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Private tours in Romania
6. Transylvania & Bucovina Tour.
Period: 9 days.
Distance: 1614km.
Tariffs
Day 1.
Otopeni Airport - Bucharest
Your tour starts at the airport/train station where you'll meet your guide. You'll be transferred to your hotel.
On the way you'll attend a short presentation of your tour. The rest of your day is at leisure.
In the evening your guide will take you to a restaurant with folkloric program.
On the way back to your hotel you'll enjoy a night driving tour of Bucharest.
Day 2*.
Bucharest - Targoviste - Curtea de Arges - Ramnicu Valcea - Olt Valley - Sibiu
After breakfast you'll head toward Sibiu.
First stop of the day will be Targoviste, the former capital of Walachia. Here you'll visit the Princely Court and the Sunset Tower built for the first time during Vlad Impaler's (Dracula) reign.
Driving through Pitesti, you'll reach Curtea de Arges.
Here you'll visit the monastery which is considerate to be one of the most remarkable masterpieces of Romanian architecture.
Further on you'll take the road which goes on the beautiful valley of the Olt River.
On the way you'll stop to visit Cozia monastery. Mircea the Elder, ruler of Walachia and grandfather of Vlad the Impaler (Dracula), built the monastery in
the 14th century. Here you'll have a first contact with the painted frescoes. On the entrance wall of the church you'll see an impressive “Last Judgment” fresco.
Driving on the beautiful Olt Valley, you'll make a small detour for a taste of the countryside. You'll visit Cisnadie fortified church which was built by the Saxons around 12th century. Protected by walls, towers and bastions, the church was the first one in Transylvania to have a lightning rod.
Finally, you'll reach Sibiu.
Day 3.
Sibiu - Medias - Biertan - Sighisoara
After your breakfast you'll start to visit Sibiu, a German city with a very important cultural influence over the country throughout the history.
Brukenthal, governor of Transylvania, had a major roll in Sibiu's development as a major cultural center. He opened the first museum of Romania in 1817, seven years after National Gallery in London, exhibiting his vast art collection.
Sibiu, Europe's cultural capital in 2007, is also known for its medieval architecture, passages, alleys, churches and towers. Sibiu boasts Romania's first iron bridge, which has an interesting legend regarding its name. You'll visit places such as Large Square, Small Square, Huet Square, Goldsmiths' Square and Passage, Staircases' Passage, the Evangelic Church, the Orthodox
Cathedral, the Catholic Church and Brukenthal Museum.
After your tour in Sibiu you'll take the road which goes to Sighisoara.
On the way you'll pass through the medieval town of Medias, famous for its church defended by the citadel’s town. It is here Vlad the Impaler was imprisoned on his way to Buda (present-day Budapest). Another major attraction of Medias is the tower of Margareta Church, which has a deviation of 2m, resembling from this point of view with the famous Tower of Pisa. Also, it is one of the few Protestant churches which kept some of the Catholic frescoes.
The next stop is Biertan, a Saxon village famous for its beautiful fortified church. You'll visit the medieval fortified church of Biertan, a true masterpiece built in the 16th century by Saxons. It exhibits an interesting pulpit carved from one single rock, a door with beautiful marquetries and with a locker unique in Europe and an organ. In the end you'll see some shops which
are selling different traditional souvenirs.
The day ends with a stroll on the streets of Sighisoara, the only inhabited medieval citadel in the world. With its narrow alleys, medieval houses, towers, ramparts and legends about Dracula, Sighisoara is a world-wide attraction for tourists. You'll visit the symbol of Sighisoara, the Clock Tower, Casa Vlad Dracul (the house where Vlad the Impaler was born), School's Staircase, Church on the Hill and the watchtowers. Here you'll receive more information about the real Dracula (Vlad Tepes in Romanian).
Day 4.
Sighisoara - Targu Mures - Bistrita - Vatra Dornei - Campulung Moldovenesc - Gura Humorului
This day will be used to drive you from Transylvania to Bucovina, a historical region of the Moldavia province.
After breakfast you'll head toward the town of Gura Humorului. On the way you'll stop in Targu Mures where you'll have the chance to visit the Orthodox Cathedral, dedicated to The Ascension of Jesus Christ. It is considered to be the largest Orthodox cathedral of Romania and it was built in 9 years, between 1925 and 1934.
