There is a local saying about our country that goes like this: “Romania starts where the asphalt ends.” During this trip you will discover the meaning of it, as you will travel to Bucovina and Transylvania, 2 of the most impressive regions of Romania to visit the famous UNESCO Monuments along with extraordinary cities. So, let the journey begin…

Duration

4 days

About

Day 1: BUCHAREST – GURA HUMORULUI (Bucovina – 441 km)

Pick up from your hotel at 08:00 am and drive North to Gura Humorului. So, prepare to leave behind the region of Wallachia and enter Bucovina, the land of the Beech trees, where you will admire typical mountain and countryside sceneries, meet warm people and feel the spiritualness of the places you will visit. This region is very famous thanks to the old painted monasteries which are part of UNESCO World Heritage. Dinner and accommodation in Gura Humorului.

Day 2: GURA HUMORULUI – PIATRA NEAMT (Moldova – 110 km)

Breakfast at hotel in Gura Humorului.

The day will start with the visit of Voronet Monastery, considered as an emblematic painted church with about 500 years old but well preserved frescoes and the inimitable “Voronet blue” in the composition of the paintings. Here you will find out interesting things about the Orthodoxism in Romania, religious traditions and believes all these through…pictures. Do not miss the famous fresco representing the “Doomsday”, which is unique in the world.

The next stop is in Sucevita where you will visit the largest painted convent, very similar to a fortress. You will see again outside painted frescoes which passed the time test. Here there are the best preserved paintings among the other painted monasteries from Bucovina.

Before heading to Piatra Neamt, visit Moldovita Monastery. You will admire the predominantly gold and deep blue paintings on the exterior walls which were completed in the XVIth century. The large Siege of Constantinople represents the highlight of the frescoes. Also do not miss the representation of the Tree of Jesse, illustrating Christ’s genealogy, a wide-spread iconographical theme in Europe during the Middle Ages. In the evening, arrive in Piatra Neamt for dinner and accommodation.

Day 3: PIATRA NEAMT – SIGHISOARA – BRASOV (Transylvania – 321 km)

Breakfast at the hotel in Piatra Neamt. Departure in the morning. Today you will enter the legendary land of Transylvania and visit the UNESCO sites located here. Head first to Sighisoara Medieval Citadel.

On the way you will admire stunning mountain sceneries as you will cross the Carpathians. You will pass several picturesque villages and find out the story of the Szekler minority in Romania, this area being famous for their culture and lifestyle. You will also admire Bicaz Gorge and the Red Lake, unique in Romania, thanks to the way it was formed.

Arrival in Sighisoara (UNESCO Heritage), the only medieval citadel in the Eastern part of Europe which is still inhabited. Here, time seems to run after other patterns. You will find out the story of the citadel, you will see the well preserved walls and towers of defense and admire the medieval houses aligned along narrow old streets. The highlights of the citadel are: the house where it is said that Vlad the Impaler (known as Dracula) was born, the Clock Tower (on the top of which you can take some beautiful panoramic pictures of the citadel), the Covered Stairs and the Evangelical Church. Lunch in Sighisoara.

In the afternoon, head to Viscri village, a medieval one which made Prince Charles of Wales to fall in love with Romania. Viscri is a Saxon settlement full of colour and history, with an authentic local touch and original conservation of the lifestyle. This medieval place was also included on the UNESCO World Heritage list. Here, you will walk on the old streets of the village admiring the genuine Saxon houses, you will get to know the original lifestyle of the people trying to keep alive the old and beautiful traditions, you will visit the Fortified Church, and depending on time, you will stop at a local coffee shop to taste traditional cakes and drinks homemade by the locals. We tried them, and we liked them! In the evening drive to Brasov for dinner and accommodation.

Day 4: BRASOV – PREJMER – SINAIA – BUCHAREST (Wallachia – 211 km )

Breakfast at hotel in Brasov. Brasov, Kronstadt (“the city of the crown”) under its German name, is considered to be one of the most beautiful cities in Romania. Here you will walk on the narrow and cobblestone streets of the old city center. You will see The Council Square, The Council Tower, The famous Black Church (the largest Gothic construction in Eastern part of Europe).

Leave Brasov and head to another UNESCO Monument, the Fortified Church of Prejmer. It is here, where you will find out more about the Saxons (Germans) who lived here starting with the X – XIth century. Their culture, life and traditions are very important for our country. Visiting the fortified church, you will understand why.

Now prepare to enter Wallachia, another historical region of Romania. You will stop in Sinaia, a very famous mountain resort known also as the “Pearl of the Carpathians”. You will visit here Peles Castle, the former summer residence for the first Royal couple of Romania, King Carol 1st and Queen Elisabeth. Considered one of the most beautiful castles in Europe, the construction is impressive thanks to the architectural style and decorations, but most of all thanks to the beautiful interior design (interesting mixture of cultures in terms of furniture, the specific touch of the King and Queen) and the modern facilities for the last half of the XIXth century (electricity, vacuum cleaner, electrical elevator and central heating). Here you will also find out the story of the Royal couples inRomania and their important influence in the history of our country. The visit lasts about 45 minutes after which you will spend some time in the beautiful gardens of the castle.

Arrival in Bucharest in the evening and drop off at the hotel.

What to Expect

• Private tour for a more personal and intimate experience. A chance to discover the real story behind Dracula - Bram Stoker's character.
• Fun, Friendly, Experienced Guide: Feel welcome, relaxed, and able to enjoy the tour to its fullest. Ask your burning questions and learn from your knowledgeable guide.
• Visit the famous painted monasteries in Bucovina - Moldovita, Sucevita & Voronet
• Drive through & admire the spectacular Bicaz Gorge & the Red Lake
• Explore the medieval citadel of Sighisoara - the only medieval citadel in Europe that it is still inhabited
• Visit Viscri - the little village that made Prince Charles of Great Britain fall in love with Transylvania
• Have a walking tour of Brasov old town - one of the most beautiful cities in Transylvania
• Visit the impressive fortified church in Prejmer
• Visit Peles Royal Castle - the most visited museum in Romania

Know before you book

• The tour includes accommodation in 3-star hotels/pensions, a good standard within the Romanian hotel rating system. However, if you want, we can upgrade you to 4-star or 5-star hotels/pensions for an additional fee
• Peles Castle is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays from September to March. For the rest of the year, Peles Castle is closed only on Mondays
• Please note that the visits' order during the trip can vary depending on the weather, traffic conditions, and the visiting program switch from summer to winter