Grand Tour of Romania

Grand Tour of Romania

This 10 nights tour offers you the opportunity to get a comprehensive experience of this country and all that it has to offer; see the sites, learn about its history and experience the life- style.
Bucharest – Sinaia -Bran – Brasov – Gura Humorului - Voronet – Moldovita – Sucevita – Vadu Izei – Cluj – Turda – Sighisoara – Sibiu – Curtea de Arges – Bucharest

Day 1 – Bucharest

Upon arrival at the Henri Coanda Airport the guests are met by their English speaking guide/driver and transferred to a your hotel in the center of Bucharest. After a short time to rest we will continue with the city tour of Bucharest an opportunity to explore the city formerly known as “Little Paris” capital of the Socialist Republic of Romania for almost half of century, a city still struggling on its way to capitalism and true democracy. The city tour will give you the opportunity to admire some of the landmarks of Bucharest, such as the Arch of Triumph, the Atheneum, the Revolution Square, the Romanian Patriarch’s Church, the Palace of Parliament the second largest building in the world.
Accommodation in Bucharest in a 3*, 4* or 5* hotel.
Meals: Breakfast

Day 2 – Bucharest – Sinaia- Brasov- approx. 170 Km/ 105 miles

In the morning we will leave Bucharest behind and start to drive north towards Brasov. We will make a stop along the way in the small mountain resort of Sinaia, one of the most popular destinations on Prahova Valley. Sinaia is famous for the fact that it is home to Peles Castle, the summer residence of the kings of Romania. Built in the 19th century by the Royal family in Neo Renaissance style it is one of the most beautiful castles in south-east Europe. Right after Peles Castle we will visit the Sinaia Monastery founded in the 17th century by a Romanian nobleman.
Our second stop of the day will be in the town of Bran which is home to Bran Castle (entrance included) also known as Dracula Castle, built in the 14^th century by the Transylvanian merchants as a military fortress to defend the area against the frequent Turkish attacks. After 1900, it was donated to the Romanian Royal Family and it became the favorite place of Queen Maria. Extensively renovated, it became a residence, and later a museum. Nowadays it is one of the most visited sites in Romania.
After the visit of the castle, we will drive towards Brasov to check in at our hotel.
Accommodation in Brasov in a 3*, 4* or 5* hotel.
Meals: Breakfast

Day 3 – Brasov – Bicaz – Gura Humorului- approx. 380 km/ 235 miles

We start this day with a walking tour of Old City Brasov one of the most popular cities in Transylvania. On our tour we will see some of its landmarks such as the Black Church the most representative Gothic monument in South-Eastern Europe, and Piata Sfatului.
We continue the day with a pleasant drive through the Carpathian Mountains towards Gura Humorului. We stop for lunch in the Bicaz Gorges. The gorges, some 7 km long, with mountain walls on both sides of the road measuring up to 300m in height, is not only a breathtaking view, but also a chance to do some souvenir shopping at the local shops in the area.
Late in the afternoon we will reach Gura Humorului, and check in to our hotel.
Accommodation in Gura Humorului in 3* or 4* hotel.
Meals: Breakfast

Day 4 – Gura Humorului – Voronet – Marginea – Sucevita – Moldovita – Gura Humorului- approx. 85 Km/ 54 miles

We start early in the morning for a full day of touring to discover one of Romania’s best preserved, most valuable historical and religious sites, the famous painted monasteries. Built in the 15^th century, they tell us times of turmoil, when the borders of Moldavia were often threatened by the Turkish Empire. Even though the architecture of the churches is humble, it is the frescoes that made them famous worldwide and each monastery is famous for a specific fresco and color. The first stop will be at Marginea, famous for the one of a kind black ceramic made here, and then continue to see the Medieval Painted Monasteries of Sucevita and Moldovita, part of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. After lunch, in the second part of the day a visit to the Voronet Monastery, also called the “Sixteen Chapel of the East“, famous for the blue color that dominates the exterior frescoes.
Accommodation in Gura Humorului in 3* or 4* hotel.
Meals: Breakfast