Last stop in Targu Mures will be the beautiful Palace of Culture. It was built between 1911 and 1913 in Secession style. The palace owns its fame mainly because of the Mirror Hall. The two parallel Venetian windows and the 12 stained-glass windows are the main attraction of this marvelous hall.
Before entering the province of Moldova, you'll make a last stop to visit the Evangelical Church of Bistrita.
Finally you’ll be taken on a very scenic mountain road and you’ll reach Gura Humorului.
Day 5.
Gura Humorului - Arbore - Putna - Marginea - Sucevita - Moldovita - Vama - Voronet - Gura Humorului
Breakfast in the morning.
This day will be used entirely for the painted monasteries tour.
You'll start with Arbore church. Luca Arbore, a nobleman and high dignitary
under Stephan the Great, ordered in 1503 the building of this church dedicated to the Beheading of Saint John the Baptist.
Next, you'll make a small detour for Putna Monastery, which was built by the order of Stephan the Great, ruler of Moldavia. The legend has it, that the monastery was constructed on the place where the arrow shot from the prince's bow fell off. The constructions lasted 3 years, between 1466 and 1469 and the monastic place had the purpose to be the eternal resting place of Stephen the Great. He is considered to be the greatest ruler of Moldavia, a great fighter against the Turks and a great defender of the Christianity.
Romania has 3 important pottery centers, one of them being Marginea village.
You'll stop in this village to see the workshops where the talented craftsmen make the renowned black pottery.
Then, you'll drive to the nearby Sucevita Monastery, which is the largest of all, looking more like a mighty fortress than a monastery. "The ladder of John of Sinai" fresco is considered one of the best of Sucevita.
Driving on one of the most beautiful roads in the country, crossing the gentle slopes of Bucovina Mountains, admiring the amazing panoramas from the Ciumarna
Pass, you'll reach the Convent of Moldovita. It is famous for its "Siege of
Constantinople" fresco.
Passing through Vama village, where you'll attend an egg painting
demonstration, you'll reach Voronet Convent, the most famous of all. Located not far from Gura Humorului, Voronet Convent amazes with its unique blue color, obtained from lapis lazuli, known as Voronet blue. But the "Last Judgment" fresco exceeds all expectations.
Optionally, after Voronet Monastery, you can go to Humor Monastery, located not far from Gura Humorului. Another painted monastery, Humor is surrounded by beautiful hills covered by forests. It was here that Toader Bubulog, an important nobleman of his time, built in 1530 the present church on the former site of an old hermitage.
Back to Gura Humorului.
Day 6.
Gura Humorului - Falticeni - Targu Neamt - Bicaz - Gheorghieni - Miercurea Ciuc - Baile Tusnad
After your breakfast you'll leave Bucovina region heading toward Baile Tusnad spa.
First stop of the day is Neamt fortress built during the second part of the Petru I Musat reign (1375-1391). The access bridge of the fortress is curved because in this way the invaders were exposed for a longer distance to the attacks of the defenders.
Neamt monastery is the oldest monastic center in the province of Moldova. Set in a beautiful landscape, Neamt monastery was built for the first time during the reign of Petru Musat (1375-1391). Between 1495 and 1497, Stephan the Great
built the present church, dedicated to the Resurrection of Christ.
Further on, you'll pass through the Bicaz Gorges located in the Hasmas Mountains. About 7km long with walls 300m high, Bicaz Gorges are not just a splendid occasion to admire the beauty of nature but also a place for buying souvenirs from the local merchants.
Not far from the gorges, Red Lake presents an interesting picturesque area, with its empty trunks of old fir trees which jut out of the water. Bring your camera.
Passing through the Transylvanian towns Gheorghieni and Miercurea Ciuc, you'll reach Baile Tusnad spa where you'll stay overnight.
Optionally: visit to the St. Ana Lake, the only volcanic lake in Romania.
Day 7.
Baile Tusnad - Sf. Gheorghe - Prejmer - Harman - Brasov
After your breakfast you'll drive toward Brasov. On the way you'll visit Prejmer fortified church. It is the biggest of its kind in southeastern Europe being built in the 13th century by German settlers in Transylvania. The circular fortress has walls 3-4m thick and 12m high, fire holes, bastions, iron gates, deep moats and drawbridges.
