Romania Tour

HIGHLIGHTS

Enjoy peasant traditions, costumes, crafts, horse-driven carts, and dinner with “ceterasi” violin players
Explore Sighisoara, the best preserved, continuously inhabited medieval city of Europe
Tour the unique Merry Cemetery in Sapanta Village
Discover painted monasteries of northern Moldova
Visit medieval Transylvania with its palaces, fortifications, and “Dracula’s Castle”

We begin with an exploration of Bucharest’s historic, architectural and cultural sites. Crossing the Carpathians to Sibiu, one of the oldest Saxon towns in Transylvania, we enjoy a walking tour of the medieval town’s quaint cobblestone streets, pastel houses, 15-16th century town square, Evangelical Church, Podul Mincinosilor (the Liars’ Bridge), and old city walls. We also visit the oldest art museum in the country, the Bruckental Palace Museum, and enjoy a horse and carriage ride thru the open air museum of Astra.

In the mountain village of Sibiel we visit the painted glass icon museum to learn about this unique Romanian art. Next is Sighisoara, with its walled citadel on the hilltop, secret gateways and passages, and 14th century clock tower. It is also the birthplace of Prince Vlad Tepes (Dracula). Onward to Maramures, the land of wooden churches and carved wooden gates, unique folk costumes and traditions. In Bucovina we admire the famous painted monasteries of northern Moldova. The Voronet Monastery, built in 1488, is one of the most beautiful and is dubbed the "Sistine Chapel of the East.” Travel to Romania with us and experience the delights of a country rich in heritage and endearing charm.

The Merry Cemetery in Sapanta Village, Maramures

ITINERARY

Read Full Itinerary (PDF)

Day 1-2: Meet in Bucharest
Enjoy a panoramic tour including a visit to the outdoor Village Museum, the Museum of the Romanian Peasant, the Palace of Parliament, Revolution Square, Patriarch's Cathedral and a walk in the historic area.

Day 3-4: Sibiu
Crossing the Carpathians, we drive along the picturesque Olt Valley to Cozia Monastery, built in 1386. Arrive in Sibiu, one of the oldest Saxon towns in Transylvania. A walking tour of the medieval town with cobblestone streets and pastel houses. We visit the Bruckental Palace Museum, enjoy a horse-drawn carriage ride through the open air museum of Astra and visit traditional villages nearby.

Day 5: Sighisoara
Explore Sighisoara, one of the best preserved and continuously inhabited medieval cities of Europe, with a walled citadel on the hilltop, secret gateways and passages, and a 14th century clock tower. Sighisoara is the birthplace of Prince Vlad Tepes (Dracula).

Day 6-7: Vadu Izei Village in Maramures
Soak up the ambiance in Maramures, the land of wooden churches, unique folk costumes and timeless traditions, where ancient Romania co-exists with modern times. Experience the local peasant lifestyle with a delightful village family. See the whimiscal Merry Cemetery in Sapanta Village. Special treat, dinner with "ceterasi", the local violin players.

Day 8-9: Bucovina
Travel through the scenic Prislop Pass to the Bucovina region, renowned for the wondrously detailed exterior frescoes on the walls of its monasteries and churches. Visit the famous painted monasteries of northern Moldova in their construction and painting order: Humor, Voronet, Moldovita, Sucevita.

Day 10-11: Brasov - Bran - Sinaia
A walking tour in the historical center of Brasov including the Black Church, the largest gothic structure between Vienna and Istanbul. Visit “Dracula’s Castle” in Bran and the fabulous Peles Castle in Sinaia.

Day 12: Depart