Romania Discovery Tour – including air!

Today we take an overnight flight, arriving in Bucharest the following morning.

Upon arrival, we will get to meet our guide and transfer to our 4-star hotel located in the center of downtown Bucharest within walking distance of sites and restaurants.

Bucharest is a very cosmopolitan city, full of contrasts, undergoing an intense revitalization after almost 50 years of communism. This had lasting effects on its people, architecture, and way of life. Architectural values from the period following the second world war, when it was named the “Little Paris,” are now being rediscovered. You’ll have the afternoon to rest or explore before meeting for our welcome dinner at a well known local restaurant recognized for its authentic local dishes.

After breakfast we drive through the popular Prahova valley towards Transylvania.  On the way, we will stop in Sinaia to visit Peles castle, a Neo-Renaissance iconic building. The castle was built between 1873 and 1914 and commissioned by King Carol I. It reflects a fairytale-like design with rich interiors and captivating views. As a former royal residence, Peleș Castle offers a glimpse into Romania’s historical and architectural legacy.

We continue then to Bran for another castle visit.  This time it will be Bran castle, aka Dracula’s Castle. First, we will have lunch in the restaurant of the castle, the former tea house of Queen Mary, and then we’ll enjoy a guided tour of the castle. This is a beautiful 14th century castle, built to guard the passing point between the two Romanian provinces – Walachia to the south and Transylvania to the north. It was restored in the 20^th century to its former glory by the royal family of Romania.  This magnificent Castle is, according to legend, Dracula’s home, and it is now the most visited place in Romania.

In the afternoon we arrive in Brasov, one of Transylvania’s most important cities. Also known as Kronstadt due to the presence of German colonists as early as the 12th century, Brasov is fringed by peaks of the Southern Carpathian Mountains and is resplendent with Gothic, Baroque and Renaissance architecture, as well as a wealth of historical attractions. As one of medieval Saxon’s seven walled citadels, Brasov has been a popular destination throughout the ages. Its location at the intersection of the trade routes linking the Ottoman Empire and the Western Europe made it of great strategic importance.

Uplon arrival we’ll check into our hotel located in a medieval building in the historical center of Brasov.

After breakfast we’ll take a gided Brasov city tour. Afterwards we’ll travel to the village of Viscri.

In the 12^th and 13^th centuries the areas in the south and northeast of Transylvania were settled by German colonists known as Saxons, brought by the Hungarian kings to protect the borders against the Cumans and Mongol invaders (1241).  Teutonic and Ioanit Knights were also called to protect this land.  In return they were allowed to build fortresses in the area and were given land.

While there are very few Germans left in this region today, their heritage remains in more than 150 fortified churches in the villages and the cities they built.  A few of the villages and fortified churches are even included in the UNESCO heritage list.

One of them is our destination today – Viscri Village, by its German name Deutschweisskirche – taken from its white fortified church.  It is also the place where King Charles of the United Kingdom has bought a traditional house and comes every now and then.

Once in the village, prepare for a unique experience – a ride in a horse drawn carriage – around the village with a chance to see some local traditional craftsmen at work.

We also visit Viscri’s fortified church.

Afterwards, we will visit traditional and carefully renovated Saxon houses followed by a traditional dinner prepared by local families and accompanied by homemade brandy and wine.

Tonight we will sleep in traditional renovated Saxon houses.

After breakfast, we transfer to Sighisoara, a medieval UNESCO citadel, inhabited continuously since its settlement by the German colonists.  The town was protected by a defensive ring of 14 watch towers and several bastions. Each tower or bastion was maintained and defended by a separate guild. Sighisoara is the birthplace of the infamous Vlad the Impaler, the ruthless ruler of Walachia in the 15th century, who would impale his captured enemies.  He was the historical character who inspired Bram Stoker when he wrote his famous Dracula novel.   We will also take a tour of the citadel.

We continue north-east and we stop for a traditional lunch in the area of the Szeker minority. Then we continue to Lacu Rosu (The Red Lake) resort, situated at about 900 m of altitude, home to a natural dam lake formed in the 19th century.  In the evening we can explore in Hasmas National Park.

Accommodation in a 4* hotel in Lacu Rosu.

