11 days
Duration
Bucharest, Bucovina, Maramures, Transylvania
Regions
Cultural Tour, Long Tour, Private Tour
Tour Type
- Accommodation
- Attractions
- Exclusive Tour
- Fortified Churches
- Holiday in Bucovina
- Holiday in Maramures
- Holiday in Transylvania
- Holiday to Romania
- Long Tour
- Medieval Castles
- Medieval Cities
- Medieval Fortresses
- Painted Monasteries
- Private Tour
- Saxon Villages
- Tours in Bucovina
- Tours in Maramures
- Tours in Romania
- Tours in Transylvania
- Traditional Food
- Traditional Villages
- UNESCO World Heritage Sites
- Wooden Churches
SIMPLY THE BEST 11-DAY CULTURAL PRIVATE TOUR OF ROMANIA
Visit the main historic regions of Romania in this Famous and Charming Romania Tour in the Transylvania, Maramures, and Bucovina regions. This 11-day private guided tour begins in Bucharest and it will take you to the most important tourist attractions, including the Transylvanian medieval towns and castles, the Old Painted and Wooden Churches from Bucovina, and Maramures, starting with a tour of the vibrant Bucharest. Experience the delightful cuisine in the homes of the local people and sleep in memorable locations right in the heart of medieval towns. Book this Famous and Charming Romania Tour for the best experience in Romania and for taking your holiday to the next level!
The tour can be personalised according to your time and points of interest.
Itinerary: Bucharest Tour – Sibiu Walking Tour – Corvin Castle – Cluj-Napoca Tour – Wooden Churches of Maramures – Maramures Region Highlights & Folklore Show – Sapanta Merry Cemetery – Bucovina Exterior Painted Monasteries – Bicaz Gorges & Red Lake – Exclusive Gypsy Home Visit – Historic Center of Sighisoara – Saxon Villages with Fortified Churches in Transylvania – Peles and Bran Castles
| DEPARTURE/RETURN | Bucharest |
| TRANSPORTATION | Fully insured car/minivan with climate control |
| TOURIST GUIDE | Certified English-Speaker Tourist Guide (speakers of other languages at request) |
| 13 UNESCO World Heritage Sites and 2 on the Tentative List | Surdesti Wooden Church (Maramures Wooden Churches) Budesti Wooden Church (Maramures Wooden Churches) Barsana Wooden Church (Maramures Wooden Churches) Ieud Wooden Church (Maramures Wooden Churches) Voronet Monastery (Bucovina Exterior Painted Monasteries) Moldovita Monastery (Bucovina Exterior Painted Monasteries) Sucevita Monastery (Bucovina Exterior Painted Monasteries) Humor Monastery (Bucovina Exterior Painted Monasteries) 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) 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
- The 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, Maramures and Bucovina no less than 13 UNESCO World Heritage Sites and 2 on the Tentative List;
- Enjoy the exceptional knowledge and expertise of Romania’s top-rated licensed tourist guide with excellent reviews;
- 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 delight specialities from all three big regions, authentic local dining in our traditional homes in Maramures and Transylvania, and taste traditional Bucovina lunch;
- Meet local people in traditional markets and in a real home in Maramures;
- Discover the daily life, self-sufficiency, and sustainability in the remote Saxon villages of Transylvania and Maramures;
- Meet & interact with locals in both home-hosted experiences and local markets on our authentic cultural connections;
- Enjoy 10 nights of accommodation full of character, centrally located buildings, as well as two superb local homes in Maramures and Transylvania;
- Meet local artists such as a woodcarver, an icon designer, a blacksmith, a potter, and an egg painter 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 and in the former private residence of the Ceausescu family.
| 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) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| NOT INCLUDED |
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1
Day 1: Bucharest Arrival
At your arrival at Henri Coanda International Airport in Bucharest you will be greeted by your certified English-speaking tourist guide. You will be transferred 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: Bucharest City Tour with Parliament Palace and Ceausescu Residence & 80s Apartment – Olt River Valley – Cozia Monastery – Sibiu
After the breakfast in the hotel, we will start the Famous and Charming Romania tour with the visit of the capital city of Romania. The day starts with the visit of 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 at the Romanian Athenaeum. Next, we will attend a visit to the former residence of the 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 ’80s with the help of authentic decor and furniture, working appliances and household accessories, local drinks and homemade snacks and historical and archive footage.
