Day 1: Bucharest

Arrival at Bucharest airport in the afternoon. Meet our English speaking guide and transfer to the selected hotel in Bucharest. Welcome dinner in a typical restaurant (Caru cu Bere or similar). Accommodation in a centrally located 3-star hotel (Central, Capitol or similar).

Day 2: Bucharest

Full day in Bucharest. In the morning panoramic sightseeing tour of Bucharest, including the Parliament Palace (2nd largest building in the world), the Revolution Square (with the Royal Palace and the Atheneum concert hall), the Triumphal Arch etc. Visits to the Church of the Patriarchate and the open air Village Museum and guided walking tour through the old town (Hanul Manuc, the ruins of the Princely Court, the Stavropoleos Church, and the Savings Bank Palace etc.).
Lunch in a local restaurant. In the afternoon time to discover Bucharest at leisure or visit its museums. Dinner in a local restaurant. Overnight.

Day 3: Bucharest - Curtea de Arges - Sibiu

Departure via Pitesti to Curtea de Arges, former capital of Wallachia, to visit the Episcopal Church, where the Romanian Kings are buried. Lunch en route. Afternoon drive northwards along the Olt Valley to Sibiu. Stop in Cozia to visit the monastery (1386). Dinner and overnight in Sibiu - Hotel Continental*** or similar.

Day 4: Sibiu and Surroundings

Morning visit medieval Sibiu (formerly Hermannstadt). Walking tour through the city centre (the Council Tower, the baroque Catholic Church, and the Evangelical Church etc. Drive on to Sibiel - typical Romanian village hidden between the hills. Visit the unique collection of icons on glass. Lunch in a rural guesthouse. Time to discover the picturesque area around the village and the rural life. Late afternoon return to Sibiu for dinner and overnight.

Day 5: Sibiu - Biertan - Sighisoara - Targu Mures

Morning drive to Sighisoara. Stop en route to visit the impressive Saxon fortified church of Biertan. Visit the medieval citadel of Sighisoara (the “Upper Town”) and its landmarks - the Clock Tower, the Evangelical Church, and the Church on the Hill etc. Lunch in Sighisoara. In the afternoon drive on to Targu Mures. Visit this elegant Transylvanian city (the Palace of Culture, the Roses Square etc. Dinner and overnight in Targu Mures - Hotel Continental***.

Day 6: Targu Mures - Cluj-Napoca - Baia Mare

Morning drive to Cluj-Napoca. Panoramic sightseeing tour, walk through the historical part of the city centre and visit the St.Michael Cathedral. Lunch in a local restaurant. In the afternoon drive northwards to Baia Mare. Dinner and overnight at the Mara Hotel***.

Day 7: Baia Mare - Surdesti - Mara Valley - Sapanta - Sighetu Marmatiei

Morning drive into Maramures - an historical province of Romania best preserving old costumes and traditions. Drive via Cavnic to Surdesti to visit the highest wooden church in Romania (54 m.), then along the Mara river valley through villages with wooden churches and nicely carved wooden porches in front of each farm. Lunch. In the afternoon trip to Sapanta to visit the famous “Merry Cemetery”. Dinner and overnight in a 3-star guesthouse in Sighetu Marmatiei.

Day 8: Full day in Maramures

In the morning visit the local Ethnographical Museum. Drive along the Iza Valley across villages with wooden churches. Stop at the new Barsana Monastery, visit the wooden churches of Rozavlea, Bogdan Voda and Ieud (the oldest of all). Late afternoon return to the guesthouse in Sighetu Marmatiei for dinner and overnight.

Day 10: In Bucovina

Full day dedicated to discovering the painted monasteries and the beautiful rural area of Bucovina. Visit the monasteries of Moldovita and Sucevita, then the black pottery workshop in Marginea. Lunch in Radauti. In the afternoon visit the monasteries of Humor and Voronet (surnamed “the Sistine Chapel of the East”). Dinner and overnight at the 4-star Best Western Bucovina Hotel.

Day 11: Gura Humorului - Agapia Monastery - Piatra Neamt - Bicaz - Lacu Rosu

Departure southwards to Piatra Neamt. Stop en route at the Neamt monastery and then visit the Agapia monastery with its rug and icon workshops. Lunch in Targu Neamt. Afternoon drive across the spectacular Bicaz Gorges - walk in the Gorges and souvenir shopping. Dinner and overnight at the Lacu Rosu Hotel*** in Lacu Rosu (3 km from the Bicaz Gorges).

Day 12: Lacu Rosu - Miercurea Ciuc - Poiana Brasov

Drive into Transylvania to Miercurea Ciuc and Prejmer. Lunch en route. Visit the charming Saxon fortified church in Prejmer and drive on to Brasov and Poiana Brasov (elevation 3,400 ft.), best alpine resort in Romania. Dinner in a typical chalet-restaurant (The Dacians’ Shed or the Outlaws’ Hut). Overnight at the 4-star Alpin Hotel.

Day 13: Poiana Brasov and Surroundings (Bran, Brasov)

Full day in the Brasov area. Morning drive to Bran to visit “Dracula’s” Castle. Drive on to Brasov. Lunch, panoramic city tour and walking tour through the old town centre, including a visit to the Black Church. In the afternoon drive back to Poiana Brasov. Time for fitness at the hotel (swimming pool, sauna etc.) or trekking in the beautiful wooden area. Dinner at the hotel and overnight.

Day 14: Poiana Brasov - Bran - Sinaia - Bucharest

Drive across the mountains to Sinaia. Visit the fabulous Peles Castle - the former summer residence of the Royal family - and the Sinaia monastery. Lunch in Sinaia. In the afternoon drive to Bucharest (120 km). Farewell dinner with folklore show in a typical restaurant. Overnight in a 3-star hotel (Central, Capitol or similar).

Day 15: Bucharest – Flight home

Morning at leisure in Bucharest for shopping or visiting local museums. Early lunch and transfer to the airport for the flight home.

Note: All the museums in Romania are closed on Mondays. The Peles Castle in Sinaia and the National Art Museum in Bucharest are also closed on Tuesdays. Churches and monasteries are open all days. Visitors’ access in the Black Church in Brasov is restricted on Sundays.

Prices available on request.