Romanian Experience

Recommended Departure Days :
Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays

Peles Palace - "Dracula" Castle - Prejmer - Sighisoara - Biertan -
Targu Mures - Bistrita – Borgo Pass - Bucovina Monasteries - Maramures -
Merry Cemetery - Maramures - Cluj-Napoca - Alba Iulia - Sibiel - Sibiu -
Olt River Gorge - Curtea de Arges

Day 1 - Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday
Pick up at the airport by your tour guide. Drive to Sinaia mountain resort. Orientation tour before the hotel check in.
D Accommodation Choices in Sinaia:
Option 1: Hotel Palace****
Option 2: Hotel Sinaia***

Day 2
Morning visit of Peles Palace, the former royal summer residence and Sinaia Monastery. Drive to Bran Village to visit the "Dracula" Castle. City Tour of Brasov including the Old Town Square, the Black Church, Schei Quarter and the St. Nicholas Church. Continue to the Saxon village of Prejmer and visit the unique peasant fortifications listed by UNESCO as part of the World Cultural Heritage. Continue to the medieval town of Sighisoara, the birth place of Prince Vlad.
B D Accommodation Choices in Sighisoara:
Option 1: Fronius Residence****
Option 2: Hotel Sighisoara*** or Casa cu Cerb***

Day 3
Enjoy the medieval charm of Sighisoara fortified town, the best preserved in Europe while visiting the History Museum located in the Clock Tower and the Medieval Weaponry Museum. A visit to the Torture Room is a must. Drive to Biertani village for a visit of the fortified church, the former seat of the Lutheran Bishop of Transylvania, a landmark on UNESCO’s list of World Heritage. The church features the largest wing altar of Transylvania. Return to Sighisoara.
B L Accommodation Choices in Sighisoara:
Option 1: Fronius Residence****
Option 2: Hotel Sighisoara*** or Casa cu Cerb***

Day 4
After breakfast, depart for Targu Mures, one of the largest Transylvanian cities. Tour of the old center with a visit of the Palace of Culture, built in Hungarian Art Nouveau style. See the former Cavalry School of Austro-Hungarian Empire, presently, the Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy. Then head north to the fabled Borgo Pass. While driving through forest clad mountains, re-live the adventure of Jonathan Harker, as pictured by Bram Stoker in his novel ’’Dracula”. After a brief stop in Bistrita's "Coroana de Aur" continue to the “Dracula Castle” Hotel for a visit into the Vampire Vault.
B Accommodation at the “Dracula Castle” Hotel***

Day 5
Continue to Bucovina, the northern area of Moldavia. The first Romanian monuments included by UNESCO on the list of World Cultural Heritage are the frescoed monasteries. Visit the most representative ones: Sucevita, Humor, and the famous Voronet Monastery - the “Sistine Chapel of the East”, famous for its Last Judgment fresco. Stop in the village of Marginea at the local black pottery workshop. Visit the Ethnographical Museum of Gura Humorului.
B Accommodation Choices in Gura Humorului:
Option 1: Best Western Bucovina Hotel****
Option 2: Hotel Passiflora**** (traditional)

Day 6
Drive through scenic Prislop Pass (at 4,500 feet altitude) to Maramures, the land of wooden churches and the most authentic rural area of entire Europe. Notice the carved wooden gates throughout the villages along Iza Valley. Visit the Dragomiresti Museum located in a 200 year old home. The outstanding Wooden Churches of Bogdan Voda and Rozavlea are also included on the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Built in the past two decades, Barsana Nunnery is the most representative of Romania. The unique folk costumes and traditions make this area of Romania one of the most picturesque. Join a local family in Vadu Izei Village for a home hosted dinner.
B D Accommodation Choices:
Option 1: Hotel Marmatia**** in Sighetul Marmatiei
Option 2: Guest-House in Vadu Izei Village

Day 7
Start your day with the village walking tour including the local water mill (a natural whirlpool) and ancient plum brandy distillery. This is an excellent opportunity to meet and talk to the locals. Later, in Sighetul Marmatiei visit the former jail of political dissidents against Communism as well as the local market. Tour the Memorial Home of Elie Wiesel. The Nobel prize winner, who was born here, is a holocaust survivor. Do not miss the unique Merry Cemetery in Sapanta Village as well as Europe’s tallest wooden church at Sapinta Peri.
B Accommodation Choices:
Option 1: Hotel Marmatia**** in Sighetul Marmatiei
Option 2: D Guest-House in Vadu Izei Village

Day 8
Early departure to Sibiu. On the way, stop in the former capital of Transylvania, Cluj-Napoca for a city tour, including the St. Michael Cathedral and the Ethnographical Museum, one of the best in Romania. Brief stop in Alba Iulia, the town of the Union of all Romanians and the Coronation place of Queen Marie of Romania. Late afternoon, visit the Museum of Glass Painted Icons in Sibiel Village. For a taste of authentic cuisine, join some local farmers for a home hosted dinner. Continue to Sibiu to check in for the night.
B D Accommodation Choices in Sibiu:
Option 1: Ramada Hotel Sibiu****
Option 2: Imparatul Romanilor***

Day 9
The Sibiu city walking tour includes visits to the the Brukenthal Museum, the Evangelical Cathedral and the Pharmacy Museum. Brukenthal Museum is one of the largest private art collections of Romania, housed by the baroque style palace, residence of the former Transylvanian Governor, Brukenthal. Enjoy the rest of the day exploring on your own.
B Accommodation Choices in Sibiu:
Option 1: Ramada Hotel Sibiu****
Option 2: Imparatul Romanilor***

Day 10
Drive on beautiful Olt River Valley and stop to visit Cozia Monastery built in the late 14th century by Prince Mircea the Old. It features one of the most beautiful collections of old icons in the monastery’s museum. Continue to Curtea de Arges for a visit to the legendary Manole’s Monastery, architectural monument from the 16th century and burial place for three Romanian Kings. Continue to Bucharest. Drop off at your hotel.
B Transfer to Bucharest

Price includes:

• 9 nights accommodation in centrally located hotels,
  all rooms with private facilities, as per itinerary
• Meals as per itinerary
• Land transportation with modern air conditioned vehicles
• Professional Tour Director (driver, English Speaking)
• Basic entrance fees included to all mentioned sites

* Itineraries and prices are subject to change without notice