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Private tours in Romania
Day 1.
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Day 5.
Day 6.
Day 7.
Day 8.
Day 9.
Day 10.
Day 2*.
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Private tours in Romania
Day 1.
Day 2*.
Day 3.
Day 4.
Day 5.
Day 6.
Day 7.
Day 8.
Day 9.
Day 10.
Day 2*.
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After breakfast, you'll start your day heading toward Sibiu, a Transylvanian city built by the
Saxons about 800 years ago.
On the way you'll visit Cozia Monastery built in 1387-1391 by Dracula's (Vlad the Impaler)
grandfather. Here you'll visit an orthodox church built in the Byzantine style.
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 the
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, a German city with a very important cultural influence over the
country.
Brukenthal, governor of Transylvania, had a major role in Sibiu’s development as a major
cultural center. He opened the first museum of Romania in 1817,
seven years before 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.
The highlight of the day will be the visit of the Evangelical Church's tower, from where
you'll be able to admire the entire city.
On the way, you’ll stop in Alba Iulia, the most important urban center during Roman occupation
and capital of Transylvania province between 1541 and 1690. It was here Michael the Brave
(Mihai Viteazul) unified for the first time, November 1st, 1599, the all three Romanian
provinces, Walachia, Moldavia and Transylvania.
Here you’ll admire the walls of the fortress built in Vauban type. The Reunification Cathedral
was built between 1921and 1923, a grandiose building which was the place where the Romanian
monarchs were crowned. The Roman Catholic Cathedral, built in 13th century, is considered to
be an important monument of early Transylvanian medieval architecture. It harmoniously
combines Gothic and Romanesque style elements. It is here Inacu by Hunedoara, the father of
King Corvinus of Hungary, rests for eternity.
In Turda you’ll visit something quite different from the rest of the stops in
this trip. This place is known for its salt deposits. Discovered first by the Romans, Turda
salt mine became an important exploitation center during the Habsburg’s control of
Transylvania. Here you’ll be astonished by the very long access corridor, which has almost 1km
and by the huge salt galleries.
Driving on the roads of the Transylvanian hills you’ll reach the city of Cluj Napoca.
After your check in, you’ll visit the beautiful town’s old center, where you can admire the
St. Michael Cathedral and the Orthodox Cathedral. In the afternoon you’ll go to Cetatuia Hill,
which offers a beautiful view over the town.
nature blends with the beauty of the old villages, a place where the locals kept untouched
their traditions, where the carved wood represents a common way of building.
Passing through Gherla, Dej and Baia Mare you’ll have a first contact with a wooden church,
Surdesti church. Built in 1724, this church, made of evergreen oak beams, impresses because of
its very high steeple, 54m, the total height of the church reaching 72m!
Crossing Gutai Mountains, you’ll reach Desesti village famous for its wooden church. Built in
1780, the wooden church amazes with its beautiful frescoes
made by Radu Munteanu, a local painter.
Further on, you’ll stop at the outskirts of Berbesti village to admire Rednic wooden Calvary,
the oldest crucifix in Romania, 300 years old.
Then you’ll head toward Sapanta village to admire Merry Cemetery. Here the carved crosses are
painted in bright colors, the dead person being represented during an important moment of his
life.
In the same village you’ll stop to admire the highest wooden structure in the world: Peri
Convent, recently rebuilt.
You’ll stay overnight in a clean guest house with all modern facilities and private bathroom.
After the traditional breakfast you’ll take a stroll in the village. You’ll visit a local
distillery, used by the locals to prepare tuica or palinca, a sort of plum brandy. Not far
from the distillery, you’ll see how the locals are washing their carpets in a way like 100
years ago.
You’ll continue your walking tour on the streets of the village admiring the wooden gates, the
wooden houses, the local architecture and the locals.
Next, you’ll visit Toader Barsan’s house, a local wood carver who took part at the Smithsonian
World Festival in Washington.
In the same village, you’ll visit one of the highest wooden churches in the world, Barsana
church. Dedicated to the Twelve Apostles, the new church was built in 1992.
The last visit in Maramures is the Museum of the Peasant Women in Dragomiresti village. It is
a traditional wooden house which belonged to a woman never married.
Passing through the mountains of Maramures (Prislop Pass), you’ll reach for the first time the
region of Bucovina, known for its painted monasteries,
but also for the traditional houses adorned with beautiful floral and geometrical motifs, for
its traditions kept over the centuries and for its hospitable people.
Driving through Ciocanesti village, where you’ll be able to admire the locals’ houses and
through Campulung, you’ll reach Gura Humorului, the best base for the tour of the monasteries.
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 Ciumârna Pass, you’ll reach the
Convent of Moldovita. It is famous for its “Siege of Constantinople” fresco.
Passing through Vama village, 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
azurite, 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.
After your breakfast you’ll drive toward Sighisoara.
Although, today the journey will be quite long, you’ll still have time for some visits.
You’ll enjoy the beautiful Bicaz Gorges located in the Hasmas Mountains. About 7km long with
300m high walls, 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.
After the lunch, you’ll continue towards the citadel of Sighisoara.
Breakfast in the morning.
In the morning you’ll visit 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 defense towers. Here you’ll receive more information about the real Dracula
(Vlad TepeT in Romanian).
On the way back to Brasov you’ll visit the beautiful Viscri fortified church. Located 35km
southeast of Sighisoara, the village of Viscri is known for the well-preserved peasant
fortress which surrounds one of the few Romanesque churches in Romania. The Teutonic Knights
built the citadel in the 12th century on the site of an existing church. The village was
mentioned in documents for the first time in 1400, under the name "Alba ecclesia". Being a
UNESCO heritage site since 1990, the fortress has huge walls with watching towers, the main
tower being 10m high. The villagers used the fortified church as a hiding place when the
Tartars attacked them.
After check in, 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 was built in Gothic and Renaissance style. You’ll see the narrowest street
in Romania, Rope Street, Schei and Catherine’s Gates, St. Nicholas Church, and the old Schei
neighborhood.
The day tours ends in Bran.
legend, is the next stop. Built on a calcareous hill, the castle, surrounded by a small
village museum, attracts thousands of visitors each year.
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 right in time for
a driving tour of Bucharest and some stops.
Passing by the Triumphant Arch, built in 1936, driving on the beautiful Kisseleff Boulevard,
you’ll reach Victory square, where the Palace of the Government is located. From here you’ll
admire the beautiful houses and buildings of the Victory Boulevard.
In the Revolution Square you’ll stop to admire the Romanian Athenaeum built in 1888 in
Neoclassical style, the Central University Library and the Art Museum, the former Royal
Palace. Also, you’ll get explications about the anticommunist revolution.
The last visit of this tour is the old center of Bucharest where you’ll visit the Old Princely
Court with its church - the oldest building of Bucharest, the Manuc’s Inn, the Stavropoleos
church and the beautiful old streets, alleys and buildings.
The last stop of the tour is in front of the largest European building, The Parliament.
you’ll visit the Princely Court and the Sunset Tower built for the first time during Vlad
Impaler’s (Dracula) reign.
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. The road, inaugurated by the dictator, uneconomic for goods
transportation, is a fascinating tourist route, representing through out summers the most
impressive and spectacular way of crossing the Carpathians.