9 Day Maramures and Transylvania Discovery Tour - Holiday to Romania

9 days

Duration

Maramures, Transylvania

Regions

Cultural Tour, Long Tour, Private Tour

Tour Type

DISCOVER THE BEST OF MARAMURES AND TRANSYLVANIA IN 9 DAYS

Discover the beauty and history of Romania with our 9-day Maramures and Transylvania tour. Explore the rural landscapes of Maramures and admire the unique wooden churches and traditional way of life. Visit the charming medieval citadel of Sighisoara, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the birthplace of Dracula. Marvel at the stunning Peles Castle and Bran Castle, both with fascinating stories and architectural styles.

Experience the culture and lifestyle of the Roma community with an exclusive home visit. Enjoy the breathtaking scenery of the Carpathian Mountains, including the scenic Borgo Pass.

This tour offers a mix of culture, history, and natural beauty, and includes comfortable accommodations and expert guides to ensure an unforgettable experience. Join us for an adventure through the heart of Romania.

The tour can be personalised according to your time and points of interest.

Itinerary: Bucharest – Sibiu Walking Tour – Corvin Castle – Alba Iulia Citadel – Turda Salt Mine – Cluj-Napoca Tour – Wooden Churches of Maramures – Maramures Region Highlights & Folklore Show – Sapanta Merry Cemetery – Historic Center of Sighisoara – Saxon Villages with Fortified Churches in Transylvania – Brasov City Tour – Peles and Bran Castles

DEPARTURE/RETURN	Bucharest (or any other city at request)
TRANSPORTATION	Fully insured car/minivan with climate control
TOURIST GUIDE	Certified English-Speaker Tourist Guide (speakers of other languages at request)
5 UNESCO World Heritage Sites and 2 on the Tentative List	Barsana Wooden Church (Maramures Wooden Churches) Ieud Wooden Church (Maramures Wooden Churches) Historic Center of Sighisoara Saschiz Fortified Church (Villages with Fortified Church in Transylvania) Viscri Fortified Church (Villages with Fortified Church in Transylvania) Historic Centre of Sibiu and its Ensemble of Squares (Tentative List for UNESCO World Heritage Sites) Historic Town of Alba Iulia (Tentative List for UNESCO World Heritage Sites)

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS AND UNIQUE CULTURAL CONNECTIONS

Benefit from a completely flexible tour, tailored to your preferences, with a customized route, duration, and features;
Spend no more than two days in each location, maximizing your travel experience and covering more ground;
Enhance your tour with our curated choices of tours, designed to match your interests and travel style;
Visit five UNESCO World Heritage Sites and two on the Tentative List, all carefully selected for their cultural significance;
Enjoy the expertise of top-rated licensed tourist guides with excellent reviews, who will enhance your knowledge and experience;
Meet local people in traditional markets and in their homes in Transylvania and Maramures, for an authentic cultural connection;
Discover the self-sufficient and sustainable daily life of remote Saxon villages in Transylvania and Maramures;
Interact with locals in all home-hosted experiences and local markets, for an immersive cultural experience;
Stay in charming, centrally located buildings for 8 nights, adding character and convenience to your tour;
Meet local artists, including a blacksmith, and learn about traditional arts and crafts in the region;
Enjoy our exclusively designed tours with all admissions included, not just guided walks, for a comprehensive experience;
Travel with ease and comfort in our modern, air-conditioned vehicle, complete with Wi-Fi and a professional driver.

DEPARTURE/RETURN

Bucharest (it can be changed at your request)

TRANSPORTATION

Fully insured car/minivan with climate control

TOURIST GUIDE

Certified English-Speaker Tourist Guide (speakers of other languages at request)

INCLUDED

6 nights at three and four star hotels, all centrally located	2 nights home stay in Maramures (this can be changed to a hotel if desired)
Natural, authentic and local culinary experiences	Breakfast every day
Two home hosted dinners in Maramures	One traditional Transylvanian lunch
Exclusive organic smoked bacon tasting with lunch	Private airport transfers on arrival and departure
Fuel, parking fees and local taxes included	Exclusive Romanian folklore show
Blacksmith demonstration	Exclusive traditional horse carriage trip
Guided tours at all sites	Entrance fees to museums and sites included as per itinerary
Certified English-Speaker tourist guide specialized in Romanian culture and history	Exclusive visit and interaction with a Gypsy family in their own home
Detailed map of Romania	Still/Sparkling water bottles in the car
Friendly talks with the guide about Vlad the Impaler – Dracula; Ceausescu and His Times and the Gypsies and Their Journey

NOT INCLUDED

Airplane tickets and health insurance	Souvenirs
Alcoholic beverages	Hotel extras (telephone, mini bar, etc)
Meals, other than those included in the itinerary	Gratuities of any kind
Photo/video fees at sites and museums

Day 1: Bucharest Arrival

Upon your arrival at Henri Coanda International Airport in Bucharest, you’ll be warmly welcomed by your private driver, who will take you to your centrally located 4-star hotel.
With the rest of the day at your leisure, you can choose to explore the bustling city of Bucharest, known for its grand architecture, delicious cuisine, and rich cultural heritage.
The first day of your Maramures and Transylvania Discovery tour is sure to set the tone for an unforgettable adventure through some of Romania’s most charming and enchanting regions.