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. Drive along the Olt River Valley crossing the mountains into Transylvania. After reaching Sibiu, a 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.
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. Drive along the Olt River Valley crossing the mountains into Transylvania. After reaching Sibiu, a 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.
3
Day 3: Sibiu Walking Tour – Corvin Castle – Alba Iulia Citadel – Cluj Napoca
After breakfast in the hotel, you will have a leisurely walking tour of Sibiu (Hermannstadt), the former 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 from ancient times to the present day. Alba Iulia is a town of great importance for the Romanian people, mainly because here on the first of December 1918 was signed the document of the Unification of Transylvania with the Kingdom of Romania.
Late afternoon arrival in Cluj Napoca city, the capital of Transylvania in the 18th and 19th century, today an important university center. Take an orientation tour before arriving at the hotel.
Late afternoon arrival in Cluj Napoca city, the capital of Transylvania in the 18th and 19th century, today an important university center. Take an orientation tour before arriving at the hotel.
4
Day 4: Cluj Napoca Walking Tour – Organic Smoked Bacon Tasting with Home-made Lunch – Surdesti & Budesti Wooden Churches – Home Hosted Dinner in Maramures
Breakfast at the hotel. In the morning, take a city tour of Cluj Napoca with the main landmarks such as the Hellmer & Fellner Opera House, the Gothic St. Michael’s Church, the City Hall, and the birth house of Mathias Corvin. After the walking tour, you will drive north and have a stop in a traditional 20th-century village where you will have the chance to taste homemade smoked bacon and cheese and see how to smoked bacon is made. Besides the tasting, you will have a homemade lunch served here.
After this stop, we head to the splendid and remote region of Maramures (The Land of Wood). Due to the relative isolation of their land, the people of Maramures developed a particularly strong community with a unique personality, traditions, culture, and lifestyle unspoiled for centuries.
Today you will visit two UNESCO World Heritage Sites, first the early 1766’s Church of Surdesti, the tallest oldest wooden structure in Europe. This is a good opportunity to learn about the Greek Catholics, the next one is Budesti Wooden Church, finished in 1643 and having the tower built in Gothic style, unique for Maramures architecture.
Now is the time to understand the dowry traditions and to admire the wonderfully carved wooden gates of Maramures. Accommodation is in a private house in a Maramures village. The dinner and the traditional homemade plum brandy are included so that the people will faster get deeper into the local culture.
After this stop, we head to the splendid and remote region of Maramures (The Land of Wood). Due to the relative isolation of their land, the people of Maramures developed a particularly strong community with a unique personality, traditions, culture, and lifestyle unspoiled for centuries.
Today you will visit two UNESCO World Heritage Sites, first the early 1766’s Church of Surdesti, the tallest oldest wooden structure in Europe. This is a good opportunity to learn about the Greek Catholics, the next one is Budesti Wooden Church, finished in 1643 and having the tower built in Gothic style, unique for Maramures architecture.
Now is the time to understand the dowry traditions and to admire the wonderfully carved wooden gates of Maramures. Accommodation is in a private house in a Maramures village. The dinner and the traditional homemade plum brandy are included so that the people will faster get deeper into the local culture.
5
Day 5: Exclusive Walking Tour – Sighetu Marmatiei – Communism Memorial – Sapanta Merry Cemetery – Dinner with Folklore Show
After breakfast, you will have an exclusive walking tour of the village including an icon-glass workshop – where you will learn about the technique too, the local traditional plum brandy distillery and a natural whirlpool still used by the local women to wash the carpets and the blankets. The next visit to improve the cultural connection is the colourful fruit and vegetable market in the town’s open-air market. After this, we will visit the Memorial of the Victims of Communism and of the Resistance, which is a former political jail in communist times. Alongside Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and the Battle of Normandy Memorial, this is one of the main memorial sites of Europe.