Next stop is Harman fortified church. Built in 13th century by Saxons, the fortress has a church surrounded by thick walls and massive towers. During its
history, the church was modified by adding parts to it. It is built in Roman style with Gothic influence.
After lunch you'll visit Brasov, a city founded by the Saxons, who colonized
Transylvania in the 12-13th centuries. Here you'll visit the old center, where you'll admire the beautiful buildings such as the astonishing Black Church which is built in Gothic and Renaissance style. Also, you'll see the narrowest street in Romania, Rope Street, Schei and Catherine's Gates, St. Nicholas Church, and the old Schei neighborhood.
Day 8.
Brasov - Rasnov - Bran - Sinaia - Bucharest
Breakfast in the morning.
Rasnov peasant fortress is the first stop of the day. Built in the 14th century, the fortress, with its beautiful panoramic view, is a good occasion to
see how the locals defended themselves against different invaders.
Located in Barsa region, Bran Castle is famous for the Dracula legend, but in reality has no link with the terrifying Count.
Further on, you’ll be taken on a scenic mountain road and you’ll leave Transylvania.
On the way to Sinaia you'll have an astonishing view over Bucegi Mountain, especially over the craggy Caraiman Massive with its Heroes' Cross built in the memory of the soldiers who died during the First World War.
In Sinaia you'll visit Peles Castle, the most beautiful castle in Romania, residence of the former royal family. Sinaia Monastery was the first building of this town, and is not far from the castle.
Passing through the Romanian plains, you'll reach Bucharest in the afternoon.
Day 9.
Transfer day
Today you'll be transferred to your airport/train station.
Day 2*.
Bucharest - Pitesti - Curtea de Arges - Transfagarasan Road - Sibiu
Option:
During July and August months, we'll use Transfagarasan road, instead of Olt Valley. The tour of the day is changed accordingly:
After your breakfast, you'll start your day heading toward Sibiu, a Transylvanian city built by Saxons about 800 years ago.
First stop of the day will be Targoviste, the former capital of Walachia. Here
you'll visit the Princely Court and the Sunset Tower built for the first time during Vlad Impaler's (Dracula) reign.
On the way you'll stop to visit Curtea de Arges Monastery, one of the most beautiful monasteries of Romania.
At the beginning of the Transfagarasan Road, Vlad the Impaler built Poienari fortress on top of a mountain. The fortress can be reached only after you have climbed 1480 stone stairs. This path through the forest used to be surrounded by hundreds of impaled people, the image being terrified for the enemies of Vlad.
Also, Vidraru Dam was constructed on this road, being impressive through its size: 166m high, the length of the dam having 305m.
Further on, you'll be driven on the Transfagarasan road, the most picturesque road of Romania. After the invasion of Czechoslovakia in 1968, Ceausescu dictator, being afraid of a Soviet invasion, ordered the building of a strategic road, in
this way being able to transfer troops and munitions from one side to the other of the Carpathian Mountains. The construction of the road took more than 4 years, since March 1970 till 20th September 1974. It was built manly by the army, the human and material costs being enormous. The road, inaugurated by the dictator, uneconomic for goods transportation, is a fascinating tourist route, representing throughout summers the most impressive and spectacular way of crossing the Carpathians.
Finally, you'll reach Sibiu, a German city with a very important cultural influence over the country throughout the history.
You'll stay overnight in Sibiu.
| group of 1 person |
group of 2-3 person |
group of 4-6 person |
| 1839Euros/a person |
1031Euros/a person |
990Euros/a person |
Single Supplement: 306 Euros
| group of 1 person |
group of 2-3 person |
group of 4-6 person |
| 1531Euros/a person |
872Euros/a person |
853Euros/a person |
Single Supplement: 201 Euros
| group of 1 person |
group of 2-3 person |
group of 4-6 person |
| 1373Euros/a person |
777Euros/a person |
774Euros/a person |
Single Supplement: 170 Euros
The tariffs include:
- car with A/C
- Fuel for the entire trip
- Transfers from/to airport or train station
- Accommodation in 3-4 stars hotels or guest houses
- Breakfast each day
- A traditional dinner in Bucharest
- English speaking guide/driver
- Entrance fees for tourist objectives
- Parking tickets
- Info folder & detailed map of Romania
- VAT, hotel taxes
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