9 days
Duration
Bucharest, Budapest, Hungary, Transylvania
Regions
Cultural Tour, Private Tour
Tour Type
- Accommodation
- Attractions
- Exclusive Tour
- Fortified Churches
- Holiday in Transylvania
- Holiday to Romania
- Medieval Castles
- Medieval Cities
- Medieval Fortresses
- Private Tour
- Saxon Villages
- Tours in Budapest
- Tours in Hungary
- Tours in Romania
- Tours in Transylvania
- Traditional Food
- Traditional Villages
- UNESCO World Heritage Sites
DISCOVER THE MOST BEAUTIFUL COUNTRIES IN EASTERN EUROPE: ROMANIA & HUNGARY IN 9-DAY TOUR
Amazing Romania & Hungary will let you discover during this 9-day visit the most important attractions of these two countries, their culture, history, traditions and gastronomy. It is a selection of big cities Bucharest and Budapest, old medieval towns, castles, fortresses and rural life.
One of the most enigmatic Eastern Europe destinations, Romania will reveal a land of alpine mountains and medieval traditions and fantastic hospitality. Great chance to discover the Carpathian Mountains into the exotic Transylvania where you will discover forgotten villages, well-preserved medieval towns and old legends.
Hungary is waiting for you with medieval castles, neo-Renaissance churches, royal palaces, and hilltop fortresses, all of them with a wide spectrum of architectural influences, including Byzantine, Moorish, Romanesque and Hungarian.
Between the two countries, you will have a first-class sleeping car ride on the same tracks as Orient Express from Budapest to Sinaia Royal Train Station.
Book this Amazing Romania & Hungary Tour for the best experience in Romania and Hungary and for taking your holiday to the next level!
The tour can be personalised according to your time and points of interest.
Itinerary: Budapest City Tour – Esztergom – Visegrad Castle – Szentendre Town – Peles Castle – Bran Castle – Brasov Walking Tour – Prejmer Fortified Church – Saxon Villages with Fortified Churches in Transylvania – Historic Center of Sighisoara – Exclusive Gypsy Home Visit – Sibiu Walking Tour – Corvin Castle – Alba Iulia Citadel – Bucharest City Tour
| DEPARTURE/RETURN | Bucharest / Budapest |
| TRANSPORTATION | Fully insured car/minivan with climate control and first-class sleeping car |
| TOURIST GUIDE | Two Certified English-Speaker Tourist Guides, one for each country |
| 6 UNESCO World Heritage Sites and 4 on the Tentative List | Budapest, including the Banks of the Danube, the Buda Castle Quarter and Andrassy Avenue Historic Center of Sighisoara Biertan Fortified Church (Villages with Fortified Church in Transylvania) Saschiz Fortified Church (Villages with Fortified Church in Transylvania) Viscri Fortified Church (Villages with Fortified Church in Transylvania) Prejmer Fortified Church (Villages with Fortified Church in Transylvania) Medieval Royal Seat and Parkland at Visegrad Royal Seats in Esztergom 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 of complete flexibility of having the tour tailored on your requirements, in terms of the route, the duration and the features of the tour;
- No more than two days in the same location;
- Enhance your experience through our choices of tours to match your particular interests and travelling style;
- Visit through our exclusively designed tours and cultural connections in Transylvania, Romania and Hungary no less than 6 UNESCO World Heritage Sites and 4 on the Tentative List;
- Enjoy the exceptional knowledge and expertise of two top-rated licensed tourist guides with excellent reviews, one for each country;
- Take the unique chance of meeting Gypsies in their own community in Transylvania and discover their particular culture and see what good skills they have at crafts;
- Enjoy traditional Romanian and Hungarian delight specialities, authentic local dining in our traditional home in Transylvania and an exceptional dinner on your Danube Cruise in Budapest;
- Meet local people in the Budapest market and in a Saxon home in Transylvania;
- Discover the daily life, self-sufficiency and sustainability in the remote Saxon villages of Transylvania;
- Enjoy 6 nights of accommodation at full of character, centrally located buildings, as well as one superb local home in Transylvania;
- Sleep in a first-class sleeping car on the train between Budapest and Sinaia;
- Feel the countryside living in the trip with the horse cart and the home-made dinner and lunch;
- Meet local artists such as a blacksmith and a brick maker in their workshops and learn about the traditional arts & crafts;
- Make the most of your tour experience through our exclusively designed tours with all admissions included and not just only guided walks;
- Discover the capital city of Bucharest, on a comprehensive city tour including the guided tour in the Palace of the Parliament.
| DEPARTURE/RETURN | Bucharest / Budapest | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| TRANSPORTATION | Fully insured car/minivan with climate control and first class sleeping car | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| TOURIST GUIDE | Two Certified English-Speaker Tourist Guides (speakers of other languages at request) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| INCLUDED |
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| NOT INCLUDED |
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1
Day 1: Bucharest Arrival
At your arrival to Henri Coanda International Airport in Bucharest you will be greeted by your certified English-speaking tourist guide. You will be transfer to your 4* hotel located in the city center with a short orientation tour. The rest of the day will be at your leisure.