Next is the house of Nobel Prize Winner, Elie Wiesel who was born in this Romanian town. Continue west reaching the village of Sapanta, with the world-famous Merry Cemetery. Here each wooden cross carries a funny epitaph about the person’s life. Before returning to the village, take a view of what is the tallest wooden structure in the world at this moment, the Sapanta Peri monastery. In the evening enjoy the home-hosted dinner with an exclusively organized Maramures folklore show at the accommodation place.
***Optional: Three-hour trip in Ukraine, to Solotvina and Nyzhnya Apsha
Next is the house of Nobel Prize Winner, Elie Wiesel who was born in this Romanian town. Continue west reaching the village of Sapanta, with the world-famous Merry Cemetery. Here each wooden cross carries a funny epitaph about the person’s life. Before returning to the village, take a view of what is the tallest wooden structure in the world at this moment, the Sapanta Peri monastery. In the evening enjoy the home-hosted dinner with an exclusively organized Maramures folklore show at the accommodation place.
***Optional: Three-hour trip in Ukraine, to Solotvina and Nyzhnya Apsha
6
Day 6: Barsana & Ieud Wooden Churches – Woman Museum – Borgo Pass – Egg Painting Workshop – Bucovina
After the breakfast, we continue our Famous and Charming Romania tour along the picturesque Iza River Valley – an excellent opportunity to witness daily life in this corner of Romania. First, we will stop to visit another wooden church that is in UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Barsana village, where we will visit a famous master woodcarver in his own workshop too. He represented Romania at the 1999 Smithsonian World Folk Festival in Washington, DC, famous for the wonderfully carved wooden gates. Next is the exquisite Barsana Monastery, an example of Maramures wooden church architecture at its best. Visit Ieud on the Hill wooden church (UNESCO World Heritage Site). In the village of Dragomiresti, we will visit the unique local museum located in a 300-year-old home.
After this museum, we are crossing the scenic Carpathian Mountains through the picturesque Borgo Pass or the Prislop Pass into the northern part of Moldavia called Bucovina.
Later, we will visit an egg-painter artist and we will learn more about this tradition, this being one of the ancient local traditions of the Bucovina region. You will also have the chance to admire painted eggs from all over the world.
After arriving at the 4* hotel in Gura Humorului the evening is at your leisure.
***Optional: Three-day Republic of Moldavia Extension with Tiraspol Tour (requires three extra days)
After this museum, we are crossing the scenic Carpathian Mountains through the picturesque Borgo Pass or the Prislop Pass into the northern part of Moldavia called Bucovina.
Later, we will visit an egg-painter artist and we will learn more about this tradition, this being one of the ancient local traditions of the Bucovina region. You will also have the chance to admire painted eggs from all over the world.
After arriving at the 4* hotel in Gura Humorului the evening is at your leisure.
***Optional: Three-day Republic of Moldavia Extension with Tiraspol Tour (requires three extra days)
7
Day 7: Bucovina Painted Monasteries (UNESCO World Heritage Sites) & Traditional Lunch – Black Pottery Workshop
We will start our day after the hotel breakfast with the Folk Traditions Museum of Bucovina, where we will see all the typical Bucovina household arrangement and traditional costumes for different moments of their life and main celebrations throughout the year. These traditions stretch back to pre-Christian times and are unique to the region. An authentic view into the local culture and a perfect start of your fascinating day with the visit to the unique 15th – 16th century Painted Monasteries of Bucovina: “The big four” – the Voronet Painted Monastery, the Moldovita Painted Monastery, the Sucevita Painted Monastery, and the Humor Painted Monastery; all of them listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The first is Voronet Painted Monastery, the most famous out of all, known as the “Sistine Chapel of the Orient” and featuring one of the best Last Judgment frescos in this part of the world. Here the Voronet Blue is considered by the specialists to be unique in the world and is known as Rubes red or the Veronese green.
