2024 EARLY BOOKING RATES
"DISCOVER ROMANIA" TOUR
AN EIGHT-DAY COMPLETE BUDGET TOUR OF ROMANIA INCLUDING VIBRANT BUCHAREST, SUPERB BUCOVINA & MARAMURES, AS WELL AS THE TRANSYLVANIAN COUNTRYSIDE & FAMOUS CASTLES.
DAILY, GUARANTEED DEPARTURES.
Day 1:
Bucharest Arrival & TransferArrival to Bucharest Coanda Airport, meet and greet by your tour guide / airport assistant (to wait with a name sign right after you exit Customs). Transfer to Bucharest. Hotel check in with the evening at leisure.
T Accommodation in Bucharest at Hotel Berthelot **** (or similar)
Day 2:
Bucharest City Tour – Drive to Bucovina
Hot and cold buffet breakfast at hotel. Take a city tour of Bucharest with the Revolution Square and former royal palace, Cotroceni Quarter for its representative architectur and the main avenues. Take a guided tour of the Palace of the Parliament. Then leave Bucharest for a drive north, via the Moldavian countryside, to Bucovina. In the town of Campulung enjoy an exclusively organized egg-painting demonstration by a local artist in her home, this being one of the main local traditions of the area. You will also have the chance to admire painted eggs from all over the world in an unique private collection. After arriving in Gura Humorului, check into the hotel. Evening at leisure.
B Accommodation in Gura Humorului at Hotel Simeria Class *** (two nights)
Hot and cold buffet breakfast at hotel. Take a city tour of Bucharest with the Revolution Square and former royal palace, Cotroceni Quarter for its representative architectur and the main avenues. Take a guided tour of the Palace of the Parliament. Then leave Bucharest for a drive north, via the Moldavian countryside, to Bucovina. In the town of Campulung enjoy an exclusively organized egg-painting demonstration by a local artist in her home, this being one of the main local traditions of the area. You will also have the chance to admire painted eggs from all over the world in an unique private collection. After arriving in Gura Humorului, check into the hotel. Evening at leisure.
B Accommodation in Gura Humorului at Hotel Simeria Class *** (two nights)
Day 3:
Bucovina Painted Monasteries Excursion (UNESCO World Heritage Sites)
A la carte breakfast at hotel. Bucovina monasteries are gems of medieval Moldavian architecture and artistry. Begin your day with Voronet, the most famous out of all, known as the Sistine Chapel of the East and featuring one the best preserved Last Judgment fresco in this part of the World. Next is Moldovita Monastery where the UNESCO Golden Apple Award given to the painted churches in 1975, is kept. Later continue to the nearby Sucevita Monastery, which is the largest of all, looking more like a mighty fortress than a monastery. The Ladder of John of Sinai is considered one of the best of the frescoes of Sucevita, rarely present in medieval Romanian art. Visit the small museum of this monastery displaying some of the most valuable old Bibles in the country. In the village of Marginea visit the black pottery workshop - they use a technique called "oxygen reduction", there is the same technique in Mexico only! Return to the hotel with the evening at leisure.
B Accommodation in Gura Humorului
Day 4:
Maramures including Bogdan Voda and Iza Valley - Sighetul Marmatiei - The Merry Cemetery - Home Hosted Dinner
After breakfast depart early. Journey west over the picturesque Oriental Carpathians and reach the splendid region of Maramures (northern Transylvania). Due to the relative isolation of their land, the people of Maramures developed a particularly strong community, with a unique personality, traditions, culture and lifestyle unspoiled for centuries. It is like a trip back in time. The first visit on the Iza Valley is in the village of Dragomiresti at a unique, 235 year old original complete household. Then visit the wooden church of Bogdan Voda (UNESCO World Heritage Site) and one of the oldest in the area. Stop in the village of Barsana for an exclusive visit to the workshop of Tthe late Toader Barsan, a famous master carver. He represented Romania in the 1999 Smithsonian World Festival in Washington, DC. Tour the famous Merry Cemetery in the village of Sapinta. Later, make a quick stop to the exquisite Barsana Monastery, a great example of Maramures wooden church architecture. In the town of Sighet visit the Anti Communist Memorial, a political prison in Communist times and along with Auschwitz and the Normandy Memorial, one of the three main sites of this type on the continent. Enjoy a home hosted accommodation in the village of Iza (modern villa with all facilities) as well as a home hosted dinner where our hosts will join.
B D Home stay accommodation
Day 5:
Maramures – Cluj Napoca - Turda Salt Mines - Sibiu
After breakfast, leave early to drive south via the picturesque Northern Transylvania to Cluj Napoca, the former capital of Transylvania and one of the important university centers of the country. The panoramic city tour will include St Michael’s Cathedral, the Fellner & Helmer Opera House as well as the City Hall and Old Center. Continue your Romania private tour with a visit of the impressive Turda Salt Mines, recently re-opened to all modern facilities. Late afternoon arrival to Sibiu, the chief city of the Transylvanian Saxons. Take a brief orientation tour on the way to the hotel. Dinner on own. Suggested is Crama Sibiul Vechi, best cellar - restaurants in town, serving Transylvanian fares.
