Best of Romania

Arrive in Bucharest and make your way to the hotel. After checking in, the rest of the day is at your leisure.

Bucharest - Prejmer - Harman - Bran - Brasov. This morning, we check out and depart for Brasov, with a few stops along the way. Our first stop is the 13th-century Gothic Church of Prejmer and Harman. These unique Saxon structures still exist today, thanks to their thick fortified walls that protected the church and its inhabitants during times of war.

Next, we stop in Bran and enjoy a guided tour of Bran Castle, made famous by Bram Stoker’s novel, Dracula! This castle was constructed by the Saxons in the late 14th century to defend Brasov from invasion by the Turks. Purchased by Queen Marie in the 1920s for use as a royal residence, its interior contains rich medieval furniture.

Afterwards, we head to Brasov for a free evening to further explore or relax. We will spend the next four nights here in Brasov. Join us for dinner tonight at a local restaurant in Brasov.

This morning, we experience more of this mountain town on a guided walking tour to discover the highlights and most fascinating sights of Brasov.

Brasov’s main square, Piata Sfatului, is situated in the heart of the medieval quarter and is one of the finest Baroque squares in Romania. Here, we can visit the 15th-century Town Hall, with its quaint Trumpeter’s Tower on top, and the Lutheran Black Church (entrance included), which is the largest Gothic church between Vienna and Istanbul. Our entrance to the Museum of the First Romanian School is also included, where we can view some of the first textbooks written in the Romanian language, printed in Brasov in the 16th century. During our tour, we will also discover how Brașov plays a part in the story of the Pied Piper of Hamelin!

After our tour there is free time for you to soak up the fresh mountain air and relax in the old town square. You can savour some tasty Romanian dishes such as Papanasi, a delicious donut, Mici, a type of sausage, Cozonac (a sweet bread), and much more. Our expert guide will be happy to inform you about places to see and visit.

Brasov - Sighisoara - Viscri - Brasov. Today we head to Sighisoara, where we enjoy a guided walking tour through the cobbled streets of the UNESCO-protected Old Town. Admire the citadel, nine towers, ornate churches, and burgher houses with fairy-tale rooftops, as well as the iconic clock tower dating back to the 13th century. This town is also famous for being the birthplace of “Dracula,” Vlad Tepes. We can still see the house where he was born, although today it operates as a very busy restaurant. Sighisoara is one of the most beautiful and best-preserved medieval towns in Europe, making it a must-see on our visit to Transylvania.

This afternoon, we will explore more of Transylvania as we stop in the captivating rural village of Viscri, with its traditional houses and fortified 18th-century church. We can enjoy some time to explore the church before returning to Brasov in the late afternoon.

Today, you have free time to explore the hidden treasures of Brasov’s charming Old Town. You can discover Strada Sforii (Rope Street), one of the narrowest streets in the city, located near Schei Gate.

You might want to take a cable car journey up Mount Tampa, where the Brasov sign towers over the city, or choose a lovely spot at one of the cafes near our hotel to experience local life! There may also be an opportunity to visit the Bear Sanctuary in Zarnesti, which can be arranged with our guide.

For those looking to visit Sibiu, you can opt to join a full-day tour of this cultural capital of Transylvania and one of the region’s largest Saxon merchant towns. You will fall in love with the grand squares, impressive buildings, and beautiful churches. Additionally, you will explore the Brukenthal Art Museum, with lunch included. This tour can be booked locally or prebooked.

Brasov - Sinaia - Burcharest. After breakfast, we check out of our hotel and say farewell to Brasov. We visit Sinaia, known as the “Pearl of the Carpathians” due to its magnificent mountain scenery and Royal Castle. We discover this beautiful area on a walking tour that includes Peles Castle (entrance included) and Sinaia Monastery, both set against a stunning backdrop of verdant forests and towering peaks. After our walking tour, we continue to Bucharest.

Before arriving at our hotel, we delve into more of Romania’s history with a stop at the open-air Village Museum in Bucharest. This museum features houses and structures from every region of Romania, illustrating the extreme diversity of its architecture, including heavily thatched peasant dwellings, wooden churches, dug-out homes with vegetables growing on the roof, windmills, tall farm barns, and a fascinating subterranean house. The rest of the day is at your leisure in Bucharest.

Today is a free day for you to discover the Romanian capital. Take a stroll along its most famous historic avenue, Calea Victoriei, passing the George Enescu Museum, which is housed in the beautiful Cantacuzino Palace, as well as the Art Collections Museum. You can visit one of the lovely parks and gardens or pull up a seat at a pavement café and take in the sights and sounds of Bucharest.

You can opt to join an excursion to the Parliament House, one of Romania's most important buildings, featuring beautiful ornate architecture, marble floors, and crystal chandeliers. It is the second-largest administrative building in the world, after the Pentagon. Today, Parliament House is considered controversial, as many people died during its construction. However, it is certainly worth visiting this remarkable feat of engineering.

Alternatively, you could also opt to venture outside Bucharest for a wine tasting experience, which includes a visit to Snagov Monastery, where Vlad Tepes is allegedly buried. During the tour, you will have the opportunity to sample three types of wine. The small but fascinating Snagov Monastery is located on a tiny island in the northern part of Snagov Lake and features well-preserved, beautiful frescoes inside. After your visit, you will return to Bucharest to relax and enjoy a final evening in this vibrant city. This tour can also be booked locally.

Tonight, we shall gather for dinner at a local restaurant.

Enjoy a final breakfast at the hotel before check out. We wish you a safe onwards journey!