- Accommodation
- Attractions
- Fortified Churches
- Holiday in Transylvania
- Holiday to Romania
- Medieval Castles
- Medieval Cities
- Medieval Fortresses
- Private Tour
- Saxon Villages
- Tours in Romania
- Tours in Transylvania
- Traditional Food
- Traditional Villages
- UNESCO World Heritage Sites
THE MOST COMPLETE SEVEN-DAY TRANSYLVANIA PRIVATE TOUR INCLUDING CASTLES, SAXON TOWNS, SAXON VILLAGES AND FORTIFIED CHURCHES
Explore the mysterious land of Transylvania on our 7-day private tour, taking you on a journey through time and history. Discover castles, Saxon towns, and fortified churches, as well as the stunning natural beauty of the Carpathian Mountains. Our expert guide will lead you through medieval castles like Bran and Peles, the fortified churches of Viscri and Biertan, and picturesque Saxon villages like Visci and Saschiz. Walk the cobbled streets of historic towns like Sighisoara and Brasov and visit the famous Bear Sanctuary to meet the resident bears. With comfortable accommodation and private transportation throughout the tour, our Transylvanian Time Traveler tour is the perfect way to immerse yourself in this fascinating region. Join us for the most complete 7-day Transylvania private tour available.
The tour can be personalised according to your time and points of interest.
Itinerary: Bucharest – Sibiu Walking Tour – Corvin Castle – Turda Salt Mine – Cluj-Napoca Walking Tour – Bistrita Walking Tour – Targu Mures Citadel – Medias Walking Tour – Historic Center of Sighisoara – Exclusive Gypsy Home Visit – Saxon Villages with Fortified Churches in Transylvania – Brasov Walking Tour – LiBearty Bear Sanctuary – Peles and Bran Castles – Bucharest
| 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) |
| 4 UNESCO World Heritage Sites and one on the Tentative List | 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) Historic Centre of Sibiu and its Ensemble of Squares (Tentative List for UNESCO World Heritage Sites) |
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS AND UNIQUE CULTURAL CONNECTIONS
- Explore the rich history and stunning architecture of Transylvania’s medieval castles, including the iconic Bran Castle, Peles Castle, and Corvin Castle;
- Walk through the charming Saxon towns of Brasov, Sighisoara, Bistria, Medias and Sibiu, where you can admire the well-preserved medieval fortifications, colorful houses, and cobbled streets;
- Visit the UNESCO-protected fortified churches of Biertan, Viscri, and Saschiz, and learn about their unique role in the region’s history and culture;
- Experience the authentic lifestyle of Transylvanian locals by visiting traditional markets, meeting local artists, and enjoying home-cooked meals;
- Learn about the region’s complex cultural heritage by meeting with Gypsies in their own community and seeing their skilled crafts;
- Discover the breathtaking natural landscapes of the Carpathian Mountains, the Piatra Craiului National Park, and the Fagaras Mountains, and take in the stunning views of the region’s valleys, forests, and meadows;
- 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;
- Enhance your experience through our choices of tours to match your particular interests and traveling style;
- Benefit from the expertise of top-rated licensed tourist guides who will provide in-depth knowledge of the region’s history, architecture, culture, and traditions;
- Enjoy 6 nights of accommodation at full of character, centrally located buildings;
- Meet local artists such as a blacksmith in his workshop 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.
| 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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Day 1: Bucharest – Cozia Monastery – Sibiu Walking Tour
Experience the rich history and culture of Transylvania on our 7-day Time Traveler tour. On the first day, we’ll drive from Bucharest to Transylvania, stopping at the magnificent 14th-century Cozia Monastery, built by King Mircea the Elder, where you can admire the stunning Last Judgment fresco from the late 17th century.
As we drive along the Olt River Valley, you’ll cross the mountains and arrive in Sibiu for a leisurely walking tour of the Old Town. The Great and Lesser Squares, surrounded by merchant houses with the famous Sibiu eyes, are iconic landmarks of the city. Don’t miss the Evangelical Cathedral, completed in its actual shape in 1520.
After the tour, you’ll check into a 4-star hotel located in the center 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.
***During the summertime (July to November), the trip to Cozia Monastery will be replaced with a thrilling road trip on the Transfagarasan Highway. This breathtaking route, named “the best road in the world” by the television show Top Gear, 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.
Day 2: Corvin Castle – Alba Iulia Citadel – Turda Salt Mine – Cluj Napoca
We then head to Alba Iulia, home to the impressive Vauban-style citadel, and a town of great significance for Romanians, as it was here where the document of Unification of Transylvania with the Kingdom of Romania was signed.
After learning about the region’s rich history, we take a break from traditional tourist attractions and visit the Turda Salt Mine, one of the oldest salt mines in the world. This remarkable site dates back to the 13th century and has been used for various purposes throughout history, including as a bomb shelter during WWII and even as a cheese storage center.