***Optional: You can choose a traditional Romanian Welcome Dinner with Folklore Show
***Optional: You can choose a traditional Romanian Welcome Dinner with Folklore Show
2
Day 2: Peles Castle – Bran Castle – Brasov Walking Tour
After the breakfast we start the Amazing Romania & Hungary Tour with our trip to Sinaia, named after St. Catherine Monastery on Mount Sinai, the town became the unofficial capital of the Kingdom of Romania towards the end of the 19th century. The orientation tour of the resort includes a view of the famous Casino building, with its architecture inspired by the one in Monte Carlo. Then take a guided tour of the Peles Castle, the royal residence of King Carol I of Romania and known as one of the most beautiful summer royal residences in Europe. Once the famous Orient Express train use to regularly call here and it still does once a year on its way from Paris to Constantinople.
Later, it is time for Bran Castle also known as Dracula Castle. This medieval structure was built in 1377 to safeguard the trading route between Transylvania and Wallachia, enlarged and restored a few times to become a royal residence in the 1920s under Queen Marie of Romania. After the visit, you will have time for buying souvenirs and have an exclusive natural cheese sampling.
Remain of the day is spent in Brasov, another of the important Saxon cities with a rich heritage and one of the oldest in Europe, dating from 1235. The tour will reveal the Old Town with the magnificent Black Church – largest Gothic style church in South-Eastern Europe and featuring a collection of over one hundred Muslim prayer rugs, Council Square, Catherine’s Gate, the Guild Towers, Schei Quarter with the First School in Romanian language and the narrow Rope Street. Hotel check-in in the lovely pedestrian area of the Old Town with its many restaurants and outdoor cafes.
Later, it is time for Bran Castle also known as Dracula Castle. This medieval structure was built in 1377 to safeguard the trading route between Transylvania and Wallachia, enlarged and restored a few times to become a royal residence in the 1920s under Queen Marie of Romania. After the visit, you will have time for buying souvenirs and have an exclusive natural cheese sampling.
Remain of the day is spent in Brasov, another of the important Saxon cities with a rich heritage and one of the oldest in Europe, dating from 1235. The tour will reveal the Old Town with the magnificent Black Church – largest Gothic style church in South-Eastern Europe and featuring a collection of over one hundred Muslim prayer rugs, Council Square, Catherine’s Gate, the Guild Towers, Schei Quarter with the First School in Romanian language and the narrow Rope Street. Hotel check-in in the lovely pedestrian area of the Old Town with its many restaurants and outdoor cafes.
3
Day 3: Prejmer Fortified Church – Saxon Village of Saschiz & Viscri with the Fortified Churches – Exclusive Viscri Village Tour & Traditional Lunch and Dinner
After the breakfast, we continue our journey to Prejmer where we will visit the first UNESCO World Heritage Site in Romania of your tour, the Prejmer Fortified Church, the largest fortified church in South Eastern Europe.
The journey continues north to Viscri with a stop in Saschiz Village (UNESCO World Heritage Sites) with the imposing clock tower and the fortified church, which is the most important landmark of the village. The Late-Gothic fortified church from Saschiz is one of the strongest constructions of this type from Transylvania, widely considered one of Transylvania’s most beautiful medieval monuments, this is the main tourist attraction of the village. On the route, enjoy an exclusive tasting of organic Transylvanian “like Grandma used to make” jams.
The last stop for today is in Viscri village, the traditional Saxon village, one of the oldest in all of Transylvania. It is famous for the traditional houses that the Prince Charles bought, restored and converted into guesthouses for tourists. We will serve a traditional lunch, before visiting the Fortified Church, that unlike many of the other fortified churches, this one was built around 1100 by the Szekler population and taken over by Saxon colonists 100 years later.
Here you will meet a traditional blacksmith in his workshop and he will show you how is working in a traditional blacksmith workshop, after the visit at blacksmith we will visit a traditional brick makers too, all this things in an exclusive traditional tour in a horse cart.