Day 2: Bucharest – Cozia Monastery – Sibiu Walking Tour

Discover the wonders of Transylvania with our tour, starting with a visit to the Cozia Monastery. Built in the 14th century, this stunning monastery is a testament to the region’s rich history and religious heritage. You’ll have the chance to admire the Last Judgment fresco from the late 17th century, before we continue our journey along the Olt River Valley, where you’ll be amazed by the stunning natural landscapes.
We’ll arrive in Sibiu, a charming city known for its well-preserved medieval architecture and fascinating history. You’ll explore the Old Town on foot, taking in the iconic landmarks such as the Great and Lesser Squares, the merchant houses, and the impressive Evangelical Cathedral, completed in its actual shape in 1520. After the walking tour, you’ll have the chance to settle in at your 4-star hotel in the heart of Sibiu.
In the evening, dinner is on your own, and we recommend trying Crama Sibiul Vechi, the best cellar-restaurant in town, or La Taifas restaurant for an authentic Romanian meal.

***If you’re traveling during the summertime (July to November), you’ll have the opportunity to take an unforgettable road trip on the famous Transfagarasan Highway. Known as “the best road in the world,” this breathtaking route offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains and valleys as we cross the second-highest road in Romania, reaching as high as 2,034 meters at Balea Lake. We’ll make a stop at the Poenari Citadel, known as the real castle of Vlad the Impaler, before continuing on to Sibiu.

Day 3: Corvin Castle – Alba Iulia Citadel – Turda Salt Mine – Cluj Napoca

Discover the fascinating history and natural wonders of Transylvania on day three of our tour. Start the day off right with a visit to the impressive Corvin Castle, one of Europe’s largest and most well-preserved Gothic-Renaissance castles. Built by the powerful Corvin/Hunyadi royal family, the castle is full of history and intrigue.
Next, we head to Alba Iulia, where you’ll have the opportunity to explore the impressive Vauban-style citadel. Learn about the important role this town played in Romania’s history as the site where the document of Unification of Transylvania with the Kingdom of Romania was signed.
After our history lesson, we visit the Turda Salt Mine, one of the oldest salt mines in the world. Discover the mine’s unique history and uses over time, including its use as a bomb shelter during WWII and as a cheese storage center.
The day concludes with an orientation tour of Cluj Napoca, the former capital of Transylvania and an important university center. You’ll have time to explore the city’s historic landmarks and cultural attractions before returning to your hotel for a restful night’s sleep.

Day 4: Cluj Napoca Walking Tour – Organic Smoked Bacon Tasting with Home-made Lunch – Surdesti & Budesti Wooden Churches – Home Hosted Dinner in Maramures

On the fourth day, you will start your morning with a city tour of Cluj Napoca, visiting the famous Hellmer & Felner Opera House, the Gothic St. Michael’s Church, the City Hall, and the birth house of Mathias Corvin. Next, you will drive north to a traditional 20th-century village where you will have a chance to taste homemade smoked bacon and cheese and witness the smoking process. You will also enjoy a delicious homemade lunch here.
Afterward, you’ll visit the remote and splendid Maramures region, known as the “Land of Wood.” You will visit two UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the early 1766 Church of Surdesti, the tallest and oldest wooden structure in Europe, and the Budesti Wooden Church, finished in 1643 with a tower built in Gothic style, unique for Maramures architecture.
Take the opportunity to understand the dowry traditions and admire the beautifully carved wooden gates of Maramures. Accommodation for the night is in a private house in a Maramures village, where you’ll enjoy a traditional home-hosted dinner and homemade plum brandy, offering an immersive experience into the local culture.

Day 5: Exclusive Walking Tour – Sighetu Marmatiei – Communism Memorial – Sapanta Merry Cemetery – Dinner with Folklore Show

Discover the rich cultural heritage of Maramures on the fifth day of your tour. After breakfast, take an exclusive walking tour of a local village, including a visit to an icon-glass workshop, traditional plum brandy distillery, and a natural whirlpool used by locals for washing. Next, explore the colourful fruit and vegetable market of Sighetu Marmatiei before visiting the Memorial of the Victims of Communism and of the Resistance, a former political prison during the communist regime. Visit the house of Nobel Prize winner Elie Wiesel, who was born in this Romanian town, before heading to the world-renowned Merry Cemetery in the village of Sapanta. Here, each wooden cross has a unique, humorous epitaph about the person’s life.
Before returning to the village, take a moment to admire the tallest wooden structure in the world, Sapanta Peri monastery. In the evening, enjoy a home-hosted dinner with a specially organized Maramures folklore show at your accommodation. This day will give you a deeper understanding of the unique traditions and history of this region.

