The Romanian Grand Tour

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.

   Our representative will then meet with you to answer any questions you have and to get you settled for the rest of your trip.

   

   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 Danube Delta by Private Transfer / Arrival in Danube Delta

   

   Today you'll be leaving the Romanian capital and heading for the Danube Delta, a natural reserve that's also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This paradise of fish and birds will delight nature lovers. This is a sightseeing trip, so first you'll stop in Constanta, where you can explore the city on your own or have a guided tour which we can arrange for an extra fee. The transfer with a stop in Constanta takes about 6 hours and 30 minutes.

   The location where the Danube river empties into the Black Sea, Romania's Danube Delta is one of the largest deltas in Europe and is certainly the most scenic and best-preserved. This is a paradise for nature lovers where you can enjoy fantastic views of wildlife, which have earned it a spot on the UNESCO World Heritage List and have made it one of Romania's leading natural attractions. A vast changing landscape of marshes and wetlands, the Danube Delta is home to some 360 species of birds and 160 types of fish. Whether you're a bird watcher, or you just want to escape the bustle of the city, this is a natural paradise. You'll find pristine beaches, incredible places to hike and also some of the best seafood in Romania. A visit here will give you a new point of view on the country and Europe at large.

   Your driver will bring you straight to your accommodation which will be your base to explore the Danube Delta.

   

   Feast on Fresh Fish & Seafood and Enjoy the Riverside Promenade

   If you stay in Tulcea, a small port town and gateway into the Delta, then on your first night out you can have a casual walk on the riverside promenade and have dinner at Ivan Pescar, the best fish & seafood restaurant in town. If you choose to stay at a resort in the heart of the Delta, you can enjoy dinner at your accommodation’s restaurant. For the latter, we recommend trying out traditional, local dishes like “storceag” (fish soup), carp stew, or fish meatballs.

   Suggestion to explore on your own

4. Day 4 Your First Full Day in Danube Delta

   

   Danube Delta & Letea Forest Private Day Trip (UNESCO Heritage)

   If you're a nature lover, then the Danube Delta certainly is one of the best places in Europe for you. A unique reservation of the biosphere, this is the largest Delta on the continent and the third largest biodiversity in the world. You’ll take a private boat tour and admire unique water channels, mangrove forests, water lilies, swans and many more natural wonders. You’ll have lunch in a traditional fishing village at a local guesthouse. In the second part of the day you’ll join a “safari-like” tour on Letea Island – a sandy oasis with wild horses, sand dunes but also an ancient oak forest.

   • Activity Level : Moderate
   • Duration : 11-12 hours

   Included in your vacation package price

   Watch the video

5. Day 5 Traveling to Brasov by Private Transfer / Arrival in Brasov

   

   This morning you'll depart Romania's coastal region and head deep inland, to the mountains and forests of Transylvania. We'll arrange for a driver to pick you up at your accommodation at the time of your choosing. It's around a six-hour drive so you'll want an early start. A stop at the impressive Peles Royal Castle can be added 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.

   

   Dine, Drink, and Watch

   For your first night, walk up to the Sub Tâmpa restaurant, located between Brasov's walls and Mt. Tampa, which is only a few minutes walk from Council Square. Here, in addition to great food, you can enjoy a splendid panoramic view of Brasov's Old Town and the fortress overlooking the city from the opposite side. After dinner, you can walk back to Old Town for a quick wine-tasting session at Le Sommelier win bar or Terroirs Boutique du Vin, both located on Diaconu Coresi Street. You should definitely try wines from local Feteasca Neagra grapes and neighboring wine regions such as Dealu Mare and Tarnava.

   Suggestion to explore on your own

6. Day 6 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

7. Day 7 Traveling to Gura Humorului by Private Transfer / Arrival in Gura Humorului

   

   Today you are leaving Brasov to enjoy the ride to the amazing region of Bucovina, which is famous for its untouched nature and UNESCO-listed painted monasteries. You will be going through the Carpathian Mountains and stopping at Red Lake and the Bicaz Gorge, the most breathtaking natural attraction in Romania, with tall rocky walls reaching 400 meters, that narrow up to 7 meters in its most spectacular part. The journey with a 2 hours stop at Red Lake and Bicaz Gorge takes about 8 hours.

   Bucovina is becoming rightfully famous for its eight UNESCO-listed painted monasteries, although there are more which have yet to be listed. With walls covered inside and out with colorful Byzantine-inspired religious frescoes, these temples clearly come from another time. Bucovina itself is a quaint, quiet off-the-beaten-path region, with great opportunities for hiking and biking. Alongside the natural scenery, you'll love exploring the unique houses and medieval streets. There are also numerous local artisans there, some offering workshops where you can get hands-on with traditional crafts, such as making black pottery, or painting eggs. Several interesting day trips are also possible from Bucovina, so you'll have no shortage of activities. This is a wonderful place to escape from the hustle and bustle of Romania's larger cities to get back to nature and the country's traditions.

   Your driver will bring you straight to your Bucovina accommodation.

