the airport, we will arrange accommodation at a 4-star hotel close to the airport for your last night in Romania. Your driver will take you directly to the hotel.

8. Day 8 Departure Day

   The airport hotel you will be staying in provides a free shuttle at a preset time. The clerk at reception will advise you on the schedule.