B Accommodation in Sibiu at Hotel MyContinental *** (or similar)
Day 6:
Sibiu Walking Tour – Biertan (UNESCO Site) - Exclusive Gypsy Home Visit & Interaction - Tour of Sighisoara
Hot and cold buffet breakfast at hotel. Start your day with a guided walking tour of Old Town Sibiu, the chief city of the Transylvanian Germans. The Great & Lesser Squares are listed by UNESCO. Aside from the famous Liars' Bridge and Passage of Stairs, the 1811 Baroque Brukenthal Palace is a major landmark. Drive to Sighisoara via fortified church of Biertan, a World Heritage Site and tour the former Seat of the Lutheran Bishops. Next is an exclusive visit to a Gypsy village followed by a Gypsy home visit: this is an unique opportunity to learn about this less known yet controversial ethnic group, about its identity and lifestyle. Sighisoara was developed by the German settlers as of late 12th century. It stands on a network of tunnels and catacombs and, according to one version of the myth; this is where the Pied Piper brought the children of Hamelin after their ungrateful parents refused to pay him his due. Your walking tour includes the two squares of the Citadel (Upper Town), the Scholars' Staircase, the House with Antler, the Tower with Clock (climb up for a great view), the Torture Chamber and the Weapon Museum. Sighisoara is the place where the Vlad the Impaler Dracula was born in 1431. The Birthplace is one of the main tourist attractions. The rest of the day is at leisure in the lovely Upper Town.
B Accommodation in Sighisoara at Hotel House with Antler *** (or similar)
Day 7:
Sighisoara - The Saxon Village Trail - Dracula's Castle in Bran - Brasov Tour & Evening at Leisure
Hot and cold buffet breakfast at hotel. Leave Sighisoara in the morning with a drive through the picturesque Transylvanian Plateau and its old Saxon villages for a tour of Bran Castle also known as Dracula Castle. The castle was built in 1377 to safeguard the trading route between Transylvania and Wallachia, enlarged and restored a few times to eventully become a royal residence in the 1920s. Enjoy cheese sampling on the premises. The remainder of the day is spent in Brasov, another of the important Saxon town with a rich architectural heritage. The tour will reveal the Old Town, with a view of the late Gothic Black Church, Council Square, Catherine’s Gate, the Guild Towers, a drive through the Schei Quarter, the narrow Rope Street as well as a view of the impressive 1901 synagogue. Hotel check in with the remainder of the day in the lovely pedestrian area of the Old Town with its many restaurants and outdoor cafes.
B Accommodation in Brasov at Hotel Bella Muzica *** (or similar)
Day 8:
Sinaia & Peles Castle Tour– Bucharest Airport & DepartureHot and cold buffet breakfast at hotel. Morning scenic via the Carpathians to Sinaia. Named after St. Catherine Monastery on Mount Sinai, Sinaia became the unofficial capital of the Kingdom of Romania at the end of the 19th century. Orientation tour of the town, with a focus on the architecture, including a view of the famous Casino building, inspired by the one in Monte Carlo. Take a guided tour of the Peles Castle and Gardens, the residence of King Charles I of Romania and known as one of the most beautiful summer royal residences in Europe. End your Romania trip with a transfer to Bucharest Coanda Airport in time for your return flight (or transfer to your Bucharest hotel).
Note: This itinerary is further customizable.
Your Price Includes:
- 7 nights accommodation three- & four-star hotels and home stays
- fully insured sedan/minivan with climate control, for the entire distance
- fuel & parking fees included
- all sightseeing tours & cultural connections
- city tour of Bucharest including a guided tour of the Palace of the Parliament
- three informal talks on: Ceausescu and His Times, the Gypsies and Their Journey, Vlad III Dracula
- egg painting demonstration in Bucovina
- 8 meals: 7 breakfasts & 1 home hosted Maramures dinner
- a Tours of Romania professional English speaking guide (driving) to accompany you throughout
- guide's expenses
- airport transfer on arrival and drop-off on departure (if you depart in the afternoon of Day 8)
- cheese sampling in Bran village
- porterage (except for customs areas)
- VAT and local tax
- detailed map of Romania.
You'll visit 4 UNESCO World Heritage Sites:
- Bucovina Exterior Frescoed Monasteries
- Maramures Wooden Churches
- Historic Center of Sighisoara
- Biertan Fortified Church.
Not Included:
- other meals than stated
- admissions fees at sites and museums
- credit card fee of 2.5%
- gratuities of any kind.
A complete tour of Romania in 8 days. Tour Transylvania, Bucovina and Maramures at best rates.