   

   Spa and Dinner at a Cozy Guesthouse

   For your first evening in Gura Humorului village, we suggest some rest and relaxation at your accommodations after a long transfer. Our guest houses offer traditional dinners with local dishes and homemade drinks. Almost all of our stays also have a lounge and bar, spa center, and pool area where you can relax before or after touring the UNESCO-listed painted monasteries and the surrounding countryside.

   Suggestion to explore on your own

8. Day 8 Your First Full Day in Gura Humorului

   

   Classic Bucovina Private Tour (Painted Monasteries, Black Pottery and Egg Museum)

   The UNESCO-listed Painted Monasteries of Bucovina are one of the world’s greatest Byzantine art treasures. Built in the 15th and 16th centuries, these monasteries feature vibrantly painted exterior frescoes that depict scenes like “The Siege of Constantinople” and “The Last Judgment of Voronet,” which is known as Eastern Europe’s Sistine Chapel. On this tour you’ll visit four impressive monasteries and then you'll stop at the Vama Egg Museum and at Marginea to discover the art of painted eggs and black pottery, well-known local crafts that go back to times immemorial. 

   • Activity Level : Light
   • Duration : 8 hours

   Included in your vacation package price

9. Day 9 Traveling to Sighetu Marmatiei by Private Transfer / Arrival in Sighetu Marmatiei

   Today you'll be traveling to Maramures with your own private driver. You'll be picked up at your accommodation at the agreed-upon time. The trip takes nearly 7 hours, so we recommend bringing snacks and water and wearing comfortable clothing. Along the way there will be time to stop and photograph some amazing views. 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.

   Once in Sighetu Marmatiei, your private driver will bring you directly to your pre-booked, centrally located accommodations.

   

   Traditional Dinner & Live Folk Music in an Authentic Setting

   Maramures means traditions and customs so, for your first evening in the region, you should definitely try out the local cuisine, famous for traditional dishes based on old recipes. If you’re staying in Sighetu Marmatiei town, go for dinner at Casa Iurca and enjoy delicious dishes and traditional live music, all in an authentic decor. If you’re staying in the countryside at one of our selected guesthouses, then you’ll experience the charm and serenity of Maramures’ rural life firsthand. The guest houses also offer traditional dinners based on organic ingredients from their own gardens.

   Suggestion to explore on your own

10. Day 10 Your First Full Day in Sighetu Marmatiei

    

    Maramures Mountains Steam Train Ride

    On this excursion you'll enjoy a memorable train ride to the heart of the Maramureş Mountains. You'll ride Europe's last functional forestry train, powered by a steam locomotive built in 1932. The train departs at 9 AM and returns around 3 PM. It goes up to Paltin station, where a nice resting place has been arranged. During this trip you're invited to discover the wild, unaltered nature of the valley, have a picnic, and admire the view from the rock platform located nearby. Enjoy the ride!
    

    • Activity Level : Light
    • Duration : 9 hours

    Included in your vacation package price

11. Day 11 Traveling to Sighisoara by Private Transfer / Arrival in Sighisoara

    

    Today you'll be traveling to Sighisoara. Your driver will pick you up at your accommodation at the agreed-upon time. On the way you will visit the Turda Salt Mine, which is a unique experience you will enjoy. With over 2000 years of history and with highly preserved mining galleries & excavating tools, Salina Turda represents today one of the largest salt mine museums in the world. Currently, the site is a large underground wonderland with an amusement park nestled 120 meters below ground. The park contains attractions like: an underground lake that may be explored with paddles and row boats, a Ferris wheel, bowling alley, mini-golf, sport field, table tennis, pool tables. The transfer with a stop at Turda Salt Mine takes about 8 hours. This is a non-guided transfer. 

    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.

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

    

    A Good Start

    There's a lot to take in on your first night, so we suggest starting with a leisurely walk. Roam around Sighisoara's small streets and let its atmosphere soak in. At some point, you can have a quick stop at Medieval Café to try some of the best pies you've ever tasted and the famous local “smoked beer”. For dinner we recommend Casa Georgius Krauss, a gothic manor with a nice atmosphere and fantastic wines. If you'd rather focus on traditional cuisine, be sure to check out Gasthaus Altepost.

    Suggestion to explore on your own

12. Day 12 Traveling to Sibiu by Private Car / Arrival in Sibiu

    

    Sighisoara Medieval Private City Tour

    There’s no place like Sighisoara if you want to step back in time to the Middle-Ages, when the Transylvanian Saxons settled central Romania and when legendary princes like Vlad the Impaler made history in the battles against the Ottoman Empire. With its dazzlingly well-preserved medieval architecture and fortifications, Sighisoara is one of the most beautiful and authentic small medieval towns in Europe and part of the UNESCO World Heritage. Visit the Clock Tower, the Church on the Hill, the Covered Stairway, the 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 idyllic Transylvanian town of Sibiu. You will be picked up at your accommodations in the morning by your private driver. As a straight shot it's only one hour and 30 minutes, but to make the most of it, along the route you will stop to admire the Saxon villages known for their fortified churches and highlighted by Biertan. For this transfer, you will be accompanied by an English-speaking guide. The journey with a stop in Biertan takes about 5 hours 30 minutes.

    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

13. Day 13 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

14. Day 14 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.

15. Day 15 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.