We end the day in Cluj Napoca, the capital of Transylvania in the 18th and 19th century, and now an important university center. Take an orientation tour before arriving at the hotel.
Day 3: Cluj Napoca Walking Tour – Organic Smoked Bacon Tasting with Home-made Lunch – Bistrita Walking Tour
Enjoy a delicious home-made lunch before continuing the tour to Bistrita, one of the seven fortified cities built by the Saxons. Explore the city center to see the church with the tallest tower in Transylvania, the Coopers Tower, the Silversmith’s House, the Great Square, the Union Square and the Orthodox Church.
Bistrita is the town mentioned by Bram Stoker in his novel “Dracula” as the place where Jonathan Harker spent the night before going to the count’s castle, at the Golden Crown Hotel, where you will also spend the night.
Day 4: Targu Mures Citadel – Medias Walking Tour – Exclusive Gypsy Home Visit – Saxon Village of Biertan with the Fortified Church – Sighisoara
Then, take an exclusive visit to a Gypsy home to learn about their culture, identity, and lifestyle. Next, visit the fortified church of Biertan, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where you’ll see the former seat of the Lutheran Bishops of Transylvania. This impressive fortified church has three belts of fortification and is a must-see.
In the afternoon, arrive at Sighisoara, an UNESCO World Heritage Site and the only still inhabited medieval citadel in Europe. The accommodation is in the Upper Town of Sighisoara.
As an optional activity, you can also indulge in Transylvanian wine tasting in a 500-year-old cellar in Sighisoara. This is a unique opportunity to taste and learn about the wines produced in this region.
***Optional: Transylvanian wine tasting in a 500-year old cellar in Sighisoara
Day 5: Sighisoara Walking Tour – Saxon Village of Saschiz & Viscri with the Fortified Churches – Exclusive Viscri Village Tour & Traditional Lunch – Brasov
After that, travel south to Saschiz Village, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, to see the imposing clock tower and the Late-Gothic fortified church. Enjoy an exclusive tasting of organic Transylvanian jams on the way.
The journey then continues to Viscri village, where you will be treated to a traditional lunch prepared by your host from locally sourced ingredients in their traditional Saxon house. After lunch, take an exclusive tour of the village, one of the oldest in Transylvania, and visit the Fortified Church. You will also meet a traditional blacksmith in his workshop, and he will show you how he works in a traditional blacksmith shop, all while riding in a horse cart.
The day ends with a hotel check-in in the lovely pedestrian area of the Old Town of Brasov, with its many restaurants and outdoor cafes. Don’t miss the opportunity to savor the local cuisine and drinks in one of the many lively cafes.
Day 6: Bear Sanctuary – Bran Castle – Brasov Walking Tour
Next, we will visit the famous Bran Castle, a well-preserved Gothic castle built in 1377 to protect the trade route between Transylvania and Wallachia. Explore the castle’s royal residence, enlarged and restored over time, and take home local souvenirs and handmade crafts just outside the castle.
Finally, we return to Brasov, one of the oldest cities in Europe, dating back to 1235. Discover the rich heritage of this important Saxon city with a walking tour of the Old Town, including the impressive Black Church, Council Square, Catherine’s Gate, Guild Towers, and Rope Street. Spend the rest of the day at your leisure in Brasov, staying at the same hotel as the night before, an optional dinner in a nearby village can be arranged.
***An optional dinner in a nearby village can be arranged.
Day 7: Peles Castle – Bucharest
After exploring the numerous rooms and gardens, we will stop in the resort town of Sinaia for an orientation tour, 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.
Optionally, you can extend your tour with a Bucharest City Tour, which requires one extra day.
***Optional: You can choose a Bucharest City Tour (requires one extra day)
NOTE: The tour is further customizable.
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.
Two day Black Sea & Danube Delta Extension with Danube Delta Private Cruise accompanied by certified skipper
Extra Day 1: Bucharest – Constanta Walking Tour – Histria Fortress – Tulcea
Extra Day 2: Danube Delta Private Cruise with Lunch – Bucharest Airport
After the tour we will drive back to Henri Coanda International Airport for your afternoon return flight.
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Tour Reviews
In seven days we were treated to a 900 mile tour of Transylvania. Our guide, Dan was very professional; he took very good care of us. His English, which he used to impart a wealth of knowledge, was excellent and even my husband who has trouble with accents, could understand him. We got off road into small villages and saw beautiful baroque and neoclassical buildings in cities. We learned about religion and politics and the life of the people. We stayed in comfortable hotels and ate in restaurants where residents ate. All in all we were very satisfied.
We had a wonderful visit to Romania. Alex was a very knowledgeable and entertaining guided. I would recommend anyone traveling to Romania in general to get in touch with Holiday to Romania.
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