You will spend the night in a traditional Saxon home and enjoy a dinner, prepared by your host from local ingredients.
The journey continues north to Viscri with a stop in Saschiz Village (UNESCO World Heritage Sites) with the imposing clock tower and the fortified church, which is the most important landmark of the village. The Late-Gothic fortified church from Saschiz is one of the strongest constructions of this type from Transylvania, widely considered one of Transylvania’s most beautiful medieval monuments, this is the main tourist attraction of the village. On the route, enjoy an exclusive tasting of organic Transylvanian “like Grandma used to make” jams.
The last stop for today is in Viscri village, the traditional Saxon village, one of the oldest in all of Transylvania. It is famous for the traditional houses that the Prince Charles bought, restored and converted into guesthouses for tourists. We will serve a traditional lunch, before visiting the Fortified Church, that unlike many of the other fortified churches, this one was built around 1100 by the Szekler population and taken over by Saxon colonists 100 years later.
Here you will meet a traditional blacksmith in his workshop and he will show you how is working in a traditional blacksmith workshop, after the visit at blacksmith we will visit a traditional brick makers too, all this things in an exclusive traditional tour in a horse cart.
You will spend the night in a traditional Saxon home and enjoy a dinner, prepared by your host from local ingredients.
4
Day 4: Sighisoara Walking Tour – Saxon Village of Biertan with the Fortified Church – Exclusive Gypsy Home Visit – Sibiu
We start the day with an organic breakfast in the house. On our trip to Sighisoara your tourist guide will have an informal talk with you on Vlad the Impaler – Dracula, what is truth and what is fiction. In Sighisoara the German settlers built the city in the late part of the 12th century. The walking tour includes the two squares of the Citadel, the Scholars’ Staircase, the Tinsmiths’ Tower, the House with Antler, and the Tower with Clock. Sighisoara is the place where Vlad the Impaler father had a house. After the walking tour, we will go to the fortified church of Biertan, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, for a visit of the former seat of the Lutheran Bishops of Transylvania. With its three belts of fortification, this is the most impressive fortified church in Transylvania. Next, you will have the chance to visit a Gypsy home, on the exclusive home visit you will have the unique opportunity to learn about this less known yet controversial ethnic group, about its culture, identity and lifestyle.
After reaching Sibiu, brief orientation tour on the way to the hotel. Accommodation in a 4* hotel in the center of Sibiu.
Dinner on your own. A suggestion is Crama Sibiul Vechi, the best cellar – restaurant in town or La Taifas restaurant.
After reaching Sibiu, brief orientation tour on the way to the hotel. Accommodation in a 4* hotel in the center of Sibiu.
Dinner on your own. A suggestion is Crama Sibiul Vechi, the best cellar – restaurant in town or La Taifas restaurant.
5
Day 5: Sibiu Walking Tour – Corvin Castle – Alba Iulia Citadel – Sibiu
After the breakfast in the hotel, you will have a leisurely walking tour of Sibiu (Hermannstadt), the formerly chief city of the Transylvanian Saxons. The Great and Lesser Squares are the landmarks of the Old Town with the many merchant houses featuring the Sibiu eyes. View the old surrounding defence walls and the remaining towers belonging to the merchant guilds. Next is the Evangelical Cathedral completed in its actual shape in 1520.
Before noon, depart to Hunedoara, to Corvin Castle, one of the largest and most well preserved medieval castles of Europe, home to the mighty Corvin/Hunyadi royal family.
After the visit to this Gothic-Renaissance castle, the next stop will be at Alba Iulia, famous for its Vauban style citadel. Alba Iulia’s citadel will teach you more about the history of Romanians since the ancient times to the present days. Alba Iulia is a town with a great importance for the Romanian people, mainly because here on first of December 1918 was signed the document of Unification of Transylvania with the Kingdom of Romania.
Late afternoon arrive back in Sibiu, the accommodation is at the same hotel like yesterday.
Before noon, depart to Hunedoara, to Corvin Castle, one of the largest and most well preserved medieval castles of Europe, home to the mighty Corvin/Hunyadi royal family.
After the visit to this Gothic-Renaissance castle, the next stop will be at Alba Iulia, famous for its Vauban style citadel. Alba Iulia’s citadel will teach you more about the history of Romanians since the ancient times to the present days. Alba Iulia is a town with a great importance for the Romanian people, mainly because here on first of December 1918 was signed the document of Unification of Transylvania with the Kingdom of Romania.