Day 6: Barsana & Ieud Wooden Churches – Woman Museum – Borgo Pass – Exclusive Gypsy Home Visit – Sighisoara

After breakfast, the tour takes you along the scenic Iza River Valley where you can witness daily life in Romania. You’ll visit two UNESCO World Heritage Sites – the Barsana and Ieud wooden churches, both stunning examples of Maramures wooden church architecture. In the village of Dragomiresti, you’ll stop at the unique local museum located in a 300-year-old home.
Next, you’ll cross the picturesque Borgo Pass and head into the northern part of Transylvania. You’ll have the exclusive opportunity to visit a Gypsy home, learning about their culture, identity, and lifestyle.
In the afternoon, you’ll arrive in Sighisoara, the only still-inhabited medieval citadel in Europe and an UNESCO World Heritage Site. Your accommodation for the night is in the Upper Town. You can also choose to participate in an optional Transylvanian wine tasting in a 500-year-old cellar in Sighisoara.
***Optional: Transylvanian wine tasting in a 500-year old cellar in Sighisoara

Day 7: Sighisoara Walking Tour – Saxon Village of Saschiz & Viscri with the Fortified Churches – Exclusive Viscri Village Tour & Traditional Lunch – Brasov

Discover the best of Transylvania on the seventh day of your tour. Start with a walking tour of Sighisoara, a well-preserved medieval citadel and UNESCO World Heritage site. Learn about Vlad the Impaler and see landmarks such as the Citadel’s two squares, Scholars’ Staircase, Tinsmiths’ Tower, House with Antler, and Tower with Clock.
Then, head south to Saschiz Village, another UNESCO World Heritage site, to see the impressive clock tower and fortified church. Enjoy an exclusive tasting of organic Transylvanian jams on the way.
Next, head to Viscri, where you will savor a traditional lunch prepared by your host with local ingredients in a Saxon house. Afterwards, explore the village, which is known for its traditional houses and restored guesthouses purchased by King Charles. Visit the Fortified Church, built by Szekler population in 1100 and taken over by Saxon colonists 100 years later. You will also have the opportunity to visit a traditional blacksmith in his workshop and experience an exclusive traditional tour in a horse-drawn cart.
The day ends with hotel check-in in the beautiful pedestrian area of Brasov Old Town, where you can enjoy a variety of restaurants and outdoor cafes.

Day 8: Bear Sanctuary – Bran Castle – Brasov Walking Tour

Experience a day filled with awe-inspiring animal encounters and historical sightseeing on the eighth day. Begin your day at the Bear Sanctuary, where you can observe over 100 bears as they roam in their spacious enclosures and take dips in pools. Learn about each bear’s unique story and how they were rescued from bleak backgrounds, thanks to the efforts of the sanctuary. Afterward, enjoy a 360-degree panorama of the Bucegi and Kings Stone Mountains from the sanctuary’s front.
Next, visit the world-renowned Bran Castle, famously known for inspiring Bram Stoker’s novel “Dracula” and Francis Ford Coppola’s movie of the same name. Built in 1377, the Gothic castle was initially intended to safeguard the trading route between Transylvania and Wallachia. In the 1920s, it became a royal residence under Queen Marie of Romania. Take a moment to shop for souvenirs just outside of the castle, where you can find handmade wool and wood items.
Return to Brasov, one of the oldest cities in Europe dating back to 1235. Embark on a walking tour of the Old Town, which includes a visit to the magnificent Black Church, the largest Gothic-style church in Southeastern Europe. You will also see Council Square, Catherine’s Gate, the Guild Towers, and the narrow Rope Street. The day concludes with a return to your hotel in Brasov, where you can explore the city’s lovely pedestrian area filled with numerous restaurants and outdoor cafes, an optional dinner in a nearby village can be arranged.
***An optional dinner in a nearby village can be arranged.

Day 9: Peles Castle – Bucharest

On the last day of the Maramures and Transylvania Discovery tour, we will visit the Peles Castle, a stunning royal residence that served as the summer home of King Carol I of Romania.
The castle’s impressive architecture and extensive art collections make for a memorable visit. Following our exploration of the castle and its gardens, we will take an orientation tour of the resort town of Sinaia, where you can see the famous Casino building and enjoy a panoramic view of the town and surrounding mountains.
Finally, the tour ends with a transfer to your hotel or the airport in Bucharest. For those interested, an optional Bucharest City Tour is available, which requires an additional day.
***Optional: You can choose a Bucharest City Tour (requires one extra day)
NOTE: The tour is further customizable.