Day 5 – Gura Humor – Borsa – Vadu Izei- approx. 215 Km/ 133 miles

Today we leave Gura Humorului behind and drive through the spectacular Prislop Pass (3000 ft elevation) into Maramures a very special area of Romania for here traditions and values of the old culture are at home. We will stop to visit the Ieud Church the oldest wooden church in Maramures listed as UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the Monastery of Barsana called by most a corner of Heaven.
Accommodation in Vadu Izei in a local home.
Meals: Breakfast and Homemade dinner.
Day 6 – Vadu Izei – Sapanta – Sighetu Marmatiei – Ieud – Vadu Izei- approx.� 85 Km/ 54 miles
We will start the day with a visit at the Merry Cemetery of Sapanta. The cemetery is well known for its colorful, wooden crosses, which depict the life of the deceased in a realistic, sometimes humorous way.
Next on our list is the small town of Sighetu Marmatiei, where we stop at the “Memorial to the victims of Communism”, located in the building of the former Sighet Prison used by the communist regime to silence its opponents, in the 50’s. After a tasty lunch, we will visit the Village Museum of Maramures a collection of authentic traditional houses depicting the traditional village of Maramures. We return to Vadu Izei for a home hosted dinner.
Accommodation in Vadu Izei, in a local home.
Meals: Breakfast and Homemade dinner.

Day 7 – Vadu Izei – Surdesti – Cluj Napoca- approx . 280 Km/ 172 miles

In the morning, still driving through the beautiful Maramures countryside, we will visit Church of Surdesti (UNESCO World Heritage). The church, built in 1766, is famous for its exceptionally tall steeple (54m) that makes it the tallest wooden church in the world. After the visit, we will continue down south and enter the area of Transylvania that, for about 1000 years, was under Hungarian rule. Especially in the Northern part of Transylvania, the Hungarian influence is still very visible in the architecture of the cities.
Late in the afternoon, we will arrive in the city of Cluj Napoca, a major cultural center of Transylvania. Many of the buildings here remind us of Western European architecture. Upon arrival, we’ll take a stroll through the center of town and admire its beautiful buildings.
Accommodation in Cluj Napoca in a 3*or 4* hotel.
Meals: Breakfast

Day 8 – Cluj Napoca – Turda – Sighisoara- approx. 170 Km/ 105 miles

Early in the morning we leave Cluj Napoca behind and drive south towards Sighisoara. On the way we stop for a visit at the salt mines of Turda. Recently reopened for visitors, the mines were exploited as early as the year 1000 A.D. Narrow corridors that lead to great halls with excellent acoustics (sometimes used for concerts) and underground lakes make these salt mines one of the most famous objectives in the area.
In the second part of the day we arrive in the Medieval Citadel of Sighisoara, built in the 12th century by the Saxon colonists brought here by the Hungarian King. The citadel is still occupied and listed in the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Among the highlights of Sighisoara: the House of Vlad Dracul the Birth place of Vlad the Impaler, and the Clock Tower an impressive Gothic structure which nowadays houses the History Museum of Sighisoara.
Accommodation in Sighisoara in a 3* or 4* hotel.
Meals: Breakfast

Day 9 – Sighisoara – Biertan – Sibiu- approx. 105 Km/ 65 miles

Today we drive towards the city of Sibiu a former European Cultural Capital in 2007.We will make a short stop on the way at the Biertan Saxon Fortified Church (entrance included), one of the most important of its kind in Transylvania, because it is the last one to be built following this pattern, in the 1500’s, listed in the UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Once in Sibiu we will take a walking tour of the Old City, admiring its magnificent old center, visit places such as the Large Square (UNESCO World Heritage Sites), Small Square, the Catholic Church, Liars’ Bridge and learning about the interesting history of this great city.
Accommodation in Sibiu in a 3*, 4* or 5* hotel.
Meals: Breakfast

Day 10 – Sibiu – Cozia – Curtea de Arges – Bucharest- approx. 260 Km/ 162 miles

On our last day we leave Sibiu behind and head towards Bucharest following the scenic route of Olt Valley. On the way we will make a stop to admire one of the most beautiful and better preserved monasteries built in the14^th century, Cozia Monastery.
After the visit, we continue to Bucharest. We will arrive in the city in the late afternoon.
Accommodation in Bucharest in a 3*, 4* or 5* hotel.
Meals: Breakfast

Day 11 -Bucharest – departure

Today you will say goodbye to Romania, and the friends you made here. Your private guide will escort you to the airport for your departure.
Accommodation: N/A
Meals: Breakfast

Included features:

* 8 nights in 3, 4 or 5 star hotels with breakfast included;
* 2 nights home stay in Maramures traditional guest house;
* usage of the air conditioned car for the above mentioned route, gasoline price and parking fees;
* guided tours and entrance fees for the sights included in the itinerary;
* 12 meals: 10 breakfasts, 2 dinners;
* a professional private English speaking guide/driver, at your disposal throughout the trip;
* guide’s expenses;
* all transfers;
* VAT and local tax;
* map of Romania;

Not included:

* meals other than the ones included in the program;
* individual travel insurance;
* photo and video fees;
* gratuities;