Late afternoon arrive back in Sibiu, the accommodation is at the same hotel like yesterday.
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Day 6: Cozia Monastery – Bucharest City Tour with Parliament Palace – Transfer to Bucharest North Train Station
After the breakfast, we will leave Transylvania driving along the Olt River Valley crossing the mountains to Wallachia. The tour continues with a short stop at the 14th century Cozia Monastery built by King Mircea the Elder featuring a superb late 17th century Last Judgment fresco.
After the short stop, we will drive south to Bucharest with arrival in the early afternoon.
We will continue the Amazing Romania & Hungary Tour with the visit of capital city of Romania. We start the Bucharest City Tour with the Palace of Parliament, the world’s largest, heaviest and most expensive administrative building. Next, you will attend a panoramic tour of the city with Arch of Triumph, Victory Square and Avenue, Royal Palace and Revolution Square.
Later in the afternoon, transfer to the Bucharest North Train Station for your comfortable overnight first-class sleeping car to Budapest. At the train station, you will say goodbye to your Romanian guide and you will start your train ride at 5:45PM.
***Optional: Two day Black Sea & Danube Delta Extension with Danube Delta Private Cruise accompanied by certified skipper (requires two extra days)
After the short stop, we will drive south to Bucharest with arrival in the early afternoon.
We will continue the Amazing Romania & Hungary Tour with the visit of capital city of Romania. We start the Bucharest City Tour with the Palace of Parliament, the world’s largest, heaviest and most expensive administrative building. Next, you will attend a panoramic tour of the city with Arch of Triumph, Victory Square and Avenue, Royal Palace and Revolution Square.
Later in the afternoon, transfer to the Bucharest North Train Station for your comfortable overnight first-class sleeping car to Budapest. At the train station, you will say goodbye to your Romanian guide and you will start your train ride at 5:45PM.
***Optional: Two day Black Sea & Danube Delta Extension with Danube Delta Private Cruise accompanied by certified skipper (requires two extra days)
7
Day 7: Budapest City Tour with Dinner on Danube Cruise
At 8:50AM, you will arrive at Keleti Trains Station in Budapest, where you will be greet by the Hungarian tourist guide and you will start the second part of the Amazing Romania & Hungary Tour. We start our day with your private tour of the stunning city of Budapest, capital of Hungary. Built along the Danube River, Budapest occupies both banks: the West hill (Buda) and the East plain (Pest). The day starts with your trip on Andrassy Avenue to the magnificent Heroes’ Square. We then walk over to Vajdahunyad Castle before continuing to St. Stephen’s Basilica for a quick look inside and a panoramic view over the Pesta part. Next head to the Palace of the Parliament, the largest building in Hungary and still the highest building in Budapest. Inspired from the design of London’s House of Parliament, the Hungarian building constructed in Neo-Gothic style, having a central dome and a symmetrical façade, which displays statues of Hungarian rulers, Transylvanian leaders and famous military figures.
After the visit of the Parliament where you will see the original Hungarian Holy Crown we will continue toward Margaret Bridge over which we cross to Buda and admire the former Royal Palace. The tour of the Castle Hill includes a view of the colourful Gothic Matthias Church, view of the Fishermen’s Bastion, Middle Ages small streets and houses, Vienna gate and the northern bastions walk, St. Magdalena Church ruins and ending up to the Gellert Hill where is the best view of Budapest. We will cross back the Danube River over the famous Chain Bridge, one of the most known landmarks of Budapest, built in 1849.
You will be transfer to your 4* hotel downtown with a short orientation tour. The rest of the afternoon is at your leisure. In the evening, enjoy a Dinner while cruising the Danube.
After the visit of the Parliament where you will see the original Hungarian Holy Crown we will continue toward Margaret Bridge over which we cross to Buda and admire the former Royal Palace. The tour of the Castle Hill includes a view of the colourful Gothic Matthias Church, view of the Fishermen’s Bastion, Middle Ages small streets and houses, Vienna gate and the northern bastions walk, St. Magdalena Church ruins and ending up to the Gellert Hill where is the best view of Budapest. We will cross back the Danube River over the famous Chain Bridge, one of the most known landmarks of Budapest, built in 1849.
You will be transfer to your 4* hotel downtown with a short orientation tour. The rest of the afternoon is at your leisure. In the evening, enjoy a Dinner while cruising the Danube.