Maramures and Transylvania Discovery Map

Traditional Romanian welcome dinner with Folklore Show

In the evening, you can opt to serve a traditional dinner at a local restaurant with an idyllic view, situated on the lakeshore in Bucharest’s most famous park, the Herastrau or Michael I Park. Here, you will enjoy a three-course meal dinner with wine included, and you will get a chance to discover the traditional Romanian folklore costumes while enjoying the dances of the local performers. The entire show displays authentic Romanian traditions and customs, from the sewn details on the white outfits of the dancers to the delighting music played by the local artists.

Three-hour trip in Ukraine, to Solotvina and Nyzhnya Apsha

After Sapanta Peri Monastery visit, you can chose to visit the Ukrainian Maramures with a visit to Solotvina, which is the Ukrainian part of the Romanian town. And you will have the chance to visit Nyzhnya Apsha village. This region was in Transylvania until 1920.

Extra full day Bucharest City Tour

After the breakfast, we will start the visit of the capital city of Romania. The day starts with a visit to the Village Museum, one of the most impressive open-air museums in Europe with century old original peasant households from all parts of Romania.
After, we will visit the world’s largest, heaviest and most expensive administrative building, the Palace of Parliament. Between the two communist landmarks, we will have a panoramic tour of the city with Victory Square and Avenue, Royal Palace and Revolution Square and a short stop and visit of the Romanian Athenaeum. Next, we will attend a visit to the former residence of Ceausescu family, the last communist leader of the Socialist Republic of Romania. In contradistinction with the Ceausescu former residence we will have an incursion back in time, in the communist time, where you will have the opportunity to experience life in the 80’s with the help of authentic decor and furniture, working appliances and household accessories, local drinks and homemade snacks and historical and archive footage.
Before arriving in the old city center we will stop in the Cotroceni Neighborhood where we will visit the Presidential Palace and a typical 1930s Bucharest Residence.
In the late afternoon, we will reach Bucharest’s Old Town, with the ruins of the Old Princely Court, known as Dracula’s residence, where the legend says that Vlad the Impaler was keeping his prisoners. We will take a sightseeing tour of this part of the city, filled with lively cafes and street food to see why the nickname of Bucharest is “The Little Paris”. The rest of the evening is on your own.

Three day Republic of Moldavia Extension with Tiraspol Tour

Extra Day 1: Bucovina – Iasi City Tour – Soroca

We will begin the three-day extension with the tour of Iasi city, the unofficial capital of the Moldavian region of Romania, here we will explore the Palace of Culture, the once gold-plated Church of the Three Hierarchs, Golia Monastery and the Neoclassical National Theatre. After this incursion, we will cross the Prut River in Republic of Moldavia, outside of the European Union. On the route enjoy the countryside to Soroca, the town that hosts the greatest and most impressive fortress in Republic of Moldavia. Before reaching the hotel we will visit a different part of the Soroca town, named the Gypsy Hill, where the Gypsy community built a neighbourhood of palaces. After this hotel check in and dinner on your own.

Extra Day 2: Soroca Fortress – Old Orhei with Traditional Lunch – Cricova Wine Cellars – Chisinau City Tour

After the breakfast, we will start the day with a visit to the one of the best well-preserved fortresses of Europe, established by the Moldavian Prince Stephen the Great in 1499.
Next, we travel south, stopping at the outstanding cave monastery of Old Orhei, which is organically combines the natural landscape and vestiges of ancient civilizations. A home-made lunch will be served in the village with the same name.
In the afternoon, you head to Cricova, where you will visit the largest wine cellar in the world and where you will enjoy some of the best Moldavian wines. The winery Cricova was founded in 1952 and it is one of the few wineries which produce sparkling wine using the Champagne Method. Before reaching the hotel, we will visit the capital city of Republic of Moldavia, which is one of the greenest city in Europe. The tour will reveal the Arch of Triumph, the Metropolitan Cathedral of Chisinau with the Belfry Tower and the Parliament of Moldavia. To have a sweet evening we will have a short stop at the famous “Bucuria” shop, which is the greatest enterprise specialized in the production of candies. The rest of the evening is at your leisure.

Extra Day 3: Bender Fortress – Tiraspol Tour – Bucovina

The last day in Republic of Moldavia will be an incursion in the unrecognized Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic (Transnistria). It officially belongs to Moldova and is its second largest city.
First, we will visit Bender Fortress, which was built in one the most powerful of the medieval cities of Moldavia – Tighina, which was an important trade outpost. Later we will cross Dnister in Transnistria, where you will understand why this is the world’s last Soviet republic in fact.
In Tiraspol we will visit Suvorov Plaza & Monument, Memorial of the WW2 and Afghanistan war, Lenin statue and more.
After the walking tour in Tiraspol we will go back to Bucovina, crossing back Prut River in Romania.