Next, is Moldovita Painted Monastery with its towers on both corners of the facade and a powerful tower for the gate. At the lunch, enjoy a traditional Bucovina lunch in the picturesque village of Sucevita. Later continue to the nearby Sucevita Painted Monastery, which is the largest of all, looking more like a mighty fortress than a monastery. Inside, the Virtues Ladder is considered one of the best frescoes from Bucovina, being the most impressive by its amplitude and the contrast between angles and hell’s chaos.
Next, we will visit the workshop on black pottery, the historians date the beginning of pottery here in 1500, they use a technique called “oxygen reduction”, and the same technique is used in Mexico only. The last monastery is Humor Painted Monastery, the only one without a belfry tower.
The accommodation is at the same hotel as yesterday.
Next, is Moldovita Painted Monastery with its towers on both corners of the facade and a powerful tower for the gate. At the lunch, enjoy a traditional Bucovina lunch in the picturesque village of Sucevita. Later continue to the nearby Sucevita Painted Monastery, which is the largest of all, looking more like a mighty fortress than a monastery. Inside, the Virtues Ladder is considered one of the best frescoes from Bucovina, being the most impressive by its amplitude and the contrast between angles and hell’s chaos.
Next, we will visit the workshop on black pottery, the historians date the beginning of pottery here in 1500, they use a technique called “oxygen reduction”, and the same technique is used in Mexico only. The last monastery is Humor Painted Monastery, the only one without a belfry tower.
The accommodation is at the same hotel as yesterday.
8
Day 8: Neamt Citadel – Bicaz Gorges & Red Lake – Exclusive Gypsy Home Visit – Sighisoara
After the breakfast, we will start our day with a drive to Neamt Citadel where you will have a guided tour inside the Moldavian 12th-century medieval citadel.
After Neamt Citadel, you will reach Bicaz Gorges, crossed by the road that links the historical regions of Moldavia and Transylvania. Bicaz Gorges are without a doubt one of the most breathtaking natural attractions in Romania, here you have the choice to leave the car behind and explore it on foot on a short hike. Next is the Red Lake, formed by a mountain sliding in 1838, because of the colour of the water the names received this name. After the Red Lake, you will have the chance to visit a Gypsy home, on this exclusive home visit you will have the unique opportunity to learn about this less known yet controversial ethnic group, its culture, identity, and lifestyle. Afternoon arrival in Sighisoara, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the only still inhabited medieval citadel in Europe. Accommodation in the Upper Town.
***Optional: Transylvanian wine tasting in a 500-year-old cellar in Sighisoara
After Neamt Citadel, you will reach Bicaz Gorges, crossed by the road that links the historical regions of Moldavia and Transylvania. Bicaz Gorges are without a doubt one of the most breathtaking natural attractions in Romania, here you have the choice to leave the car behind and explore it on foot on a short hike. Next is the Red Lake, formed by a mountain sliding in 1838, because of the colour of the water the names received this name. After the Red Lake, you will have the chance to visit a Gypsy home, on this exclusive home visit you will have the unique opportunity to learn about this less known yet controversial ethnic group, its culture, identity, and lifestyle. Afternoon arrival in Sighisoara, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the only still inhabited medieval citadel in Europe. Accommodation in the Upper Town.
***Optional: Transylvanian wine tasting in a 500-year-old cellar in Sighisoara
9
Day 9: Sighisoara Walking Tour – Saxon Village of Biertan & Saschiz & Viscri with the Fortified Churches with Traditional Dinner
We start the day with breakfast at the hotel. Before starting your walking tour of old Sighisoara your tourist guide will have an informal talk with you about 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’s father had a house. After the tour, you 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. The journey continues south to Brasov with a stop in Saschiz Village (UNESCO World Heritage Site) 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 Prince Charles bought, restored, and converted into guesthouses for tourists. Here you will meet a traditional blacksmith in his workshop and he will show you how it works in a blacksmith workshop.
You will spend the night in a traditional homestay and enjoy a dinner, prepared by your host from local ingredients.
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 Prince Charles bought, restored, and converted into guesthouses for tourists. Here you will meet a traditional blacksmith in his workshop and he will show you how it works in a blacksmith workshop.