8
Day 8: Esztergom – Visegrad Castle – Szentendre Town
In the morning, we will start the day with the visit of Esztergom, the seat of the Hungarian Catholic Church, and one of the oldest towns in Hungary, which was the oldest Hungarian Royal Residence. We will visit the Basilica of Esztergom, the largest cathedral of Hungary and the third largest in Europe, a masterpiece of Classicism, which is the third largest church in Europe.
Afterwards, we drive across the river to Slovakia and enjoy the view over the Basilica.
Next, drive east along the Danube to the largest medieval castle from Central Europe, in Visegrad. With its two parts, such as the 13th century citadel built on the hill and the 14th century Royal Palace at the bottom of the hill. Visegrad had its golden age during the Matthias Corvin time, who extended the entire structure. Visegrad is also the place where the famous Vlad the Impaler – Dracula was prisoner.
We will continue our journey to the riverside town of Szentendre. The small baroque town, located at the gate of the Danube Bend. Today the Mediterranean atmosphere can be felt in the small town, with the baroque architecture, churches of various faiths, narrow side streets, and cobblestone roads the town is consider the artists village of the painters town. We will explore the towns charming monuments and the cobbled streets with the unexpected alleyways.
Late afternoon arrive back in Budapest, the accommodation is at the same hotel like yesterday.
Afterwards, we drive across the river to Slovakia and enjoy the view over the Basilica.
Next, drive east along the Danube to the largest medieval castle from Central Europe, in Visegrad. With its two parts, such as the 13th century citadel built on the hill and the 14th century Royal Palace at the bottom of the hill. Visegrad had its golden age during the Matthias Corvin time, who extended the entire structure. Visegrad is also the place where the famous Vlad the Impaler – Dracula was prisoner.
We will continue our journey to the riverside town of Szentendre. The small baroque town, located at the gate of the Danube Bend. Today the Mediterranean atmosphere can be felt in the small town, with the baroque architecture, churches of various faiths, narrow side streets, and cobblestone roads the town is consider the artists village of the painters town. We will explore the towns charming monuments and the cobbled streets with the unexpected alleyways.
Late afternoon arrive back in Budapest, the accommodation is at the same hotel like yesterday.
9
Day 9: Budapest Departure
Breakfast at hotel (or boxed breakfast for the early departures). End your Amazing Romania & Hungary Tour with a transfer to Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport for your return flight.
NOTE: The tour is further customizable.
NOTE: The tour is further customizable.
Traditional Romanian 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.
Two day Black Sea & Danube Delta Extension with Danube Delta Private Cruise accompanied by certified skipper
1
Extra Day 1: Bucharest – Constanta Walking Tour – Histria Fortress – Tulcea
Begin your extension tour of the Black Sea and Danube Delta with an early morning departure to the Black Sea Coast, to Constanta – the largest seaport on the Black Sea. A city that was established in the 4th century BC as a Greek colony. The drive from Bucharest will take approximately three hours, crossing the Danube into the region of Dobrogea and driving along the famous Danube-Black Sea Canal. The city tour of Constanta will take you to the Secession style Casino and the Genoese Lighthouse. In the National Museum of Archaeology, you will see the fabulous Glykon Serpent and the wonderfully restored Roman Mosaic – one of the largest in this part of Europe. In the afternoon drive to Mamaia – Romania’s largest sea resort, established by King Carol I of Romania in the second half of the 19th century and then continue north to the ruins of the ancient town of Histria. In the early evening arrive to Tulcea located right at the entrance in the Danube Delta. Hotel check in. Dinner on your own.
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Extra Day 2: Danube Delta Private Cruise with Lunch – Bucharest Airport
After the early breakfast, you will explore, in your private boat the youngest territory in the world, the Danube Delta started to form just 10,000 years ago and is still in the process of formation. On your exclusively cruise you will have the chance to admire the Danube scenic beauty and wildlife – it is known as the birdwatchers paradise, so simply relax while browsing through the narrow channels. A fauna specialist tour guide and skipper, who knows all the channels, will lead your tour. A great opportunity for you to watch birds and to admire nature. The Delta cuisine is certain to provide an interesting lunch experience, the lunch will be served on the ship.
After the tour we will drive back to Henri Coanda International Airport for your afternoon return flight.
After the tour we will drive back to Henri Coanda International Airport for your afternoon return flight.
Tour Reviews
I highly recommend Holiday to Romania because they are enthusiastic, professional and their services are always prompt. They can put together an entertaining itinerary for me, no matter where I want to travel and their advice is valuable and spot on. They helped me discover Romania and saw it in a different light, even though I lived most of my life there.
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