Romania - A Classical Tour

Arrival on Otopeni International airport where you ll be met by your guide. Transfer to Sinaia. Dinner in a local restaurant

Breakfast This small but eye-catching mountain resort rose to fame mostly thanks to the royal family who chose Sinaia as their royal residence in the 20th century. Our first stop will be the Orthodox Monastery in Sinaia, continuing with the Peles Castle, the splendid Gothic style castle built by the first king of Romania, Carol the first of Hohenzollern. Then we ll arrive in Brasov, a city founded by the Teutonic knights. Here we ll walk on one of the narrowest streets in the world and cross the Council Square to reach the Gothic cathedral, famously called the Black Church. Lunch will be taken in the picturesque region Bran-Moeciu, with the whitewashed Bran Castle as backdrop. Or should we say Draculas Castle, as everyone famously calls it On leaving the castle you can buy souvenirs reminding you of Dracula or Romania. Our journey continues, taking us deeper into the heart of Transylvania, to Sibiu. Sibius historical center has a striking resemblance to a German burg and is one of the best preserved medieval cities in our country Hotel accommodation. We ll have dinner in one of the restaurants located in the central square.

Breakfast Elected European cultural capital in 2007, Sibiu has a particular charm, everyone will agree, blending history and multicultural elements. Built by German settlers in the 12th century, the city was ruled for several generations by the most influential guilds. The city tour includes the old town whose attraction is the main Square sheltering the Brukenthal Museum and the Roman Catholic Cathedral, and it continues with Huet Square where we ll visit the Evangelical Church. Afterwards we ll go through the passage of stairs and cross the famous Bridge of Lies. The rural replica of Sibiu is Sibiel, a quaint Transylvanian village appraised by specialized magazines as one as the most authentic and well-preserved rural areas in Europe. Here we ll have the opportunity to learn about life style of people in the countryside people and enjoy a traditional lunch prepared from organic products. After lunch we ll visit the largest museum of icons on glass in Romania. Since Transylvania is renowned for its medieval legends, the best place to listen to such awe-inspiring stories in an ancient Gothic castle, namely the Corvin Castle in Hunedoara, built in the fifteenth century. Our travel continues in Romania s largest fortress surrounded by 12 km of walls in the shape of a star. Alba Carolina fortress was successively a Roman fort, a fortress during the Middle Ages and later a Vauban type citadel provided with bastions. The journey continues with the largest city in Transylvania, Cluj Napoca, proclaimed city of the arts. Accommodation and dinner.

Breakfast The first hours of the day will be devoted to a city tour. St Michaels Gothic cathedral overlooking the citys central square comes first on our list of attractions, followed by the Banffy castle, the former mayors hall and the so-called Mirror Street. From Cluj we re heading to the north west of Romania, to Maramures - a region resembling a fascinating museum in the open. Lacking rights and privileges for hundreds of years, the dwellers of these places have managed to overcome hardship by following two simple rules live your life to the full and cherish, above all, the richness of the soul. Maramures people are considered to be the most hospitable Romanians and their traditional wooden houses are a living part of their history. For lunch, we are invited into the home of a welcoming family from the village of Breb, where we ll have the opportunity to enjoy fresh produce and delicious fruity liqueurs. After lunch we ll visit an old wooden church, nowadays included among the UNESCO World Heritage Sites, as well as beautiful ethnic houses renovated by the foundation sponsored by Prince Charles, whose activity supports local people in preserving and fostering their culture and traditions. Not far from Sighet - our final destination - is Sapinta, the worlds one and only community with a merry cemetery. The wood carved crosses painted in bright colors display witty, humorous quatrains inspired by the lives of those who are no longer with us. Hotel accommodation. Romanian traditional dinner and folkloric show.

Breakfast In the morning we ll visit two ancient wooden churches that are part of the UNESCO World Heritage Fund Poienile Izei (Iza Meadows) and Barsana, the latter being one of the largest Orthodox architectural ensembles in Romania. Perfected across generations, the art of wood carving remains the chief craft of the local community, as we shall see in the workshop of a local artisan. After his presentation, you ll be able to buy unique hand-made souvenirs. Next, we head back to the center of Romania to see other interesting places. After lunch we reach Biertan, the largest fortified church in Transylvania built by the Saxons in the sixteenth century and nowadays listed as UNESCO monument. Not far you ll discover Sighisoara, considered the only medieval fortress within UNESCO thats currently inhabited. Walking up the winding cobble stone streets lined with historical buildings, we reach the Clock Tower, a symbol of the city, atop of which you can admire the breathtaking views. The Tower shelters a museum of medieval weapons and the chamber of torture. After visiting the tower we ll climb the three hundred wooden steps up to the Church-on-the-hill, built in the XIV century. Hotel accommodation Dinner in a restaurant that captures the medieval atmosphere.

Breakfast After leaving Sighisoara behind we ll make our way to a small secluded village whose reputation is more recently related to Prince Charles. Fascinated by life in the countryside and the peaceful atmosphere of this Transylvanian village, His Royal Highness restored one of the traditional houses, making it the place where he returns every year in May. Besides admiring the specific architecture of Viscri houses, we ll visit the small church surrounded by thick walls and the tower where the locals traditionally keep their pickles and preserves. From Viscri we ll head off to the Prejmer fortress, included in the UNESCO World Heritage Fund. Its defense walls have been transformed into shelter homes in wartime, so that the fortress has the appearance of a honeycomb. Lunch in Brasov Transfer to Bucharest after driving through the scenic Prahova Valley, Romanias most popular tourist area and a key destination for winter sports lovers. On the way to the hotel we ll take a panoramic tour of Bucharest. Dinner in one of the most famous restaurants in the capital. The program will include live music and Romanian folk dances.

Breakfast. The entire day is dedicated to discovering Bucharest, the place where Western and Eastern cultures interestingly blend. Beyond this exotic mix, one can undoubtedly feel the inescapable influence of the communist period. The most distinctive building dating back to the communist regime is the Palace of the Parliament. Also known as Ceausescus Palace, the impressive edifice entered the Guinness world records as the second largest building in the world after the Pentagon. While going through its huge and imposing marble rooms lit by chandeliers we ll learn the grim statistics that enabled its rise. Next on our agenda is a sightseeing tour of Bucharests old city, which shelters several architectural gems and representative buildings at the same time. Lunch will be taken in the quaint atmosphere of the interwar period at the no less famous restaurant Hanul lui Manuc (Manucs Inn), a staple of old Bucharest. The afternoon is free for last-minute shopping. In the evening we ll meet in the famous restaurant Tears and Saints, where besides products with exotic names we ll enjoy the ambiance of the last century.

Breakfast and check out. The airport transfer will take place according to schedule.