You will spend the night in a traditional homestay and enjoy a dinner, prepared by your host from local ingredients.
10
Day 10: Viscri Fortified Church – Prejmer Fortified Church – Bran Castle – Brasov Walking Tour
After the organic breakfast, we continue our journey with the Viscri Fortified Church, which 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. Next is the last UNESCO World Heritage Site, in Prejmer village, where you will visit Prejmer Fortified Church, the largest fortified church in South-Eastern Europe.
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 – the 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 – the 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.
11
Day 11: Peles Castle – Bucharest Airport
After breakfast at the hotel, you will drive through Predeal, Romania’s highest town. Named after St. Catherine Monastery on Mount Sinai, Sinaia 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.
After the visit drive to Henri Coanda International Airport for your afternoon return flight.
***Optional: Two days Black Sea & Danube Delta Extension with Danube Delta Private Cruise accompanied by the certified skipper (requires two extra days)
After the visit drive to Henri Coanda International Airport for your afternoon return flight.
***Optional: Two days Black Sea & Danube Delta Extension with Danube Delta Private Cruise accompanied by the certified skipper (requires two extra days)
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 choose 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.
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 at Tulcea located right at the entrance to the Danube Delta. Hotel check-in. Dinner on your own.
2
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’s scenic beauty and wildlife – it is known as the birdwatcher’s 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.
Three day Republic of Moldavia Extension with Tiraspol Tour
1
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, where 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 the 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 the Republic of Moldavia. Before reaching the hotel we will visit a different part of Soroca town, named the Gypsy Hill, where the Gypsy community built a neighbourhood of palaces. After this hotel check in and have dinner on your own.
2
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 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 organically combines the natural landscape and vestiges of ancient civilizations. A homemade 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 the 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 specialising in the production of candies. The rest of the evening is at your leisure.
Next, we travel south, stopping at the outstanding cave monastery of Old Orhei, which organically combines the natural landscape and vestiges of ancient civilizations. A homemade 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 the 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 specialising in the production of candies. The rest of the evening is at your leisure.
3
Extra Day 3: Bender Fortress – Tiraspol Tour – Bucovina
The last day in the 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 of 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.
First, we will visit Bender Fortress, which was built in one of 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.
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Holiday to Romania was awesome! I learned so much from our guide, Daniel and I would highly recommend him as your guide if you travel to Romania. If I had arranged the visit to Transylvania on my own without a travel guide, I would have regretted it. Daniel was informative and very welcoming. Request him — he is great and this company is fantastic! I will look them up if I plan to return to Romania in the future!
We had a wonderful visit to Romania. Dan was a very knowledgeable and entertaining guided. I would recommend anyone traveling to Romania in general to get in touch with Holiday to Romania.
Holiday to Romania organized our trip to Romania. They provided a wonderful tour guide named Alex and a very spacious van for our 11 day tour. During our trip we visited beautiful Gothic Fortified Churches, Medieval Castles, Traditional Villages, The People Parliament, museums, the countryside, and much more. Everyday we visited at least three sights. Every sight had something interesting or beautiful to see. Holiday to Romania’s program to travel the country is perfect. You are able to experience the country because you see so much. Yet, at the end you are left with the feeling of wanting to see more. My husband who booked the tour was in continuous contact with Dan. He was always very accessible and keen to making sure that we were happy. His choice of accommodations were great because we were able to stay in very nice hotels, and with Romanian run lodging homes. In these homes we were able to interact with the family and eat homemade Romanian meals. Both Dan and our guide speak English perfectly. Alex’s personality is great. He never said, no. I have 2,000 pictures in Romania almost all taken by Alex. Plus, another 1,000 he took on my husbands Iphone. A very safe driver. Just an around nice person. I am glad Dan chose Alex as our guide because he made us feel like family.
If you are looking for quality service, a comprehensive and diverse tour, and a beautiful country with history, architecture, art, mountains, a beautiful countryside, great food and another secret – great wine…you must visit Romania and put Holiday to Romania to organize it. Thank you Holiday to Romania for an unforgettable vacation!
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