Today we continue our route towards Bucovina region (the land of beech trees), an oasis of Romanian spirituality, housing the famous exterior painted monasteries (Voronet, Moldovita, Sucevita, Arbore and Humor) included in UNESCO’s World Heritage list.

But first we will stop in Targu-Neamt, to visit a small local sausage producer.  Here we take part in a cooking workshop that will introduce us to the craft of making Moldavian sausages.  After the hard work, we have lunch here – including some of our own handmade specialties.

In the afternoon, we will reach the village of Sucevita, where we will spend the night in a traditional house and enjoy a homemade dinner with local specialties, accompanied by local brandy and wine.

After breakfast we head to Moldovita to visit the village’s Eastern Orthodox monastery, known for the best-preserved exterior paintings in predominantly gold and deep blue colors.  After the visit, we will take time for an easy walk with beautiful views over Moldovita valley followed by a picnic lunch.

Our next visit is to a small workshop of painted eggs, one of the most skillful artforms left in the traditional art of egg painting in Romania. Following a tradition that dates back to the crucifixion, painted eggs are believed to bring luck and keep away unholy spirits.

After a demonstration of skill and a chance to see some samples of beautiful painted egg work, we will transfer to Voronet monastery, also called the “Sistine Chapel of the East,” painted in a predominant distinct blue, widely known in Romania as “Voronet blue.” In the afternoon we will return to Sucevita following a stop in Marginea village to visit a black ceramic workshop to see the craftsmen at work.

Our accommodation will be the same as the previous night.   We will also enjoy another tasty traditional dinner prepared by our host.

Today we drive back to Transylvania, via the Lechința wine region, where we will stop to visit the Liliac winery.  The first vines were planted here by the Romans, followed by the Germans colonists who settled at the feet of the Carpathians and who continued to cultivate and to produce wines here.  Nowadays they cultivate 52 hectares here and produce white, rose, and red varieties of the highest quality.

We will then visit the vineyards/cellars and taste some of their wines and have lunch.

Now we continue to Cluj, the former capital of Transylvania, a vibrant city with a rich history and a lively cultural scene, including TIFF (Transylvania International Film Festival), as well as music festivals like Untold or Electric Castle. Some of the highlights of Cluj include St. Michael’s Church, a stunning Gothic cathedral located in the heart of the city, known for its impressive architecture and beautiful stained glass windows; or the Union Square (Piața Unirii), the central square surrounded by colorful baroque buildings, hosting events, festivals, and a vibrant outdoor cafe scene. Tonight we will stay in a centrally located 3-star hotel.

Today we will explore Cluj in the morning before driving to Sibiel village, a typical Romanian village of Transylvania at the feet of Cindrel Mountains. It is part of the ethnographical area of Marginimea Sibiului, where the Romanian shepherds created and are still supporting a strong and vibrant culture.  We will have a traditional lunch accompanied by homemade brandy and wine.

Short transfer to a small craft beer factory, for a visit and beer tasting.

In the afternoon we reach Sibiu, the former European capital of culture from 2007. Sibiu’s colorful old town is a spectacular sight, with its beautiful old cathedrals, merchants’ houses, and public squares – it positively exudes an authentic medieval atmosphere. Sibiu itself is divided into an old and a new quarter, although even the new quarter contains impressive buildings dating back to the 16^th century.

The city is known to have existed from the 12^th century, rising in prominence to become an important trading town. Like Brasov, it was inhabited by Saxon merchants who formed guilds while fortifying the town to protect its wealth. Sibiu is packed full of fascinating sites to explore, from its ramparts and towers to its passageways linking the two parts of the town together. We will overnight in Sibiu in a 4* centrally located hotel.

Today we drive back to Bucharest, via the picturesque Olt valley. We have a walking city tour in the old town area of Bucharest with a guide, a great opportunity to stretch our legs after a long drive. Later in the evening, we will share a farewell dinner in a local restaurant. Accommodation will be in a centrally located 4* hotel in Bucharest.

The last day brings one more unique experience: a panoramic tour in a fully restored 80’s Romanian classic Dacia car! We will be regaled with stories about day-to-day life in communism while driving along the main boulevards of Bucharest. After lunch, we will transfer to the airport for the return flight to the U.S.