Complete Tour of Romania

Pick up from Bucharest Airport. Explore the city in the afternoon including the most important sites of Romania’s capital. The Arc de Triumph, Peoples House (The Parliament Palace) the second largest building in the world after the Pentagon, the Old Court of Bucharest – the palace that Vlad Dracula built in 1459. Overnight in 4**** Hotel in Bucharest.

Minutes after leaving Bucharest we stop at the Snagov Monastery – in 1476 the real Price Vlad Dracula was buried on this little island. Visit the Royal palace at Sinaia – the Peles Castle – considered one of the most beautiful castles in all of Europe, Peles Castle is a masterpiece of German new-Renaissance architecture. Bran Castle built in 1377 as part of the Transylvanian defense system, the castle is a “must-see” often referred to as the mythical Dracula’s castle. Overnight in a fairy tale location at Bran – in the Bucegi National Park.

We will visit the medieval city of Brasov. This was the most important trade center of medieval Transylvania. Enjoy a guided walk through this 13th-century Saxon city. The main highlight is the Council Square, the impressive Gothic Black Church – blackened by a fire more than 300 years ago – and the “Rope Street” – one of the narrowest streets in Europe. Drive the Transfagarasan Highway – the most spectacular road in Romania, the Transfagarasan highway. The breathtaking road was built in the ’80s by the communists, using over 400 tons of dynamite in 4 years. (please note that the road is only open from July to October) Arrive in Sibiu – probably the most vibrant city in Transylvania – the Cultural Capital of Europe in 2007. Explore the impressive medieval city of Sibiu in the evening. Spend the night in Sibiu 4**** Hotel

Discover the fabulous medieval town of Sibiu. Learn the legend of the Liars Bridge where the traitors used to be hanged and displayed, then mount the steps of the Council Tower for an amazing panorama over the old town. Blend with the locals in the Large Square of the town and explore the tiny cobbled streets, sprinkled with quaint cafes and local street food vendors. Drive to HunedoaraJust before entering the town of Hunedoara, you will encounter an incredible “Gypsy Town”. The amazing Gypsy palaces will totally change your views on Gypsies Hunedoara Castle or Corvin Castle – rather unknown to foreign travelers, this is probably the most accomplished Gothic castle in Europe. Overnight in Hunedoara – 4**** Hotel

First stop today, Alba Iulia. This amazing walled city was the military capital of medieval Transylvania and is probably the strongest fortification in Romania. The third reconstruction of the fort dates from the 18th century in the Vauban military style. The oldest fortification, however, goes back to the Roman period – 106 AD – used to be known as Alba Carolina home of the Roman 13th Legion “Gemina”. Roman ruins are mingled with medieval fortifications in an amazing, open-air museum After a hearty lunch in the town’s former armory, we set off to TurdaTurda Salt Mine – one of the best underground places in the world – it’s a place you really have to see. This salt mine is not just a huge museum, but an epic tourist attraction, underground, built in salt. It was even ranked by Business Insider as the most beautiful underground place in the world. Overnight in Cluj Napoca- 3*** Hotel

Drive to the northern province of Maramures. Comparable to a gargantuan open-air museum Maramures area has its special lifestyle, architecture, traditions, and legends. Being the part of Romania that was not civilized by the Romans 2000 years ago, Maramures, amazingly kept its separate culture for almost 2 millennia. Stop at the Surdesti wooden Church (UNESCO) – a superb example of traditional architecture from the 18th century. The Church, over 200 feet tall, used to be the tallest wood structure in the world until 2003 when the local woodworkers decided to push the limits of their forefathers and built taller churches in Maramures Visit the Merry Cemetery in Sapanta, a living example of the Dacian pre-Roman culture. This cemetery is unique in the world. Renowned for its colorful story-telling funeral plates, where death is mocked in the face, and life is all but a big joke, Overnight at Sigetu Marmatiei – 3*** Hotel

Short visit to the Communist Memorial in Sighet. The former Communist prison is now a fantastic museum dedicated to the memory of the horrors of Communism. Stop at Barsana Monastery – a stunning monument of traditional Maramures architecture Onward we will visit the oldest wooden church in Maramures, at Ieud – UNESCO World Heritage Cross the Carpathian Mountains to Bucovina, over the superb Prislop pass. Overnight at Bucovina Lodge 4**** Hotel

Moldovita Monastery. The one can we see today dates back to 1532 and is due to ruling prince Petru Rares– one of the most important monasteries of its time. Voronet Monastery – is probably the most accomplished sample of artistic achievement in Moldavian architecture and painting. The church was completed in just 3 months and 3 weeks in 1488, an amazing feat of engineering for that period. Voronet monastery also features the largest painted story among all the painted monasteries. The splendid “judgment day” covers in minute detail the second come of Messiah, at the end of the world The Easter eggs museum – you’ll have to trust us here. This is amazing. Art can take incredible forms, even on eggs. This is a local artist’s museum, where the local tradition of painted Easter eggs is taken to the art level. Accommodation in Piatra Neamt 3*** Hotel

Drive through the stunning Bicazului Gorges, and back to Transylvania. We stop at Red Lake. (local Hungarians call it “The Killer Lake”). A massive cliff collapsed in 1888, forming a natural dam that flooded the upstream valley. The old forest is still visible under the water. We will walk around the lake to learn about its amazing legends. In the afternoon, we arrive in Sighisoara a magnificent living medieval fortress, a UNESCO World Heritage site. This is where the real Prince Vlad Dracula was born in 1431. You will have the chance to have dinner in the house where the cruel prince was born We spend the night in the old citadel of Sighisoara, at the medieval hotel 3***

Sighisoara city tour. Sighisoara (UNESCO World Heritage Site) is one of the best preserved medieval towns in Europe, and most amazingly still inhabited to this day. Check out the Clock Tower, the symbolic landmark of Sighisoara, with its sophisticated clock mechanism. The top platform of the tower offers a bird’s eye view over the magnificent citadel On the highest part of the fortress, we get to the Hill Church. This Lutheran church was stripped of its original catholic paintings during the reformation, but now thanks to the recent restoration, some of the old paintings have come back to life. Biertan (UNESCO World Heritage Site) – the most spectacular of the (160) “Church-Castles” in Transylvania. Between the 14th and 16th centuries, all villages in Transylvania built defensive walls around their churches for protection against invaders, Biertan is the strongest of all. You will learn the legends and traditions of this amazing place. Overnight back to Bran

Get a last glimpse of Transylvania from the top of Rasnov Fortress. One of the most spectacular strongholds of Transylvania. Set originally in the 13th century by the Teutonic Knights. The fortress was enlarged by the villagers of Rasnov and it became a small walled city protecting the villagers from the invaders. Learn the story of the impressive 480 feet deep water well, which took 17 years to dig in solid bedrock Drive to Bucharest (2 hours) Drop-off at Bucharest Airport or Hotel